Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Chronic Care Management (CCM) are two types of virtual care services that are increasingly being used to manage the health of patients with chronic conditions. According to a study published by the National Library for Medicine, RPM and CCM are especially useful for patient care in the time during a pandemic.
RPM and CCM are both designed to improve the quality of patient care, reduce costs, and increase patient engagement in their own health management.
This article will provide an overview of RPM and CCM, including their similarities and differences, and explain the role of these services in the management of chronic conditions. Additionally, the article will also discuss the billing differences between RPM and CCM services, specifically the use of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for these services.
CCM and RPM Overview
What is Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)?
Remote patient monitoring is a type of virtual care service that allows healthcare providers to remotely monitor and evaluate the health status of patients with chronic conditions. RPM uses technology such as smartphones, tablets, and specialized devices to collect and transmit patient physiologic data, such as vital signs and symptoms, to healthcare providers.
The goal of RPM is to provide real-time monitoring of patients’ health status, identify changes in their condition, and provide early interventions to prevent complications and hospitalizations. RPM is typically used to manage chronic conditions such as heart failure, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What is Chronic Care Management (CCM)?
Chronic care management is a type of virtual care service that focuses on the comprehensive management of patients with chronic conditions. CCM services are provided by healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurses, and social workers, who work with patients to develop and implement care plans that are tailored to their specific needs.
The goal of CCM is to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and increase patient engagement in their own health management. CCM services typically include care coordination, medication management, and patient education.
Types of Virtual Care
RPM Services
Remote patient monitoring services typically include the collection of patient data, such as vital signs and symptoms, and the transmission of that data to healthcare providers.
RPM services may also include the use of specialized devices such as heart rate monitors or blood glucose meters to collect patient data. Healthcare providers use the patient data collected through RPM to monitor patients’ health status, identify changes in their condition, and provide early interventions to prevent complications and hospitalizations.
CCM Services
Chronic care management services typically include care coordination, medication management, and patient education.
Care coordination services involve working with patients to develop and implement care plans that are tailored to their specific needs. Medication management services involve working with patients to ensure that they are taking the correct medications at the correct time and in the correct dosage. Patient education services involve providing patients with information about their chronic condition and how to manage it.
Chronic Care Management
Chronic care management (CCM) is a type of virtual care service that focuses on the comprehensive management of patients with chronic conditions. CCM services are designed to help patients manage their chronic conditions and improve their overall health and well-being.
Chronic care management services are provided by healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurses, and social workers, who work with patients to develop and implement care plans that are tailored to their specific needs.
CCM vs. RPM
Value-Based Care
Both RPM and CCM services are considered value-based care, as they are designed to improve the quality of patient care and reduce healthcare costs. RPM focuses on real-time monitoring of patient data to identify changes in health status and take early action to prevent complications and hospitalizations, while CCM focuses on the comprehensive management of patients’ health and the development of care plans.
Both services have the same goal of improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
Care Coordination and Management
CCM services include care coordination and management as a core component, working with patients to develop and implement care plans that are tailored to their specific needs. RPM services, although also coordinating with patients, mainly focus on the real-time monitoring of patients’ health status and providing early interventions to prevent complications and hospitalizations.
Patient Outcomes
Both RPM and CCM services have been shown to improve patient outcomes, such as reducing hospitalizations, improving medication adherence, and increasing patient engagement in their own health management.
CCM services have been shown to be particularly effective in improving patient outcomes for patients with complex chronic conditions.
RPM services have been shown to be particularly effective in preventing complications and hospitalizations in patients with chronic conditions such as heart failure, diabetes, and COPD. Both services, when used together, can lead to far better patient outcomes as they complement each other. For example, while RPM can alert healthcare providers to potential issues, CCM can be used to address those issues through care coordination and management.
CPT Codes for RPM and CCM
Billing Differences
CCM services are billable under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) using the Chronic Care Management (CCM) CPT code 99490, which is a complex care code that starts with the first 20 minutes of clinical staff time directed by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional each calendar month.
CCM services are billable per patient per month, while RPM services are billable per patient per day.
Complex Care Code for CCM
CCM CPT code 99490 is used to bill for the management of patients with two or more chronic conditions that are expected to last at least 12 months, or until the unfortunate death of the patient. The code covers the provision of care coordination and management for the patient, including communication with other treating healthcare professionals, care plan management, and patient education.
The comprehensive care plan must be furnished by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional and should be designed to achieve specific goals and objectives.
CPT Codes for RPM Services
RPM services are billable under the Medicare PFS using the Remote Evaluation of Video or Images (Evaluation and Management) codes, such as 99457 and 99458, and the Remote Physiologic Monitoring codes, such as 99457 and 99458. These codes are used to bill for the remote evaluation of patient data, such as vital signs, and the interpretation of that data by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional.
These codes are also used to bill for the provision of remote therapeutic monitoring services, such as the use of RPM devices to monitor patient health.
DrKumo’s Remote Patient Monitoring Technology Solutions
DrKumo‘s Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) technology solutions are designed to improve the quality of patient care and reduce healthcare costs by remotely monitoring the health conditions of patients with chronic conditions. DrKumo’s RPM technology is highly scalable, continuous, and real-time, making it the perfect solution for Chronic Disease Management, Acute Care, Post-Operation, and Hospital Care at Home.
Additionally, DrKumo’s RPM solutions are user-friendly and powered by a state-of-the-art, HIPAA-compliant, mobile-enabled, continuous real-time monitoring, and AI/ML engine. This means that patients can manage their health conditions in the comfort of their homes, while healthcare providers are able to provide real-time intelligence for timely intervention.
DrKumo’s RPM technology can be used together with Chronic Care Management (CCM) services to offer a comprehensive care plan for patients with chronic conditions. CCM is a more extensive service than RPM, and when used together, they complement each other to provide a more comprehensive care solution.
CCM services typically include care coordination, medication management, and patient education. By combining RPM technology with CCM services, healthcare providers are enabled to provide a comprehensive, tailored care plan to patients that addresses both their physical and emotional needs. This has shown to lead to vastly improved patient outcomes, through measurable metrics such as reduced hospitalizations, improved medication adherence, and increased patient engagement in the patient’s own health management.
Takeaways
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Chronic Care Management (CCM) are two types of virtual care services that are increasingly being used to manage the health of patients with chronic conditions. Both RPM and CCM are designed to improve the quality of patient care, reduce healthcare costs, and increase patient engagement in their own health management.
RPM focuses on real-time monitoring of patient data to identify changes in health status and take early action to prevent complications and hospitalizations, while CCM focuses on the comprehensive management of patients’ health and the development of care plans. Both services have been shown to vastly improve patient outcomes, leading to a longer and higher quality of life.
Don’t miss out on the benefits that RPM can bring to your practice and your patients. Contact DrKumo today to learn more about how our RPM technology can revolutionize the way you provide care.
