CPT Code 98985: RTM Device Supply for 2–15 Days

RTM CPT Code 98985 Quick Facts

Used for: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring

Effective: January 1, 2026

Data requirement: 2–15 days of data transmission in a 30-day period

2026 National Average Reimbursement: $40.08 (Non-APM) / $40.28 (APM)

Who can bill: Physicians, PTs, OTs, SLPs

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Starting January 1, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized updates that expand how rehab therapy practices can deliver and bill for Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM). These changes represent the most significant evolution of RTM since its introduction in 2022, making it more flexible, more accessible, and more financially rewarding for rehab therapy providers.

Previously, RTM billing required 16+ days of data collection within a 30-day period and a minimum of 20 minutes of provider management time per calendar month. These thresholds often exclude short-term patients or those requiring lower-intensity monitoring. CPT Code 98985 directly addresses that gap, creating a new billing pathway for patients who engage with RTM for shorter durations.

There are now six CPT® codes used by providers for RTM that are relevant to musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. The RTM CPT codes are broken down into two basic types: service codes and treatment management codes.

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• ‍CPT Code 98975: Initial Set-up and Patient Education
• CPT Code 98977: Supply of Device for Monitoring Musculoskeletal System (16+ days)

• CPT Code 98979: Monitoring/Treatment Managementn Services, 10-19 minutes (NEW for 2026)

• CPT Code 98985: Supply of Device for Monitoring Musculoskeletal System (2–15 days) (NEW for 2026)

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

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

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In this blog, we'll explore RTM CPT Code 98985, highlighting its role in expanding RTM access as well as the billing and documentation requirements.

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What is CPT Code 98985?

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring CPT® Code 98985: Supply of Device for Monitoring Musculoskeletal System (2–15 Days)

Remote therapeutic monitoring (e.g., therapy adherence, therapy response, digital therapeutic intervention); device(s) supply for data access or data transmissions to support monitoring of musculoskeletal system, 2 to 15 days in a 30-day period.

• This code allows providers to bill for RTM device supply when a patient transmits data for 2 to 15 days within a 30-day period.

• If the patient transmits data for 16 or more days, providers should bill CPT Code 98977 instead.

• You cannot bill code 98985 if less than 2 days of data transmissions occurred during the 30-day period.

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Type of CPT Code

Service Code

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Can Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists bill for CPT Code 98985?

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

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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 in 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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What is the Billing Frequency for CPT Code 98985?

CPT code 98985 may be billed once each 30 days, if 2–15 days of data transmission are met.

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Important Billing Rules for 98985

• You bill either 98985 (2–15 days) or 98977 (16+ days) dependent upon how many days of data transmissions occur during a 30-day period—not both.

• If a patient transmits data for 16+ days, bill 98977 instead.

• 98985 cannot be billed if fewer than 2 days of data transmission occurred.

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How much does CPT Code 98985 reimburse in 2026?

National average reimbursement rates for CPT code 98985 are $40.08 for Non-APM payment models and $40.28 for APM payment models.

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Clinical Example of RTM Code 98985 in Practice

A provider enrolls a post-surgical patient in Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) 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 daily pain ratings during their first two weeks of recovery. After 10 days of engagement with their home exercise program (HEP) , the patient goes on vacation and stops engaging in their HEP on the app. Because the patient transmitted data for 10 days within the 30-day period (meeting the 2–15 day threshold), the provider can bill CPT Code 98985 for the transmitted RTM data.

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What documentation is required for CPT Code 98985?

• Document whether you provided the medical device to the patient or whether the patient had their own medical device

• Document the number of recording(s) and/or programmed alert(s) transmission for the 30-day calendar period

• Document the specific number of days data was transmitted (must be between 2–15 days)

• Document the data that was gathered by the medical device

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What is the difference between CPT Codes 98985 and 98977?

Both CPT code 98985 and 98977 cover device supply for monitoring the musculoskeletal system, but they differ based on patient engagement duration:

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The addition of 98985 allows providers to capture revenue from patients who may not meet the traditional 16-day threshold, whether due to shorter treatment plans, early discharge, or lower-intensity monitoring needs.

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RTM CPT Code Questions?

Created alongside clinicians and experts in billing and compliance, Limber Health's 2026 RTM Opportunity Guide offers an in-depth look at the new Remote Therapeutic Monitoring CPT codes, best practices for billing and documentation and answers your frequently asked questions. Click the button below to download your free copy of the guide.

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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.}