Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) represents a significant evolution in medication adherence, offering healthcare providers and other clinicians powerful tools to monitor patients' adherence to their medications outside traditional clinical settings and with new, actionable data sets.
The Genesis of Remote Therapeutic Monitoring
RTM emerged from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recognition that healthcare delivery needed to extend beyond episodic clinic visits. In January 2022, CMS introduced specific Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for RTM services (98975-98981), establishing formal reimbursement pathways and legitimizing this care modality. Following CMS’s lead, many state Medicaid plans and commercial insurers also began to reimburse providers for delivering RTM services. RTM’s initial focus was on musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions, but its scope has grown to include behavioral health and post-surgical recovery.
The program built upon existing remote patient monitoring frameworks but distinguished itself by focusing specifically on therapeutic interventions rather than just physiological measurements. While Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is primarily focused on vital signs and biometric data, RTM focuses on medication adherence, as well as treatment response to physical therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Strategic Intentions and Clinical Framework
RTM was designed to address several critical healthcare challenges. The primary intention centers on improving medication adherence, which affects approximately 50% of patients with chronic conditions. By supporting providers to deliver continuous adherence monitoring services, such as with RxCap’s LTE Smart Caps, Pill Organizer and other adherence devices, RTM enables early intervention when patients deviate from prescribed treatment regimens.
The program also aims to reduce healthcare utilization through proactive management. By identifying potential complications before they require emergency interventions, RTM supports the transition from reactive to preventive care models. This aligns with value-based care initiatives that reward outcomes rather than volume of services.
Clinical Benefits and Outcomes Data
In 2017, the CDC MMWR published an article highlight how improving medication adherence for chronic conditions is associated with reduced mortality, lower hospital admission, and lower costs. By collecting and acting on real-time medication adherence data, such as by leveraging RxCap’s adherence devices and software, clinicians can support their patients in achieving these aims, all while being reimbursed for delivering these services.
Recent research from the University of Oklahoma indicates that RTM reduces infection-related readmissions at 30, 60, and 90-day intervals, suggesting broader clinical benefits beyond chronic disease management. The technology's ability to detect early signs of clinical deterioration enables timely interventions that prevent costly hospitalizations.
Implementation Considerations
Successful RTM implementation for medication adherence requires robust technology to easily collect and contextualize adherence data, such as with RxCap’s tools. Moreover, clinicians must be set up with appropriate clinical workflows to deliver RTM services, such as having the ability to monitor data and intervene if necessary.
As healthcare continues evolving toward patient-centered, technology-enabled care delivery, RTM represents a valuable tool for improving outcomes while managing costs. The combination of clinical benefits, regulatory support, and reimbursement availability positions RTM as an essential component of care delivery.
