Combining telehealth and preventive care with remote patient monitoring (RPM) optimizes patient health outcomes. Digital health technologies enable regular patient check-ins and early issue identification for timely intervention. Furthermore, remote patient monitoring services allow clinicians to monitor vital signs between patient visits regularly.
Rather than waiting until the next appointment to address concerns or complications, clinicians can utilize RPM to detect complications from the start and prevent their progression. To further substantiate this point, AHA Journals research showed that home BP telemonitoring with remote hypertension management in a rural and low-income population is feasible and associated with significant blood pressure reduction.
Benefits of Using Telehealth for Preventive Care
This article explores the benefits of remote patient monitoring and telehealth for preventive care. It outlines seven key advantages, including:
- Expanded access to care
- Increased patient engagement
- Timely treatment through automated alerts
- Valuable health data collection
- Minimized costs,
- Increased revenue potential
The article will also demonstrate how leveraging telehealth and RPM can optimize preventive care outcomes by focusing on early intervention and continuous patient monitoring. In the following sections, we’ll discuss seven significant benefits of using telehealth for preventive care.
1) Medicare Coverage for RPM and Telehealth in Preventive Care
Many people think of remote patient monitoring as a type of telehealth. However, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) does not. Therefore, CMS created separate CPT codes for remote patient monitoring and telehealth services. Remote patient monitoring is not subject to telehealth restrictions such as originating site requirements.
As a result, more patients can take advantage of RPM to promote preventive care. And more healthcare organizations can more efficiently transform preventive care outcomes. Because Medicare covers remote patient monitoring and telehealth, preventive care is available at a minimal cost to patients. Medicare reimburses clinicians for the following RPM services:
- Setting up the device and providing patient education (CPT 99453).
- Supplying the device for daily recording or programmed alert transmissions (CPT 99454).
- Reviewing data and interacting with the patient (CPT 99457 and 99458).
- Gathering, interpreting, and processing data (CPT99091)
Patients are responsible for any applicable co-payments and cost-sharing amounts with Medicare services. Regarding Part B Medicare services, patients are responsible for a 20% copay. Learn more about remote patient monitoring CPT codes.
2) Expands Access to Healthcare
A study published in Health Psychology Research found a significant correlation between transportation barriers limiting access to adequate healthcare and an increased need for doctor visits. This research highlights the potential of telehealth to improve preventive care, underscoring the importance of continuing to advance Medicare policies to enable telehealth services further. Furthermore, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 and Calendar Year 2024 Physician Fee Schedule extended several telehealth flexibility waivers through December 31, 2024.
Unlike telehealth consultations, RPM services have no geographic restrictions, expanding access to preventive care for patients regardless of location. Generally, any Medicare recipient can opt into RPM services, provided the remote monitoring device reasonably applies to treating the patient’s medical condition. Patients cannot arrange transportation to in-person appointments with RPM, removing a key obstacle.
Additionally, by providing virtual care access to underserved rural areas, telehealth and RPM can help bridge gaps in the healthcare system to enable patients to get the timely preventive care they require. Together, telehealth and remote patient monitoring facilitate expanded access to preventive services.
3) RPM Increases Patient Engagement
Remote patient monitoring expands healthcare outside the conventional clinic setting into the patient’s everyday life. It promotes patient engagement because individuals feel supported in managing their conditions between visits. Patients feel assured that qualified clinical staff will be regularly monitoring their data. In addition, patients know their physician will be alerted if concerns arise. Because of this, patients are more likely to adhere to treatment plans.
Many remote monitoring medical devices are intuitive and user-friendly, so even individuals not well-versed in technology can easily take vital sign readings. Focusing on better care between visits can motivate patients to regularly make healthier lifestyle decisions, which is key to preventive care.
4) Promotes Timely Treatment Through Automated Alerts
Most remote patient monitoring platforms enable clinicians to receive automated alerts when a patient’s reading is concerning. Clinicians can focus on early treatment and minimize advancement by monitoring complications as they arise. Additionally, clinicians can set thresholds to receive alerts to be notified when a patient’s reading is too high or low. This helps personalize care for each patient.
RPM device technology transmits patients’ vital data to clinicians in real-time. Therefore, patients no longer have to record their readings, take notes, or upload information. Moreover, clinicians can be assured that the measurements are accurate and act accordingly.
5) RPM Collects Stream of Valuable Health Data
Remote patient monitoring promotes frequent vital sign measurements to identify red flags early and prompt treatment. Measurements accumulate and provide clinicians with a comprehensive health history for each patient. From this data, clinicians can pinpoint trends and identify fluctuations.
Sometimes, forgetting to take medications or increased anxiety in a clinic setting can cause a patient’s blood pressure to read higher than it normally is. At-home blood pressure monitoring helps patients relax, and the frequency of the measurements provides a more accurate representation of the patient’s condition.
6) Minimizes Total Healthcare Costs
Research shows telehealth creates cost savings because the majority of health concerns may be resolved in a single virtual consultation. Therefore, it is not surprising that telehealth visits generate cost savings. Jefferson Health found that synchronous audio-video telemedicine consults resulted in short-term cost savings by diverting patients from more expensive care settings.
By shifting the focus of treatment from reactive care to preventive care with RPM, patients can avoid costly trips to the emergency room and hospitalizations. Advanced chronic conditions often require costly interventions and long-term hospital stays.
Most chronic conditions are preventable by adopting healthier behaviors and can be treated when detected early enough. Generally, the earlier complications are identified, the more affordable they are to treat. Thus, remote patient monitoring minimizes overall healthcare costs.
7) Increased Revenue with RPM
Some RPM services can be performed under the supervision of a physician because CMS allows “incident to” billing. This means qualifying services can be billed to Medicare under the physician’s name. As a result, remote patient monitoring can save time for healthcare organizations. This adds extra time in the day for more appointments. In addition, telehealth and remote patient monitoring reduces missed appointments. That means less missed revenue for healthcare practices and more time for patient care.
Understanding the Benefits of Telehealth in Preventive Care
Remote patient monitoring and telehealth in preventive care optimize patient outcomes by focusing on early intervention and timely treatment. Patients can take their vital signs measurements from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need for transportation or long wait times. Additionally, clinicians can use the accumulated health data to better care for their patients and promptly intervene.
Are you ready to schedule your free demo? Tenovi Cellular Gateway and Tenovi RPM devices make monitoring vital signs and sharing results easy, safe, and secure for telehealth, RPM service and software companies, and chronic care management companies.
