It’s a great time to implement an RPM program. Statistics show that patients are widely embracing RPM. Meanwhile, federal and commercial payers are rolling out policies that encourage providers to start and grow RPM programs.
Remote Patient Monitoring
The Time for RPM is Now
RPM improves patient care, enhances collaboration, and boosts revenue while reducing hospital admissions.
RPM can play a key role in keeping patients healthy, increasing collaboration between patients and their providers, and allowing patients to be more active participants in their care, among other benefits. For providers, RPM can serve as a recurring and scalable income generator. For the healthcare system as a whole, RPM greatly expands access to care and allows changes in health status to be addressed quickly. This helps avoid health crises and costly, resource-draining hospital admissions and readmissions.
How Remote Patient Monitoring Works
1
The Care Team discusses the need and appropriate devices to be used for RPM with the patient
2
The Care team delivers the device and teaches the patient on the importance of daily use
3
The device automatically sends the vitals to the Physician and the Care Team for monitoring and oversight.
4
Should extraordinary readings occur, the Care Team and Physician are notified immediately so that an action plan can be initiated.
Billing Codes
99453
Initial patient set up and education on use of equipment, can be done remotely by practice staff.
99454
Delivery of results/reports by practice staff to the physician caring for the patient; can be billed once every 30 days. (Bill only once per patient, per provider, per 30-days, and only when at least 16 days of data have been collected on at least one medical device.
99457
First 20 minutes of interpretation and interactive communication with the patient/care giver every month. (The 20 minutes includes both synchronous, real-time interactions as well as non-face-to-face care management services.)
99458
Subsequent 20 minutes of interpretation and interactive communication with the patient/caregiver every month.
Choosing the Right RPM System
Make an informed investment to ensure success.
With the growth of remote patient monitoring (RPM), providers have many system options to consider. The right choice can determine whether an RPM program effectively meets patient and provider needs or becomes a costly mistake. Start by defining the RPM services you want to offer. Whether tracking heart rate, blood pressure, glucose, or other vitals, your choice should align with your specialty and target patient base. Many providers begin with one condition and expand as they grow more comfortable with RPM.
Choosing
Patient Devices
Providers have a wide range of RPM devices to choose from, allowing them to select the ones that best align with their patients’ immediate and future care needs, while also optimizing the revenue potential of their RPM programs.
Blood Pressure Monitor
Weight Monitor
Watch
Pulse Oximeter
From RPM to Comprehensive Care Management
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a valuable service on its own, but its impact can be significantly amplified when combined with chronic care management (CCM) or Advanced Primary Care Management (APCM), resulting in what’s often referred to as “comprehensive remote care management.” These programs typically include RPM and CCM or APCM, and increasingly feature additional services like principal care management (PCM), and behavioral health integration (BHI). Such programs improve patient health, reduce hospital readmissions, and lower costs, while providing recurring revenue opportunities for providers.
Let’s Get Started
Hello, I’m Allan Brandvein, founder and CEO of WeCare Practice Partners. I invite you to examine the benefits of including a Comprehensive Care Management Program in your practice. Whether you have the physical space and the staffing to add a Care Management Department to your existing operation or you’d like to consider a turnkey managed solution, we’re here to help you set yourself up for success! Feel free to reach out to find out how we can help.
– Allan
