Top 10 Remote Patient Monitoring Mistakes Every Physician Must Avoid
Introduction
RPM refers to using contemporary digital innovations to track and record patient medical and other health data.
To be evaluated, all of this data can be electronically uploaded to the servers of healthcare providers. Patients can be provided the guidance they need for a better healthcare system if necessary.
Physicians can now regularly monitor patient health data thanks to technology. Additionally, it encourages people to take more control over their health.
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is the new way of doing business in the healthcare industry, and it’s here to stay. In fact, many experts predict that virtual care will replace the traditional model of hospital visits with a greater emphasis on telemedicine and patient self-care.
The technology and services at RPM can help improve your clinic’s productivity, efficiency, profits…the list goes on.
By choosing a remote patient monitoring system (RPM) company wisely, you reinforce your commitment to making your patients healthier than ever before. It is a business solution that can really make a difference to your healthcare organization.
By choosing the best remote patient monitoring company, you’re giving your patients more freedom and promoting their health to the highest possible level.
There are just too many aspects for one human being to consider when setting up a new facility—but this list should help you make the right choices:
Top 10 mistakes to avoid while using RPM
A program’s effectiveness depends on choosing patients with the best prospects for remote patient monitoring. Knowing which patients would not just be best serviced but also the ones who will use the service is part of it.
It’s critical to comprehend which ailments a remote patient monitoring can successfully manage or treat.
Without frequent clinic visits, many chronic illnesses, for example, can be successfully co-managed by both patients and clinicians, providing a more convenient care plan while reducing prices for all parties.
A crucial initial step in providing RPM care is face-to-face encounters. Before billing CPT code 99457, the billing practitioner must meet in person with each new patient and any patients they haven’t seen in the previous year.
CPT code 99457, which deals with remote monitoring treatment management services, is relatively new. In the end, this in-person visit should be charged separately and can take place during initial preventive physical exams, level 2 through 5 office visits, or yearly wellness visits.
In simplest terms, you will require proof that your clients have given their consent to RPM. However, it is crucial to have proof that patients are voluntarily choosing to receive RPM treatment. It’s also a great idea to include documentation supporting RPM in the patient’s medical file.
When delivering RPM treatment, it’s crucial to use the appropriate CPT codes, just like when offering other medical services. Even though CPT code for the RPM industry (CPT code 99091) was introduced in 2018, there have been a number of new CPT codes added in the final 2019 and 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedules.
As a result, please ensure you’re using the up-to-date codes starting in 2019 and beyond.
In the end, you’ll want to confirm that the devices included in your RPM program adhere to this specification. However, it should be noted that your product need not necessarily be “FDA-approved.” Although it won’t hurt, the advice doesn’t appear to imply that this is an absolute necessity.
Doctors or other licensed healthcare professionals must obtain RPM services before providing them to a patient. Physicians and other licensed healthcare professionals don’t always have to offer services after the original order, which is great news for healthcare providers.
Clinical staff, for instance, may offer services under CPT codes 99457 and 99458. Clinical staff cannot, however, carry out the actual process of ordering RPM services.
Remember to reiterate the “daily reading protocol” with your patient during the introductory visit. The clinic will have more and better data to manage the patient’s healthcare plan due to the increased adherence to the program from just one regular reading per day.
When you are attempting to get paid by Medicare, this is a significant error. In particular, clinical staff, doctors, or other trained health care practitioners must spend at least 20 minutes assessing a patient’s physiological data and using that information to manage or modify the patient’s care plan before CPT codes 99457 and 99458 can be invoiced.
With these tasks, CPT code 99458 necessitates at least 40 minutes. As a result, be sure to keep an eye on this time. Use a third-party platform that logs this active effort automatically as a recommended practice, as it can be used as proof in the event of Medicare inquiries.
Clinical staff employees are permitted to provide RPM services under CPT codes 99457 and 99458 as long as they are under the general direction of the billing physician. The staff person providing care is not required to be situated in the same office building as the billing practitioner, according to CPT codes 99457 and 99458, which allow for “general supervision.”
This indicates that when providing remote patient monitoring systems, you are free to adopt an auxiliary model.
Remote patient monitoring systems are ultimately focused on improving patient outcomes. You and your coworkers have an excellent chance to enhance your RPM program by chatting with patients, even though you’ll undoubtedly want to pay attention to the data you receive. Find out what they enjoy and what they wish to be improved.
By completing this task, you and your clients will have a better RPM experience.
Remote patient monitoring is the future of healthcare management. It allows patients and healthcare providers to save money while improving clinical outcomes and making treatment more convenient for all involved parties. However, with any new technology comes its fair share of growing pains and challenges to overcome. There are risks associated with RPM that must be identified to avoid errors and ensure success.
If you are considering deploying a remote patient monitoring system, choose a company like Health Wealth Safe. Our systems are some of the most secure in the industry, and our team of experts can help you make sure your patients are safe and comfortable. We have a wide range of options available, so you can choose the system that best meets your needs. Contact us today to learn more about our RPM systems!
Become a Partner
Support
Portals
