Key Takeaways
- Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is the collection, transmission, and review of health data, like blood pressure or blood oxygen level, sent from a device a patient uses at home to their care team between office visits, according to the American Telemedicine Association (ATA).
- Medicare started covering remote patient monitoring in 2018, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the number of people using it has grown every year since.
- Common devices include blood pressure cuffs, weight scales, pulse oximeters (a clip that measures the oxygen level in your blood), and continuous glucose monitors, which show real-time blood sugar readings, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
- Home monitoring is meant to work alongside a patient's regular medical care. The American Heart Association (AHA) notes it should not replace regular doctor visits.
How Remote Patient Monitoring Works, in General
Remote patient monitoring uses a connected device at home to record a health reading, such as blood pressure, weight, oxygen level, or blood sugar. The device sends that reading to a care team, so changes can be reviewed between office visits rather than waiting for the next scheduled appointment.
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) describes remote patient monitoring as the collection, transmission, evaluation, and communication of a patient's health data from outside a hospital or clinic, using wireless devices, wearable sensors, or mobile apps. It supports ongoing tracking of a condition over time rather than 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 in Remote Monitoring
- Blood Pressure Cuff Measures the two numbers that make up a blood pressure reading, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
- Pulse Oximeter A small clip, usually worn on a fingertip, that measures the oxygen level in the blood without drawing blood.
- Weight Scale Tracks weight changes over time, which can be an early sign of a change in a chronic condition.
- Continuous Glucose Monitor A small sensor worn on the body that shows blood sugar readings in real time, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Who Uses Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote monitoring is often used for chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart conditions, and chronic respiratory conditions, along with recovery after a procedure and tracking whether medication is being 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 Remote Patient Monitoring?
Medicare started covering remote patient monitoring in 2018, according to CMS, and 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, and a device reading is not the same as a medical diagnosis. Keep these points in mind:
- Call 911 for emergency symptoms If you have chest pain, sudden trouble breathing, sudden weakness or confusion, or any other emergency symptom, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. 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 you one piece of information. Your doctor uses it along with your medical history and an exam, not on its own.
- Home monitoring does not replace regular visits The American Heart Association notes that home blood pressure 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 is the use of a connected device at home, like a blood pressure cuff or pulse oximeter, to record a health reading and send it to a care team. The American Telemedicine Association describes it as the collection, transmission, and review of a patient's health data from outside a hospital or clinic. It supports ongoing tracking of a condition between office visits.
Does Medicare cover remote patient monitoring?
Yes. Medicare started covering remote patient monitoring in 2018, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the number of people using it has grown every year since. What you pay depends on your specific plan, so check your coverage details before starting.
What devices are used for remote monitoring?
Common devices include blood pressure cuffs, weight scales, pulse oximeters, and continuous glucose monitors. Each one measures a specific health reading and sends it to a care team for review between visits.
Is remote monitoring the same as a telehealth video visit?
No. A telehealth visit is a single, scheduled appointment, usually by video or phone. Remote monitoring is ongoing: a device records readings over time and sends them to a care team between appointments. Our guide comparing remote monitoring and telehealth visits explains the difference in more detail.
Does remote monitoring replace my regular doctor visits?
No. Remote monitoring is meant to work alongside your regular medical care, not instead of it. The American Heart Association notes that home monitoring should not replace regular doctor visits, and it is not a substitute for emergency care.
Who is remote patient monitoring for?
It is often used by people managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart conditions, or chronic respiratory conditions, as well as people recovering after a procedure or tracking whether they are taking 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.
Wondering if Remote Monitoring Could Fit Your Care?
Call our team with any questions about remote patient monitoring.
Call 561-652-5998