Remote Therapeutic Monitoring
Codes for monitoring musculoskeletal, respiratory, or cognitive behavioral therapy adherence and response, using patient-reported or device-captured non-physiologic data.
What it is
Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) covers monitoring a patient's therapy adherence and response, most commonly for musculoskeletal or respiratory conditions but also cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), using data that can be device-generated or, unlike RPM, patient self-reported through a device or app.
The code family splits into device setup and supply codes, separated by musculoskeletal, respiratory, or CBT system, and treatment management codes for the time spent reviewing the data and communicating with the patient.
Who qualifies
- Patient has an established treatment plan for a musculoskeletal, respiratory, or cognitive behavioral therapy condition being monitored
- Patient consents to RTM, including any applicable cost-sharing
- Data is collected via a qualifying device or system, and can include patient-reported adherence and response data
- At least 16 days of data are collected in a 30-day period for the standard device-supply codes (98976, 98977, 98978); a short-duration alternative applies for 2-15 days (98984, 98985, 98986)
Codes at a glance
| Code | What it covers | Threshold | Approx. payment | Details link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98975 | Initial setup and patient education on equipment use (one time, per episode of care) | Once per episode, requires ≥16 days of data in the following 30 days | ~$22 | Details → |
| 98976 | Respiratory system device supply, per 30 days | ≥16 days of data in a 30-day period | ~$52 | Details → |
| 98977 | Musculoskeletal system device supply, per 30 days | ≥16 days of data in a 30-day period | ~$51 | Details → |
| 98978 | Cognitive behavioral therapy monitoring device supply, per 30 days | ≥16 days of data in a 30-day period | Varies by MAC (contractor-priced) | Details → |
| 98984 | Respiratory system device supply, short-duration alternative to 98976 | 2-15 days of data in a 30-day period | ~$52 | Details → |
| 98985 | Musculoskeletal system device supply, short-duration alternative to 98977 | 2-15 days of data in a 30-day period | ~$51 | Details → |
| 98986 | Cognitive behavioral therapy monitoring device supply, short-duration alternative to 98978 | 2-15 days of data in a 30-day period | Varies by MAC (contractor-priced) | Details → |
| 98980 | Treatment management, first 20 minutes, per calendar month | 20 minutes plus 1+ interactive communication | ~$54 | Details → |
| 98981 | Treatment management add-on, each additional 20 minutes | Each additional 20 minutes, requires 98980 first | ~$41 | Details → |
| 98979 | Treatment management, short-duration alternative to 98980 | 10-19 minutes plus 1+ interactive communication | ~$26 | Details → |
Approximate CY2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule national non-facility payment benchmark for non-QP clinicians, before geographic, sequestration, and claim-specific adjustments. Actual reimbursement varies by locality, practitioner status, payer, and billing circumstances. Verify the applicable amount with CMS or your Medicare Administrative Contractor.
What's required to bill
- Documented patient consent to RTM
- A qualifying device or system, which for RTM may rely on patient-reported data rather than automatic capture only
- At least one interactive communication with the patient or caregiver during the month for the treatment management codes
- Data collected across the required number of days within a rolling 30-day period, tracked separately for respiratory vs. musculoskeletal device codes
- Practitioner or clinical staff time spent reviewing data and adjusting the treatment plan
Documentation checklist
- Consent to RTM services
- Device/system data showing the number of days of readings collected in the 30-day period
- Correct system category (respiratory vs. musculoskeletal) used for the device-supply code billed
- Time log for treatment management activities
- Record of at least one interactive communication with the patient during the month
Common billing mistakes
- Billing the respiratory device code (98976/98984) for a musculoskeletal monitoring program, or vice versa
- Billing the 16+ day code with fewer than 16 days of data collected in the period
- Billing 98981 without first meeting the 98980 threshold
- Billing both 98980 and 98979 for the same patient in the same month
- Assuming only physicians and E/M-eligible practitioners can bill RTM: physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists can also furnish and bill qualifying RTM services under the applicable therapy benefit and plan-of-care rules
FAQ
How is RTM different from RPM?
RPM is limited to physiologic data automatically captured by a connected device, such as blood pressure or weight. RTM covers musculoskeletal, respiratory, and cognitive behavioral therapy monitoring, and can include patient-reported adherence and response data, not just device-generated readings.
Can the respiratory, musculoskeletal, and CBT device codes be billed together?
They can be billed together if the patient is genuinely being monitored for more than one qualifying condition (respiratory, musculoskeletal, or CBT) in the same period, with distinct devices and documentation for each.
Who can bill the RTM treatment management codes?
Physicians and qualified non-physician practitioners who can independently bill evaluation and management services can bill the RTM treatment management codes. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists can also furnish and bill qualifying RTM services, under the applicable therapy benefit and plan-of-care rules, which differs from RPM, where only E/M-eligible practitioners typically bill.