Here’s what’s new for remote therapeutic monitoring coding this year

Why This Topic Matters

RTM is a growing virtual service area, and the 2023 updates affect how practices identify eligible services, understand supervision expectations, and report RTM-related work. Staying current helps coding and billing teams align documentation and reporting processes with the latest CPT and CMS guidance.

Article Sections

1. Defining RTM

   Introduces remote therapeutic monitoring and the general types of therapeutic data it is intended to track. Also discusses the role of software, patient-reported data, and broad clinical use cases.

2. Benefits of RTM

   Summarizes the practical reasons clinicians use RTM and the types of care coordination it can support. Mentions broad clinical areas where RTM may be applied.

3. Ordering RTM services

   Describes who may order and bill RTM services and discusses CMS activity related to proposed and final supervision policy changes. Also identifies categories of practitioners involved in furnishing the service.

4. CPT codes for RTM services (98975-98978)

   Reviews the RTM code family used for setup, patient education, and device supply. Covers the 2023 code updates and the addition of a new permanent CPT code.

5. Guidelines for reporting RTM codes

   Summarizes general reporting requirements associated with the RTM setup and device supply codes. Addresses timing, monitoring period, and device-related considerations at a high level.

6. RTM treatment management services (98980, 98981)

   Explains the separate RTM treatment management service codes and their place in the code family. Notes that these codes are time-based and tied to clinician management of RTM treatment.

7. Guidelines for reporting RTM treatment management services

   Provides an overview of reporting considerations for RTM treatment management, including the need for clinician time and interactive communication. Also notes Medicare-related utilization limits discussed in the article.