Remote Patient Monitoring is a Benefit of Medicare. However, there is a minimum number of days with readings per month that is required in order to maintain this benefit. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, that requirement was only two days with readings per month. It is not clear yet whether or not Medicare will return to the pre-pandemic requirement of sixteen days per month with readings. However, this is something that patients should be aware of so that they can make sure they are meeting the requirements for their benefit.
Patients who used RPM during the pandemic had significantly lower hospitalization rates for COVID-19 than those who did not use RPM. This is likely due to the fact that RPM allows for earlier detection of changes in a patient's health, which can then be addressed more quickly. Additionally, RPM provides patients with a way to proactively manage their own health, which can help to prevent serious health problems from developing in the first place.
What Does Sixteen Days Per Month With Readings Mean?
If you're enrolled in Medicare, you may be wondering what sixteen days per month with readings means for remote patient monitoring (RPM). Here's what you need to know.
RPM is a benefit of Medicare (Traditional and Advantage) that helps people with chronic conditions manage their health from home. The RPM program was designed by Medicare to collect patient data from medical devices on a regular basis. The thought is that consistent and regular readings provide valuable trended data that your physician can use to better understand your overall health condition and treat you.
Medicare has determined 16 readings per month is the minimum number to provide consistent and reasonable data. There is not a maximum number as more readings translate into better trends.
Again, you need to have Sixteen Days with readings, NOT a total of 16 readings during the month, but Sixteen Days with Readings.
Here are some examples of what counts as a single day with readings:
- If you take multiple readings on any day (like taking your blood pressure once in the morning and once in the evening), that only counts as ONE DAY, since both readings are on the same day.
- If you take readings on different devices on the same day (like taking your blood pressure and then weighing yourself), that only counts as ONE DAY, since both readings are on the same day.
It is important to note that the sixteen-day minimum is per month. This means that if you have readings taken on more than sixteen days in a given month, you'll still meet the minimum requirement. And remember, don't stop taking readings just because you have met the minimum requirement. More readings tell us more about how you are doing and how we can best guide you on your health journey.
If you have any questions about RPM or the minimum number of days please contact customer support at (855) 477-7000 or email us, support@remotecareparters.com