Insurance Coverage & Costs

Does Medicare Cover Remote Patient Monitoring?

Remote patient monitoring uses a connected device, like a blood pressure cuff, a weight scale, or a pulse oximeter (a clip that measures the oxygen level in your blood). The device sends readings to a care team, so changes can be noticed between office visits.

Medicare started covering remote patient monitoring in 2018, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Since then, the number of people using it has grown every year. Medicare covers it broadly, for chronic conditions and for shorter-term (acute) conditions, when a doctor determines that monitoring is medically necessary.

Original Medicare pays separately for three parts of the service: teaching a patient to use the device, supplying the connected device, and the ongoing review of the data by the care team. Learn more about our five service lines, or see how we work with physician practices.

What Do I Pay Under Original Medicare?

For 2026, the standard Medicare Part B monthly premium is $202.90, and the yearly Part B deductible is $283, according to Medicare.gov. Most people pay this premium every month, whether or not they use Part B services that month.

After you meet your deductible, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for covered Part B services, including remote patient monitoring. This is called coinsurance: the share of the cost you pay after Medicare pays its part. These amounts can change every year, so confirm current numbers with Medicare or your plan.

Medicare Advantage and Private Insurance: How They Differ

• Original Medicare (Part B) Part B covers remote patient monitoring as a medical service. After your yearly deductible, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, the same coinsurance that applies to most other Part B services.
• Medicare Advantage (Part C) Medicare Advantage plans must cover at least what Original Medicare covers, but they set their own rules for provider networks, prior authorization, and cost sharing. Extra benefits vary by plan.
• Private & Employer Plans Private insurance and employer-sponsored plans decide their own coverage rules for remote monitoring. Whether it is covered, and what you pay, depends on your specific plan documents.
• Confirming Your Own Costs Coverage and costs can change from year to year. Call the member services number on your insurance card and ask specifically about remote patient monitoring benefits before you start.

4 Questions to Ask Your Insurance Plan

• Does my plan cover remote patient monitoring? Ask whether remote patient monitoring is a covered benefit under your plan, and whether it is billed as a medical service.
• Do I need a doctor's order or prior authorization? Ask whether your plan requires your doctor to request approval before monitoring starts, and who is responsible for submitting it.
• What will my deductible and coinsurance be? Ask how much of your yearly deductible you have already met and what percentage of the cost you will owe after that.
• Is my provider in-network? Ask whether using an out-of-network provider changes your cost, or whether it affects your coverage at all.

Important Things to Know About Coverage

Insurance rules vary widely. Keep these points in mind:

• This page describes general rules, not your personal coverage What Medicare or one insurer covers may not match your specific policy. Always confirm your own benefits directly with your plan before you start.
• Costs and rules change from year to year Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coverage policies are updated annually. Check Medicare.gov or your plan for the most current figures.
• This is not for medical emergencies If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Remote monitoring supplements your regular medical care. It does not replace it.