Remote patient monitoring (RPM) has become a major tool in the development of remote care models, besides its significant role in keeping patients engaged with chronic care management outside the clinic. One of the more important billing codes for RPM, recognized by Medicare, is CPT code 99453. This code allows providers to be paid for their first tasks, which consist of setting up the RPM devices and training the patients.
What Is CPT 99453?
CPT Code 99453 is a single payment code reimbursed for the initial installation of remote patient monitoring devices and the training of the patient or caregiver on their use. It is an important part of the larger family of RPM codes that have been approved by Medicare and other payers.
What sets this code apart, 99453, is that it pays providers for their time and effort in preparing patients to initiate remote monitoring, long before ongoing care management or monthly transmission billing begins. It is billed once per patient per episode of care, irrespective of the number of devices provided.
Importantly, CPT 99453 also does not have a minimum duration of days of data collection (unlike CPT 99454, which has a minimum of 16 days). Therefore, it is generally the initial RPM-related code billed during a patient’s remote care journey.
Billing Criteria and Requirements
To bill CPT 99453, some conditions must be fulfilled to meet Medicare and commercial payer requirements. The service must first include providing a qualified RPM device that satisfies FDA-defined parameters. The provider or clinical staff must then finish setting up and providing a structured patient education session so the patient or caregiver is able to use the device properly and is aware of how readings will be transmitted.
The following billing providers are eligible: physicians (MD/DO), nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other licensed professionals who are allowed to bill Medicare. The service can be provided under general supervision if the supervising provider is not required to be present during setup, provided that there are oversight protocols in place.
It is also helpful to know that no face-to-face requirement exists. RPM setup and training can be accomplished remotely. However, providers need to make sure that the patient is onboarded successfully and the device is being used actively after the session. If the patient never starts monitoring or sending data, CPT 99453 should not be charged.
A single unit of CPT 99453 can only be billed per patient per care episode. If a patient suspends monitoring and resumes again at a later time under a new clinical episode, it can again be billed with sufficient documentation.
2025 Medicare Reimbursement Details
In 2025, the average national reimbursement for CPT Code 99453 is roughly $19 to $21 per patient. The rates are subject to location, CMS locality, and contracted commercial payer schedules.
Although the reimbursement value appears low relative to existing RPM codes, it captures the worth of administrative and clinical time involved in onboarding remote monitoring effectively. Billing is permitted under general supervision, and reimbursement is applicable whether the onboarding is performed in-office, by telehealth, or by delegated third-party staff, as long as adequate documentation and patient consent are present.
What Services Are Covered Under 99453?
CPT 99453 is intended to capture the whole setup and onboarding process necessary for RPM to start. This includes not just plugging in the device but also having the patient able to effectively engage in remote care.
Services usually include the activation and setup of Bluetooth or cellular-connected monitoring devices, instructing the patient or caregiver on how to properly use the device, showing the process of how to transmit data, and giving easy-to-follow directions on how frequently to use the device. The session can also include answering any initial troubleshooting questions, detailing the process through which clinical staff would monitor the data, and assessing patient understanding.
Such interactions are important in making sure of successful patient engagement and compliance within the RPM program.
Documentation Requirements
Since CPT 99453 is frequently audited because it is a standalone code, accurate and detailed documentation is very important to make sure of payment and prevent denials.
Your clinical record must contain the date of setup and training, device type and serial number, and names and credentials of the personnel who provided the service. There must also be an entry that verifies that the patient or caregiver had received training, comprehended the use of the device, and was ready to start using it on a daily basis.
Although not technically necessary, most providers also report the length of the session as well as any special patient considerations, like language translation or accessibility requirements, to defend medical necessity and compliance.
Simplify RPM Setup with RPM & CCM Health
Onboarding for RPM can easily become resource-constrained, especially within practices growing across wide patient bases. That is where RPM & CCM Health comes in.
We provide a turnkey RPM onboarding solution that covers every phase of CPT 99453, from device shipment and activation to patient training and documentation. Devices are pre-configured and shipped directly to patients’ homes, avoiding in-clinic setup. Our support personnel guides patients or caregivers through the whole process, giving them proper use and compliance from day one.
We also keep HIPAA-compliant records of every onboarding session and give your staff monthly summaries for billing and audit protection. Providers can bill 99453 with confidence, thanks to our assistance, and concentrate on clinical care.
If you are ready to establish or extend your RPM program, schedule a demo today or work with us to introduce RPM.
Related Remote Patient Monitoring Codes
CPT 99453 is just the first step in the RPM billing path. To qualify for the complete value of continuous care, clinicians should also know:
- CPT 99454 – Reports monthly device provision and data transmission. Requires 16+ days of data during a 30-day cycle.
- CPT 99457 – Charges for the initial 20 minutes of RPM treatment management per calendar month.
- CPT 99458 – Adds payment for each additional 20 minutes of RPM clinical staff time.
To get a full picture of how these codes are used together, go to our Remote Patient Monitoring overview.
FAQs
What is the difference between CPT 99453 and 99454?
99453 is the one-time setup and education, and 99454 is a monthly code for supplying the device and transmitting data once monitoring is activated.
Can CPT 99453 be billed more than once?
It is only billable once per patient per care episode. A new clinical episode, like a break in monitoring with subsequent re-enrollment, may allow re-billing with proper justification.
Does the provider need to personally deliver the education?
No. Clinical personnel can perform RPM setup and education under general supervision, provided that they follow protocol and documentation standards.
What happens if the patient never starts using the device?
No data transmission after setup shows that CPT 99453 should not be charged. Billing necessitates actual initiation of the RPM service.
Is patient consent required for 99453?
Yes. Patient consent, either verbal or written, must be obtained and documented prior to initiation of the RPM services.
