TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction
- What is Remote Patient Monitoring?
- Components of RPM
- RPM Devices
- How does RPM work?
- Benefits of Remote Patient Monitoring
- Choosing a system
- How to implement RPM
- Financial Considerations
- RPM Market Analysis
- Future of RPM
- Conclusion
Introduction
Technologies like Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) allow healthcare providers to monitor patients remotely, reducing the risk of exposure to the virus. It also helped minimize the burden on finance and resources. In the post-pandemic era, RPM systems are becoming widely adopted.
However, many still lack a clear understanding of what remote patient monitoring stands for and how it works. This article explores the concept of RPM, the technologies involved, its benefits, and more.
What is Remote Patient Monitoring?
According to the US government accountability office, “Remote Patient Monitoring refers to a coordinated system that uses one or more home-based or mobile monitoring devices that transmit vital sign data or information on activities of daily living that a healthcare professional subsequently reviews.”
Remote Patient Monitoring, called telemonitoring, includes technologies and practices that allow providers to track real-time changes in patient health data remotely. This is possible due to mobile devices and fit bits that gather patient data, such as weight, blood pressure, heart rate, etc., and send it to healthcare providers.
RPM is commonly used to assist patients who need chronic, post-discharge, or geriatric care. With the help of RPM, healthcare providers can stay informed of potential health risks and track patient data between visits.
Components of RPM
Any remote patient monitoring system has four major components:
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Personal Medical device
Personal monitoring devices gather patient health data and transfer it to healthcare providers. These devices are equipped with Bluetooth to record necessary patient data, such as blood pressure and heart rate, with sensors implanted or worn by patients.
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Mobile Application
A mobile app collects patient data from the above-discussed devices and transmits it to providers. It is typically created with informative visuals and top-notch UX design to make the program user-friendly.
These apps offer educational content, video calling, and medication reminders.
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Cloud Database
A Cloud-based database stores the raw data collected from patients’ devices. After data collection, data analytics software analyses the data using AI-enabled analytics.
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Hospital-side software
The hospital-side web app ensures compliance with patient privacy laws like HIPAA. It integrates seamlessly with the hospital’s digital health records system with advanced APIs. Additionally, it connects directly with various department-specific databases, allowing for efficient data sharing and streamlined operations.
RPM Devices
Remote patient monitoring relies heavily on devices that collect and transmit essential health data.
There are many different types of RPM devices available. Following are some of the most common ones:
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Weight Monitor
According to the CDC, more than 42% of the American population was considered obese in the year 2017-2018. Obesity is one of the major causes of severe health issues, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and stroke.
For providers aiming to support weight management, remote weight monitoring offers valuable insights by tracking patient data. This method enables early detection of sudden weight loss, which can pose risks like weakened bones, a compromised immune system, dehydration, and fatigue. Practitioners can use this information to mitigate these risks and provide timely care.
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Blood Pressure Monitor
Due to its immense benefits, most organizations use blood pressure monitors. It is typically worn as cuffs on patient wrists to improve hypertension monitoring.
Remote monitoring also helps prevent false blood pressure readings caused by “white-coat hypertension.” Due to the stress of seeing a doctor in person, blood pressure measurements are higher during in-person visits than in other situations. This leads to erroneous results.
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Glucose Level Monitoring
The monitoring of glucose levels is essential for diabetic patients. This has been one of the most successful implementations of remote patient monitoring. The adoption of a remote monitor can be the difference between life and death because patients frequently do not notice specific symptoms linked with diabetes until they encounter hyperglycemia (glucose level too high) or hypoglycemia (glucose level too low).
Untreated hyperglycemia can result in further issues affecting a patient’s eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart, as well as the potentially fatal disease of ketoacidosis (diabetic coma). Untreated hypoglycemia can cause initial symptoms like blurred vision, confusion, slurred speech, and tiredness, as well as more serious ones like seizures, coma, and occasionally even death.
The data collected by this device can be used to detect alarming changes in glucose levels and take immediate action.
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Spirometer
Spirometry measures lung function, such as the air volume and flow a person inhales or exhales. Spirometry testing aids in the diagnosis of lung diseases, as well as in the assessment and monitoring of lung conditions such as asthma.
Remote Spirometry devices enable providers to remotely monitor patient lung conditions and evaluate the efficacy of treatment, medication, and other care. Many people with respiratory concerns are using remote lung function monitoring.
Other commonly used remote devices include:
- Electronic thermometers
- Electrocardiographs (ECGs)
- Electroencephalographs (EEGs)
- Heart rate monitors
- Monitors for apnea
- Spirometers
- Oximeters
- Audiometers
- Heart rate monitors
- Breathing frequency recorders
- Electronic stethoscopes
These devices transmit data to providers through applications.
How does RPM work?
The remote patient monitoring process usually comprises the following:
- A practitioner identifies which disease, or data should be managed remotely and prescribes a remote patient monitoring program. Providers can gather a variety of patient health data through remote patient monitoring.
- Patients receive RPM devices that connect via Bluetooth or cellular networks. Standard devices include blood pressure monitors, weight scales, blood glucose meters, and spirometers. Additionally, pulse oximeters and ECG devices in RPM are steadily increasing, reflecting their growing importance in remote healthcare.
- Once the device is appropriately configured, health information is recorded by the device and sent, typically electronically, from patient to provider.
- Based on the outcomes of this analysis, the practitioner provides the patient with advice and suggestions regarding their health and wellness.
Benefits of Remote Patient Monitoring
RPM offers numerous benefits, including:
Improved Access to Care
The primary advantage of RPM is improved access to healthcare services. Using remote patient monitoring technologies, providers can monitor patient vitals anytime, anywhere. These devices deliver real-time patient health updates, enabling practitioners to make timely and informed decisions.
Fewer Hospital Visits
RPM minimizes patients’ exposure to numerous contagious diseases and reduces their travel costs to healthcare providers. Long distances, damaged infrastructure, and high transit costs can all be seen as transportation obstacles that remote monitoring easily overcomes.
Improved Care
RPM helps healthcare professionals develop a more comprehensive awareness of a patient’s health status, which can result in more precise medication modifications, fewer trips to the emergency room, and longer intervals between office visits.
Hospital Resource Optimization
During the COVID-19 pandemic, most hospitals ran out of resources and bed facilities due to a significant influx of patients. RPM frees up hospital resources for critical conditions only.
Data-Driven Clinical Decision Making
RPM helps providers by enhancing their clinical understanding of patients’ conditions between office visits and providing them with tools to inform proactive care delivery. Using RPM, healthcare professionals can monitor a patient’s symptoms over time and spot trends or adjust care plans as necessary.
Lower Disease Transmission
Due to telehealth services, patients have decreased exposure to clinical settings, reducing disease transmission. Remote monitoring allows fewer trips to healthcare facilities to prevent disease transmission.
Access to Patient Data
RPM employs different kinds of implantable gadgets, including biometric sensors, glucometers, and blood pressure cuffs. Healthcare providers produce faster and more accurate diagnoses by accessing patient data quickly through advanced technology.
Calculate your RPM return on investment (ROI) today with CareCloud’s ROI calculator.
Choosing a System
Now that you understand remote patient monitoring and its benefits, the next step is determining which System to choose. Organizations now have a more comprehensive range of system solutions as the RPM industry expands. It can be challenging to decide on which RPM system will work best. Answering a few straightforward questions can help you identify your needs, from which point you may move forward.
- What services will I offer through remote patient monitoring?
- How challenging is setting up and operating the remote patient monitoring system?
- What equipment alternatives do I have for remote patient monitoring?
- How are billing and coding carried out?
- What RPM program service level do I need for my company?
By reflecting on these questions, you will be much better positioned to make an informed decision. CareCloud’s remote patient monitoring system provides the software and services you need for a successful RPM system. It helps meet your patient and organization’s needs.
How to Implement RPM
After selecting a system, the next step is integrating RPM into your workflow. Transitioning to remote systems involves training medical staff and patients, updating workflows, and ensuring hardware and software interoperability. While this process can be complex, it can minimize costs and effort by following best practices during implementation.
Identify your needs
Before implementing an RPM into your system, you must identify your organization’s needs. This practice allows you to prioritize your resources, making your system more stable in the long term.
Teamwork
A key component of successful RPM programs is assembling an ideal team. Doctors and nurses, non-clinical workers like office administrators, and high-level employees like practice owners should typically make up this team.
Test your System first
Your System doesn’t need to prove to be an instant success. Test it with a few participants first and then scale gradually if the system brings better results.
Train your team
Ensure that both physicians and patients are fully trained in using the system. Purchase thorough video instruction tutorials for your staff to understand. You can also host webinars for training.
Find a tech partner
If you lack technical expertise, partner with a reliable tech provider, as it will save you time and resources in the long term.
Technical Support
Without tech support, your RPM is most likely to fail. Consequently, patients will simply stop transmitting data while physicians can no longer.
Financial Considerations
Implementing a remote patient monitoring system creates a return on investment with decreased practice expenses, fewer admissions, and physician turnover. You need to know the following four things about remote patient monitoring:
RPM coverage
Medicare provides coverage for remote patient monitoring. According to the Center for Connected Health Policy, 30 state Medicaid programs also provide coverage for it as of April 2022. The organization further notes that only a limited number of remote physiologic monitoring codes are covered in California and Ohio and that payment is based on CMS reimbursement.
With some restrictions, several commercial payers include remote patient monitoring in their telehealth coverage policies. Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, an increase in the number of commercial payers who provided RPM coverage was noted.
RPM Codes
To ensure your remote patient monitoring services are accurately coded, you must know about the CPT codes given to RPM.
These codes are sometimes divided into RPM “management codes” and “service codes.”
CPT 99453:
The initial setup of the remote monitoring device (such as weight, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and respiratory flow rate) and instruction of the patient on how to use it, including potentially linking it to additional devices, as necessary.
CPT 99454:
Daily electronic patient physiological data recordings with monthly remote monitoring. During the 30-day billing period, a provider must receive RPM records for at least 16 days.
CPT 99457:
The cost of remote physiologic monitoring treatment management services is based on a calendar month and includes at least 20 minutes of patient and clinical staff communication.
CPT 99458:
Each additional 20 minutes of patient care, treatment, and monitoring services are invoiced monthly.
CPT 99091:
Clinicians can bill for analyzing patient data if RPM treatments total at least 30 minutes monthly without requiring direct patient interaction.
CMS Guidelines
To minimize claims denials and escape the scrutiny of your billing practices, follow these CMS guidelines:
- Patients must give their written or verbal consent to receive RPM services.
- A physician or any other qualified healthcare professional must order the RPM service, such as a nurse practitioner, certified nurse specialist, or physician assistant.
- Patients must be monitored for at least 16 days to apply to a billing period.
Additionally, the CMS mandates that RPM devices adhere to the US FDA’s definition of a medical device.
RPM Market Trends & Statistics
Remote patient monitoring helps focus on patients with chronic diseases, seniors, patients who have had surgery, and those living in rural areas.
Recent studies demonstrate that, when used on specific categories, remote monitoring can:
- Reduce readmissions by 38%,
- Cut emergency room visits by 25%,
- Increase patient satisfaction by 25%,
- Reduce healthcare costs by 17%,
- Increase medication adherence by 13%.
Interestingly, around 88 percent of healthcare providers are investing or planning to invest in RPM technologies. According to the business research company, the global remote patient monitoring devices market is projected to grow from $1.66 billion in 2024 to $1.9 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.6%. This was primarily due to the impact of COVID-19, with remote patient monitoring devices witnessing a considerable rise in demand due to the pandemic.
Future of RPM
The future of Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is poised for significant advancements, driven by innovations in wearable technology, artificial intelligence, and expanded connectivity through 5G. RPM will enhance personalized care by integrating real-time patient data with predictive analytics, enabling earlier interventions and better health outcomes. The adoption of RPM is expected to grow, reducing hospital readmissions and addressing challenges in chronic disease management. As healthcare systems embrace value-based care, RPM will improve efficiency, lower costs, and expand access to underserved populations worldwide.
In May 2021, the Mayo Clinic and Kaiser Permanente invested $100 million in Medically Home, a Boston-based business that runs acute care at-home programs. The systems later participated in a $110 million fundraising round for the company earlier this year, demonstrating their continued support for the hospital-at-home model. An example is the RPM finger clip device, which can noninvasively monitor an individual’s blood pressure.
Miniaturization is the next major technology trend. Device manufacturers are reducing the size and intrusiveness of their solutions while collaborating with innovators to increase their market share. For instance, Dexcom and Verily, a division of Alphabet focused on life sciences, have collaborated on a novel implantable diabetes sensor that sends health information to smartphones or other monitoring devices through Bluetooth.
We can see such innovations in remote patient monitoring as widespread use becomes common.
Conclusion
RPM helps reduce costs, decrease hospital readmissions, free up resources, give remote access to healthcare, limit disease spread, and so much more. Due to its numerous benefits, its adoption has increased in the last few years. As RPM technology and protocols advance, a significant portion of patient care will be provided remotely. The brave new world of expanded at-home care has arrived, and healthcare stakeholders appear ready to embrace it.
CareCloud, a leader in healthcare tech, provides a remote patient monitoring system called CareCloud Wellness. Wellness is a comprehensive RPM system that helps you make data-driven decisions and deliver better care.
