RTM CPT Code 98977: Device Supply for Monitoring Musculoskeletal System

There are six CPT® codes used by providers for Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM), four of which are relevant to musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. The RTM CPT codes fall into two categories: service codes and treatment management codes. Two of the six codes are new for 2026.

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• CPT Code 98975: Initial Set-up and Patient Education
• CPT Code 98985 (NEW for 2026): Device Supply for MSK Monitoring, 2-15 days
• CPT Code 98977: Device Supply for MSK Monitoring, 16-30 days
• CPT Code 98979 (NEW for 2026): Treatment Management Services, first 10 minutes
• CPT Code 98980: Treatment Management Services, first 20 minutes
• CPT Code 98981: Treatment Management Services, each additional 20 minutes

In this blog, we'll explore RTM CPT Code 98977, covering its billing requirements, documentation standards, and how it fits within the updated 2026 RTM code set.

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Remote Therapeutic Monitoring CPT® Code 98977: Supply of Device for Monitoring Musculoskeletal System

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring device(s) supply with scheduled (e.g., daily) recording(s) and/or programmed alert(s) transmission to monitor musculoskeletal system, each 30 days.

• 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 CPT code 98977 if fewer than 16 days of data transmissions occurred during the 30-day period. (See below for guidance on what to bill when fewer than 16 days of data are collected.)

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Type of CPT Code

Service Code

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How 98985 and 98977 Work Together in 2026

One of the most meaningful updates for 2026 is the addition of CPT code 98985, which covers device supply for MSK monitoring when 2-15 days of data are transmitted within a 30-day period. This creates a tiered structure for device supply codes:

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These two codes are mutually exclusive within the same 30-day period. Providers should document the number of data transmission days carefully to determine which code applies. When a patient doesn't reach the 16-day threshold for 98977, CPT 98985 may now apply rather than leaving the period unbillable.

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Who Can Bill CPT Code 98977?

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the CPT® codes for RTM can be billed by “physicians and other eligible qualified healthcare professionals.” This includes the following clinicians:

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

The 2024 CMS Final Rule brought clarification to the rules of General Supervision. This important provision allows Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists in private practice to provide general supervision for RTM services furnished by their PTAs and OTAs, respectively. This supports RTM management services to be performed outside of the clinic, which is instrumental to providing comprehensive at-home support for patients.

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

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Billing Frequency for 98977:

CPT code 98977 may be billed once per 30-day period, provided that 16 or more days of data transmission are documented.

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Clinical Example:

A provider enrolls a patient in Remote Therapeutic Monitoring and equips them with the necessary medical device or software, such as the Limber Health app. The patient uses the app to complete their prescribed home exercises and logs a daily pain rating. By engaging with the program for 20 out of 30 days, the patient meets the 16-day threshold, and the provider may bill CPT Code 98977 for the transmitted RTM data.

If the same patient had only transmitted data on 12 days during that period, the provider would instead evaluate whether CPT Code 98985 applies for that cycle.

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Required Documentation for 98977:

• Document whether you provided the medical device to the patient or did the patient have their own medical device
• Document the number of recording(s) and/or programmed alert(s) transmission for the 30-day calendar period
• Document the data that was gathered by the medical device

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RTM CPT Code Questions?

Created alongside clinicians and experts in billing and compliance, Limber Health's RTM Billing & Coding Guide offers an in-depth look at all Remote Therapeutic Monitoring CPT codes, including the two codes new for 2026, along with best practices for billing and documentation. Click the button below to download your free copy.

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_{The information provided here about the Remote Therapeutic Monitoring CPT Codes is for informational purposes only and does not constitute billing or legal advice.}