Remote patient monitoring (RPM) has already demonstrated its ability to improve patient care and generate revenue. Its home-based, wearable devices have been particularly useful for the long-term treatment of chronically ill patients. Yet there are many practices that have been slow to adopt this service, begging the question: why the wait? Read on to learn more about the potential challenges with RPM that they’ve encountered, and the solutions you can incorporate to make your RPM program successful.
Challenge #1: Evaluating an RPM Vendor
RPM’s success has prompted new players to enter the remote care market. You may have already been approached by some of them. In spite of their enthusiasm, many have limited experience when it comes to key areas that make such a partnership successful: the level of technology involved, the available customer service, and the security of patient data, among others. This makes evaluating them more difficult and time-consuming, which delays implementation and could make the service less of a priority to your leadership.
The solution: Narrow your search by evaluating vendors who have been around for at least five to 10 years, and have a proven track record you can review.
Challenge #2: Choosing Which Patients Are Admitted to Your Program
While you may already know about the benefits of a remote patient monitoring program, one of the surprising challenges with RPM is identifying which types of patients to include.
The solution: Partner with a healthcare agency that has the medical expertise to advise you on qualifications for enrollment. Companies such as TriageLogic are able to evaluate your patient data and help identify eligible candidates. Ideally, selections will provide maximum benefit to patients, as well as for the financial wellbeing of the practice.
Challenge #3: Leasing Equipment vs. Covering the Startup Costs
It may be tempting to lease RPM equipment on a per member per month (PMPM) basis, based only on what you currently need. But projected over the long term, this strategy could actually end up costing you more than purchasing these devices up front.
The solution: Although it may seem like more money initially, we recommend paying the startup costs and getting devices in advance (keeping in mind how many patients you’re likely to enroll, as mentioned above). TriageLogic also works directly with device vendors that will manage sending devices directly to patients and educating them about their usage.
Challenge #4: Managing Patient Data From RPM’s Wearable Devices
Of all of the challenges with RPM, this one is by far the most prevalent. The purpose of remote patient monitoring is to record patient vitals, which means that each month your team will receive a substantial amount of data that will need to be monitored and reviewed. That requires oversight from your registered nurses (or higher) in order to identify abnormal health readings and reach out to patients when appropriate — an arrangement that most practices aren’t prepared for.
The solution: Partner with a healthcare vendor that has a team of registered nurses with the bandwidth and resources to review this data on your behalf, as well as contact patients when needed. This turnkey care requires minimal effort on your part, improves patient health outcomes, and still generates profit for your practice. Best of all, an outsourced vendor such as TriageLogic can also make nurses available 24/7 to answer any patient questions that come up even when your offices are closed.
Challenge #5: Billing Confusion Over Codes and Payments
Even after you’ve implemented RPM, your team may not know how to bill correctly for this service. That’s a big deal, especially considering that CMS will reimburse you up to $120 per patient a month.
The solution: Make sure the healthcare vendor you partner with provides reporting that will make billing easy and seamless.
Overcome Challenges With RPM by Partnering With TriageLogic
TriageLogic has a long history of partnering with healthcare organizations and doctors’ offices to improve their telephone and telehealth nurse triage. Now we also assist them with remote patient monitoring. We have established relationships with experienced RPM manufacturers that can provide your patients with the devices they need, while our call center of registered nurses is standing by to review their vitals regularly and reach out whenever patients experience concerning symptoms. Contact us if you’d like to learn more about what an RPM program could look like for your team, and how to overcome any of the challenges with RPM listed above.
About TriageLogic
TriageLogic is a URAC-accredited, physician-led provider of top-quality nurse telehealth technology, remote patient monitoring, and medical call center solutions. Founded in 2007, the TriageLogic Group now serves more than 9,000 physicians and covers over 25 million lives nationwide.
