Key Takeaways
- Remote patient monitoring (RPM) means collecting and sending health data. Examples include blood pressure or blood oxygen level. You send it from a home device. It goes to your care team. This happens between office visits. That is according to the American Telemedicine Association (ATA).
- Medicare started covering remote patient monitoring in 2018. That is according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The number of people using it has grown. It grows every year.
- Common devices include blood pressure cuffs and weight scales. A pulse oximeter is a clip. It measures the oxygen level in your blood. A continuous glucose monitor shows real-time blood sugar readings. That is according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
- Home monitoring works alongside your regular medical care. The American Heart Association (AHA) notes this. It should not replace regular doctor visits.
How This Works
Remote patient monitoring uses a connected device at home. It records a health reading. Examples include blood pressure, weight, oxygen level, or blood sugar. The device sends that reading to your care team. Changes can be reviewed between office visits. You do not have to wait for the next visit.
The ATA describes remote patient monitoring this way. It is the collection and sending of your health data. This happens from outside a hospital or clinic. It uses wireless devices, wearable sensors, or mobile apps. It supports ongoing tracking of a condition over time. Not just a single visit.
Remote monitoring is different from a video appointment with a doctor. See how the two compare on our page about remote monitoring versus telehealth visits.
Common Devices Used
- Blood Pressure Cuff This measures the two numbers in a blood pressure reading. That is according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
- Pulse Oximeter A small clip, usually worn on a fingertip. It measures blood oxygen level. No blood draw needed.
- Weight Scale Tracks weight changes over time. This can be an early sign. A sign of a change in a chronic condition.
- Continuous Glucose Monitor A small sensor worn on the body. It shows blood sugar readings in real time. That is according to the ADA.
Who Uses Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote monitoring is often used for chronic conditions. Examples include diabetes and high blood pressure. Others include heart conditions and chronic respiratory conditions. It is also used for recovery after a procedure. And for tracking whether medication is taken as prescribed.
RemoteHCS offers three service areas built around this idea. See our full list of service lines, or read our caregiver's guide to remote monitoring if you help a family member manage their health.
Does Medicare Cover This?
Medicare started covering remote patient monitoring in 2018, according to CMS. Coverage has continued in the years since. What you pay out of pocket depends on your specific Medicare plan or insurance. See our full guide to insurance coverage and costs for details.
When to See a Doctor Promptly
Remote monitoring is not designed for emergencies. A device reading is not a medical diagnosis. Keep these points in mind.
- Call 911 for emergency symptoms If you have chest pain or sudden trouble breathing, get help right away. The same goes for sudden weakness or confusion. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Do not wait for a device reading to confirm it.
- A reading is not a diagnosis A blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, or glucose monitor gives one piece of information. Your doctor also uses your medical history and an exam. Not on its own.
- It Does Not Replace Regular Visits The AHA notes this. Home monitoring should not replace regular doctor visits. Keep your scheduled appointments even if your readings look normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is remote patient monitoring?
Remote patient monitoring uses a connected device at home. Examples include a blood pressure cuff or pulse oximeter. It records a health reading. It sends that reading to your care team. The ATA describes it this way. It is the collection and review of your health data. This happens from outside a hospital or clinic. It supports ongoing tracking between office visits.
Does Medicare cover remote patient monitoring?
Yes. Medicare started covering remote patient monitoring in 2018. That is according to CMS. The number of people using it has grown. It grows every year. What you pay depends on your specific plan. Check your coverage details before starting.
What devices are used for remote monitoring?
Common devices include blood pressure cuffs and weight scales. Others include pulse oximeters and continuous glucose monitors. Each one measures a specific health reading. It sends that reading to a care team. This happens for review between visits.
Is remote monitoring the same as a telehealth video visit?
No. A telehealth visit is a single, scheduled appointment. It is usually by video or phone. Remote monitoring is different. It is ongoing: a device records readings over time. It sends them to a care team between appointments. Our guide compares the two. It covers the difference in more detail.
Does remote monitoring replace my regular doctor visits?
No. Remote monitoring works alongside your regular medical care, not instead of it. The AHA is clear that home monitoring does not replace regular doctor visits. It is not a substitute for emergency care either.
Who is remote patient monitoring for?
It is often used by people managing chronic conditions. Examples include diabetes and high blood pressure. Others include heart conditions and chronic respiratory conditions. It is also used by people recovering after surgery. Or tracking whether they take medication as prescribed.
Related Services & Guides
- Chronic Condition Management: Remote monitoring for diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, and chronic respiratory conditions: what is tracked, who it fits, and its limits.
- Vital Signs Monitoring: Blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen, and weight tracked at home between visits, and why a trend tells your care team more than one reading.
- Insurance Coverage & Costs: What Medicare and private insurance cover for remote patient monitoring, what patients typically pay out of pocket, and the questions to ask your own plan.
Could This Fit Your Care?
Call our team with any questions about remote patient monitoring.
Call 561-652-5998