What Is RTM?
Per CMS, RTM captures non-physiological data, which can be self-reported, related to a therapeutic treatment. This includes data on a patient's musculoskeletal or respiratory system, and can also monitor treatment adherence and treatment response. A connected medical device transmits the patient's information.
How RTM Differs From RPM
RPM monitors physiologic metrics directly (blood pressure, oxygen saturation, weight, blood sugar). RTM monitors therapeutic response and adherence, which can include self-reported data. See our RPM vs RTM comparison for the full breakdown.
Types of Therapeutic Data
Musculoskeletal system status (e.g., range of motion, pain levels, exercise adherence) and respiratory system status are the categories described in CMS's current guidance.
Eligible Use Cases
Physical therapy and rehabilitation adherence tracking, respiratory therapy response monitoring, and similar therapeutic-treatment programs where response and adherence — not a raw vital sign — are what's being tracked.
RTM Service Categories
Like RPM, RTM follows a three-part structure: initial setup and patient education, device supply with data collection, and treatment management. See our RTM Reimbursement guide for the codes and current configured amounts.
Billing Structure
RTM is billed through its own code family, separate from RPM's, though structured similarly (one-time setup, recurring device supply, recurring treatment management).
Treatment Management
RTM's treatment-management billing requires monthly qualifying time and at least one interactive communication with the patient or caregiver, matching RPM's requirement.
Patient Interaction
The interactive communication requirement means treatment-management billing can't rely solely on passive data review — it requires an actual real-time conversation with the patient or caregiver during the billed month.
Current Requirements
2027 Proposed Changes
Documentation
Document the qualifying data-collection period, the therapeutic data being tracked (adherence, response, or system status), and the treatment-management time and interactive communication.
Implementation
See our How to Start an RPM Program guide for an implementation sequence that applies similarly to RTM — identify the target population, confirm current requirements, and build the monitoring and treatment-management workflow before billing.