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Official Description

Remote therapeutic monitoring (eg, therapy adherence, therapy response, digital therapeutic intervention); device(s) supply for data access or data transmissions to support monitoring of musculoskeletal system, each 30 days

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 98977 refers to the provision of remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) specifically designed for tracking the status of a patient's musculoskeletal system. This monitoring includes assessing therapy adherence, evaluating therapy response, and facilitating digital therapeutic interventions. The device supplied under this code is utilized for data access or data transmissions that support the ongoing monitoring of the musculoskeletal system over a defined period of 30 days. The RTM device is particularly beneficial in a rehabilitation context, where it allows healthcare providers, such as physical therapists or physiatrists, to remotely oversee a patient's progress in their therapy regimen. This is especially relevant in scenarios involving surgical procedures, such as major joint replacements, where pre-operative and post-operative monitoring is crucial for optimal recovery. The device enables patients to engage in therapeutic exercises, often with the aid of a computerized avatar, while simultaneously transmitting their usage data back to the healthcare provider. This continuous flow of information allows clinicians to make informed decisions regarding treatment adjustments and to ensure that patients are adhering to their prescribed therapy. Overall, CPT® Code 98977 encapsulates the integration of technology in therapeutic monitoring, enhancing patient care and treatment outcomes in musculoskeletal health.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The use of CPT® Code 98977 is indicated for patients requiring remote therapeutic monitoring of their musculoskeletal system. This includes individuals who are undergoing rehabilitation following surgical procedures, such as major joint replacements, or those who need to track their adherence to prescribed therapy and response to treatment. The device is also beneficial for patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions that necessitate ongoing monitoring and adjustment of therapeutic interventions.

  • Post-Surgical Rehabilitation Patients recovering from major joint replacement surgeries who require continuous monitoring of their rehabilitation progress.
  • Therapy Adherence Individuals needing to track their adherence to prescribed therapeutic exercises and interventions.
  • Therapy Response Evaluation Patients whose treatment responses need to be evaluated to ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes.
  • Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions Individuals with ongoing musculoskeletal issues that require regular monitoring and adjustments to their therapy.

2. Procedure

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 98977 involves several key steps to ensure effective remote therapeutic monitoring of the musculoskeletal system.

  • Step 1: Device Provision The healthcare provider supplies the RTM device to the patient, which is essential for tracking their therapy adherence and response. This device is equipped with capabilities to monitor the patient's musculoskeletal activities and transmit data back to the provider.
  • Step 2: Patient Training The patient receives training on how to use the RTM device effectively. This training is crucial for ensuring that the patient understands how to perform exercises and interact with the computerized avatar on the monitor.
  • Step 3: Data Transmission As the patient engages in their prescribed exercises, the RTM device continuously transmits data regarding their usage and adherence back to the therapy practice. This real-time data flow allows for ongoing assessment and adjustments to the therapy plan as needed.
  • Step 4: Monitoring and Adjustments After surgery, the therapist sets up a tailored therapy program for the patient and monitors their daily progress through the data collected by the RTM device. This enables the clinician to make informed decisions regarding any necessary modifications to the treatment plan based on the patient's performance and adherence.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the use of CPT® Code 98977 involves continued monitoring of the patient's progress through the RTM device. The healthcare provider will review the transmitted data to assess the patient's adherence to the therapy program and their response to the prescribed exercises. This ongoing evaluation is critical for ensuring that the patient is on track with their rehabilitation goals. Additionally, the clinician may schedule follow-up consultations to discuss the patient's progress, address any concerns, and make necessary adjustments to the therapy regimen based on the data collected. The overall aim is to facilitate optimal recovery and enhance the effectiveness of the therapeutic interventions.

Short Descr REM THER MNTR DV SPLY MSCSKL
Medium Descr REM THER MNTR DEV SPLY DATA MUSCSKEL SYS EA 30 D
Long Descr Remote therapeutic monitoring (eg, therapy adherence, therapy response, digital therapeutic intervention); device(s) supply for data access or data transmissions to support monitoring of musculoskeletal system, each 30 days
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator STV-Packaged Codes
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) none
MUE 1
GP Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
CQ Outpatient physical therapy services furnished in whole or in part by a physical therapist assistant
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
GO Services delivered under an outpatient occupational therapy plan of care
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
24 Unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during a postoperative period: the physician or other qualified health care professional may need to indicate that an evaluation and management service was performed during a postoperative period for a reason(s) unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 24 to the appropriate level of e/m service.
25 Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59.
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
CO Outpatient occupational therapy services furnished in whole or in part by an occupational therapy assistant
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GN Services delivered under an outpatient speech language pathology plan of care
GT Via interactive audio and video telecommunication systems
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2025-01-01 Changed Medium and Long Descriptions changed.
2023-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2022-01-01 Added Code added
Code
Description
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