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Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Billing: Guide to RTM CPT Codes

Complete guide to Remote Therapeutic Monitoring CPT codes 98975, 98977, 98980 & 98981. RTM billing requirements, reimbursement rates & documentation tips.
July 25, 2025

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Billing: Guide to RTM CPT Codes

If you’re billing for Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM), understanding the correct use of RTM CPT codes is essential for accurate reimbursement and compliance. This guide breaks down the CPT® codes most relevant to musculoskeletal (MSK) care and provides tips for documentation and billing success.

What Are Remote Therapeutic Monitoring CPT Codes?

A CPT® code (or Current Procedural Terminology code) is a numerical code assigned to each medical procedure and service. These codes are used by healthcare providers to describe the services they provide to patients for billing and insurance purposes.

There are six CPT Codes for RTM, but only four are commonly used for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions:

  • CPT 98975
  • CPT 98977
  • CPT 98980
  • CPT 98981

(Other RTM codes include 98976 for respiratory system monitoring and 98978 for cognitive behavioral therapy.)

Service Codes vs. Treatment Management Codes

The RTM CPT codes are categorized into two main types:

Service Codes

  • Providing the necessary ‘medical device’ to the patient
  • Providing assistance in setting up the device
  • Educating the patient on RTM, data collection strategies, and best practices for success in the RTM model
  • Collection and transmission of data

Treatment Management Codes

  • Time spent reviewing, monitoring and analyzing the patients data
  • Making adjustments to the program
  • Interacting with the patient or caregiver, during the calendar month

Breakdown of the CPT Codes for RTM

CPT® Code Code Type Treatment Name Treatment Description Billing Frequency 2025 National Average Reimbursement
98975 Service Initial Set-up and Patient Education Remote therapeutic monitoring; initial set-up and patient education on use of equipment Once per episode $19.73
98977 Service Supply of Device for Monitoring Musculoskeletal System Remote therapeutic monitoring: device(s) supply with scheduled recording(s) and/or programmed alert(s) transmission to monitor musculoskeletal system, each 30 days Once each 30 days $43.02
98980 Service Monitoring/Treatment Management Services, first 20 minutes Remote therapeutic monitoring treatment management services, 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 Once per calendar month $50.14
98981 Service Monitoring/Treatment Management Services, each additional 20 minutes Remote therapeutic monitoring treatment management services, 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; each additional 20 minutes Multiple times per calendar month $39.14

How Frequently Can the RTM CPT Codes be Billed?

CPT Code 98975: Initial Set-up and Patient Education

This code may be billed for a patient once per episode of care. By definition, an episode of care begins when the RTM service starts, and ends when established treatment goals are met. You cannot bill code 98975 if less than 16 days of monitoring occurred.

CPT Code 98977: Supply of Device for Monitoring Musculoskeletal System

This code can be billed for a patient once each 30 days. In other words, if the patient continues to be actively involved in the RTM service, and you continue to provide the ‘medical device’, you may continue to bill this code in subsequent 30 day periods. You cannot bill code 98977 if less than 16 days of monitoring occurred during the 30-day period.

CPT Code 98980: Monitoring/Treatment Management Services, first 20 minutes

This code can be billed once per calendar month for the first 20 minutes of care provided to the patient. For instance, if you perform a total of 20 minutes during the month speaking directly with the patient regarding their therapy program, monitoring their pain level data, and reviewing their exercise compliance, you qualify to bill this code. However, if you perform only 19 minutes of these services, you do not qualify.

CPT Code 98981: Monitoring/Treatment Management Services, each additional 20 minutes

This code can be billed if you perform additional services as outlined in code 98980 beyond the initial 20 minutes, during the same calendar month. For instance, if you perform an additional 22 minutes answering the patient’s questions, and reviewing and analyzing data, you qualify to bill this code. However, if you only perform an additional 15 minutes of the services, you do not qualify.

*Please note, you are only eligible to bill codes 98980 and 98981 if at least one ‘interactive communication’ with the patient is performed during the calendar month. According to CMS, ‘interactive communication’ refers to “at a minimum, a real-time synchronous, two-way audio interaction that is capable of being enhanced with video or other kinds of data transmission.” In other words, a phone or video call. This interactive communication must occur with the patient/caregiver within the first 20 minutes each month.

Who Can Bill for RTM?

According to CMS, the RTM CPT codes can be billed by “physicians and other eligible qualified healthcare professionals”. RTM services are within the scope of practice of several disciplines, including the following:

  • Physicians
  • Physical Therapists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Speech Language Pathologists

In all cases, providers must practice in accordance with applicable state and scope of practice laws. 

RTM Billing: Insurance Coverage and Payors

At the inception of RTM, the codes were recognized solely by traditional Medicare and many Medicare Advantage plans. However, over time, there has been adoption from many commercial payors.

Partnering for RTM Success

To abide by rules and regulations of the Remote Therapeutic Monitoring codes, it is strongly recommended to work directly with an experienced RTM company who has considered all of the associated Federal legal requirements. To learn more about the RTM codes, recognized payors, and better understand the reimbursement ROI for your organization, Reserve a Demo of Limber Health's advanced RTM platform, designed to seamlessly integrate with your clinic's workflow to improve patient engagement and outcomes.

Disclaimer: The Medicare billing advice provided here is solely for informational purposes and represents our interpretation of the Medicare guidelines. We strongly advise healthcare providers to consult the official Medicare guidelines and regulations, as they are subject to change and may differ from our interpretation. Providers are ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with Medicare billing guidelines, and any decisions made based on the information provided here are made at their own risk.

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