Medicare
Medicare proposal could cut off remote monitoring for many patients, especially in rural areas
A proposed CMS rule would stop paying when practices use outside vendors to run remote monitoring; more than 230 groups oppose it, and traditional Medicare patients with heart conditions or diabetes could lose devices.
Key facts
- KFF Health News reported on October 26 that a proposed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rule would stop traditional Medicare payments for remote patient monitoring when doctors use outside vendors to run it.
- Remote monitoring uses devices such as blood pressure cuffs and glucose meters that send readings to a care team.
What happened
KFF Health News reported on October 26 that a proposed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rule would stop traditional Medicare payments for remote patient monitoring when doctors use outside vendors to run it. Remote monitoring uses devices such as blood pressure cuffs and glucose meters that send readings to a care team.
About 1% of traditional Medicare patients use remote monitoring, and Medicare spending on it grew from $7 million in 2019 to $194 million in 2023. Rural practices often rely on vendors because they lack staff to run programs themselves. More than 230 organizations oppose the proposal, while Humana, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Sutter Health support it. Medicare Advantage plans are not directly affected.
What it means for families
If a parent's doctor uses a vendor to watch home readings, that service could end if the rule is finalized. Families should know who reviews the numbers.
For example: a father with heart failure whose daily weight and blood pressure are sent from home might lose that early warning, so the family would need another plan to report changes.
The proposal is not final. CMS reviews public comments before issuing a final rule, and lawmakers from both parties have asked the agency to reconsider the broad restrictions.
What this means in New York: rural practices across New York, including in Western New York, use remote monitoring. The rule would apply nationwide.
What to do this week
- Ask a parent's doctor whether their remote monitoring is run by the practice or an outside company.
- Ask what would replace it if the rule is finalized.
- Keep a written log of readings so you can share trends at visits.
Sources
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