In this week’s blog, we cover new studies and data concerning the impact of remote patient monitoring (RPM) on healthcare delivery at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). FQHCs and RHCs provide primary care services in underserved communities. FQHCs are able to operate in both urban and rural areas, while RHCs are located in designated rural areas.
According to a recent Berg Insight report, 76.7 million patients use remote monitoring globally. Access to remote monitoring is improving healthcare access and outcomes for underserved populations. This article explores the efficacy of remote patient monitoring (RPM) in the FQHC and RHC setting for chronic conditions and explains its potential to advance health equity and outcomes.
Remote Patient Monitoring for FQHCs and RHCs
Berg Insight reports that remote patient monitoring adoption is growing at an annual compound rate of 12.8% and is projected to reach 140.1 million patients by 2028. This growth surge is thought to be driven in part by the shift to value-based care and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). AI-powered platforms and RPM have shown several benefits for underserved populations.
Some benefits include enhancing disease detection, helping to personalize treatment plans, and improving compliance with treatment plans and medication adherence through data-driven insights. These capabilities make RPM an increasingly beneficial tool for FQHCs and RHCs, as they address complex patient needs cost-efficiently.
The following sections cover research on how remote patient monitoring may benefit FQHC and RHC patient populations.
RPM and Hypertension Management in FQHCs
A recent study published in Circulation compared RPM’s effectiveness in managing hypertension between FQHC and traditional primary care patients. The question researchers sought to answer was: ”Do patients in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) respond to RPM for HTN management as effectively as patients in traditional primary care settings (PC)?”
The results showed significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) across both groups:
- FQHC patients insights:
- SBP decreased by 17.4 mmHg (from 152.3 to 134.9 mmHg).
- DBP dropped by 10.6 mmHg (from 92.4 to 81.9 mmHg).
- Primary care patients insights:
- SBP fell by 15.5 mmHg (from 150.7 to 135.2 mmHg).
- DBP decreased by 8.7 mmHg (from 86.4 to 77.7 mmHg).
While primary care patients had slightly higher blood pressure transmission frequencies, FQHC patients demonstrated a greater reduction in mean arterial pressure, emphasizing RPM’s potential to address health disparities in underserved populations.
Chronic Care Management and RPM: A Pilot Study in FQHCs
Another study in southeastern Louisiana explored how team-based chronic care management (CCM) integrated with RPM can improve outcomes for patients with diabetes and hypertension in FQHCs. Key findings included:
- Diabetes:
- Patients using remote monitoring showed a 1.6% reduction in hemoglobin A1c levels after extended device usage.
- Hypertension:
- Those who engaged with RPM technology experienced an average reduction of 7.5 mmHg in SBP during the initial three months.
These results suggest that RPM and pharmacist-led interventions enhance care coordination and improve disease management outcomes in FQHCs.
Understanding How FQHCs and RHCs Are Uniquely Positioned for RPM Success
FQHCs and RHCs serve as critical access points for healthcare in underserved communities, often managing patients with complex, chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. The benefits of adopting RPM for FQHCs and RHCs have been shown.
- Health Equity Advances: RPM bridges care gaps by consistently monitoring and follow-up for patients in remote or resource-limited areas.
- Improved Outcomes: Regular data transmission enables timely interventions, reducing the risk of complications.
- Cost Efficiency: RPM aligns with the shift toward value-based care, offering cost-effective solutions for chronic disease management.
- Medicare Reimbursement: FCHS and RHCs can bill for remote patient monitoring services as of 2024 using the HCPCS code G0511. This policy allows FQHCs to bill for RPM to improve the quality of care for patients and create opportunities to expand services.
Remote patient monitoring enhances care delivery in FQHCs and RHCs, improving health outcomes and access to underserved patient populations, especially in rural areas. With further advancements in AI and regulatory support, RPM’s role in healthcare is expected to expand, offering scalable solutions to meet the growing demand for efficient and equitable care.
