Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) allows healthcare providers to gather and assess non-physiological data from patients during recovery without direct contact. Unlike traditional methods that focus mainly on physiological metrics, RTM includes patient-reported outcomes such as therapy adherence, pain levels, and daily activity tracking. Patients can use various digital platforms—smartphones, web portals, and wearable devices—to share important information about their recovery journey.
A notable change in this area happened when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services introduced new CPT codes in 2022 for reimbursement purposes. For example, CPT 98975 is used for the initial setup and patient education, CPT 98977 for monitoring, and CPT 98980 for interactive communication. These codes help orthopedic practices bill for various aspects of remote monitoring. Focusing on reimbursement strategies is key for practices aiming to improve the financial viability of their recovery protocols while ensuring high standards of care.
The financial impact of adding RTM to orthopedic practices is considerable. Orthopedic care in the U.S. costs over $400 billion each year, much of which goes to preoperative and postoperative expenses. Traditional treatment plans often involve costly in-person therapy sessions, averaging about $1,400 per patient. In contrast, practices that adopt RTM see significant savings. For instance, Dr. Ahmed Siddiqi of Brielle Orthopaedics reported his practice earned nearly $34,000 from RTM reimbursements from 158 patients within five months, potentially saving around $1 million annually per practice.
By using RTM, orthopedic surgeons can bill for services during the 90-day post-operative period, even when standard billing is restricted. This advancement not only boosts the financial performance of practices but also improves patient engagement and satisfaction. With patients able to share their treatment experiences in real-time, practices can adjust their interventions, leading to better recovery times and fewer readmissions or complications.
Remote Therapeutic Monitoring gives orthopedic surgeons the means to involve their patients actively in their recovery. By using digital platforms that let patients report pain levels, medication adherence, and therapy progress, healthcare providers can step in when needed, ensuring patients stay on their recovery plans.
Research shows that patients generally retain only about 50% of verbal instructions given during consultations without additional prompts. RTM helps bridge this knowledge gap by offering educational resources accessible at any time, enhancing patients’ understanding of their surgeries and recovery actions. For example, Exer Health software uses AI to quickly monitor joint mobility, enabling patients to manage their rehabilitation effectively and improve adherence to therapy.
Moreover, integrating RTM into practices has led to an approximate 30% increase in patient volume, easing entry barriers for new patients seeking care. Enhanced communication pathways help patients develop stronger relationships with their healthcare providers, which can ultimately lead to better health outcomes.
Artificial intelligence significantly impacts orthopedic surgery, particularly regarding remote therapeutic monitoring. AI tools improve the accuracy of assessing patient data, equipping orthopedic surgeons with the necessary information to make informed decisions quickly. AI algorithms can evaluate large datasets from patient self-reports, identifying patterns that might signal potential complications or deviations from expected recovery progress.
AI also streamlines workflow automation within orthopedic practices, lessening the administrative burden on clinical staff. Tasks that would usually require manual tracking and note-taking can be automated, allowing healthcare providers to concentrate more on direct patient care instead of paperwork. For instance, automated messages can encourage patients to report their current health status or remind them of upcoming appointments.
Additionally, tools like RTM make regular patient check-ins and follow-ups seamless and efficient. This proactive method permits clinicians to monitor patient progress more effectively, leading to quicker detection of problems and prompt intervention, thus greatly improving care outcomes and resource management.
Musculoskeletal care presents a significant financial burden on the healthcare system. By adopting RTM, orthopedic practices may change how they approach cost-efficiency. For example, Dr. Siddiqi’s practice indicated possible annual savings of up to $2 million across the care ecosystem due to improved monitoring and fewer readmissions.
Complications such as readmissions and emergency room visits can incur high costs. Implementing RTM makes postoperative care more proactive, addressing any signs of issues before they worsen. Avoidable hospital readmissions can exceed $14,000 per patient, making timely follow-ups essential for patient wellbeing and cost containment.
Through digital health tools, orthopedic practices can create effective rehabilitation environments where patients regularly engage with their recovery plans. These solutions streamline processes and align better with modern professionals’ expectations, thus improving the overall quality of delivered care.
While the advantages of RTM are clear, the implementation process presents challenges. Ensuring access to technology, maintaining data security, and providing ongoing training for healthcare professionals are areas that require careful attention. Practices must ensure all patients, regardless of their technology skills, can use these digital tools effectively.
Concerns regarding patient privacy are also significant in deploying RTM solutions. Healthcare organizations should invest in strong data protection measures and comply with regulations to secure sensitive patient information.
To maximize the clinical value and return on investment from RTM, effective integration with existing electronic medical record (EMR) systems is necessary. This integration ensures seamless data entry and usage, making patient information a valuable asset rather than an administrative burden.
As orthopedic practices in the United States look ahead, the integration of remote therapeutic monitoring becomes increasingly relevant. It helps practices adapt to new healthcare changes while improving patient engagement and care outcomes. Research indicates that patients participating in RTM are more likely to complete pre-surgery activities, significantly reducing last-minute cancellations.
The growth of robotic-assisted surgeries, telehealth, and AI monitoring signifies that orthopedic care is evolving rapidly. With projections of nearly 3.5 million total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) annually by 2030, implementing RTM will be crucial in managing patient workloads and refining recovery protocols.
Orthopedic administrators who focus on integrating RTM and AI-driven workflow automation can expect improved operational efficiencies and notable gains in patient satisfaction and overall care quality. Incorporating these technologies presents a forward-looking pathway, encouraging proactive, patient-centered care that can meet the demands of an evolving healthcare system.
By aligning strategic initiatives with the effective use of remote therapeutic monitoring and associated technologies, orthopedic practices can improve patient outcomes and position themselves effectively in modern medical care.
RTM is the process of collecting and evaluating non-physiological data, such as therapy adherence and patient responses, without direct patient contact. It differs from remote patient monitoring, which captures physiological data, and utilizes self-reported information through apps or web portals.
RTM offers orthopedic practices improved patient engagement, better insights into recovery, and the ability to bill for additional services during post-operative care. It enables faster interventions when patients are not progressing and facilitates personalized treatment plans based on continuous data.
RTM focuses on non-physiological data like patient-reported outcomes, while RPM captures physiological data. RTM does not require medical devices for data collection, allowing broader implementation without significant costs.
Data can be collected through patient-reported outcomes via apps, virtual visits, and FDA-approved medical devices that capture information such as pain levels and range of motion.
The new CPT codes for RTM include 98975 for setup and education, 98977 for monitoring, and 98980/98981 for interactive communication, allowing billing for different aspects of remote monitoring.
Qualified healthcare professionals, including orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, can bill for RTM as it falls under general supervision, unlike RPM which is limited to physicians.
RTM codes can be billed at different intervals: CPT 98975 once per care episode, 98977 every 30 days, and 98980/98981 multiple times per month depending on interactive communication time.
For CPT code 98977, at least 16 days of remote therapeutic monitoring data must be collected within each 30-day period to qualify for billing.
AI enhances RTM by accurately measuring data, such as joint mobility and range of motion, allowing orthopedic surgeons to evaluate patient recovery remotely and efficiently without frequent in-person visits.
RTM allows for increased revenue generation with minimal additional workload on clinical staff, improved patient communication, more personalized care plans, and faster responses to patient recovery issues.
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