In today’s fast-paced world, remote patient monitoring (RPM) has emerged as a game-changing solution for healthcare providers and patients.
By leveraging modern technology, RPM allows healthcare providers to monitor patient health remotely without needing in-person visits. This not only improves patient outcomes but also reduces healthcare costs.
HealthArc provides an in-depth look into remote patient monitoring in this complete guide. From its benefits to how it works, we cover everything you need to know about RPM.
So, let’s dive in and explore this exciting new frontier of healthcare together!
**Updated for 2025:** This guide now includes the latest CMS reimbursement rates, CPT billing updates, Medicare policy changes, and RPM market trends for 2025.
Table of Contents
ToggleRemote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is a modern healthcare approach that enables patients and healthcare providers to communicate outside traditional healthcare settings.
RPM collects patient data using healthcare monitoring and tracking devices, including smartphones and tablets, which patients already use and feel comfortable using.
RPM benefits patients by allowing doctors to monitor their health remotely, enabling them to identify any potential issues and provide tailored care. RPM is particularly useful for patients who live far from healthcare providers or have limited mobility.
Overall, RPM is a patient-centered approach that empowers people to take control of their health while allowing healthcare providers to provide better treatment.
In the first step, the patient will be equipped with monitoring devices or sensors capable of collecting and transmitting crucial health information to their healthcare provider. These devices can come in distinct forms, such as wearable fitness trackers, blood glucose monitors, or smart scales.
Once the patient is linked to their cutting-edge devices, the sensor’s data streams into a centralized database or dashboard, like the powerful and intuitive HealthArc software platform. This enables healthcare practitioners to access and closely monitor their patient’s health status, including essential indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar levels, and other vital signs.
Using this comprehensive data, healthcare providers can quickly identify any changes or patterns in their patient’s health and intervene with appropriate measures. For instance, when a patient with heart disease experiences an unexpected spike in their heart rate, their physician can respond with agility and adjust their medication or treatment plan accordingly, thus preventing a more severe health problem.
RPM is especially beneficial for patients with chronic diseases who need frequent monitoring but can’t always attend in-person sessions. It also saves time and resources for healthcare professionals by eliminating unnecessary office visits and hospitalizations.
Remote Patient Monitoring is an innovative and convenient way to keep tabs on your health, with the added benefit of receiving personalized care from your healthcare provider.
It’s not surprising that remote patient monitoring (RPM) is becoming more popular, as we’re seeing at HealthArc because it offers many benefits to healthcare providers.
It is a convenient and effective way for healthcare professionals to monitor patients with chronic health conditions without requiring them to visit for regular checkups.
Below are some benefits of RPM for both patients and healthcare providers. Let’s check them:
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) offers several benefits to patients, including convenience, improved access to care, better management of chronic conditions, and much more. Let’s discover them one by one:
RPM allows patients to receive care from the convenience of their own homes, eliminating the need to travel to healthcare facilities for routine checkups.
RPM enables patients to receive regular monitoring and care, even if they live in remote areas or have mobility issues that make it challenging to visit a healthcare facility.
RPM allows healthcare providers to closely monitor patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, and make timely interventions if necessary.
RPM often involves patients actively participating in their care by regularly tracking their health data, which can increase patient engagement and better health outcomes
RPM can help identify potential health issues early on, which can prevent emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
RPM can reduce healthcare costs by preventing costly hospitalizations and emergency room visits and enabling more efficient use of healthcare resources.
By using RPM, healthcare providers can monitor patients’ health status more frequently and in real-time, which allows them to detect any complications earlier and prevent hospitalizations or readmissions. Let’s discover the benefits in detail:
RPM facilitates healthcare providers to monitor patients’ health status more frequently and in real-time, allowing for earlier detection of any changes or complications. This helps to prevent hospitalizations, reduce readmissions, and improve patient outcomes.
RPM can help healthcare providers to manage their workload more efficiently. By remotely monitoring patients, providers can focus on patients who need it most while still providing care to patients who may not require as much attention.
RPM allows patients to take a more active role in their own healthcare. By monitoring their health status and receiving real-time feedback from healthcare providers, patients are more engaged in their care and more likely to comply with treatment plans.
RPM allows healthcare providers to allocate their resources more effectively. By remotely monitoring patients, providers can reduce the need for in-person visits, which frees up time and resources for other patients.
RPM can improve patient satisfaction by providing more convenient and flexible care options. Patients can receive care from the convenience of their own homes, reducing the need for travel and wait times.
RPM generates a wealth of data that can be used to improve patient outcomes and healthcare processes. Providers can use this data to identify patterns and trends, inform treatment plans and improve the overall quality of care.
Remote patient monitoring devices allow healthcare providers to monitor and analyze their patients’ health conditions outside the hospital or clinic. These devices help patients to engage in self-monitoring, leading to better health outcomes.
Below are the five most common Remote Patient Monitoring devices that help doctors, clinicians, and practitioners to provide efficient healthcare services to their patients.
Bluetooth Blood Pressure Cuffs are handy devices that help manage hypertension, diabetes, CHF, and kidney dysfunction. They can also prevent white-coat hypertension and detect masked hypertension.
These cuffs work like the traditional ones doctors use but with the added feature of sending your blood pressure data to your doctor in real time.
This way, the doctor can monitor blood pressure remotely, saving you a trip to the clinic. Regular monitoring can help you manage your conditions better and understand your heart’s health.
A Glucometer is a simple device that measures blood sugar levels using a small drop of blood on a test strip. You can use it daily, or as your healthcare provider recommends, to monitor how things like medication, diet, exercise, and stress affect your blood sugar levels.
The device sends real-time readings to your healthcare provider, helping you manage your diabetes better. By keeping track of your blood sugar levels, you can make necessary adjustments to your treatment plan and keep your levels in a healthy range.
A pulse oximeter is a small clip placed on a person’s finger or earlobe to measure the amount of oxygen in their blood. It’s completely non-invasive and uses light to do its job.
Doctors use it to monitor people with heart or lung problems and those who might have COVID-19, pneumonia, or asthma.By monitoring a person’s blood oxygen levels, doctors can see if their lungs are working well and getting enough oxygen, which is important for people with lung problems.
Doctors use ECGs and stethoscopes to check the heart and lungs. An ECG shows the heart is working, while a stethoscope helps doctors listen to the body’s sounds.
New devices, like the Eko DUO, combine both tools and can be used at home to monitor heart and lung sounds. The readings are sent to the doctor, so they can keep track of their patients and catch any problems early.
These devices make it easier for doctors to provide personalized care and for patients to stay healthy without leaving home.
Wearables are devices you can wear on your body that help doctors keep track of your health.
By using wearables, doctors can understand how your daily routine affects your health and develop a better treatment plan for you, which can be helpful if you have a chronic condition that needs ongoing monitoring.
There are majorly two types of categories in wearable devices:
Activity Trackers
(like Fitbits or SmartWatches) that monitor your movement, heart rate, and sleep.
Continuous Monitoring
Devices (like patches or stickers) track heart rate, blood pressure, glucose levels, weight, and stress.
By tracking weight changes, people can monitor how their behaviors affect their health and help manage conditions like stroke, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain forms of cancer. Doctors use Bluetooth scales to intervene and help their patients.
CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) continues to support Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) as part of its broader virtual care strategy. While no new CPT codes have been added in 2025, the existing RPM billing structure remains in place with updated national reimbursement rates and important policy clarifications:
CPT Code 99453 is a medical code that describes the initial set-up and monitoring of a patient’s vital signs using remote monitoring technology. This includes initial setup and patient education for devices monitoring physiologic data like weight, blood pressure, or glucose levels.
The code covers the cost of setting up the necessary equipment and educating the patient on using them.
For healthcare providers, the reimbursement rate for this service is $19.73.
CPT Code 99454 describes the ongoing monitoring of a patient’s vital signs over 16 days using remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices. These devices monitor things like blood pressure, heart rate, and weight.
When this service is provided, the RPM devices will record the patient’s vital signs daily or transmit programmed alerts to the healthcare provider.
For healthcare providers, the reimbursement rate for this service is $43.03.
CPT Code 99457 describes management services that involve direct communication between healthcare professionals and their patients or caregivers. This includes interactive communication (e.g., phone, video, or secure messaging) with the patient or caregiver.
The healthcare professional will spend the initial 20 minutes of the call communicating with the patient or caregiver, and this time will be tracked and monitored.
For healthcare providers, the reimbursement rate for this service is $47.87.
CPT Code 99458 is an add-on code used in addition to CPT Code 99457 for ongoing management services involving direct communication between healthcare professionals and their patients or caregivers.
This code is used when the healthcare professional spends an additional 20 minutes or more on the call after the initial 20 minutes covered by 99457.
It’s important to note that healthcare professionals cannot use Code 99458 independently. It must always be used in conjunction with CPT Code 99457.
Note: Only one provider may bill RPM services per patient per 30-day period, and RPM and Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) can be billed concurrently if services are distinct and meet separate CMS requirements.
For healthcare providers, the reimbursement rate for this service is $38.49.
CPT Code 99091 is a code used to describe a service that involves the collection and evaluation of a patient’s physiologic data. The patient or caregiver collects this data digitally and communicates it to the physician or other qualified healthcare professional (QHCP).
The service requires at least 30 minutes of physician or QHCP time for data analysis and interpretation every 30 days.
For healthcare providers, the reimbursement rate for this service is $56.41.
To bill for remote patient monitoring, you must calculate the time spent with each patient every month. Before billing, make sure to keep in mind the following guidelines:
Healthcare is changing, and the focus is now on providing better care that is continuous, proactive, and a mix of in-clinic and remote.
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a great way to ensure people with chronic conditions get the ongoing care they need.
RPM uses technology like connected health devices to collect patient data and send it securely to their doctors. Studies show that patients and doctors like using RPM.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to more adoption of RPM devices and platforms. Experts think that health insurance will cover RPM even after the pandemic ends. Many different RPM options are available, so it’s crucial to find the right one for you. Here are six important questions to figure out when choosing an RPM solution:
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) has become increasingly popular in healthcare even before the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic has propelled RPM into the spotlight by highlighting its effectiveness in delivering care while keeping patients safe from infections.
Even after the pandemic, virtual care will continue to be in demand. In fact, virtualizing healthcare could save up to $250 billion. RPM, along with the use of AI, can also reduce errors and improve communication between doctors and patients.
This is important because poor communication skills can lead to reduced medication adherence, and chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes account for up to 75% of all deaths in the US.
The good news is that the RPM market is growing rapidly and is projected to reach $117.1 billion by 2025. This is due to the increasing availability of healthcare devices and patients’ willingness to share information.
Shortly, data analysis, AI, and machine learning will help automate repetitive tasks for healthcare workers, allowing them to focus on what matters: providing care where it is most needed.
In conclusion, we hope that this ultimate guide to Remote Patient Monitoring has been informative and helpful in understanding the benefits and applications of this revolutionary healthcare practice.
At HealthArc, we believe that Remote Patient Monitoring is the future of healthcare. We are dedicated to providing healthcare practitioners with the tools they need to deliver the best possible care for their patients. With our healthcare software platform, practitioners can seamlessly integrate Remote Patient Monitoring into their practice and improve patient outcomes while reducing costs.
So, what are you waiting for? Start using HealthArc today and join the revolution in healthcare!
Yes, patients can use their own health devices, such as Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure cuffs or glucometers, if they meet CMS requirements. The device must be FDA-cleared, capable of automatic data capture, and transmit at least 16 unique days of data in a 30-day billing cycle.
Devices must be FDA-cleared (Class I or II), support automatic daily data transmission, and securely sync with the provider’s RPM platform for at least 16 days per month.
Yes, as long as the Bluetooth devices transmit data automatically—either via a paired app or cellular gateway—without requiring manual input or uploads from the patient.
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) collects and transmits biometric data asynchronously, without requiring real-time interaction. In contrast, telehealth usually involves live video or phone consultations. RPM enables ongoing health tracking between visits, while telehealth is typically used for scheduled, synchronous discussions.
Yes, they can be billed separately as long as the services are distinct and do not overlap in time or purpose. Each must be documented and coded under the appropriate CPT codes.
A live video follow-up or consultation would be categorized under telehealth.
No. CMS allows only one provider (or provider group) to bill Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) services for a patient during a single 30-day period. This avoids duplication and ensures clear accountability in care coordination.
The primary care provider or the designated RPM lead should manage the patient’s monitoring and be the only one to submit RPM claims. Other specialists may contribute to care, but they cannot bill RPM codes for the same patient during that period.
Within multi-provider practices, a single provider must be designated to bill for RPM. Failing to coordinate RPM billing internally can lead to claim rejections or audit issues.
CPT Code 99453 (for initial setup and patient education) can be billed once the RPM device has been configured, delivered, and the patient has received training—with documentation of these steps. CPT 99454 (monitoring) and CPT 99457 (management time) require at least 16 days of device data transmission within a 30-day period.
There is no mandatory waiting period, but CPT 99453 billing requires documented completion of device setup and patient training, which must occur before submission, typically on or shortly after delivery.
Yes. If setup (CPT 99453) and monitoring (CPT 99454) requirements are both met within the same 30-day billing cycle, providers may bill both codes.
Yes. CMS requires that patients provide verbal or written consent before RPM services begin. This consent must be documented in the medical record and retained for compliance and audit purposes.
The provider should record the date, time, and nature of the consent discussion in the patient’s medical record, specifying that the patient agreed to participate in RPM services.
Many private insurers, including Aetna and UnitedHealthcare, often require written consent for RPM. Providers must verify specific payer policies to ensure compliance and avoid claim denials.
If the device is not used for at least 16 unique days in a 30-day billing cycle, providers cannot bill CPT code 99454 for that period. CMS strictly enforces this usage threshold as a condition for RPM reimbursement.
No. CMS does not allow prorated billing for RPM codes if the 16-day threshold is not met. However, other care coordination codes such as Chronic Care Management (CPT 99490) may be appropriate if qualifying services are provided.
Advanced RPM platforms like HealthArc can send real-time alerts to care teams when patients miss readings and offer features like automated reminders or mobile engagement tools to boost adherence and maintain eligibility for billing.
All data collected through Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) must comply with HIPAA standards. This means it must be encrypted in transit and at rest, stored in a secure environment, and accessible only to authorized personnel.
Most importantly, the vendor must sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) to legally handle protected health information (PHI) on behalf of a covered entity.
Yes. CMS allows cloud-based storage as long as the platform is HIPAA-compliant and meets technical safeguards such as data encryption, user authentication, and access tracking.
Yes. RPM is increasingly used for post-discharge monitoring, especially after hospitalizations or surgeries. It is effective for managing conditions like heart failure, COPD, or post-operative recovery to reduce readmissions and improve care transitions.
The same CPT codes apply—99453, 99454, 99457, and 99458—with no special rates for short-term use. Providers must still meet all documentation and usage criteria, including 16 days of data transmission per billing cycle for CPT 99454.
No. Patients qualify for RPM services as long as their condition warrants monitoring and they are expected to meet the minimum usage threshold. The duration of RPM can be tailored to clinical needs, but billing requirements remain the same.
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