Monitoring rheumatoid arthritis (R.A.) with digital health technology allows close tracking of R.A. symptoms and disease activity. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that impacts over 1.3 million U.S. adults, attacking joints and causing chronic joint pain and immobility. Without symptom control, 20-30% of R.A. patients progress to permanent joint damage within 2 years of diagnosis.
Remote patient monitoring provides detailed insights into changes in R.A. symptoms for timely treatment modifications. This article explores remote patient monitoring for rheumatoid arthritis patients, the benefits, research, and billing.
What is Remote Patient Monitoring?
Rheumatology practices provide remote therapeutic monitoring to their patients with remote patient monitoring technology. Remote patient monitoring is a digital health technology that collects health data from patients in one location and electronically shares it securely with healthcare providers in a different location.
For monitoring rheumatoid arthritis, RPM allows patients to submit daily symptom reports that give doctors rapid insight into changes. This enables early medication adjustments when flare-ups emerge, helping prevent disease progression and joint damage.
RPM has various use cases, allowing physicians to track health metrics daily, like blood pressure, weight, and blood glucose levels. This is important because about 40% of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis also experience signs and symptoms that may affect the following:
- Skin
- Eyes
- Lungs
- Heart
- Kidneys
- Salivary glands
- Nerve tissue
- Bone marrow
- Blood vessels
For R.A. patients, RPM provides a way to monitor symptoms and quickly notify doctors of changes or flare-ups. Rapid insight into symptom changes allows for timely medication adjustments, which can prevent disease progression and joint damage.
Benefits of Monitoring Rheumatoid Arthritis with RPM
Using RPM for monitoring rheumatoid arthritis delivers multiple benefits. Patients can use
- Earlier Detection of Flare-Ups: Daily tracking and reporting of painful, swollen joints allows doctors to detect the early signs of rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups. Early treatment changes can reduce severity.
- Improved Medication Management: Granular symptom insights from RPM determine whether medications work optimally or need adjustments. Doctors can closely analyze trends and tweak medications accordingly.
- Fewer Hospital/E.R. Visits: Proactive daily monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis results in earlier interventions, which reduce acute flare-ups that often send patients to emergency rooms.
- Patient Engagement: Putting health data directly into patients’ hands daily enhances their knowledge of their rheumatoid arthritis and gives them an active role in managing care plans.
The following section explores a research study in patient satisfaction and engagement with a remote patient monitoring system for rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Study on Remote Monitoring System for Rheumatoid Arthritis
A recent study examined implementing a remote monitoring system for 202 rheumatoid arthritis patients across 6 U.K. hospitals over 34 months. The system allows patients to regularly submit Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease (RAID) scores and free text messages to their clinical teams.
The study found high levels of patient engagement sustained over the 34 months. For example, 92% of the 202 patients remained onboarded, and average RAID completion rates stayed above 80%. Quantitative patient data revealed the platform was easy to use and provided better access to care and self-management.
Qualitative patient interviews further emphasized ease of use, feelings of being cared for virtually, and benefits during COVID-19 restrictions. The remote rheumatoid arthritis monitoring system showed feasibility and patient acceptance due to enhanced access and autonomy.
RPM Technology Options for Monitoring Rheumatoid Arthritis
Various RPM technology options exist for monitoring rheumatoid arthritis symptoms:
- Wearable Activity Trackers: Devices like smart watches and fitness bands can track relevant metrics such as steps, heart rate, and sleep patterns and allow patients to log daily symptoms and pain levels.
- Smartphone Apps: Symptom tracker apps specific to rheumatoid arthritis allow patients to note symptoms. Apps can generate reports for physicians to analyze longer-term patterns.
- Telemedicine: Video conferencing tools facilitate quick virtual appointments when flare-up symptoms emerge, providing timely physician advice.
RTM Billing Codes for RTM
Remote therapeutic monitoring codes report patient management using RTM medical devices that collect nonphysiological data. RTM codes monitor conditions, including musculoskeletal system status, respiratory system status, therapy adherence, and therapy response. Patients can self-report, manually enter, or digitally upload their RTM data.
Physicians can leverage RTM billing codes for reimbursement for using remote technology to monitor rheumatoid arthritis:
- CPT code 98975 is for the initial technology set-up and patient education.
- CPT code 98976 supplies the device with recordings every 30 days for patients with respiratory conditions.
- CPT code 98977 covers supplying the device with recordings every 30 days for patients with musculoskeletal diseases.
- CPT code 98980 includes 20 minutes of provider time in a calendar month, with at least one interactive communication with the patient or caregiver.
- CPT code 98981 covers each additional 20 minutes of provider time.
Monitoring rheumatoid arthritis patients with RPM and RTM gives physicians insight into patient symptoms for timely treatment adjustments. Patients with symptoms that affect the heart, kidneys, and lungs may also benefit from remote patient monitoring devices. Learn how Tenovi can empower your partner providers to enhance patient outcomes, drive revenue growth, and improve patient care. Book your free demo and consultation today.
