Remote
Patient Monitoring

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) involves a patient’s use of a cellular-connected device, such as a blood pressure cuff or glucometer, outside of a provider’s organization. Patients use these devices to measure their vitals outside of the doctor’s office and monitor health trends.

Telehealth encompasses a wider umbrella of remote healthcare services, one of which includes remote patient monitoring. The key difference, however, is that telehealth often refers to ways in which patients can access care providers remotely, such as via video conferencing, whereas RPM refers specifically to using electronic medical devices to monitor patient health outside of a provider’s office.

Whereas RPM devices are used to collect physiological data, RTM involves therapeutic, non-physiological data that is self-reported by patients around indicators, such as pain levels and medication adherence. RTM services must be provided under direct supervision when not performed by physicians or therapists.

Remote patient monitoring benefits patients by allowing them to track their health at their convenience in their own homes. RPM also benefits practices with real-time access to patient vitals and health trends for a more accurate, transparent view of the people they serve.

Examples of remote patient monitoring include the set-up and patient education on the use of medical devices, as well as the daily electronic recordings of physiological data. This data is then transmitted and interpreted by practitioners, who communicate regularly with patients regarding treatment and care management.

Any condition qualifies for remote patient monitoring if it requires the use of an FDA-defined medical device for ongoing supervision and treatment outside of a healthcare organization. These conditions may include, but are not limited to: asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes.

Although RPM devices aren’t required to be registered with or cleared by the FDA, they must meet the FDA’s definition of a medical device. These devices must automatically collect and transmit patient physiologic data. Common devices used in RPM programs include but are not limited to: blood pressure cuffs, glucometers, pulse oximeters, ECGs, digital thermometers and scales, and activity trackers and wearables.

As long as patient data is not self-recorded or self-reported, Medicare does reimburse for RPM services. The progression of services and codes through an RPM program include data collection and transmission (99453 and 99454), data analysis and interpretation (99091), and treatment and management (99457 and 99458). And new for 2024, RHCs and FQHCs providing the above RPM services bill HCPCS code G0511. Similar to CCM, RPM services require at least 20 minutes of care coordination per month. Refer to CMS.org for the latest CPT code updates.

For 500 enrolled patients, Medsien’s RPM solution can guarantee $250,000+ additional annual revenue. With our accurate, automated billing and coding, we achieve an average monthly reimbursement rate of 98%.

Medsien’s RPM solution streamlines the entire remote patient monitoring workflow, from shipping devices to ongoing treatment. Reach out to our team of RPM experts today to get started.