A Deep Dive: The Benefits of RPM For Patients, Staff, & Providers

Expansion of Remote Patient Monitoring, G0511, and More

Before we present the benefits of remote patient monitoring, let’s take a quick look at the current CPT code landscape. 

If you remember, when the COVID-19 Pandemic started, few knew what remote healthcare was, let alone what it looked like. Now, it’s estimated that over 70 million Americans will be tracking medical data with remote devices. 

Combining that growing understanding with how much the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has expanded CPT codes and definitions, it’s no surprise that remote patient monitoring has spread widely. 

For example, before 2024, we had four codes that covered remote patient monitoring. 

1. CPT 99453 - Remote monitoring of physiologic parameters, initial (Reim. Rate $19.65)
2. CPT 99454 - Remote monitoring of physiologic parameters, device supply (Reim. Rate $46.50)
3. CPT 99457 - Remote physiologic monitoring treatment management services, interactive communication, initial (Reim. Rate $48.14)
4. CPT 99458 - Remote physiologic monitoring treatment management services, interactive communication, additional (Reim. Rate $38.64)

These codes opened up the landscape for remote care during its spotlight moment, and now, the trend is here to stay and is reaching more care facilities, systems, and providers than ever before. 

Take the expansion of G0511, for example. Initially, the general care management code did not include any remote patient monitoring services—which completely restricted our FQHC and RHC friends. As of January 1st, 2024, that’s all changed. Now more than ever, the landscape is open, and the benefits of remote patient monitoring are waiting for you. 

The Perks for Providers

Your clinical staff is the wind in your sails and the boots on the ground. So, it’s only fair that we first explore the benefits of RPM that they’d appreciate. 

#1. Prevents spread

By not asking potentially sick people to travel and collect, you drastically reduce unnecessary exposure to infectious diseases and Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs). This is especially true for the immunocompromised, elderly, and clinical staff. 

#2. Improves data, which improves decisions

More regular, consistent, and accurate readings of biometric data over an extended period of time will make providers' decision-making journeys way easier. With remote patient monitoring, the care team will be able to see how the symptoms (and data) change over time and adjust as needed. 

Seeing the change in real-time makes all the difference in providing accurate and comprehensive healthcare. 

#3. Increase the number of patients you can serve

Not only does RPM increase the quality of care, but it also frees up time in the office/facility to bring in and care for more patients. 

#4. It's referral and retention-friendly

As much as the culture of healthcare would argue, it does pay off to advance and lean into progress. For example, it makes your healthcare facility more competitive because patients both like and enjoy remote patient monitoring. Few actually enjoy going into the doctor’s office every time. 

Also, it can lead to more referrals. 

#5. Improve care plan adherence through improved self-management

Sometimes, it can be hard for patients to balance all of their conditions. For example, those with the following might have a hard time keeping track of it all. 

• Post-surgical recovery
• A care-intensive chronic condition 
• More than one chronic condition (comorbidities)
• Maternal/child needs

So, having condition-specific, easy-to-use remote monitoring technology that sends in the reading for them is both life-changing and great for their providers because they are so much more likely to take care of it.

#6. Fights the physician shortage 

You are constantly strapped for time and good, consistent help. And we know that it’s just going to get worse. In this country alone, the number of people over the age of 65 is increasing dramatically every year. 

One major benefit of remote patient monitoring is that it reduces unnecessary hospital visits. That means that clinical staff and practitioners get a major time boost. 

#7. Supports the caregiver

While this one is provider-adjacent, it’s still true. Giving caregivers access to patient health readings and progress means that they can better manage their loved one’s care (and outcomes) in a way that most struggle to do without. 

It can ease confusion and provide an incredible level of support when problems, questions, or emergencies pop up. 

What Benefits of RPM Can Admin Expect?

Providers and clinical staff are extremely important, but that doesn’t mean we can dismiss the people keeping the lights on and the show running. Even your clinical staff can expect to enjoy the benefits of remote patient monitoring. 

#8. Improves clinical staff efficiency

By integrating remote patient monitoring with your EHR system, you can cushion the overall patient journey. Less time is wasted trying to figure out what happened and how the patient got here. Instead, time is spent understanding real-time patient data, making decisions based on that, and moving forward. 

You’ll likely see the weight of over-scheduling significantly lifted due to the care provided virtually, which will help that overtired team out a lot. 

#9. Reduce the cost of care

By proactively collecting data, the whole practice, facility, and organization enjoys a significant cost of care reduction. In-patient care is very expensive, so limiting unnecessary visits is a huge benefit of remote patient monitoring. Also, acute care and data collection can happen in the home, which means shorter stays—which is better for everyone. 

#10. Net patient revenue

There is so much less overhead when care is provided remotely. Remote patient monitoring allows for more flexibility, improved workflows, and less financial strain on the whole organization (specifically administration), which increases net patient revenue year over year. 

And don’t forget about CMS billing codes and reimbursement. 

#11. FQHCs can better serve the underserved

For many organizations, distance is their biggest problem. With RPM, distance is no issue. So serving that little farm town 80 miles away that hasn’t had a doctor since the 40s is no longer an issue. That’s not bait, either. It’s true.

Learn about how FQHCs can take advantage of the G0511 general care management code expansion. 

Last But Not least, Your Patients

At the end of the day, they are what we’re all here for. 

#12. Reduce patient's financial burden

We could also call this “improving access to care” or “reducing trips for the sake of their care.” All apply in this case. 

No matter how you slice it, it’s definitely a benefit of RPM. There is not one aspect of life for the average American healthcare participant that is less expensive. If anything, even the slightest sign of increased spending is enough to scare someone off. So, by NOT asking them to travel as much out of their way, get a babysitter, pay for parking, and take time off of work, you’ll probably improve their entire experience of healthcare. 

#13. Improves patient's satisfaction in their care

Remote patient monitoring makes it easier for people to be active participants in their care, which in turn helps them become more satisfied with it. 

#14. Patients feel more connected to their providers

With more high-touch and real-time care, patients can better understand their provider's mindset, ideas, and suggestions. The patients can also just interact with the care team more.

#15. Less confusion

When you’re in healthcare, healthcare systems, medicine, and the way it all works makes perfect sense. But from the outside, it’s extremely confusing and difficult to understand. So, by providing more consistent health data (that is in an easy-to-understand format), patients will be more educated about their condition and treatment options. 

They'll get feedback quicker than having to wait for a regular appointment. Accountability will increase with your patients. Since they know they're being monitored, the data you receive will be more accurate. This means if they stray from their management plan, like a spike in blood sugar or blood pressure, you will be alerted.

#16. Better support for chronic patients

With RPM, patients with chronic conditions have better all-around management. With certain conditions, this can mean: 

• Preventing additional conditions
• Helping patients manage their existing conditions with improved behaviors (they can see in real-time how their behavior affects their condition)
• Accurate collection of information 
• Consistent analysis of patient-generated data 

With better access to their health info, it removes a large portion of stress and guesswork for both the provider and the patient. Diabetes is already stressful enough for patients to be diagnosed with and understand. 

RPM will also cut down on emergency room visits and even hospitalizations due to chronic conditions. By a patient improving their health management, there will be fewer risks for any costly or severe situation that requires emergency care. Patients can also receive better care regimens as their values change. If a patient is monitored regularly, the benefits of a better outcome and care will improve significantly.

#17. Continuity

Simply put, patients will have the benefit of continuity of care. This means better and faster follow-ups over time and giving them care that is more personalized while staying home and away from medical facilities. RPM also supports a patient's value-based care with a focus on preventative care and making it patient-centered. 

When patients feel prioritized and cared for, they are more likely to follow through with healthcare recommendations and follow-up appointments. Additionally, they will be more likely to stick with you as a provider for the convenience of setting up remote monitoring appointments, thus increasing your consistent patient base.

The worst thing you can do is nothing. 

Remote healthcare isn’t slowing down. At this point, you can either get on-board the train in a way that works for you and your organization, or you can stick to your guns and be beaten by your competitors. 

With remote patient monitoring, everyone benefits. Yes, it takes time (31 days) to implement and be fully operational, but progress takes work. Accuhealth is here to be a solution whenever you find yourself ready to make the jump.