Why Clinic Owners Can’t Afford to Ignore RTM (and How to Get It Right the First Time)

When I first started helping clinics with Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM), I assumed most owners would be lining up to implement it. After all, here was a new Medicare-recognized service, with new CPT codes, that could improve patient outcomes and generate additional revenue. What’s not to love?

But as I quickly learned, clinic owners are busy people juggling staff shortages, insurance headaches, and endless operational fires. Trying to figure out a brand-new program with vague guidelines? That often got pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. And honestly, I get it.

Why Ignoring RTM Is a Risk You Can’t Afford

Here’s the reality: RTM isn’t a passing trend. It’s part of a broader shift in healthcare toward data-driven, hybrid care models. Clinics that embrace it early will position themselves as innovative leaders. Clinics that delay? They risk playing catch-up while their competitors are already reaping the rewards.

I’ve seen RTM become a consistent monthly revenue stream — sometimes enough to cover the salary of a new therapist or offset slow-season dips. Beyond revenue, it offers better continuity of care and increased patient engagement between visits.

The “Platform Will Solve It” Myth

A common mistake I see is clinics thinking RTM success starts with buying a platform. Don’t get me wrong — technology matters. But no platform alone will magically deliver patient engagement, accurate data, and clean claims. Without proper workflows, even the most impressive platform will collect digital dust.

When I work with clinics, I focus on building RTM workflows first: onboarding patients, assigning a champion, tracking engagement, and monitoring billing. Once those are in place, the right platform becomes a powerful tool — not a crutch.

Let's chat about platforms I have vetted for your unique clinic space.

What I’ve Learned from 100+ Clinic Implementations

Every clinic is different. Rural, urban, high-volume, boutique — I’ve worked with them all. While no two implementations are identical, some truths hold across the board:

• Assign an RTM champion from day one. This keeps the burden off busy therapists.

• Train staff on both the ‘why’ and the ‘how.’ Buy-in is half the battle.

• Integrate RTM into existing workflows instead of making it feel like ‘extra work.’

• Monitor billing weekly to ensure timely, accurate submissions.

These steps may sound simple, but skipping any one of them can derail the entire program.

The ROI of Doing It Right

One clinic I worked with saw their RTM program cover its own costs within the first 60 days — and that’s with just partial staff adoption. Once the entire team was on board, RTM added five figures of annual revenue without increasing visit counts. That’s the kind of efficiency that matters in today’s reimbursement climate.

But ROI isn’t just financial. Engaged patients are more likely to complete their plans of care, refer friends and family, and leave positive reviews. That’s marketing you can’t buy.

Avoiding Common RTM Pitfalls

If you’re a clinic owner considering RTM, here are the top pitfalls I recommend avoiding:

• Starting without clear workflows.

• Assuming your therapists will ‘figure it out’ on their own.

• Ignoring billing nuances until claims are denied.

• Choosing a platform based solely on cost or features without testing fit.

I’ve seen clinics burn months of time — and thousands of dollars — by making these mistakes.

Why You Don’t Have to Start from Scratch

When I first implemented RTM, I was working remotely from an RV, piecing together a program from scratch with no roadmap. It was a lot of trial and error — more error than I’d like to admit. But those mistakes taught me exactly what works and what doesn’t.

Today, I’ve turned that knowledge into step-by-step workflows, ready-to-use templates, and training modules. Clinic owners don’t need to reinvent the wheel. They just need to put the right wheel on the right car.

RTM Done Right — From Day One

RTM is an opportunity to increase revenue, improve patient care, and position your clinic as a leader in modern therapy services. But only if it’s implemented correctly. I’ve helped hundreds of clinics get it right the first time, and I can help yours, too.

If you’re ready to skip the trial-and-error phase and launch RTM with confidence, check out my RTM Implementation Courses and personalized coaching. Your future self (and your bottom line) will thank you.