7 Best Practices for Implementing Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM)

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) is transforming the way healthcare providers manage chronic conditions, musculoskeletal issues, and post-operative care.

As a CMS-reimbursable service introduced in 2022, RTM uses digital technologies to track patients' health data outside traditional clinical settings, offering greater convenience and improved patient outcomes.

7 Best Practices for Implementing Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM)

Successfully implementing RTM in a clinical workflow requires more than just adopting a monitoring tool. It demands a thoughtful strategy that aligns technology, care teams, and patient engagement practices.

In this article, we’ll explore 7 best practices for implementing Remote Therapeutic Monitoring, ensuring compliance, clinical efficacy, and patient satisfaction.

1. Start with a Clear RTM Strategy Aligned with Clinical Goals

Before jumping into implementation, it’s essential to establish a clear strategy that aligns RTM with your overall care delivery goals. Consider:

• Which patient populations will benefit most (e.g., chronic pain, COPD, asthma, orthopedic rehab)?

• Which providers or care teams will manage RTM interactions?

• What specific therapeutic outcomes are you aiming to improve?

A successful RTM program should be embedded into your practice's clinical objectives — not added as an isolated tech solution.

Pro Tip: Create care pathways that include RTM as a component. For example, post-knee replacement patients may follow a 30-day RTM regimen to track pain levels, mobility, and adherence to physical therapy.

2. Choose the Right RTM Platform with Integration Capabilities

Not all remote monitoring platforms are built the same. When selecting an RTM solution, prioritize platforms that:

• Comply with CMS guidelines for RTM CPT codes (98975, 98976, 98977, 98980, and 98981)

• Allow tracking of non-physiological data, such as medication adherence or physical therapy sessions

• Integrate with your EHR system to streamline workflows and avoid double documentation

• Provide real-time dashboards and alerts for clinical review

• Support automated data capture through devices, apps, or wearables

Integration is key. The more siloed your tools are, the harder it will be to scale RTM across multiple clinicians or departments.

Example: A practice treating COPD may benefit from RTM devices that track inhaler use and pair with a mobile app to gather symptom data, pushing updates into the provider’s EHR.

3. Ensure Regulatory Compliance and Documentation Accuracy

One of the biggest challenges in RTM implementation is ensuring compliance with CMS billing requirements. To be reimbursed correctly, providers must:

• Document 16+ days of data in a 30-day period for certain codes (98976, 98977)

• Log at least 20 minutes of interactive communication (CPT 98980/98981)

• Capture patient consent before beginning RTM services

• Clearly record clinical relevance and outcomes

Implementing a systemized documentation process ideally automated — will help reduce audit risks and revenue leakage.

Checklist:

• Are clinicians trained on RTM documentation rules?

• Does your RTM vendor support automatic time tracking?

• Is consent recorded and stored securely?

4. Train Clinical Staff and Redefine Workflows

Technology is only as effective as the people using it. Proper training is essential to ensure adoption and maximize the clinical value of RTM.

Key roles to involve:

• Nurses and care coordinators for patient onboarding and communication

• Billing and coding teams to manage compliance

• Therapists or physicians to interpret the data and make care decisions

Don’t forget to map out your workflows:

• When and how will patients be enrolled?

• Who reviews the data and how often?

• What happens if a red flag is triggered?

Example: A musculoskeletal practice might designate a physical therapist assistant to review RTM data daily, flagging patients with worsening mobility or pain scores for clinician follow-up.

Tip: Use workflow diagrams or project management tools like Trello or Asana to track each step in the RTM care cycle.

5. Focus on Patient Engagement and Ease of Use

Remote monitoring hinges on patient participation. If the device is difficult to use or the app isn’t intuitive, patients may stop using it - rendering the program ineffective.

Strategies to improve engagement:

• Provide simple onboarding instructions (videos, handouts, 1:1 walkthroughs)

• Offer technical support via phone or chat

• Set clear expectations for daily or weekly data entry

• Use reminders or gamification features to boost adherence

Example: For post-op patients tracking pain and mobility, a mobile app that offers daily reminders and visual progress graphs can motivate participation.

Moreover, ensure that the solution is accessible across age groups. Older adults may need large fonts, voice commands, or simpler interfaces.

6. Monitor Outcomes and Continuously Optimize

RTM should not be a “set it and forget it” solution. Collect performance metrics and review outcomes regularly.

Key metrics to track:

• Patient adherence rates

• Average number of billable RTM minutes per patient

• Reduction in ER visits or hospitalizations

• Improvements in therapy outcomes

• Patient satisfaction scores

With this data, you can:

• Identify gaps in engagement

• Justify ROI to stakeholders

• Optimize workflows or switch vendors if needed

Real-World Example: A pain management clinic may find that patients using RTM show a 20% reduction in opioid use, justifying further expansion.

Use quarterly RTM performance reviews to align your remote care program with value-based care goals.

7. Leverage RTM for Population Health and Risk Stratification

Once your RTM program is established, it can become a valuable tool for population health management.

You can analyze aggregate data across patient groups to:

• Predict high-risk patients based on symptom trends

• Tailor care plans to specific demographics

• Deploy early interventions before a crisis occurs

Example: A clinic managing COPD patients can identify seasonal spikes in exacerbations and proactively adjust treatment plans.

RTM data can also feed into predictive analytics models to enhance care coordination under value-based care arrangements like ACOs and bundled payment models.

Why RTM Matters More Than Ever in 2025

As healthcare continues its shift toward hybrid and value-based models, remote therapeutic monitoring offers a scalable, cost-effective way to:

• Extend care beyond the clinic

• Enhance patient accountability

• Reduce avoidable complications

• Support bundled care and chronic disease programs

CMS reimbursement for RTM services has made it financially viable — but operational success depends on strategic implementation.

Let’s recap the 7 best practices:

Conclusion

Implementing Remote Therapeutic Monitoring is not just about adopting new technology. It’s about transforming how care is delivered, tracked, and reimbursed — especially for chronic and rehabilitative conditions.

By following these best practices, healthcare organizations can maximize the clinical and financial impact of RTM while delivering better outcomes for patients.

The future of care is hybrid. With RTM, providers can finally bridge the gap between in-clinic treatment and at-home recovery — enabling a smarter, more connected healthcare system.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is Remote Therapeutic Monitoring the same as Remote Patient Monitoring?

Answer: No, While both involve remote data collection, RTM tracks non-physiological data (e.g., therapy adherence, symptom tracking) and is typically used by therapists and non-physician providers. RPM focuses on physiological data like heart rate or glucose levels.

Q2: What are the main CPT codes for RTM?

• 98975 – Initial setup and education

• 98976 / 98977 – Monthly device supply

• 98980 / 98981 – Clinical review and communication time

Q3: How long does it take to implement an RTM program?

Answer: It varies. Most clinics can go live in 4–8 weeks with proper planning, staff training, and vendor support.

Q4: Can physical therapists bill for RTM?

Answer: Yes, Under CMS guidelines, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and clinical psychologists can bill for RTM services when applicable.