How To Use CPT Code 98977

CPT 98977 describes the remote therapeutic monitoring services for the musculoskeletal system. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 98977?

CPT 98977 can be used to describe the remote therapeutic monitoring services provided for the musculoskeletal system. This code is used when a healthcare professional supplies one or more devices for scheduled recordings and/or programmed alert transmission to monitor the status of the musculoskeletal system. The code is reported once every 30 days and includes the equipment used for data collection and transmission.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 98977 is: ‘Remote therapeutic monitoring (eg, therapy adherence, therapy response); device(s) supply with scheduled (eg, daily) recording(s) and/or programmed alert(s) transmission to monitor musculoskeletal system, each 30 days.’

3. Procedure

1. After receiving an order from a physician or qualified healthcare professional, the reporting provider supplies one or more devices for remote therapeutic monitoring of the musculoskeletal system.
2. The supplied devices are used for scheduled recordings, programmed alerts, or both, and must be FDA-approved medical devices.
3. The monitoring period lasts for 30 days, with a minimum of 16 days of monitoring required.
4. The healthcare professional reviews and monitors the data collected from the devices to assess the patient’s response to therapy and overall musculoskeletal system status.
5. The monitoring may involve objective data generated by the devices or subjective input provided by the patient.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 98977 is applicable when a physician or qualified healthcare professional orders remote therapeutic monitoring services for the musculoskeletal system. The monitoring is performed using one or more devices that record and/or transmit data about therapy adherence and response. The devices must be FDA-approved medical devices. The code is reported once every 30 days, with a minimum of 16 days of monitoring required.

5. When to use CPT code 98977

CPT code 98977 should be used when a healthcare professional supplies devices for remote therapeutic monitoring of the musculoskeletal system. This code is appropriate for monitoring therapy adherence and response. It should be reported once every 30 days, with a minimum of 16 days of monitoring. If the monitoring involves other aspects of treatment management, such as reviewing and interpreting data, consider using CPT codes 98980 and 98981.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 98977, the healthcare professional must document the following information:

• Physician or qualified healthcare professional’s order for remote therapeutic monitoring
• Description of the devices supplied for monitoring
• Date of device supply and start of the monitoring period
• Duration of the monitoring period (minimum of 16 days)
• Review and monitoring of data collected from the devices
• Assessment of therapy adherence and response
• Patient’s musculoskeletal system status based on the monitoring
• Signature of the healthcare professional providing the service

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 98977, ensure that the healthcare professional supplies one or more devices for remote therapeutic monitoring of the musculoskeletal system. The monitoring period should last for 30 days, with a minimum of 16 days of monitoring. It is important to note that CPT code 98977 should not be reported if CPT codes 98975, 98976, or 98978 have already been performed in the previous 30 days. Additionally, consider using modifier 26 for professional component reporting and modifier TC for technical component reporting, if applicable.

8. Historical information

CPT 98977 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2022. As of January 1, 2023, the code description was expanded to include remote therapeutic monitoring for respiratory system status and therapy adherence and response.

9. Examples

1. A physical therapist supplies a device for remote therapeutic monitoring of a patient’s musculoskeletal system to assess therapy adherence and response over a 30-day period.
2. A chiropractor provides a device for scheduled recordings and programmed alerts to monitor a patient’s musculoskeletal system status remotely for 16 days.
3. An orthopedic surgeon orders remote therapeutic monitoring devices for a patient recovering from surgery to track therapy adherence and response over a 30-day period.
4. A sports medicine physician supplies a device for remote monitoring of a professional athlete’s musculoskeletal system to assess therapy adherence and response over a 30-day period.
5. A physical therapist provides a device for remote therapeutic monitoring of a patient’s musculoskeletal system to evaluate therapy adherence and response over a 30-day period.
6. A rheumatologist orders remote therapeutic monitoring devices for a patient with a chronic musculoskeletal condition to monitor therapy adherence and response over a 30-day period.
7. An occupational therapist supplies a device for remote monitoring of a patient’s musculoskeletal system to assess therapy adherence and response over a 30-day period.
8. A sports rehabilitation specialist provides a device for scheduled recordings and programmed alerts to remotely monitor a patient’s musculoskeletal system status for 16 days.
9. A physical medicine and rehabilitation physician orders remote therapeutic monitoring devices for a patient with a musculoskeletal injury to track therapy adherence and response over a 30-day period.
10. A podiatrist supplies a device for remote monitoring of a patient’s musculoskeletal system to evaluate therapy adherence and response over a 30-day period.