CPT 98980: First 20 Minutes of RTM Treatment Management | Orva

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring

CPT 98980: First 20 Minutes of RTM Treatment Management

Use 98980 to report the first 20 minutes of RTM treatment management time in a calendar month. At least one interactive, real-time, patient-facing communication with the patient or caregiver is required during the month. This page covers quick facts, requirements, documentation, examples, and how 98980 pairs with 98981.

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Quick facts

Short descriptionFirst 20 minutes of RTM treatment management time in a calendar month, with interactive communication
Who can billPhysicians and other qualified health care professionals. When furnished by therapists, services are therapy and require the correct therapy modifier
Billing periodPer calendar month
Interactive communicationRequired in the month. Synchronous, real-time, patient-facing contact with the patient or caregiver
What counts as managementReviewing RTM data, adjusting the plan, coordinating care, patient coaching, documenting decisions
Therapy modifiersGP, GO, or GN under a therapy plan of care. Add CQ or CO when assistant involvement exceeds the de minimis threshold
Do not double countDo not count time toward other services in the same period

Always confirm payer and MAC policy for your state and setting.

What you need

  • At least 20 minutes of cumulative treatment management time within the month
  • At least one real-time, patient-facing communication in the month
  • Management activities that relate to the plan of care and documented decisions
  • Time can occur on different days and is summed across the month

Documentation checklist

  • Monthly time log that reaches 20 minutes, with dates and activities
  • Interactive communication details: date, duration, participant, and purpose
  • Link to the therapy plan of care and clinical decisions made from the data
  • Confirmation that time was not counted toward other billed services

Examples

20 minutes with one call

Total management time in the month is 20 minutes and includes a brief real-time check in. Bill 98980.

35 minutes with one call

Total management time is 35 minutes with one real-time call. Bill 98980 for the first 20 minutes and 98981 for one additional 20 minutes if allowed by the payer.

18 minutes total

Total management time is 18 minutes. Do not bill 98980. Keep tracking time. If the month reaches 20 minutes with an interactive touchpoint, bill 98980.

30 minutes without a call

Total time is 30 minutes but there was no interactive, real-time communication. Do not bill 98980 or 98981. Schedule a quick patient-facing touchpoint before month end.

Follow payer policy on how many units of 98981 may be reported in a month.

How 98980 fits with other RTM codes

98975

Initial set-up and patient education. Report once per episode of care.

98977

Device supply and therapeutic data collection each 30 days.

98981

Each additional 20 minutes of management time in the same month with interactive communication.

For the full picture visit the RTM guide.

Compliance note

Orva has signed the APTA Digital Transparency Pledge. Digital physical therapy services are provided or directed by licensed physical therapists in accordance with regulations. Coding guidance here is educational and does not guarantee coverage or payment. Always confirm payer policy and local MAC rules.

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