Five Myths About Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM)

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) is a CMS-billable service that lets physical therapy clinics track patient progress, pain levels, and exercise adherence between visits. RTM does not replace in-person care, does not require complex billing, and does not cost clinics money: PhyxUp Health client clinics generate an average of $165 in added monthly reimbursement per enrolled patient, and most commercial insurers cover RTM as well.

Despite this, five myths still keep small clinics from adopting RTM. Here is what the evidence actually shows for each one.

Does RTM Replace In-Person Visits?

No. RTM increases in-person visit attendance rather than replacing it. A peer-reviewed clinical study found that patients using RTM increased their in-person clinic visits by 36 percent compared to a control group that did not use RTM.

Some physical therapists worry that RTM gives patients a reason to skip clinic visits, relying instead on home exercise program (HEP) videos and remote check-ins between sessions. Fewer visits would mean fewer billable units, which raises a fair concern about long-term clinic revenue. The data does not support that concern. RTM is designed to extend the care relationship between visits, not substitute for them. It also reduces no-shows and last-minute cancellations by keeping patients engaged. Instead of pulling patients away from the clinic, RTM gives them a reason to keep coming back.

Is RTM Cost-Efficient for Small Clinics?

Yes. PhyxUp Health client clinics generate an average of $165 in monthly reimbursement per enrolled patient under RTM CPT codes 98975, 98977, 98980, and 98981. A clinic enrolling 20 patients can generate over $3,000 per month in additional reimbursement, without adding a single new visit slot to the schedule.

For a clinic running on a tight margin, a new subscription cost and a new workflow can feel like more trouble than it is worth. The reimbursement more than offsets that cost in practice. Platforms like PhyxUp Health automate the parts of the process that would otherwise eat into that revenue, including patient data collection, progress tracking, and billing documentation. The result is new revenue with a manageable amount of added work, not a net cost.

Does RTM Add Administrative Burden and Complicate Billing?

Not when billing is automated. Internal billing data from PhyxUp Health client clinics shows an average insurance claim denial rate of 3 percent on RTM claims, well below typical denial rates for manually billed services.

Documentation, billing, and scheduling already take up a large share of a clinician's day, and adding a new billable service can sound like more paperwork rather than less. RTM platforms built for small clinics solve this by automating the entire billing cycle, from CPT code assignment to claim submission. Pre-coded CPT templates and automatic tracking of patient monitoring time mean staff spend less time on billing logistics, not more.

Is RTM the Same as Telehealth?

No. Telehealth involves a live, synchronous visit between provider and patient, while RTM is asynchronous monitoring of a patient's pain, function, and exercise adherence between visits. RTM is billed under four distinct CPT codes, 98975, 98977, 98980, and 98981, covering setup, device supply, and monthly treatment management, none of which apply to a standard telehealth visit.

Telehealth is the visit. RTM is the care that happens between visits. A clinic can use both, since they serve different parts of the patient journey rather than competing with each other.

Will Patients Have to Pay Out of Pocket for RTM?

Rarely. RTM is covered by Medicare and many commercial insurers, including:

• UnitedHealthcare
• Aetna
• Cigna
• Humana
• Blue Cross Blue Shield

Coverage varies by plan and may require prior authorization, so confirming a patient's specific benefits before enrollment is worth the extra step. Medicaid coverage for RTM remains limited in most states.

Clinics often assume patients will resist an additional charge, especially one tied to a service they cannot see or touch the way they can an in-person visit. In practice, the resistance clinics anticipate usually comes from how RTM is introduced, not from the service itself. When patients understand that RTM is billed through their existing insurance and is part of their care plan rather than an add-on charge, adoption and retention improve.

Key Takeaways on RTM Myths

• In-person visits increase, they don't disappear: RTM is associated with a 36 percent increase in in-person visit attendance.
• The reimbursement is real: PhyxUp Health client clinics see an average of $165 in monthly reimbursement per enrolled patient under existing RTM CPT codes.
• Automated billing controls the workload: PhyxUp Health client clinics see claim denial rates around 3 percent.
• RTM and telehealth solve different problems: telehealth is the visit, RTM is the monitoring between visits.
• Coverage is common but plan-specific: RTM is reimbursed by Medicare and many commercial insurers, though prior authorization and plan terms vary.

What This Means for Clinics Weighing RTM

Clinics that move past these five misconceptions see results across every category at once: a 36 percent increase in in-person visit attendance, an average of $165 in added monthly reimbursement per enrolled patient, and claim denial rates near 3 percent. The technology and the billing pathway are no longer the obstacle. As reimbursement models continue to shift toward value-based care, what separates clinics that adopt RTM successfully from those that stay on the sidelines is usually a platform that makes the process simple from day one.

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