Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) helps doctors and clinics track patients’ health from home. It’s a simple way to stay connected between visits, improve care, and get paid for the time spent reviewing data. But figuring out how to bill for RPM can be confusing.
This FAQ guide answers the most common questions about RPM and Remote Therapy Monitoring (RTM) billing. You’ll learn who can bill, how devices are paid for, what the main CPT codes mean, and how much Medicare reimburses.
Each answer is easy to understand and follows the latest 2025 guidelines, so you can bill correctly and focus more on patient care.
Remote Patient Monitoring Billing FAQs (2025): Codes, Costs, and Compliance Explained
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Remote Therapy Monitoring (RTM) allow healthcare providers to track patients’ health data between visits. Both programs are covered by Medicare and billed using specific CPT codes.
However, not everyone can bill for these services. The rules depend on the provider’s role, supervision level, and the type of data being monitored.
Who can bill for RPM?
Doctors, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and clinical staff under general supervision can bill for RPM. The supervising provider must order the service and oversee the process, but they don’t have to be physically present during data collection or review.
How many times can you bill 99457 in a month?
You can bill CPT 99457 once per month for at least 20 minutes of interactive patient monitoring. If you provide more than 20 extra minutes, you can add CPT 99458 for each additional 20-minute block.
How often can telehealth visits be billed?
Telehealth visits can be billed as often as medically necessary, but they don’t count toward RPM time unless you’re directly reviewing the patient’s remote data or managing their care plan. RPM codes track ongoing monitoring, not live video visits.
What are the CPT codes for remote monitoring services in 2025?
RPM uses four main codes:
- 99453 – Setup and patient education (one-time per patient).
- 99454 – Device supply and data transmission (billed monthly).
- 99457 – 20 minutes of interactive monitoring (billed monthly).
- 99458 – Each additional 20 minutes (billed monthly, add-on).
RTM uses different codes for therapy-based data:
- 98975 – Setup and education.
- 98976 / 98977 – Device supply (depending on the condition).
- 98980 – First 20 minutes of interactive time.
- 98981 – Each additional 20 minutes.
What documentation is required for CMS telehealth billing?
You must record the time spent, type of data monitored, and clinical actions taken. The patient’s consent, device setup, and interaction details should also be documented for each billing cycle.
Can you bill for transitional care management and RPM together?
Yes, you can bill both Transitional Care Management (TCM) and RPM in the same month as long as the services don’t overlap in time. Each service must be distinct and properly documented.
How can CPT 99490 be billed?
CPT 99490 is for Chronic Care Management (CCM) — 20 minutes of care coordination per month. It can be billed in the same month as RPM if the time spent on each service is tracked separately.
How does remote patient monitoring work?
Patients use connected devices, like a blood pressure monitor or glucose meter, that automatically send readings to their care team. The clinician reviews this data, contacts the patient when needed, and bills for the time spent managing the data each month.
What are the RTM codes for 2025?
For Remote Therapy Monitoring, the 2025 CPT codes are 98975–98981. These are used to track non-physiologic data, such as respiratory or musculoskeletal therapy progress.
What is an RTM agreement?
An RTM agreement is a patient’s consent to participate in remote therapy monitoring. It confirms that the patient understands how their data will be shared and allows the provider to bill for RTM services under Medicare.
Can RPM and RTM be billed together?
Yes, but only when the services track different types of data. RPM focuses on physiologic data like blood pressure or glucose, while RTM tracks non-physiologic data such as respiratory or therapy progress. You can bill both in the same month if they are for different conditions and separate devices.
How much does Medicare pay for RPM?
Medicare pays around $62 to $150 per patient each month, depending on the codes billed.
- 99453: one-time setup (about $19)
- 99454: monthly device data transmission (about $50–$55)
- 99457: 20 minutes of monitoring (about $50)
- 99458: each extra 20 minutes (about $40)
These rates can change slightly by state and payer.
Are there any upcoming changes to RPM in 2026?
Yes. CMS has proposed new RPM billing rules for 2026 to make the process simpler and more flexible.
- The 16-day data rule will be updated, so clinics can bill even if patients send data for fewer days.
- Two new CPT codes 99XX4 (2-15 days readings) and 99XX5 (10-20 minute interaction) are proposed for 2026.
- Payment rates for RPM and RTM will be updated to better match real costs.
These updates aim to reduce billing barriers, prevent duplicate claims, and help clinics manage patients more easily.
How often can 99490 be billed?
CPT 99490 can be billed once per month for 20 minutes of Chronic Care Management (CCM). If you provide both RPM and CCM, you can bill both — but the time spent must be separate for each service.
Can you bill 99453 and 99454 together?
CPT 99453 covers the one-time setup and education, while 99454 covers the monthly device data transmission. You usually bill 99453 once when the patient starts RPM and 99454 every month afterward.
What is RTM in medical billing?
Remote Therapy Monitoring (RTM) is a Medicare program that tracks non-physiologic data such as therapy adherence, pain levels, or breathing exercises. It’s used mainly by physical therapists, occupational therapists, and non-physician practitioners.
What is the coverage of RTM?
Medicare covers RTM for musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions. The coverage includes device setup, data transmission, and 20 minutes of interactive time per month. Patients may have a small copay depending on their plan.
What is the ICD-10 code for RPM?
There isn’t one specific ICD-10 code for RPM itself. Instead, you use the patient’s primary diagnosis, such as hypertension (I10) or diabetes (E11.9). The diagnosis must support the medical necessity for remote monitoring.
What does CPT code 99457 require for billing?
CPT 99457 requires at least 20 minutes of clinical staff or provider time in a calendar month, plus interactive communication (phone or video) with the patient or caregiver. All time and interactions must be documented.
How much does a remote patient monitoring system cost?
For clinics, an RPM system usually costs between $20 and $40 per patient per month, depending on the vendor and whether devices are rented or owned. Medicare reimbursement typically covers these costs and allows a profit margin for the practice.
What is the RPM program?
The Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) program lets providers track and manage patients’ health data remotely using connected devices. It’s most often used for chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or COPD. Medicare reimburses providers for setup, data review, and communication time each month.
What is the average reimbursement for RPM?
Medicare pays between $90- $100 per patient each month, depending on which codes you bill and how much monitoring time is recorded.
Is remote patient monitoring profitable?
Yes. RPM can be profitable once a clinic enrolls enough patients. For example, monitoring 50 patients can generate around $8,000–$9,000 per month in Medicare reimbursements, after platform costs.
What is RPD in medical billing?
RPD stands for Remote Physiologic Data — the health readings (like blood pressure or glucose levels) collected by connected RPM devices. These readings form the basis for RPM billing
Can you bill RPM and CCM in the same month?
Yes, you can bill both RPM and Chronic Care Management (CCM) in the same month if the time spent on each service is tracked separately. Double-counting the same minutes is not allowed.
How much does an EMR cost per month?
Most EMR (Electronic Medical Record) systems for small to mid-size practices cost $300–$700 per provider per month, depending on features like scheduling, billing, and RPM integration.
What is CPT code 99091 reimbursement?
CPT 99091 pays for collection and interpretation of physiologic data (like ECG or BP readings) for at least 30 minutes per month. The average Medicare reimbursement is about $56–$60.
Is remote patient monitoring considered telehealth?
No. RPM is not classified as telehealth by CMS. It’s considered a non–face-to-face service, which means it can be billed separately from telehealth visits and doesn’t require a live video connection.
What are the rules for 99442 billing?
CPT 99442 covers telephone evaluation and management lasting 11–20 minutes. It’s separate from RPM and can’t be double-counted toward monitoring time.
Does Medicaid pay for RTM?
Coverage varies by state. Some Medicaid programs reimburse RTM the same way as RPM, while others are still updating their fee schedules. Clinics should check with their state Medicaid office before billing.
Can CPT 96136 be billed alone?
Yes. CPT 96136 is used for psychological or neurobehavioral testing (first 30 minutes) and can be billed alone if performed independently. It’s unrelated to RPM or RTM services.
How often can 99490 be billed?
CPT 99490 (Chronic Care Management) can be billed once per month for 20 minutes of care coordination. It can be billed with RPM if both services have separate time logs.
What CPT codes can be billed for telehealth?
Common telehealth codes include:
- 99212–99215 (office or outpatient visits via video)
- 99441–99443 (telephone evaluation and management)
- G2012 (brief virtual check-in)
These are separate from RPM or RTM codes.
Can a CPT G2211 be billed with telehealth services?
Yes. G2211 can be added to office and telehealth visits when ongoing patient management or care coordination is provided. It increases payment for complex visits.
Final Thoughts
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Remote Therapy Monitoring (RTM) help doctors care for patients between visits while earning steady monthly income.
To bill correctly, use the right CPT codes, track time clearly, and follow Medicare rules. The upcoming 2026 changes will make billing easier with simpler rules and more flexibility.
When done right, RPM and RTM improve patient care, reduce hospital visits, and support better clinic revenue.
