Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Service Codes

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) services provide healthcare professionals with reimbursable opportunities to track and assess non-physiological patient data using FDA-approved medical devices. Introduced by CMS in 2022, RTM focuses on monitoring musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions, with a recent expansion into cognitive behavioural therapy. Devices such as motion trackers and spirometers collect valuable insights into patient symptoms and adherence to treatment plans. 

Unlike Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), which tracks physiological metrics, RTM captures subjective and objective data related to therapy effectiveness. These insights help providers make informed clinical decisions, improving patient outcomes while ensuring compliance with Medicare billing and reimbursement guidelines.

Understanding Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) Codes

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) is a specialized category of healthcare services designed to track and manage non-physiological patient data through FDA-approved medical devices. Established by the CPT Editorial Panel and valued by the RVS Update Committee, these codes enable providers—such as physical therapists, physicians, and other qualified healthcare professionals—to monitor key aspects of a patient’s therapeutic progress.

RTM codes facilitate the collection and analysis of data related to musculoskeletal and respiratory system status, therapy adherence, and treatment response. Patients can input data manually, self-report, or use digital uploads for seamless integration into their care plans.

Key RTM CPT Codes and Their Descriptions

• 98975 – Initial setup and patient education on remote therapeutic monitoring devices for tracking musculoskeletal and respiratory health, therapy adherence, and response.
• 98976 – Supply of an RTM device for monitoring respiratory status, including scheduled recordings and alerts, billed per 30 days.
• 98977 – Supply of an RTM device for tracking musculoskeletal status, with scheduled recordings and alerts, billed per 30 days.
• 98978 – RTM device supply for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), including scheduled recordings, alerts, and data access or transmission support, billed per 30 days. (Updated for 2025 to include device supply for data access or transmissions to support RTM.)
• 98980 – RTM treatment management requires at least one interactive communication with the patient or caregiver within a calendar month, which includes 20 minutes of provider time.
• 98981 – Each additional 20 minutes of RTM treatment management within the same month.

These codes streamline patient engagement, improve clinical decision-making, and enhance treatment adherence—offering providers a structured approach to digital health monitoring and reimbursement.

Billing Guidelines for Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) Services

Proper billing for Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) services is essential for healthcare providers to ensure compliance and maximize reimbursement. Below is a detailed guide on RTM billing, including key considerations, requirements, and best practices.

Eligible Providers for RTM Billing

Unlike Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), which physicians and certain non-physician practitioners primarily bill, RTM can be billed by a broader range of healthcare professionals, including:

• Physicians
• Physical therapists (PTs)
• Occupational therapists (OTs)
• Speech-language pathologists (SLPs)
• Nurse practitioners (NPs)
• Physician assistants (PAs)

Since RTM focuses on monitoring therapy adherence, response, and symptom tracking, providers specializing in rehabilitation, pulmonary care, and behavioral health often use these codes.

Understanding RTM CPT Codes and Their Billing Frequency

RTM consists of several CPT codes, each with specific billing rules. Below is a breakdown of how often each code can be billed:

CPT Code	Description	Billing Frequency
98975	Initial setup and patient education on RTM equipment	Once per patient per treatment episode
98976	Device supply for respiratory system monitoring, with scheduled recordings and alerts	Every 30 days
98977	Device supply for musculoskeletal system monitoring, with scheduled recordings and alerts	Every 30 days
98978	Device supply for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) monitoring, with data access/transmission (Updated for 2025)	Every 30 days
98980	RTM treatment management, requiring at least one interactive communication (first 20 minutes per month)	Once per calendar month
98981	Additional 20 minutes of RTM treatment management	Multiple times per calendar month as needed

Each treatment episode refers to a unique period where RTM services are required for a patient’s specific condition.

Key Documentation Requirements for RTM Billing

To ensure reimbursement, providers must maintain detailed documentation for each RTM service. The following information should be recorded:

a) Device Setup and Patient Education (CPT 98975)

• Date of device setup and training session
• Patient’s consent and understanding of device use
• Type of RTM device issued and its purpose

b) Data Collection and Transmission (CPT 98976–98978)

• Frequency of data recordings (e.g., daily, weekly)
• Type of data collected (e.g., therapy adherence, symptom tracking)
• Any programmed alerts triggered and provider responses

c) Treatment Management and Interactive Communication (CPT 98980–98981)

• Date and duration of each patient interaction
• Type of communication (e.g., phone call, video consultation)
• Clinical decisions made based on RTM data
• Adjustments to the patient’s treatment plan

Requirements for Interactive Communication (98980 & 98981)

For RTM treatment management codes 98980 and 98981, at least one interactive communication (e.g., phone or video call) between the provider and the patient/caregiver must occur per month. The interaction should:

• Last a minimum of 20 minutes per month for 98980.
• Be documented thoroughly in the patient’s medical records.
• Address the patient’s symptoms, adherence, or response to therapy.

If additional time beyond 20 minutes is spent on treatment management, 98981 can be billed for every extra 20-minute increment.

Medicare and Private Payer Coverage for RTM

RTM services are reimbursed under Medicare Part B and are subject to co-insurance and deductibles. However, private payers and Medicaid policies may vary, so providers should:

• Verify coverage before initiating RTM services.
• Check payer-specific documentation and coding requirements.
• Confirm whether the patient has met their deductible for Medicare coverage.

Tip: Some commercial insurers may require pre-authorization for RTM services.

Common Billing Errors of Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Services and How to Avoid Them

To prevent claim denials or delays, consider these common RTM billing mistakes:

Billing Error	Solution
Billing 98975 more than once per treatment episode	Only bill this code once per patient condition.
Failing to document interactive communication for 98980/98981	Always record details of calls or video sessions.
Submitting RTM codes for an ineligible provider (e.g., registered nurses)	Ensure an approved provider type does billing.
Missing device supply documentation for 98976–98978	Keep clear records of device usage, alerts, and transmissions.

Best Practices for Successful RTM Billing

• Use automated systems to track RTM service time and device usage.
• Educate patients on the importance of data submission for successful monitoring.
• Regularly review payer policies to stay updated on RTM billing changes.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA when collecting and transmitting patient data.

BillingFreedom Commitment to Maximizing Reimbursements with Expert RTM Billing Services

BillingFreedom specializes in Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) medical billing, ensuring healthcare providers receive maximum reimbursement with accurate claim submissions. 

Our team navigates complex CPT coding, payer-specific policies, and Medicare guidelines to streamline your RTM billing process. We handle device setup billing (98975), data transmission (98976–98978), and treatment management (98980–98981) with precise documentation and compliance.

With real-time claim tracking, denial management, and payer verification, BillingFreedom minimizes revenue loss and accelerates reimbursements. Whether you're a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or physician, we optimize your RTM revenue cycle while ensuring full compliance with CMS and HIPAA regulations.

Partner with BillingFreedom today for seamless RTM billing and effortlessly maximize your practice's revenue!

For more details about our exceptional PCP medical billing services, please don't hesitate to email us at info@billingfreedom.com or call us at +1 (855) 415-3472. 

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