Why We Recommend the 30th as Your Date of Service for RPM Claims

When it comes to Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) billing, the details matter — especially when navigating the complex timing rules around CPT codes. One question we often get at Telecare is: Why is the Date of Service (DOS) almost always the 30th of the month?

Great question. And the answer highlights the behind-the-scenes expertise we apply to protect your practice from claim denials, payment delays, or audit risks.

The Two Timing Rules You Need to Know

RPM billing is governed by two different timing rules — and understanding the difference is crucial:

• CPT 99453 (initial setup) and 99454 (device & data transmission) follow a 30-day cycle. You must wait at least 30 full days before billing again.
• CPT 99457 (first 20 minutes of interactive communication) and 99458 (each additional 20 minutes) follow a calendar-month cycle. These can be billed once per calendar month as long as the time thresholds are met.

These overlapping requirements mean we need to carefully time your RPM claims to ensure compliance and avoid issues.

Why the 30th Makes the Most Sense

By using the 30th of the month as the unified Date of Service for all RPM claims, we accomplish a few important things:

• It satisfies the 30-day rule for device codes.
• It stays within the calendar month for time-based communication codes.
• It minimizes confusion and prevents mismatches between codes.
• It reduces your risk of denials from premature or incorrectly timed claims.

In short, this timing allows your clinic to bill everything together — cleanly, compliantly, and efficiently.

What About February?

The system works well... until February rolls around. With only 28 or 29 days, we can’t reach the full 30-day mark for 99454 if the last claim was submitted on January 30. But we still need to submit 99457/99458 within the month of February.

Here’s how we adjust:

• 99457/99458: Submitted with a February 28 DOS to comply with the calendar month rule.
• 99453/99454: Submitted with a March 1 DOS to meet the 30-day rule.
  

This one-time split ensures full compliance with both CMS and AMA billing guidance — and everything realigns smoothly in March.

Behind the Scenes, Ahead of the Curve

At Telecare, we handle these complexities so your clinical team doesn’t have to. But understanding the logic behind it all gives you insight into the care we take to protect your practice and revenue.

Even a one-day mistake on your Date of Service can result in denials or overpayments. That’s why we don’t leave it to chance — and why your claims land on the 30th every month.

Have questions about RPM billing or how we optimize your reimbursement while staying compliant? Contact our team — we’re here to help.

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