Is Remote Therapeutic Monitoring here to stay? Is it sustainable?

From the trenches this week - "will these Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) codes be around for a while?" "Does the PHE have anything to do with RTM?" "What about the Reconciliation Act, it only goes until Dec '24, what happens after?"

I'll answer these questions by tackling the PHE/Telehealth first then our view on RTM's likely lifespan.

One of the most common misconceptions we find in the market is that practice leaders think RTM = Telehealth. Typically as "I did RTM during COVID". This simply isn't true.

This misconception leads to a myriad of other concerns around the PHE, Reconciliation Act, etc.

If I could send one message right now to PT, OT, and SLP practice leaders right now it would be RTM is NOT telehealth.

Will we see a negative impact on RTM as a result of the PHE ending and in Dec '24? I doubt it, in fact, I think RTM will increase in importance and those practices who started now will not even notice the change.

Do we think these codes are going away? No. Now, I'm obviously biased so don't take my word for it - here's my logic.

1. CMS started with Respiratory and MSK in 2022; they added Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 2023 - why would you expand a code you'll get rid of?

2. Falls and loneliness are two of the biggest health risks facing the Medicare population. A decrease in mobility will put a person at higher risk for both. So if I'm Medicare I want to throw everything I can at movement health.

3. RTM looks like a bridge to value-based care, giving practice a "carrot" to move from a purely synchronous reimbursement structure to one that meets the patient where they are at and optimizes for the outcome.

We believe the "stick" will come at some point so take the carrot, make the changes, set your practice up for the future, and improve outcomes while doing it.

Not sure how to take the next step, book time with us at the link below to see how SaRA Health - Stress Free RTM can help you move into the future.