AMA’s CPT Editorial Panel To Consider RPM Coding Expansion

By Jack Whittaker | July 31, 2024

At its CPT Editorial Panel meeting, the American Medical Association (AMA) addressed proposed modifications to Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) coding that might completely transform reimbursement, and broaden the scope and flexibility of RPM by 2025.

Table of Contents

Proposed Changes to RPM Coding

The following are key actions around RPM and RTM that AMA is considering:

Add RPM Device Supply CPT Code

Add a remote patient monitoring device supply CPT code that covers 2-15 calendar days of data collection and transmission. The AMA proposes revising existing CPT 99454, the only current general RPM device supply CPT code, is only valid when a provider receives and records 16 or more days of patient data in a 30-day period.

The adoption of a new code would allow providers to code for 30-day periods with fewer than 16 but at least two readings are recorded.

Revise CPT 99457 to Include 11-20 Minutes

This change would shorten the amount of time clinical staff must spend with a patient/caregiver in order to bill 99457. CPT 99457 presently requires a minimum of 20 minutes.

The revision of 99457 would reduce the amount of time required by a provider’s clinical staff to provide RPM monitoring and care management time for a patient during the month in order to report the code.

Revise CPT 99458 To Cover Additional 10 Minutes

CPT 99458 should be revised to include each additional 10 minutes of care coordination. This would reduce the amount of time healthcare professionals need to bill for 99458. CPT 99458 now requires at least an additional 20 minutes.

Add Multiple Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Codes

The panel is considering adding multiple remote therapeutic monitoring codes of collecting and transmitting data to cover 2-15 calendar days. This will be applicable to all the currently covered conditions- respiratory, musculoskeletal, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Revise CPT 98980 to Include 11-20 Minutes of Service

This adjustment, like the proposed revision to the existing 99457 RPM time code, will limit the amount of time clinical staff must engage in care coordination during the month in order for 98980 to be reported. If approved, the AMA would alter CPT 98981 for 20-minute time limit.

How These Changes Could Impact Healthcare Practices?

If the panel approves new changes and Medicare and private payers follow suit, providers that expand their remote patient monitoring programs to fit the new codes will gain the most benefits for their patients and clinics, including:

Simplifying billing for shorter monitoring periods by introducing a new code that covers data collected during two to fifteen calendar days.
Modifying codes to encourage flexibility and provider reimbursement by reducing minimum care management times.
Improving code allowances for care coordination to promote greater patient participation.
It is expected that these modifications will increase program flexibility, increase coverage, and enhance patient outcomes.

If the AMA proceeds with these additions and adjustments, coverage changes will most likely not take effect until at least 2025. However, once they go into effect, it is safe to assume that Medicare will alter its coding regulations to match the AMA’s CPT modifications, as the federal agency normally follows the AMA’s coding guidelines. For more details on these changes, feel free to talk to our remote care management team at +201 885 5571.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What changes is the AMA considering for RPM (Remote Patient Monitoring) codes?

The AMA is considering:

Introducing a new device supply CPT code covering 2–15 days of data transmission (versus the current requirement of 16+ days)
Revising CPT 99457 to include 11–20 minutes of care management time instead of a fixed 20 minutes
Adjusting CPT 99458 to bill additional 10-minute increments (versus 20 minutes now)
Adding new codes for Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) in various categories
Revising CPT 98980 to allow 11–20 minute reporting for RTM services

Q2. What is the reason for the AMA’s proposal of a new CPT code for RPM device supplies?

The new code would allow billing when fewer than 16 days of patient data are collected (as few as 2 days), offering more flexibility and better reflecting patient usage in shorter-term monitoring periods.

Q3. How would changes to CPT 99457 benefit practitioners?

By lowering the minimum time requirement (to 11–20 minutes), it reduces the time burden on clinical staff and makes it easier to bill RPM care management, especially for less-intensive patient interactions.

Q4. What impact would revising CPT 99458 have?

Revising 99458 to bill in 10-minute additional blocks (instead of 20) allows more granular billing for care coordination beyond the base time, leading to more accurate reimbursement for incremental work.

Q5. How could these coding changes affect healthcare practices?

If adopted, practices might see simpler billing for shorter monitoring periods, increased flexibility in coding, and improved reimbursement potential. It could also encourage a wider adoption of Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) services.

Q6. When might these revised codes take effect?

Any approved changes would likely roll out in 2025, with Medicare and private payers aligning their coding rules subsequently.

Q7. Will these changes immediately affect Medicare reimbursement?

Not immediately. Medicare typically follows the AMA’s CPT changes; however, updates to Medicare’s rules may lag behind, so practices should monitor announcements from both the AMA and CMS.

Q8. What is Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM), and how is it affected?

RTM involves remotely monitoring non-physiological data (such as therapy adherence or musculoskeletal metrics). The panel proposes the introduction of new RTM codes, revisions to RTM time definitions, and an expansion of billing possibilities.

Q9. What challenges or risks should providers consider?

All payers may not adopt the changes, providers must update their workflows and billing systems, and reimbursement rates may deviate from expectations. Furthermore, adoption timing and regulatory alignment may vary.

Q10. How should practices prepare for these potential changes?

Stay informed about AMA and CMS updates.
Assess the current workflows for Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM), as well as the billing system.
Ensure that your EHR or monitoring platforms can adapt to new coding requirements.
Educate billing and clinical teams on the new guidelines.

Tags: #remotemonitoring, #remotepatientcare, #remotepatientmonitoring, #rpm