CPT 98985: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Device Supply, Musculoskeletal

Medicare pays $54 on average nationally for this procedure.

CPT code 98985 describes the provision of one or more devices for remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) of the musculoskeletal system when monitoring occurs for two to 15 days within a 30-day period; the service is an RTM device supply typically used for outpatient or home-based remote monitoring to track musculoskeletal function and therapy progress over a defined 30-day reporting window.

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CPT 98985: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Device Supply, Musculoskeletal

Medicare pays $54 on average nationally for this procedure.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 98985 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 98985 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 52-year-old patient with chronic low back pain attributed to lumbar facet arthropathy is enrolled in a remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) program for musculoskeletal system rehabilitation. The provider supplies a wearable sensor and an accompanying app to monitor range of motion, activity levels, pain-related movement patterns, and adherence to prescribed home exercise sessions. The device transmits data intermittently over two to 15 days within a 30-day period, enabling the clinician to review objective movement metrics and adjust the physical therapy plan.

Workflow:

Referral and prescription: The treating clinician documents the diagnosis and prescribes RTM musculoskeletal services with device provision.
Device setup and patient education: Clinician or staff configures the device, pairs it with the patient’s smartphone or tablet, and instructs the patient on use and safe execution of prescribed exercises.
Monitoring period: The device collects biomechanical data and transmits it to the clinician over two to 15 days in the month; adherence and activity logs are reviewed remotely.
Remote review and intervention: Clinician reviews transmitted data, documents interpretation in the medical record, and may modify exercise parameters or schedule follow-up visits based on objective findings.
Billing: The clinician bills 98985 for the 30-day period in which one or more devices were supplied and monitoring occurred for two to 15 days.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`98975`	Remote therapeutic monitoring treatment management services, physician/other qualified health care professional time, 20 minutes or more of clinical staff/physician/other qualified health care professional time in a calendar month requiring interactive communication with the patient/caregiver during the month	Commonly billed in the same month when ongoing RTM device data triggers clinician time for treatment management and communication
`98976`	Initial device supply for remote therapeutic monitoring of respiratory system, device supply with daily recordings or programmed alerts transmission, each 30 days	Not directly for musculoskeletal RTM but conceptually related as device-supply category; used for comparison when billing device supply codes for different physiologic systems
`98977`	Initial device supply for RTM of respiratory system, device supply with daily recordings or programmed alerts transmission, each 30 days; additional device	As above, related by service model though not musculoskeletal-specific
`98980`	Initial set-up and patient education on use of RTM device(s) for musculoskeletal system, device(s) supplied to patient, first 30 days	Often billed when initial setup and instruction are provided with the device supply and precedes or accompanies `98985` depending on payer rules
`98986`	Remote therapeutic monitoring device supply for musculoskeletal system for monitoring that occurs 16 or more days in a 30-day period	Billed when monitoring days exceed the `98985` range (i.e., 16+ days) in the same 30-day period
`99457`	Remote physiologic monitoring treatment management services, 20 minutes or more of clinical staff/physician/other qualified health care professional time in a calendar month, requiring interactive communication with the patient/caregiver during the month	Similar care management time reporting; may be used by practices that cross-report remote monitoring services when clinical time meets requirements

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
59	Modifier 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…
25	CPT 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.,…
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
95	Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…	- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…
79	Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…	- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
2084P0800X	Psychiatry Physician	A Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
207X00000X	Orthopaedic Surgery Physician	An orthopaedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated…
207R00000X	Internal Medicine Physician	A physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
208100000X	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician	Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as rehabilitation medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and…
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
3416S0300X	Water Ambulance	Transportation Services · Ambulance
152WV0400X	Vision Therapy Optometrist	Optometrists who specialize in vision therapy as a treatment process used to improve vision function. It includes a broad range of developmental and r…
207SG0202X	Clinical Biochemical Genetics Physician	A clinical biochemical geneticist demonstrates competence in performing and interpreting biochemical analyses relevant to the diagnosis and management…

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Cardiology1 / 4

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart Failure	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction for Diagnostic Cardiovascular Procedures	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Maine	2026-10-01
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment	blue cross blue shield - louisiana	2026-09-15
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment	Blue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico	2026-09-04
Computed Tomography to Detect Coronary Artery Calcification	Bluecross Idaho	2026-09-01
Intracoronary Drug Delivery Balloon Procedures	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island	2026-09-01
Cardiac Imaging Guidelines	evicore	2026-09-01
Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Stroke Prevention	Ambetter Georgia	2026-08-26

CPT 98984: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring, Respiratory Devices (2–15 days)

CPT-98986-RTM-COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL-THERAPY-DEVICE-MONITORING

CPT 98986: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CPT-99000-SPECIMEN-PREPARATION-AND-TRANSPORT-OFFICE

CPT 99000: Specimen Preparation and Transport, Office

CPT-99001-SPECIMEN-PREPARATION-OFF-SITE-COLLECTION-SEND-OUT-LAB

CPT 99001: Specimen Preparation from Off‑site Collection

CPT-99002-ORTHOTIC-PROSTHETIC-DEVICE-PROVISION-AND-FITTING

CPT 99002: Orthotic/Prosthetic Device Provision and Fitting

CPT-99024-POSTOPERATIVE-EM-SERVICE-DURING-GLOBAL-PERIOD

CPT 99024: E/M Service During Postoperative Global Period

CPT-99026-HOSPITAL-ON-CALL-AVAILABILITY-1-HOUR

CPT 99026: Physician On-Call Availability, One Hour

CPT-99027-ON-CALL-AVAILABILITY-HOSPITAL

CPT 99027: On-call Availability from Outside Hospital, One Hour

CPT-99050-AFTER-HOURS-OFFICE-SERVICE

CPT 99050: After-Hours Office Visit

CPT-99051-AFTER-HOURS-OFFICE-EVALUATION

CPT 99051: After-Hours Office Visit (Evening/Weekend/Holiday)

Showing 1–10 of 21

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Workflow:

Referral and prescription: The treating clinician documents the diagnosis and prescribes RTM musculoskeletal services with device provision.
Device setup and patient education: Clinician or staff configures the device, pairs it with the patient’s smartphone or tablet, and instructs the patient on use and safe execution of prescribed exercises.
Monitoring period: The device collects biomechanical data and transmits it to the clinician over two to 15 days in the month; adherence and activity logs are reviewed remotely.
Remote review and intervention: Clinician reviews transmitted data, documents interpretation in the medical record, and may modify exercise parameters or schedule follow-up visits based on objective findings.
Billing: The clinician bills 98985 for the 30-day period in which one or more devices were supplied and monitoring occurred for two to 15 days.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`98975`	Remote therapeutic monitoring treatment management services, physician/other qualified health care professional time, 20 minutes or more of clinical staff/physician/other qualified health care professional time in a calendar month requiring interactive communication with the patient/caregiver during the month	Commonly billed in the same month when ongoing RTM device data triggers clinician time for treatment management and communication
`98976`	Initial device supply for remote therapeutic monitoring of respiratory system, device supply with daily recordings or programmed alerts transmission, each 30 days	Not directly for musculoskeletal RTM but conceptually related as device-supply category; used for comparison when billing device supply codes for different physiologic systems
`98977`	Initial device supply for RTM of respiratory system, device supply with daily recordings or programmed alerts transmission, each 30 days; additional device	As above, related by service model though not musculoskeletal-specific
`98980`	Initial set-up and patient education on use of RTM device(s) for musculoskeletal system, device(s) supplied to patient, first 30 days	Often billed when initial setup and instruction are provided with the device supply and precedes or accompanies `98985` depending on payer rules
`98986`	Remote therapeutic monitoring device supply for musculoskeletal system for monitoring that occurs 16 or more days in a 30-day period	Billed when monitoring days exceed the `98985` range (i.e., 16+ days) in the same 30-day period
`99457`	Remote physiologic monitoring treatment management services, 20 minutes or more of clinical staff/physician/other qualified health care professional time in a calendar month, requiring interactive communication with the patient/caregiver during the month	Similar care management time reporting; may be used by practices that cross-report remote monitoring services when clinical time meets requirements

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
59	Modifier 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…
25	CPT 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.,…
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
95	Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…	- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…
79	Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…	- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
2084P0800X	Psychiatry Physician	A Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
207X00000X	Orthopaedic Surgery Physician	An orthopaedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated…
207R00000X	Internal Medicine Physician	A physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
208100000X	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician	Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as rehabilitation medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and…
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
3416S0300X	Water Ambulance	Transportation Services · Ambulance
152WV0400X	Vision Therapy Optometrist	Optometrists who specialize in vision therapy as a treatment process used to improve vision function. It includes a broad range of developmental and r…
207SG0202X	Clinical Biochemical Genetics Physician	A clinical biochemical geneticist demonstrates competence in performing and interpreting biochemical analyses relevant to the diagnosis and management…

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Cardiology1 / 4

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart Failure	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction for Diagnostic Cardiovascular Procedures	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Maine	2026-10-01
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment	blue cross blue shield - louisiana	2026-09-15
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment	Blue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico	2026-09-04
Computed Tomography to Detect Coronary Artery Calcification	Bluecross Idaho	2026-09-01
Intracoronary Drug Delivery Balloon Procedures	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island	2026-09-01
Cardiac Imaging Guidelines	evicore	2026-09-01
Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Stroke Prevention	Ambetter Georgia	2026-08-26

CPT 98984: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring, Respiratory Devices (2–15 days)

CPT-98986-RTM-COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL-THERAPY-DEVICE-MONITORING

CPT 98986: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CPT-99000-SPECIMEN-PREPARATION-AND-TRANSPORT-OFFICE

CPT 99000: Specimen Preparation and Transport, Office

CPT-99001-SPECIMEN-PREPARATION-OFF-SITE-COLLECTION-SEND-OUT-LAB

CPT 99001: Specimen Preparation from Off‑site Collection

CPT-99002-ORTHOTIC-PROSTHETIC-DEVICE-PROVISION-AND-FITTING

CPT 99002: Orthotic/Prosthetic Device Provision and Fitting

CPT-99024-POSTOPERATIVE-EM-SERVICE-DURING-GLOBAL-PERIOD

CPT 99024: E/M Service During Postoperative Global Period

CPT-99026-HOSPITAL-ON-CALL-AVAILABILITY-1-HOUR

CPT 99026: Physician On-Call Availability, One Hour

CPT-99027-ON-CALL-AVAILABILITY-HOSPITAL

CPT 99027: On-call Availability from Outside Hospital, One Hour

CPT-99050-AFTER-HOURS-OFFICE-SERVICE

CPT 99050: After-Hours Office Visit

CPT-99051-AFTER-HOURS-OFFICE-EVALUATION

CPT 99051: After-Hours Office Visit (Evening/Weekend/Holiday)

Showing 1–10 of 21

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

OpenPayer

CPT 98985: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Device Supply, Musculoskeletal

Sign up for cpt 98985 policy alerts

OpenPayer

CPT 98985: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Device Supply, Musculoskeletal

Sign up for cpt 98985 policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

CPT 98985: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Device Supply, Musculoskeletal

Sign up for cpt 98985 policy alerts

CPT 98985: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Device Supply, Musculoskeletal

Sign up for cpt 98985 policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT 98985 cover?

When should I bill 98985 versus related RTM musculoskeletal codes (98980, 98986)?

Which modifiers are relevant when reporting 98985?

Which specialties commonly manage or bill for 98985?

Do payers cover 98985 and are there payer-specific requirements?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT 98985 cover?

When should I bill 98985 versus related RTM musculoskeletal codes (98980, 98986)?

Which modifiers are relevant when reporting 98985?

Which specialties commonly manage or bill for 98985?

Do payers cover 98985 and are there payer-specific requirements?

References