Why I Added Remote Therapeutic Monitoring to My SLP Practice (And Why You Should Too)

Picture this: It’s 3 PM on a Tuesday, I’m reviewing my notes, and I’m frustrated. Again.

My stroke patient just told me he forgot to do his speech exercises all week. My aphasia patient is making great progress in sessions, but her spouse says she won’t even try to talk at home. And my cognitive patient swears he’s using his strategies, but clearly isn’t.

Meanwhile, another letter from an insurance company arrives, explaining why reimbursement rates are being cut. Again.

I was sitting there thinking... there has to be a better way.

The Problem I Was Trying to Solve

As a private practice owner, I was getting squeezed from every direction. Reimbursements kept dropping while overhead increased due to inflation. I was spending more time on paperwork than patient care. And the biggest frustration of all? I knew my patients needed more support than I could give them in two 40-minute sessions a week.

I’d send them home with exercises and cross my fingers. But let’s be honest, most didn’t follow through. And I had no way of knowing what was really happening until they came back the next week.

I was tired of feeling like I was failing my patients, even though I knew I was giving them my best in-session care.

In Walks RTM!

Over the past few years, I started hearing about Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) in the PT world. At first, I brushed it off because it seemed like it wouldn’t be applicable to SLPs. But curiosity got the better of me, and I dug deeper.

That’s when I discovered the full picture of the RTM CPT codes that went into effect in 2022:

• 98975 – Setup & patient education (one time per episode)

• 98977 – Ongoing daily engagement (patients respond on 16+ days in a 30-day cycle)

• 98980/98981 – Monthly treatment management (20-minute increments for reviewing data + interaction)

These weren’t just for physical therapy. They were designed for any therapeutic monitoring that informs treatment decisions… including speech, language, voice, cognitive, and swallowing therapy.

For me, it was a lightbulb moment because this could solve multiple problems at once.

• Real insight into what patients were actually doing between sessions

• Daily accountability and support to keep them engaged

• A legitimate, billable revenue stream covered by Medicare (meaning practices can be reimbursed for this work without adding out-of-pocket costs for patients)

• Better outcomes through continuous connection

What It Actually Looks Like

The system I put in place is so simple. Patients receive one automated text message a day. Each question is short and specific:

• An example for my aphasia patients: “Did you try talking with someone outside your home today? YES or NO.”

• An example for cognitive patients: “What got in the way of remembering today? Reply STRESS, DISTRACTIONS, FATIGUE, or something else?”

Their responses come straight to my dashboard and I personally review every single response and respond if it’s appropriate. It takes maybe 1 minute per patient, but the insights I gain are invaluable.

Instead of starting a session with “How was your week?” I can say: “I saw you mentioned trouble with word-finding at the grocery store on Tuesday, let’s work on that today.”

Patients feel seen, heard, and supported. The response from patients has been overwhelmingly positive. They really value the daily check-ins and often share that it keeps them accountable and engaged.

How I’m Doing This in My Practice

There are a few different RTM platforms out there. After looking into several, I started using SaRAHealth.

What I liked was that it felt built for therapy practices, not just tech. The interface is simple, the messaging is customizable (I created all my own workflows for my patient populations, but they also offer premade ones you can use), and it tracks everything in a way that makes billing straightforward. It tells me exactly when I can bill and even provides me with a justification to add to my note for insurance!

I’m not affiliated with SaRAHealth (this isn’t a a paid ad). It’s simply the platform I chose and what’s been working well for me. If you’re curious, you can book a demo with them to see how it might fit your practice (and if you do, feel free to mention my name so they know how you heard about them)!

My SaRAHealth Platform (deidentified)

The Unexpected Benefits

I expected RTM to help with accountability, but I didn’t anticipate just how much patients would love it. The daily check-ins make them feel supported, motivated, and cared for. They regularly share that it helps them stay on track and reminds them that their progress matters.

From my side, the benefits have been just as powerful. The quality of my in-person sessions has skyrocketed. Instead of wasting time with vague “How was your week?” conversations, I can dive right into the real issues patients are facing. Because they feel heard and connected between sessions, they show up more engaged and ready to work.

On the practice side, I’ve noticed sessions are more efficient, attendance has improved, and I feel more confident knowing I’m addressing real-life barriers, not just what they bring up during sessions.

The ripple effect is clear… stronger therapeutic relationships, higher patient satisfaction, better carryover at home, and smoother practice operations. And that’s all possible because of a simple daily text message.

Why Private Practice Owners Should Pay Attention

If you’re a practice owner feeling the squeeze of declining reimbursements and frustrated by poor carryover, RTM may be exactly what you need.

It’s not just about extra revenue (though that’s important for sustainability). It’s about finally having a structure for the work we already do between visits (and getting paid for it) while delivering a higher level of care.

The RTM codes aren’t going anywhere. In fact, CMS is adding MORE codes in 2026 (stay tuned - I’ll keep you updated). Practices that adopt this now will have a significant advantage, both clinically and financially.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re curious about how RTM could work in your practice, I strongly encourage you to book a demo with SaRAHealth. When you do, make sure to mention my name — Katie Brown from Neuro Speech Solutions. They’ll walk you through the process and answer your questions without pressure.

One of the best parts of private practice is the freedom to innovate and deliver excellent care. RTM is a way for your practice to stand out from the crowd!

For me, RTM has been a game-changer. I believe it can do the same for you.

Are you considering RTM in your practice? I’d love to connect and hear how you’re thinking about it.

Katie Brown, MA, CCC-SLP

Katie is the owner of Neuro Speech Solutions, a private practice in Buffalo, NY that helps adults with neurological communication and cognitive disorders. She is also the founder of Medicare for SLPs, where she supports private practice speech-language pathologists navigate Medicare Part B with less stress and more confidence.