Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine and digital healthcare have seen steep increases in adoption rates throughout the United States. But even prior to the pandemic, a survey conducted in 2019 had found that 88% of healthcare providers had already invested in remote patient monitoring or had planned to do so in the near future(1).
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a form of telehealth that uses wearable devices or other technologies to collect individual health data, allowing a provider to continue to track a patient once released to home or a care facility. Utilizing RPM can improve management of chronic conditions with collection and analysis of patient-generated data such as vital signs, weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood oxygen levels, and more.
The utilization of wearables and remote monitoring devices not only helps providers stay more in touch with their patients’ progress but also creates greater transparency and accountability for patients and their ongoing health and well-being.
Several patient benefits of remote patient monitoring include:
- Better access to healthcare
- Improved quality of care
- Peace of mind and daily assurance
- Improved support, education, and feedback.
With revenues down across the healthcare sector due to COVID-19 and several months with restrictions on elective surgeries, remote patient monitoring is one way for systems to find a new revenue stream while also providing better patient care. With the release of CMS’s new codes this year, providers can now receive up to $1,894 per qualifying patient per year in reimbursement.
By integrating RPM and wearable devices, healthcare organizations can achieve:
- Improved communication between physicians and patients with increased frequency
- Higher patient engagement
- Greater support and preventative care for chronic care outside of traditional brick and mortar care settings.
If you or your organization are interested in learning more about remote patient monitoring or accessing Pandion Optimization Alliance’s best-in-class digital health contract suite, please contact me at dsmith@pandionalliance.com.
Dorothy Smith, MPH, has spent her career working alongside some of the nation’s largest healthcare organizations to help improve both physician productivity and patient care. With experience in the startup, venture capital, and group purchasing spaces, she is a firm believer that through innovation and technology we can continue to better serve patients in need.
1. https://mhealthintelligence.com/news/88-of-providers-investing-in-remote-patient-monitoring-tech