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.
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.
This covers the initial set-up and patient education on use of equipment. Only billed once per episode of care.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This covers an additional 20 minutes Remote Therapeutic Monitoring treatment.
Qualified healthcare practitioners can deliver and bill for RTM services. These include:
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.
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.
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.
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.
RTM: Examples of FDA-approved digital health devices that may be used include:
RPM: Examples of FDA-approved medical devices that may be used include:
RTM: See section above
RPM: This program supports its own billing codes, found here.
RTM: See section above
RPM: Can be billed by physicians and other qualified healthcare professionals, including:
RTM can be concurrently billed with other Medicare programs. These include:
However, RTM cannot be billed for the same time period as RPM.
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.
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.
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.