Transform Your Patient Care and Revenue Stream with Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM)

Discover how RTM is revolutionizing geriatric physical therapy while solving workforce shortages and increasing practice sustainability

The Challenge Every Healthcare Provider Faces Today

Picture this: Bea, a 77-year-old patient with chronic low back and knee pain, just completed her in-person physical therapy sessions. She's motivated, compliant, and showing progress, but like many aging adults, she struggles with consistency in her home exercise program between visits. Meanwhile, you're juggling an overwhelming caseload, dealing with workforce shortages, and wondering how to provide the personalized attention each patient deserves without burning out your team.

Sound familiar? You're not alone. With over 14 million falls reported annually in older adults and healthcare costs skyrocketing, the traditional model of episodic care is straining under pressure. But what if there was a way to monitor Bea's performance and adherence remotely, get reimbursed for your clinical expertise, and improve patient outcomes, all while addressing the workforce crisis?

Enter Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM).

What Makes RTM a Game-Changer for Healthcare Providers?

RTM isn't just another technology trend, it's a Medicare-reimbursed solution that bridges the gap between in-person visits and home care. Unlike telehealth, RTM uses FDA-approved medical devices and software to continuously monitor non-physiological data for musculoskeletal and respiratory systems, allowing patients to self-report while you maintain clinical oversight.

The Financial Reality: New Revenue Streams That Actually Work

RTM introduces five distinct CPT codes that can significantly impact your practice's bottom line:

• CPT 98975: Initial setup and patient education (one-time per episode)

• CPT 98976: Respiratory system monitoring (monthly billing)

• CPT 98977: Musculoskeletal system monitoring (monthly billing)

• CPT 98980: First 20 minutes of treatment management (monthly)

• CPT 98981: Each additional 20 minutes of treatment management

Real-world impact: Practices implementing RTM report improved patient engagement, reduced readmissions, and a new sustainable revenue stream that doesn't require additional face-to-face visits.

Success Stories: RTM in Action

Case Study 1: Bea's Transformation

77-year-old female with chronic pain, history of falls, fear of falling

Traditional Care Challenges:

• Pain level 8/10 with activity

• Required supervision and rollator for safe ambulation

• TUG time: 38 seconds

• Balance score: 15/40

RTM Implementation:

• 5 months of RTM monitoring (2 months concurrent with in-person PT, 3 months RTM-only)

• Real-time feedback and progress monitoring

• Frequent HEP adjustments based on pain levels

Results:

• Ambulates without assistive device in home 75% of the time

• Transitioned from rollator to cane in community

• Reintegrated into community activities

• Patient-led discharge with confidence in self-management

Case Study 2: Managing Complex Conditions

84-year-old male with Parkinson's Disease, dementia, multiple comorbidities

Unique Challenges:

• Lives alone with rotating student caregivers

• Cognitive limitations affecting compliance

• Multiple falls and functional decline

RTM Solution:

• 8 months of RTM (4 months concurrent, 4 months RTM-only)

• Caregiver training integrated into monitoring

• Group messaging for weekly check-ins

• Cognitive and pain level monitoring

Outcomes:

• 50% reduction in falls

• Independence with HEP for patient and caregivers

• Successful transition to independent management

The Technology That Makes It Possible

Modern RTM platforms like Zerapy are designed specifically for healthcare providers, offering:

Automated Documentation & Billing

• Epic integration with SmartPhrases for seamless documentation

• Automated time tracking for CPT 98980/98981 compliance

• Real-time billing queue integration

• Audit trail compliance for Medicare requirements

Clinical Decision Support

• AI-powered movement analysis with objective metrics

• Adherence tracking with detailed performance reports

• Interactive communication tools for patient engagement

• Customizable exercise prescription with real-time adjustments

Administrative Efficiency

• One-click EHR templates for all RTM CPT codes

• Automated eligibility verification (16-day minimum monitoring)

• Provider dashboard for caseload management

• Compliance automation reducing claim denials

Implementation: Easier Than You Think

Getting Started with RTM

1. Patient Identification: Who on your current caseload would benefit from RTM?

2. Consent Process: Streamlined digital consent forms

3. Device Setup: Mobile app configuration with patient education (CPT 98975)

4. Monitoring Phase: 16+ days of data collection (CPT 98976/98977)

5. Clinical Management: Monthly review and interaction (CPT 98980/98981)

Integration Timeline

• Week 1-2: Staff training and system setup

• Week 3-4: Pilot with 5-10 existing patients

• Month 2: Full implementation across appropriate patient population

• Month 3+: Optimize workflows and maximize billing opportunities

Overcoming Common Barriers

"My Patients Aren't Tech-Savvy"

Reality: 65% of adults 65+ own smartphones. RTM platforms are designed with seniors in mind, large buttons, simple interfaces, and comprehensive support.

"Documentation Will Be Too Complex"

Solution: Modern RTM systems auto-generate compliant documentation. Epic SmartPhrases handle the heavy lifting, reducing documentation time by up to 70%.

"Our Staff Is Already Overwhelmed"

Benefit: RTM actually reduces staff burden by:

• Providing objective data between visits

• Enabling proactive intervention before problems escalate

• Reducing emergency calls and unscheduled visits

• Supporting earlier, more confident discharges

The Bottom Line: RTM's Impact on Healthcare Delivery

RTM addresses the Quadruple Aim of healthcare:

1. Enhanced Patient Experience: Continuous monitoring and support

2. Improved Population Health: Proactive intervention and prevention

3. Reduced Per Capita Costs: Fewer readmissions and emergency interventions

4. Provider Well-being: More efficient workflows and sustainable caseloads

Financial Impact

• Average additional revenue: $200-400 per patient per month

• Reduced readmission costs: 15-30% decrease in 30-day readmissions

• Improved efficiency: 20-25% increase in effective patient capacity

• Staff satisfaction: Reduced burnout through better work-life balance

Ready to Transform Your Practice?

The question isn't whether RTM will become standard care, it's whether your practice will be an early adopter or play catch-up. With Medicare reimbursement established and technology platforms mature, the barriers to entry have never been lower.

Next Steps:

1. Assess Your Patient Population: Identify candidates for RTM

2. Evaluate Technology Partners: Look for platforms with proven Epic integration

3. Pilot Program: Start small with motivated patients and engaged staff

4. Scale Strategically: Build on early wins to expand across your practice

The future of healthcare is here, and it's remotely monitored, digitally enabled, and financially sustainable. Your patients, and your practice, deserve nothing less.

Want to learn more about implementing RTM in your practice? Contact us to schedule a demonstration of how integrated RTM solutions can transform your patient care and revenue streams.

Key Takeaway: RTM isn't just about technology—it's about extending your clinical expertise beyond the walls of your practice while creating sustainable, reimbursable care models that benefit patients, providers, and the healthcare system as a whole.