Remote Therapeutic Monitoring has been one of the most talked-about revenue opportunities in private practice OT since CMS introduced the billing codes. The pitch sounds compelling: monitor patients between visits using digital tools, bill for the time you spend reviewing the data, and add a recurring revenue stream to your practice without adding clinic visits.
But the reality is more nuanced than the pitch. Here is an honest assessment of whether RTM is worth your investment.
What RTM Is
Remote Therapeutic Monitoring allows OTPs to use FDA-cleared devices and software to monitor a patient's musculoskeletal or respiratory status between in-person or telehealth visits. The patient uses a device at home that collects data — range of motion, exercise adherence, pain levels, functional mobility metrics — and transmits it to the provider for review.
The provider reviews the data, identifies trends or concerns, and intervenes as needed — adjusting home exercise programs, scheduling follow-up visits, or modifying treatment plans based on objective data collected outside the clinic.
The CPT Codes
RTM Billing Codes
- 98975: Initial setup and patient education on RTM devices and software (billed once per episode)
- 98977: Device supply, monthly (billed once per 30-day period)
- 98980: First 20 minutes of RTM treatment management services per calendar month
- 98981: Each additional 20 minutes of RTM treatment management services per calendar month
Important distinctions: RTM codes are separate from Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) codes, which are physician-only. OTPs can bill RTM codes. The monitoring must involve FDA-cleared devices, not consumer-grade wearables or patient self-reports alone.
Real Revenue Potential
Let us run the numbers with a realistic scenario.
Sample Monthly RTM Revenue Calculation
- Assume 20 patients enrolled in RTM
- Monthly per-patient billing by CPT Code:
- 20 patients multiplied by $105 equals approximately $2,100 per month in additional revenue
- Annual potential: approximately $25,200
That revenue comes with real costs: device procurement or leasing, software platform subscriptions (typically $50 to $200 per month), staff time for data review and patient communication, and the administrative overhead of billing and documentation.
Which Patient Populations Benefit Most
RTM works best with patient populations that have extended recovery periods with quantifiable functional metrics.
Best-Fit Populations
- Post-surgical orthopedic patients tracking ROM and exercise adherence
- Chronic pain patients monitoring pain levels and functional activity
- Neurological rehab patients tracking home exercise program performance
- Fall prevention patients monitoring balance and mobility metrics
RTM is less effective for populations where the primary interventions are environmental modification, caregiver training, or cognitive strategies that do not generate device-measurable data.
Technology Requirements
The devices and software must be FDA-cleared for the clinical purpose. Consumer wearables like fitness trackers do not meet this standard unless they have received specific FDA clearance.
You will need an RTM software platform that interfaces with FDA-cleared devices, provides a clinician dashboard for data review, generates the documentation required for billing, and integrates (ideally) with your existing EMR.
Platform costs range from $50 to $200 per month for the software, plus per-device costs that vary by manufacturer.
The Honest Assessment: When It Is Worth It vs. When It Is Not
RTM is worth exploring if your practice sees a high volume of orthopedic or neurological rehab patients, you have the administrative capacity to manage enrollment, billing, and data review, your patient population is tech-comfortable enough to use the devices consistently, and you are already billing insurance and have established claim submission workflows.
RTM is probably not worth it if your practice is small (fewer than 10 to 15 RTM-eligible patients at a time), your patient population is primarily geriatric with limited technology comfort, you are cash-pay only (RTM codes are primarily reimbursed by Medicare and commercial payers), or you do not have staff support for the administrative workload.
Decision Framework
- Practice size: Minimum 15 to 20 RTM-eligible patients to justify the platform costs
- Patient population: Must be tech-capable and have conditions generating measurable data
- Tech comfort: You and your staff need to be comfortable with the technology and troubleshooting
- Administrative capacity: RTM adds billing codes, documentation requirements, and data review time
Your Next Step
RTM is one of many revenue strategies available to private practice OTPs. Whether it makes sense for your practice depends on your specific circumstances, not on the hype.
Deep dive into RTM and other revenue strategies simply by chatting with SAMIE our AI trained on OT Business right inside of OT Connected.