Remote Therapeutic Monitoring
RTM in 2026
This page is built for day-to-day review: confirming eligibility, selecting the right code, and documenting cleanly. 2026 introduces a 2-day device threshold and a 10-minute management tier, while the 16-day and 20-minute pathways still apply when met.
Fast path for monthly review
1. Device supply decision
Count unique days with patient-generated RTM data in the 30-day period.
2. Management time decision
Add up RTM treatment management minutes across the calendar month.
Keep device supply and management time separate in your thinking. Device supply is driven by day count. Management is driven by cumulative time in the calendar month. Document both, even when only one category is billed.
2026 code set summary
A single view of what each code represents. Use this during chart review and claim prep.
| Code | Use for | Threshold | What to verify in documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98975 | Set up and patient education | Once per episode | Device/app set up, patient education completed, ties to plan of care. |
| 98985 | MSK device supply | 2 to 15 days in 30 days | Day count in the period, device/app identified, period clearly defined. |
| 98977 | MSK device supply | 16 to 30 days in 30 days | Day count in the period, device/app identified, period clearly defined. |
| 98979 | Monthly treatment management | 10 to 19 minutes | Time log totals 10 to 19 minutes, dates and activities listed, one real-time interaction recorded. |
| 98980 | Monthly treatment management | First 20 minutes | Time log totals 20+ minutes, one real-time interaction recorded, clinical decisions documented. |
| 98981 | Monthly treatment management | Each additional 20 minutes | 98980 billed, total time supports additional 20-minute blocks, no time overlap with other billed services. |
Coverage and payment vary by payer and locality. Use this page as workflow guidance, then align to payer policy.
What counts toward management time
Common items that count
- Reviewing RTM data trends and adherence patterns.
- Updating or progressing the home program based on RTM data.
- Clinical decision-making tied to symptoms, tolerance, or functional change.
- Coaching or education delivered as part of treatment management.
- Care coordination related to the RTM treatment plan.
Quick items that trigger denials
- No monthly time total, or time total without dated entries.
- Time logged but no clear clinical action or decision documented.
- Time is double-counted toward another billed service.
- Management billed without a documented real-time interaction.
- Role attribution is unclear when assistants are involved.
Example time log format that works well
Keep it simple. A dated line item list plus a monthly total is usually enough.
| Date | Activity | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| 01/08/2026 | Reviewed adherence and symptom trend. Adjusted exercise volume. Updated plan of care notes. | 6 |
| 01/14/2026 | Real-time interaction with patient. Addressed flare, modified load, provided progression plan. | 7 |
| 01/22/2026 | Reviewed new week data. Progressed HEP. Documented rationale and patient response. | 5 |
| Total monthly RTM management time | 18 | |
This example totals 18 minutes, which aligns to the 10-minute tier when other requirements are met.
Common scenarios in 2026
Scenario A: Patient records 7 days of data this period
Device supply
98985 fits when the 30-day period contains 2 to 15 data days.
What to verify
- Clear start and end dates of the 30-day period.
- A reliable count of unique data days in that window.
- Device/app identified and linked to plan of care.
Management time
If total monthly management time is 10 to 19 minutes, use 98979. If time reaches 20+ minutes, use 98980 and add 98981 as applicable.
What to verify
- Dated time log that matches the billed tier.
- Clinical action tied to RTM data.
- At least one real-time interaction documented in the month for management codes.
Scenario B: Patient records 22 days of data this period
Device supply
98977 fits when the 30-day period contains 16 to 30 data days.
What to verify
- Day count supports the 16-day tier.
- Only one MSK device supply code used for the same period.
- Device/app and clinical purpose are clear.
Management time
Management codes are independent from device day tier. Bill based on monthly minutes: 98979 (10–19), 98980 (20+), and 98981 per additional 20.
What to verify
- Time totals, dated entries, and clinical changes documented.
- Real-time interaction exists for the month.
- No double counting of time.
Scenario C: 14 minutes of management time, strong adherence
Best fit
If the month totals 10 to 19 minutes of RTM treatment management time and a real-time interaction is documented, 98979 is the correct management tier.
Common documentation miss
The time total is present, but the dated line items are missing, or the clinical actions are not stated. Fix by adding a short, dated activity log and the care change or decision.
Modifiers and role clarity
Therapy modifiers
Use the appropriate therapy modifier under the therapy plan of care, per payer policy.
- GP Physical therapy plan of care
- GO Occupational therapy plan of care
- GN Speech-language pathology plan of care
Assistant involvement
When assistant involvement exceeds payer thresholds, append the appropriate assistant modifier and document role attribution.
- CQ PT assistant involvement, when required
- CO OT assistant involvement, when required
- Keep a clean trail: who did what, and when.
If your clinic bills RTM at scale, consistency matters more than complexity. Standardize: period boundaries, day counts, time logs, and role attribution.
FAQ
Does 2 days mean 2 consecutive days?
No. The threshold is based on the number of days with recorded RTM data within the 30-day period, not whether those days are consecutive.
Does a higher tier replace a lower tier?
Yes. If the patient meets the higher tier threshold for the same category, bill the higher code. For MSK device supply, use 98977 when 16+ data days are present rather than 98985. For management time, use 98980 when 20+ minutes are present rather than 98979.
Can we bill device supply without billing management time?
Often, yes. Device supply and treatment management are separate components with separate requirements. Whether both are paid depends on payer policy and clean documentation.
What is the cleanest way to avoid denials?
- Define the 30-day period explicitly and store the day count.
- Maintain a dated time log with activity detail and monthly total.
- Document the clinical decision or action taken from RTM data.
- Apply correct modifiers and clarify roles when assistants contribute.
Code-by-code pages
Tap a card to open the detailed requirements and examples for that code.
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