Why Remote Patient Monitoring?

Medicare

The coverage and introduction of remote patient monitoring (RPM) into the Medicare system would provide the program an opportunity for innovation for changing care delivery and clinical management for millions of beneficiaries. RPM for the management of chronic diseases in older adults has demonstrated its contribution to the avoidance of deterioration of the patient’s condition and to reduction in health care costs. Studies have shown it can decrease mortality rates and improve quality adjusted life years (QALYs). It is also effective at reducing hospital readmissions and health care utilization overall.

Providers

RPM enables providers to have secured, remote access to patients’ personal health data. Review of patient data and risk status allows providers to make optimal patient care decisions and target clinical resources appropriately. RPM facilitates health management at home and fosters education for patients with complex chronic conditions; such as, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes.

For example, RPM can remotely monitor weight in patients with congestive heart failure. RPM helps avoid exacerbations of illness that could lead to emergency room visits, hospital admissions and readmissions by detecting slight changes that prompt early nurse or doctor intervention. RPM has demonstrated a reduction of unnecessary physician visits and hospital readmissions, saving money for patients, providers and insurers.

Patients

RPM studies demonstrate a regression in mortality reates and an increase in quality adjusted life years for patients. However, the patient benefits go beyond clinical outcome measures. The use of RPM improves beneficiaries’ quality of life by minimizing unnecessary and inconvenient provider visits, along with providing beneficiaries with limited mobility a means to monitor their conditions from home.

For patients who have endured the disruption of a hospitalization, development of a discharge plan that includes RPM provides the ability to be in the home rather than an institutional setting.