Engaging treatment tends to be a successful treatment, and for pediatric patients and their caregivers, successful treatment is particularly vital. Treating chronic and acute conditions in children and adolescents can be made significantly easier with the help of remote patient monitoring. Below, we explore the role of RPM in pediatric care and how it can be used to support your patients.

RPM Pediatric Care

What is RPM?

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a telemedicine that allows healthcare providers to monitor and manage patients from afar. Whether by asking patients to collect data or relying on health monitoring devices, RPM helps providers gain important insight into health symptoms and changes.

The Benefits of Telehealth & RPM for Pediatric Care

Telehealth services make medical care accessible to more people more consistently. Instead of relying on occasional in-person visits to track health data, providers can keep a close eye on patients in real-time. Plus, in-person visits depend on distance, finances, transportation options, and other factors that can hold patients back.

More frequent evaluation of health data also opens doors for pediatric patients. For one thing, patients and caregivers have far more opportunities to share information with providers with RPM technology. This drives high levels of engagement and encourages adherence to a regular treatment plan. 

When pediatric patients can more accurately and regularly follow a treatment plan, they’re at a lower risk of developing new or worsening symptoms. As a result, the odds of facing more serious and potentially fatal health complications drop significantly. This is especially true given that providers can spot and respond to warning signs quickly.

Pediatric Patients Who Can Benefit from RPM

Essentially any pediatric patient with a chronic or acute health condition can benefit from RPM in some way. However, certain conditions may particularly lend themselves to RPM and telehealth services. Some examples include:

  • Asthma: Children with asthma can limit the risk of asthma attacks and reduce symptoms that interfere with daily functioning with RPM devices, such as those that monitor blood oxygen levels.
  • Diabetes: For those with diabetes, remote patient monitoring can be a lifesaver. Blood glucose monitors and similar diabetes remote monitoring devices can detect changes that may lead to serious consequences.
  • Genetic Conditions: Developmental delays, damage to major organs, and other consequences of genetic conditions can be mitigated with RPM. 
  • Behavioral Health Conditions: Pediatric patients can manage these conditions by regularly logging symptoms, changes in mood, and other factors that affect behavior.
  • Autism Support: Treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with RPM can help providers address behavioral concerns and monitor patient progress, among other things.
  • Speech Therapy: These services can be conducted from anywhere, thanks to telehealth services. RPM treatment helps pediatric patients stay on track with goals and gives real-time feedback to providers.
  • Obesity Treatment: Whether via tracking health vitals, asking patients to record food intake, or something else entirely, providers keep tabs on obesity treatment without the need for in-person visits.
  • Neonatal Care: RPM and health monitoring devices alert providers to changes – good and bad – that occur during neonatal care.

Introducing Children and Caregivers to RPM

A key part of offering RPM to your patients is ensuring the technology you’re using is accessible. It’s crucial that patients understand how to use their RPM devices or treatment plans. They must also know which resources to turn to should they need help.

You can get the ball rolling by introducing children and caregivers to technology training. Demonstrate how to use RPM devices in a low-stakes environment. It’s also a good idea to rely on an easy-to-use and intuitive RPM platform that patients of all backgrounds can comfortably navigate.

Explaining the benefits of RPM for pediatric patients and talking through any questions or concerns with your patients can help you set them up for success.

CPT Codes for Pediatric RPM

CPT codes help providers get reimbursement for RPM services. You may bill using one or more of the following codes – depending on the services you provide – to offset the cost of RPM for your practice or organization:

  • CPT 99453
  • CPT 99454
  • CPT 99457
  • CPT 99458
  • CPT 99473
  • CPT 99474
  • CPT 99091
  • CPT 95251

Final Thoughts

Remote patient monitoring, or RPM, is a revolutionary new option for patients of all ages. RPM can help providers and patients avoid serious health complications, gain insight that might be overlooked by occasional in-person visits, and overall manage health needs as they arise. 

But to ensure pediatric patients and their caregivers are successful, you’ll want to invest in RPM that’s easy to understand and use. 

CoachCare’s RPM platform and services help you provide your patients with access to simple, digestible care. No matter the size of your practice, our RPM solutions are here to assist.

We’re here to help you through every step of the process, from implementing RPM to billing and more. Learn more about our RPM services today to get started.