How Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) is Transforming Chiropractic Care 

Aug 22, 2024 | Remote Therapeutic Monitoring, RTM

In today’s healthcare landscape, chiropractors face the ongoing challenge of delivering exceptional patient care while improving their practices’ financial health. 

One solution emerging as a game-changer is Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM).

This technology not only allows providers to monitor patient progress digitally but also opens up new billing opportunities, making it a valuable addition to any chiropractic practice. 

Low Adherence and Its Consequences 

Patient adherence to prescribed exercise programs is critical in chiropractic care, particularly for those recovering from injuries or managing chronic pain. 

However, many patients struggle to follow through with their exercises at home, often due to fear of re-injury, lack of motivation, or simply forgetting their routines. This lack of adherence can lead to prolonged recovery times, recurring injuries, and overall frustration for both the patient and the provider. 

For chiropractors, this issue is more than just a matter of patient outcomes; it directly impacts the efficiency of their practice and their ability to provide continuous care. 

The question then arises: How can chiropractors ensure that their patients stay engaged with their treatment plans, even outside of the clinic? 

The Solution: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) 

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) has emerged as a revolutionary solution to this challenge. 

RTM enables healthcare providers to track patient health and treatment outcomes remotely, ensuring continuous care even when patients are not in the office. 

For chiropractors, this means improved patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans, and the ability to respond to patient needs in real-time. 

RTM is more than just a monitoring tool; it’s a comprehensive approach that includes: 

  • Real-Time Patient Monitoring: Chiropractors can track their patients’ activities and progress in real-time, making it easier to identify and address any issues before they escalate. 
  • Continuous Communication: Patients can communicate their concerns or progress updates through an app, receiving immediate feedback and adjustments to their exercise regimen. 
  • Enhanced Adherence: By maintaining regular contact, patients are more likely to adhere to their exercise programs, leading to better outcomes and a stronger patient-provider relationship. 

How RTM Solves the Adherence Problem 

RTM addresses the core issues that lead to low adherence by offering a structured and supportive environment for patients. 

For example, Dr. Smith from Smith Wellness, a chiropractor who integrated RTM through EMBODI, saw a significant improvement in his patient’s adherence to their prescribed exercises. (Link to Case Study)

With the ability to monitor exercises remotely and provide real-time feedback, Dr. Smith was able to guide his patient through their recovery journey more effectively than ever before. 

Patients appreciate the convenience of being able to communicate with their chiropractor without needing to schedule an in-person visit, and chiropractors benefit from the ability to provide continuous care, which ultimately leads to better patient outcomes. 

Why EMBODI is the Ultimate RTM Solution

While RTM presents a significant opportunity, its success largely depends on the platform used to implement it. 

EMBODI is uniquely positioned as the ideal solution for chiropractors looking to harness the power of RTM. 

As a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) platform, EMBODI is designed to enhance patient engagement through features like gamified exercise programs, HIPAA-compliant messaging, and robust patient monitoring tools. 

By leveraging EMBODI, chiropractors can bill for RTM services using several CPT codes, including 98975, 98977, 98980, and 98981.

This was exemplified by Dr. Smith, who successfully used EMBODI to monitor his patient’s progress and secure reimbursement for the RTM services provided. 

EMBODI not only enables chiropractors to track patient progress and communicate effectively, but it also allows them to seamlessly bill for the full range of RTM codes. This combination of patient care and practice efficiency makes EMBODI an invaluable tool in the modern chiropractor’s arsenal. 

 

As chiropractic care continues to evolve, embracing RTM through platforms like EMBODI is essential for enhancing patient outcomes and unlocking new revenue streams. 

By integrating this innovative technology, chiropractors can ensure they stay at the cutting edge of patient care, just as Dr. Smith did, while also securing the financial future of their practice. 

Smith Wellness – Customer Story

Aug 16, 2024 | Remote Therapeutic Monitoring, RTM

As a chiropractor committed to providing the highest level of care, Dr. Smith was determined to find a solution that would enable better patient monitoring and engagement, especially for patients with a history of low adherence to at-home exercise programs.

Dr. Smith faced a significant challenge with a patient who was struggling with lower back issues and had a fear of re-injury.

Traditional home exercise programs (HEP) had to be discontinued due to the patient’s apprehension, and maintaining engagement was difficult.

Dr. Smith needed a way to ensure the patient could safely perform exercises at home while also receiving consistent support and monitoring. 

By integrating EMBODI into his practice, Dr. Smith not only improved patient outcomes but also became one of the first chiropractors to be reimbursed for Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) using code 98980. 

 “EMBODI is a game-changer. It’s like having an extra pair of hands helping you monitor, engage, and retain your patients.” 

During a recent interview, Dr. Smith shared how EMBODI has transformed the way they manage patient care and engagement. Below are three powerful ways EMBODI empowered Dr. Smith to deliver better outcomes. 

1. It Enhances Patient Monitoring and Communication 

Before EMBODI, Dr. Smith struggled to maintain consistent communication with patients, especially between office visits.

Utilizing the RTM code 98980, Dr. Smith was able to closely monitor a patient’s progress remotely, and by reviewing their Home Exercise Program (HEP) through EMBODI, Dr. Smith provided real-time adjustments and guidance, significantly improving patient adherence and outcomes. 

“With the help of EMBODI, I was able to monitor her exercises and maintain communication through the app, as if I was there with her during the exercises at home.” – Dr. Smith

2. It Increases Patient Engagement and Adherence

Since implementing EMBODI, Dr. Smith has seen an improvement in patient engagement and adherence.

Patients appreciate the ease of use and the ability to communicate directly with their provider through the app.

This has led to better health outcomes and a stronger patient-provider relationship. 

“The feedback from patients has been overwhelmingly positive. It helps see if they’re improving, allows them to communicate with me through the app, and schedule appointments.” – Dr. Smith 

3. It Boosts Revenue through RTM 

Dr. Smith successfully utilized EMBODI to monitor his patient’s exercises and maintain communication as if he were there during the exercises at home.

This enabled him to adjust exercises, provide guidance between visits, and ultimately get reimbursed for the RTM CPT code 98980, making him one of the first chiropractors to achieve this milestone.

EMBODI not only facilitated better health outcomes but also allowed Dr. Smith to be compensated for delivering excellent remote healthcare. 

“I love being a chiropractor and am thrilled to see the profession moving in a positive direction. Knowing that I was one of the first chiropractors to be reimbursed for RTM code 98980 is amazing.” – Dr. Smith 

EMBODI has proven to be a vital tool in Dr. Smith’s practice, enhancing patient care and engagement while also opening new financial avenues through RTM.

Unlock New Revenue Streams with Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM): Understanding the Basics 

Aug 1, 2024 | Remote Therapeutic Monitoring, RTM

For chiropractors, finding new revenue streams is a common challenge.  

Traditional methods often limit income to in-clinic visits, but what happens when you spend time monitoring a patient’s progress outside the clinic? Many practitioners don’t realize that this time can be reimbursed. 

Chiropractors often face hurdles in billing for non-clinic time, such as tracking patient performance or providing advice remotely. The lack of awareness about billing codes that allow reimbursement for these activities means missed revenue opportunities.  

This is where Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) comes into play. 

The Financial Challenge in Chiropractic Practices 

New revenue streams are critical for the growth and sustainability of chiropractic practices. Traditional billing models often leave chiropractors unable to monetize the time spent on activities like patient monitoring, advice, and care plan adjustments outside the clinic. This gap not only impacts revenue but also the overall effectiveness of patient care. 

What is Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM)? 

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) is a groundbreaking solution designed to address this very challenge. RTM enables healthcare providers to monitor their patients’ health and treatment progress remotely, ensuring that the care continues beyond the clinic’s walls. This continuous monitoring is vital for maintaining patient progress and enhancing treatment outcomes. 

Why RTM is Important 

RTM is not just a technological advancement; it’s a pivotal shift towards more efficient and effective patient care. By enabling chiropractors to monitor patient behaviors, provide timely interventions, and adjust treatment plans based on real-time data, RTM ensures better patient outcomes and higher satisfaction rates. 

Understanding RTM Billing Codes 

For chiropractors to be compensated for RTM services, it’s essential to understand the specific billing codes available: 

  • CPT 98975: This code is used for the initial setup and patient education on the RTM software devices. 
  • CPT 98977: Covers the cost of supplying the RTM devices and ensuring patient compliance. 
  • CPT 98980: This code is billed for the first 20 minutes of professional time spent on RTM data management and patient communication per month. 
  • CPT 98981: Used for each additional 20 minutes of RTM data management and communication within a month. 

These codes allow chiropractors to be fairly compensated for the time and resources dedicated to remotely monitoring their patients, transforming what was once non-revenue-generating work into a viable income stream. 

As the chiropractic industry evolves, staying ahead of the curve with innovative solutions like RTM is crucial. Understanding the basics of RTM and how it can be integrated into your practice is the first step toward unlocking new revenue streams and enhancing patient care. 

If you’re interested in exploring how RTM can revolutionize your practice, we invite you to book a discovery session. We’ll provide a sneak peek into how this technology can integrate seamlessly into your existing systems and boost your revenue.

Stay tuned for our next post where we will delve deeper into implementing RTM in your practice and introduce you to the ultimate RTM solution that integrates seamlessly with your existing systems.