Remote Therapeutic Monitoring
When the data isn't physiologic.
Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) uses medical devices to monitor a patient's health or response to treatment using non-physiological data. The rule of thumb: if the data can't be billed under RPM, it likely bills under RTM.
RPM vs RTM
How RTM differs from RPM
RPM captures physiologic data — vital signs, glucose, weight. RTM captures therapeutic, non-physiological data: how a patient is responding to treatment. The two are billed under separate code families, and a single device generally maps to one or the other.
What RTM monitors
- Medication adherence
- Response to therapy
- Musculoskeletal activity
- Pain levels
- Respiratory system
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
The Codes
RTM code families
RTM codes are classified as Evaluation and Management (E/M) services. Descriptors are simplified here — confirm exact wording and current rules before billing.
Set-up & education
Initial set-up and patient education on use of the equipment.
Device supply & monitoring
Supply of a device with scheduled recordings and/or programmed alerts to monitor the respiratory system (98976), musculoskeletal system (98977), or cognitive behavioral therapy (98978) — each 30 days.
Treatment management time
RTM treatment management requiring at least one interactive communication with the patient or caregiver during the calendar month — first 20 minutes (98980) and each additional 20 minutes (98981).
Who Can Bill
The eligibility difference
This is where RTM diverges most from RPM. Clinicians do not have to be eligible to bill E/M services — which opens RTM to the therapists who deliver much of this care.
- Broader eligibility — clinicians need not be eligible to bill E/M services; this includes speech, physical, and occupational therapists.
- Assistant modifiers — use CQ / CO modifiers when billed by a physical-therapist assistant or occupational-therapy assistant, respectively.
- 16-day minimum — monitoring must occur for at least 16 days of a 30-day period.
- Document the device — record the name and description of the device when billing the supply codes.
- FDA status — the device must be approved, cleared, or registered with the FDA.
- No bundling requirement — there is currently no requirement that 98975, 98980, and 98981 be billed alongside 98976–98978.
RTM is still taking shape.
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CTeL members get the latest RTM policy, reimbursement, and compliance intelligence.