Most people visit the doctor’s office for routine checkups once a year. However, for patients with medical issues that require more frequent visits, implementing telehealth or remote patient monitoring (RPM) solutions may be more beneficial.

Medical provider

What are the differences between these two concepts, and why are they important? Is remote patient monitoring considered a part of telehealth? And what exactly is telehealth? Let’s delve deeper.

RPM Breakdown: What is RPM?

RPM involves collecting, transmitting, and analyzing patient health data from medical devices or sensors in the patient’s home or other remote locations. This data is typically sent to healthcare providers, who can monitor it from afar and intervene early when signs of a problem arise.

As a result, RPM is often used for managing chronic conditions, post-operative care, and monitoring patients with specific health concerns. Some common examples of key health details RPM devices can measure include:

  • Blood pressure
  • Glucose levels
  • Heart rate
  • Oxygen saturation

Telemedicine Breakdown: The Birth of Telehealth

Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced patients and healthcare providers alike to limit interaction with others, telehealth has emerged as an exciting alternative. Telehealth remotely delivers essential healthcare services and advice through messages and phone or video calls. It involves real-time interactions between healthcare providers and patients or between providers themselves. 

There’s no shortage of opportunities to use telehealth services, including virtual doctor’s visits, video consultations, remote psychotherapy, and even remote physical therapy.

Like RPM, telehealth offers several advantages for providers and patients, including:

  • Increased accessibility to healthcare
  • Reduced travel time and expenses
  • Lower overhead costs
  • Improved patient engagement
  • Accessibility – patients located in rural or underserved areas don’t have to compromise on their care just because of their location

Telemedicine vs. RPM: Which is Best?

While telemedicine and remote patient monitoring both leverage technology to improve the patient experience, they’re two distinct approaches to healthcare. RPM has the benefit of continuously monitoring a patient, while telehealth services are usually designated for appointments at certain times.

Understanding the difference between these two concepts is vital for making advancements in the world of healthcare and for your practice. In many cases, utilizing both options can help you keep your patients safer and healthier than ever before. 

Considering the benefits of RPM, it’s not a stretch to say that implementing telehealth into your routine can help you cut back on costs and time demands even more.

Benefits of RPM for Patients 

By cutting back on commuting costs and making healthcare accessible, RPM helps patients stay engaged in treatment or recovery. It’s particularly helpful for patients living with chronic health conditions, older adults, or those at an increased risk of serious health symptoms. 

  • Convenience: There’s no need to make costly, repeated trips to healthcare facilities with RPM. A basic check-up and look at particular vitals of concern can be completed from wherever, whenever.
  • Proactive Monitoring: RPM provides real-time or near-real-time data that helps providers detect problems before they emerge. That means less time, money, and risk for all involved.
  • Better Health Outcomes: Early detection and timely intervention help patients avoid serious health problems and find better treatment options for their needs.
  • Personalized Care: RPM allows healthcare providers to tailor treatment plans to each patient based on real data.

Benefits of RPM for Healthcare Providers

Patients aren’t the only ones who can benefit from RPM. It’s also a great option for providers, enhancing patient care and potentially offering financial incentives through CPT reimbursement codes. 

  • Better Care: Live data helps providers offer genuinely effective and preventative care that leads to healthier, happier patients. 
  • Reduced Hospitalizations: By closely monitoring patients’ health and intervening when necessary, RPM can lower hospitalization and readmission rates, helping providers save time and money.
  • Increased Efficiency: Fewer in-person visits are needed when you can monitor some patients from anywhere. That means less long waits in the office.
  • More Revenue: Less money spent treating patients in person can also translate to more money made. 

By using CPT codes, healthcare providers can bill for the time and resources dedicated to RPM, creating an additional source of revenue for their practice. This further offsets the costs of implementing RPM and turns it into a lucrative service.

Getting Involved

Telemedicine solutions and remote patient monitoring have a lot in common, but they’re still unique services with individual perks. However, their overlapping qualities make them a great duo for healthcare providers and patients. 

Using both is a win-win situation that enhances patient outcomes while potentially boosting your practice’s revenue. CoachCare is here to offer top-quality RPM solutions that are easy to navigate. To learn more about how we can help you introduce RPM to your practice, get started today.