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The WHAT of RTM Is Greater Than the HOW to Bill: The 6 W’s Clinics Must Answer for RTM Success

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) has become one of the most talked-about services in outpatient therapy. Clinics are hearing about new CPT codes, reimbursement opportunities, and platforms promising to “turn RTM on” quickly.


Naturally, the most common question becomes:

“How do we bill RTM?”

But here’s the reality many clinics discover after implementation:

👉 If you haven’t clearly answered the WHAT of RTM, the HOW to bill it won’t save your program.


RTM is not a just billing strategy. It’s not just software. And it’s not only something your therapists are “already doing anyway.”

RTM is a clinical service. And like any service, its success depends on intentional design, patient buy-in, therapist engagement, and workflows that support meaningful clinical decision-making.


In this article, we’ll break down:

  • What RTM actually is

  • Why so many RTM programs fail

  • The 6 W’s clinics must answer before worrying about billing

  • Why the WHAT of RTM is greater than the HOW to bill


What Is RTM (Remote Therapeutic Monitoring)?

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) is a CMS-defined service that allows providers to collect and analyze non-physiological data related to a patient’s therapeutic progress. This may include adherence, pain levels, function, activity tolerance, or other therapy-specific outcomes— captured through digital platforms or software.

RTM is especially relevant for:

  • Physical therapy

  • Occupational therapy

  • Speech-language pathology

  • Musculoskeletal and functional care models

Unlike Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), RTM focuses on therapy-driven data, not vital signs.

On paper, RTM seems straightforward. In practice, however, many clinics struggle because they implement RTM as a technology instead of a service.

And that distinction matters.


Why the WHAT of RTM Matters More Than the HOW

Most RTM programs start backward.

Clinics often begin with:

  • How do we enroll patients?

  • How does the platform work?

  • How do we bill RTM CPT codes?

Those questions are not wrong—but they are out of order.

RTM fails when:

  • Therapists don’t understand the purpose

  • Patients don’t engage outside the clinic

  • Data is collected but never used toward improving outcomes

  • Workflows feel disconnected from care delivery

To avoid these outcomes, clinics must first answer the 5 foundational W’s—before arriving at the 6th W: HOW.


W #1: WHAT — What Value Does RTM Actually Provide?

This is the most important question and the most commonly skipped.

What value does RTM provide to:

  • Patient outcomes?

  • Therapist clinical decision-making?

  • The overall plan of care?

If RTM data does not:

  • Influence progression or regression

  • Support patient education

  • Change clinical conversations

  • Drive treatment decisions

…then RTM becomes noise.

Successful RTM programs clearly define:

  • What data is being collected

  • Why that data matters

  • What actions will be taken because of it

If your therapists can’t confidently answer, “What do I do differently because I have this data?”, RTM will never feel meaningful. Read more on RTM value here.

W #2: WHY — Why Should Patients and Therapists Care?

RTM requires behavior change from both patients and clinicians. Without a clearly defined WHY, engagement will suffer.

For patients:

  • Why should they engage between visits?

  • How does RTM help them reach their goals?

  • What problem does it solve for them?

For therapists:

  • Why should they change their workflow?

  • How does RTM enhance care instead of adding work?

  • Why does this matter clinically?

RTM buy-in happens when:

  • The purpose is clearly tied to patient goals

  • The data supports better conversations

  • The service aligns with clinical values

No WHY = no buy-in. And no buy-in = no RTM success.


W #3: WHEN — When Is RTM Appropriate?

RTM is powerful—but it is not universal.

Not every patient needs RTM. Not every diagnosis benefits equally. Not every phase of care is appropriate.

Successful clinics define:

  • When RTM adds value

  • When it is unnecessary

  • When it may distract from care

RTM is often most effective for:

  • Patients needing accountability

  • Complex or fluctuating conditions

  • Gaps between visits

  • Adherence challenges

  • Transitional/Management phases of care

Timing matters. Intentional use prevents burnout and overextension.


W #4: WHO — Who Owns RTM Internally?

One of the most common failure points in RTM programs is unclear ownership.

Ask:

  • Who monitors incoming data?

  • Who interprets trends?

  • Who communicates insights to patients?

  • Who escalates concerns or updates the plan of care?

When “everyone” owns RTM, no one truly does.

Successful programs define:

  • Clear roles and responsibilities

  • Daily or weekly touchpoints

  • Communication workflows

  • Accountability structures

Once ownership is clearly defined, RTM will feel like an extension of care—not a floating task that lives in the background. Read more on the suggested Champion Model here.

W #6: HOW — And Why This Must Come Last

Only after the first five W’s are clearly defined does the HOW matter.

And even then, the HOW has two very different meanings.

HOW (Part 1): How Will This Program Engage Patients While Fitting Into Current Clinic Workflows?

This is the first HOW that matters.

Before billing is ever discussed, clinics must define:

  • How RTM integrates into existing care delivery

  • How therapists interact with the data

  • How patients experience the service

  • How communication aligns with your brand

If RTM disrupts workflows, adds friction, or feels disconnected, it will not scale—regardless of platform or reimbursement.


HOW (Part 2): How Do We Bill RTM Codes?

Only after a service is being delivered consistently and meaningfully does billing come into play.

Billing is the result of a service rendered, not the reason for the service.

When clinics start with billing, RTM becomes fragile.When clinics start with service design, billing becomes straightforward.


Is RTM Worth It?

RTM is certainly worth it—but only when implemented intentionally.

RTM is worth it when:

  • It improves outcomes

  • It supports therapist decision-making

  • It enhances patient engagement

  • It fits existing workflows

  • It aligns with your clinical philosophy

RTM is not worth it when:

  • It’s treated as extra documentation

  • It’s platform-driven instead of service-driven

  • It lacks ownership and clarity


What Is the Best RTM Platform?

This is one of the most searched RTM questions—and one of the most misunderstood.

There is no single “best RTM platform.”There is only the best platform for your clinic’s workflows, goals, and service model.

As I’ve shared in other blogs, your RTM platform should help you answer the 6 W’s early in the process, not force you to figure them out after implementation.

Platform selection should support:

  • Clinical decision-making

  • Therapist workflows

  • Patient engagement

  • Communication pathways

  • Scalable service delivery

If you’re unsure whether your current platform supports this—or you’re evaluating options—I welcome the opportunity to speak with you. I maintain a short list of vetted RTM platforms that meet different clinic models and clinical priorities, and I’m happy to help match the right solution to your specific needs. Read more on choosing the right platform here.

Final Takeaway: Start With the WHAT

RTM success doesn’t begin with billing codes. It begins with asking better questions.

When clinics prioritize:WHAT → WHY → WHEN → WHO → WHO → HOW

RTM becomes:

  • Sustainable

  • Scalable

  • Clinically meaningful

  • Financially viable

If your RTM program isn’t delivering the value you expected, the issue is rarely the platform—it’s one of the 6 W’s.

And that’s fixable.

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