.jpg "Daniel Godla")
What is Remote Therapeutic Monitoring?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) in 2022. The program reimburses providers for the review and monitoring of non-physiological data collected through medical devices that meet FDA standards.
These devices, such as peak flow meters, motion trackers and spirometers, collect objective and subjective information about patient symptoms and activities as part of their therapeutic regimen.
RTM currently focuses on monitoring musculoskeletal and respiratory systems, recently expanding to also include cognitive behavioral therapy.
Unlike Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), which collects physiological data like blood pressure or weight, RTM gathers non-physiological data. Providers can use this to make informed decisions about a patient's treatment plan.
Remote Therapeutic Monitoring CPT codes:
98975, 98976, 98977, 98978, 98980 and 98981
RTM codes correspond to an exact activity, whether that be device setup for specific conditions, or providing care services. The codes reflect different rates, each with its own restrictions.
Providers can determine their specific billing rate based on whether they work within a facility or non-facility and their geographic location using the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Look-up Tool.
CPT code 98975
This covers the initial set-up and patient education on use of equipment. Only billed once per episode of care.
CPT code 98976
This covers device(s) supply with scheduled (e.g. daily) recording(s) and/or programmed alert(s) transmission to monitor respiratory systems each 30 days.
CPT code 98977
This covers device(s) supply with scheduled (e.g. daily) recording(s) and/or programmed alert(s) transmission to monitor musculoskeletal systems each 30 days.
CPT code 98978
This covers device(s) supply with scheduled (e.g., daily) recording(s) and/or programmed alert(s) transmission to monitor cognitive behavior therapy each 30 days.
CPT code 98980
This covers Remote Therapeutic Monitoring treatment, physician/other qualified health care professional time in a calendar month requiring at least one interactive communication with the patient/caregiver during the calendar month; first 20 minutes.
CPT code 98981
This covers an additional 20 minutes Remote Therapeutic Monitoring treatment.
Who can provide Remote Therapeutic Monitoring?
Qualified healthcare practitioners can deliver and bill for RTM services. These include:
- Physicians
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech-language pathologists
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician assistants
Remote Therapeutic Monitoring vs. Remote Patient Monitoring
Unlike RPM, which collects physiological data like blood pressure or weight, RTM gathers non-physiological data. As shown in the table below, the distinction between the two programs delineates when it may be best to offer RTM instead of RPM.
Purpose
RTM: Collect therapeutic data to monitor symptoms and side effects, treatment progress and adherence to support treatment efficacy.
RPM: Collect physiological data to monitor health status, detect changes in status and intervene before deterioration occurs.
Data collected
RTM: Non-physiological data, including objective data from digital health devices and subjective data from patient-reported outcomes. These data may include pain levels, range of motion, medication or exercise adherence.
RPM: Physiological data, including vital signs like blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar, weight, pulse oxidation, etc.
Conditions and needs
RTM: Limited to musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions and cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s most often used with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, COPD, obesity, anxiety and depression.
RPM: May be used with any medical condition where it’s deemed medically necessary. It’s most often used with diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and other chronic illnesses.
Devices used
RTM: Examples of FDA-approved digital health devices that may be used include:
- Smartwatches
- Computer vision technology
- Inhaler usage trackers
- Smart pill bottles
- Peak flow meters
- Spirometers
- Other Software as a Medical Device
RPM: Examples of FDA-approved medical devices that may be used include:
- Smart scales
- Blood pressure monitors
- Blood glucose monitors
- Pulse oximeters
- Other approved remote medical devices
CPT codes
RTM: See section above
RPM: This program supports its own billing codes, found here.
Qualified providers
RTM: See section above
RPM: Can be billed by physicians and other qualified healthcare professionals, including:
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician assistants
- Certified nurse midwives
- Clinical nurse specialists
Remote Therapeutic Monitoring can be used with other Medicare programs
RTM can be concurrently billed with other Medicare programs. These include:
- Chronic Care Management
- Transitional Care Management
- Behavioral Health Integration
- Principal Care Management
- Chronic Pain Management
However, RTM cannot be billed for the same time period as RPM.
RTM fits the need for remote non-physiological data collection for certain conditions
RTM enables data collected remotely to aid in the evaluation of whether medication, treatments or therapies are having the desired effect. The current CPT codes reimburse for device setup and patient education, review of non-physiological data, as well as interactive communication between the patient/caregiver and provider.
Key questions answered
What is Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM)?
Remote Therapeutic Monitoring reimburses for the review and monitoring of non-physiological data. This is collected through medical devices for musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions and cognitive behavioral therapy.
What are the CPT codes and national rates for RTM in 2025?
There are six CPT codes that may be billed in 2025 for Remote Therapeutic Monitoring, including 98975, 98976, 98977, 98980 and 98981. These billing codes reimburse for device setup and patient education, review of collected data and interactive communication between the patient and provider.