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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesRemote Therapeutic Monitoring Treatment Management ServicesCPT cpt-98979-remote-therapeutic-monitoring-management
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    CPT 98979: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Management with Interactive Communication

    Medicare pays $27 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 98979 describes management of treatment using remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) data, requiring at least one real-time interactive communication with the patient or caregiver during the month and at least 10 minutes of physician or qualified healthcare professional time; this is a remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) management service typically delivered as an outpatient or virtual/telehealth service and classified as a remote/virtual patient management activity rather than an in-person procedure.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Members, Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policy, Autologous Platelet-Derived Growth Factors (Platelet-Rich Plasma [PRP]).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old patient with chronic low back pain secondary to lumbar degenerative disc disease is enrolled in a remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) program. The clinician configures an RTM platform to collect patient-reported pain scores, activity metrics, and device-recorded therapeutic home exercises. During the month the clinician reviews the RTM data, documents trend interpretation, adjusts the home exercise program, and conducts at least one real-time interactive communication (phone or video) with the patient that lasts sufficiently long to contribute to clinical management. The provider documents at least 10 minutes of physician or qualified healthcare professional time managing the RTM data and interacting with the patient, and bills the service as 98979 for that month. The typical workflow includes device/data setup, periodic remote monitoring of transmitted metrics, asynchronous review with documentation, and a synchronous encounter (telephonic or video) to modify treatment or reinforce adherence.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    98970Qualified health care professional online digital evaluation and management service, for an established patient, for up to 7 days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 5-10 minutesMay precede RTM management for brief digital follow-up or interim electronic assessment
    98975Initial setup and patient education on use of RTM device(s)Performed when initiating remote therapeutic monitoring services and configuring devices prior to monthly management billed with 98979
    98980Remote therapeutic monitoring treatment management services, first month; with device(s) supply and/or data transmission (20 minutes)Alternative monthly RTM management code for a longer time threshold or first month; may be used in sequence depending on time and services
    99457Remote physiologic monitoring treatment management services, clinical staff/physician/other qualified healthcare professional time in a calendar month, requiring interactive communication with the patient/caregiver during the month; first 20 minutesRelated remote monitoring service for physiologic data; may be used for complementary monitoring when physiologic metrics are tracked alongside RTM

    Related Modifiers

    5 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    24Modifier 24 denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional during a postoperative global period. Per CPT guidance,…- Use modifier 24 when you report an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or same-specialty group during a procedure’s postoperative global period that is unrelated…
    P3Modifier P3 denotes that the anesthesia patient has severe systemic disease (ASA III). It applies only to anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) and must be appended by the anesthesia provider with…- Applies only to anesthesia procedure codes (CPT 00100–01999) and should be appended by the anesthesia provider when the patient meets the definition of "severe systemic disease" (CPT/AAPC P3;…
    90Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    207R00000X
    208D00000X
    2084P0800X
    163W00000X
    261QM2500X
    273R00000X
    163WX0002X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Membersuniverahealthcare2027-01-01
    Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Autologous Platelet-Derived Growth Factors (Platelet-Rich Plasma [PRP])Cigna2026-10-15
    Metatarsophalangeal Joint ReplacementCigna2026-10-15
    Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Osteochondral Grafting of the Kneeuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Resurfacinguniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Fusion (arthrodesis) with decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-98980-REMOTE-THERAPEUTIC-MONITORING-MANAGEMENT-20-MIN-MONTH

    CPT 98980: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Management, Real‑time Communication

    CPT-98981-REMOTE-THERAPEUTIC-MONITORING-MANAGEMENT-20-MIN-ADD-ON

    CPT 98981: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Management, Additional 20 Min

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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