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Remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) treatment management services involve the use of specialized devices to track and manage a patient's musculoskeletal or respiratory system status. These services are designed to ensure adherence to prescribed therapy and to evaluate treatment responses over time. Typically, a physical therapist or a physiatrist utilizes these devices to conduct remote monitoring before and after surgical procedures, such as major joint replacements. The process begins with the patient receiving the RTM device, followed by a training session with the therapist on how to effectively use the device. The RTM device, which resembles a computer monitor equipped with a camera, allows the patient to engage in pre-procedural exercises alongside a computerized avatar. This setup not only facilitates exercise but also enables the device to transmit the patient's usage data back to the therapy practice for ongoing assessment. Post-surgery, the therapist customizes the patient's therapy program and closely monitors their daily progress with the prescribed exercises. Regular remote meetings between the therapist and the patient are conducted to discuss therapy progress, assess the patient's feelings, including pain levels, and determine the necessity of in-person visits. Additionally, RTM devices can be employed to monitor respiratory conditions, such as asthma, particularly when exacerbated by environmental factors. The services captured under CPT® Code 98981 reflect the physician or qualified health care professional's time spent managing RTM treatment throughout a calendar month. This includes interpreting clinical data, monitoring the patient's physical condition, assessing therapeutic progress, and conducting at least one interactive communication with the patient regarding their well-being. The clinician collaborates with the patient to establish therapy goals, determine the length of the treatment program, and decide on the frequency of therapeutic routines or regimens. For billing purposes, CPT® Code 98980 is reported for the initial 20 minutes of service, while CPT® Code 98981 is used for each additional 20 minutes of service provided.
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The remote therapeutic monitoring treatment management services are indicated for patients requiring ongoing assessment and management of their musculoskeletal or respiratory conditions. These services are particularly beneficial for:
The procedure for remote therapeutic monitoring treatment management services involves several key steps that ensure effective patient management and therapy adherence. Each step is crucial for the overall success of the treatment plan.
Post-procedure care for patients utilizing remote therapeutic monitoring services involves continuous engagement and assessment. Patients are expected to adhere to their prescribed exercise regimen and participate in regular remote consultations with their therapist. During these consultations, the therapist evaluates the patient's recovery progress, addresses any concerns regarding pain or discomfort, and adjusts the therapy program as necessary. The goal is to ensure that the patient is on track to meet their established therapeutic goals while maintaining open lines of communication for any required modifications to their treatment plan. This ongoing support is essential for optimizing recovery and achieving successful outcomes.
| Short Descr | REM THER MNTR EA ADDL 20 MIN | Medium Descr | REMOTE THER MNTR TX MGMT PHYS/QHP EA ADDL 20 MIN | Long Descr | Remote therapeutic monitoring treatment management services, physician or other qualified health care professional time in a calendar month requiring at least one interactive communication with the patient or caregiver during the calendar month; each additional 20 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | 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 | Code Not Recognized by OPPS when submitted on Outpatient Hospital Part B Bill Type (12x/13x) | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | none | MUE | 3 |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 98980 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC B Remote therapeutic monitoring treatment management services, physician or other qualified health care professional time in a calendar month requiring at least one interactive communication with the patient or caregiver during the calendar month; first 20 minutes |
| GP | Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care | CQ | Outpatient physical therapy services furnished in whole or in part by a physical therapist assistant | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | GO | Services delivered under an outpatient occupational therapy plan of care | GN | Services delivered under an outpatient speech language pathology plan of care | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GT | Via interactive audio and video telecommunication systems | 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.) | 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. | AT | Acute treatment (this modifier should be used when reporting service 98940, 98941, 98942) | 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 | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider |
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| 2022-01-01 | Added | Code added |
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