Complete Guide to Remote Therapeutic Monitoring for Rheumatologists

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) is revolutionizing rheumatology care by enabling continuous patient oversight between office visits. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about implementing RTM in your practice.

What is Remote Therapeutic Monitoring?

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) involves the collection and analysis of patient-generated health data outside of conventional healthcare settings. For rheumatology, this includes tracking symptoms, medication adherence, disease activity, and functional status through digital platforms.

RTM vs. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

While often confused, RTM and RPM serve different purposes:

• RPM: Focuses on physiologic data (blood pressure, heart rate, weight)
• RTM: Emphasizes therapeutic data (symptoms, medication adherence, functional outcomes)

CPT Codes for RTM Billing

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established specific CPT codes for RTM services:

CPT 98975 – RTM Setup

Initial setup and patient education on the use of RTM technology. This includes device configuration, patient training, and establishment of monitoring protocols.

CPT 98977 – RTM Data Collection (16–30 days of data)

Billable once per calendar month when at least 16 days of patient-generated therapeutic data are collected within a 30-day period.

CPT 98980 – RTM Clinical Review — First 20 Minutes

First 20 minutes in a calendar month of clinical staff or qualified healthcare professional time reviewing RTM data, managing treatment, and communicating with the patient.

CPT 98981 – RTM Clinical Review — Each Additional 20 Minutes

Each additional 20 minutes in the same calendar month for RTM treatment management services (add-on to 98980).

Benefits of RTM for Rheumatology Practices

Improved Patient Outcomes

• Earlier detection of disease flares
• Better medication adherence monitoring
• More frequent patient-provider communication
• Personalized treatment adjustments

Practice Efficiency

• Reduced unnecessary office visits
• Streamlined data collection
• Automated patient monitoring
• Enhanced care coordination

Financial Benefits

• New revenue stream through RTM billing
• Improved patient retention
• Enhanced practice reputation
• Better resource utilization

Implementation Best Practices

Patient Selection Criteria

Ideal candidates for RTM include patients with:

• Active rheumatoid arthritis requiring frequent monitoring
• Recent medication changes
• History of poor adherence
• Complex treatment regimens
• Geographic barriers to frequent visits

Technology Requirements

Successful RTM implementation requires:

• User-friendly mobile applications
• HIPAA-compliant data transmission
• Integration with existing EHR systems
• Real-time alert capabilities
• Comprehensive reporting dashboards

Overcoming Common Challenges

Patient Engagement

Maintain high engagement through:

• Clear communication about benefits
• Simple, intuitive interfaces
• Regular feedback and encouragement
• Personalized monitoring protocols

Staff Training

Ensure your team is prepared with:

• Comprehensive RTM platform training
• Clear protocols for data review
• Escalation procedures for concerning data
• Patient education techniques

Measuring Success

Track these key metrics to evaluate your RTM program:

• Patient engagement rates
• Clinical outcome improvements
• Reduction in emergency visits
• Patient satisfaction scores
• Revenue generation

The Future of RTM in Rheumatology

As technology continues to evolve, RTM will become increasingly sophisticated, incorporating artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and personalized medicine approaches to further enhance patient care.