Remote Therapeutic Monitoring
CPT 98980 in 2026 RTM treatment management first 20 minutes
Use 98980 to report RTM treatment management when total clinician time reaches 20 to 39 minutes in a calendar month. A real-time interactive communication with the patient or caregiver must occur during that same month.
Quick facts
Updated for 2026Always confirm payer and MAC guidance for your state, setting, billing entity, and patient plan.
What typically counts toward 98980 time
- Reviewing RTM data trends such as adherence, symptoms, and progress signals
- Modifying the home program, education, or plan of care based on patient response
- Coordinating next steps such as escalations, earlier follow-ups, or targeted coaching
- Documenting the clinical rationale and actions taken from the data review
- The real-time interactive communication that occurs during the month
If a patient needs hands-on oversight, 98980 is the most common management code to land on. Build a consistent cadence so time accumulates naturally.
What to document for the real-time touchpoint
Payers are usually looking for a simple, auditable record that a live interaction occurred. Keep this short and specific.
| Field | What to capture |
|---|---|
| Date | When the live interaction occurred |
| Participants | Patient or caregiver and the clinician |
| Method | Telephone or video, or another payer-accepted real-time method |
| Outcome | Key decision or next step taken based on the discussion |
The best documentation links the touchpoint to a concrete clinical action like a program update, progression, or escalation.
Documentation checklist
- Calendar month and total minutes for the month, including dates and short activity labels
- A record of the real-time interactive communication with outcome documented
- Summary of RTM data reviewed and the clinical rationale for changes made
- Rendering clinician and any required therapy modifiers when applicable
- Clear statement that time was not counted toward other billed services for the same work
A payer should be able to see the month, the minutes, the live interaction, and the clinical action taken without digging.
Examples
If time is there but the real-time touchpoint is missing, the month is usually not billable for 98980 or 98981. Build a simple process so that touchpoint occurs before month end when appropriate.
Follow payer rules on unit limits and coverage requirements for add-on time in the same month.
How 98980 fits with other RTM codes
98979
Short-form monthly management time. Use when oversight is meaningful but total time stays below 20 minutes.
98981
Add-on management time after 98980 when additional 20-minute blocks occur in the same month.
98975
One-time onboarding that starts the episode and sets the patient up for RTM tracking.
98985
Device supply for 2 to 15 monitoring days in a 30-day period.
98977
Device supply for 16 to 30 monitoring days in a 30-day period.
RTM guide
End-to-end workflow, including enrollment, documentation, and billing best practices.
Device supply codes reflect monitoring days in a 30-day window. 98980 reflects clinician work inside a calendar month. Keep both timelines clear in your reports.
Orva has signed the APTA Digital Transparency Pledge. Coding guidance here is educational and does not guarantee coverage or payment. Confirm payer policy and MAC guidance for your state, setting, billing entity, and patient plan.
Make RTM simple for your therapists
Track time cleanly, capture the live touchpoint, and generate documentation that supports accurate billing.