Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) at Family Care

Ready to register for RPM Services? Click here to complete enrollment!

REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING (RPM) AT FAMILY CARE!

We are excited to announce the launch of our new Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Program at Family Care!

This innovative program allows us to keep a closer eye on your health by remotely monitoring two key areas of care: blood pressure and glucose levels. Our goal is to help you manage your chronic conditions, while offering you the convenience of monitoring from home.

What Does the Program Include?

  • Blood Pressure Monitoring: Track your readings from home and share them directly with your healthcare provider.
    • healow Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) technology offers a reliable and efficient way to consistently track blood pressures, facilitating prompt medication adjustments and better control of hypertension conditions.
  • Glucose Monitoring: Monitor your blood sugar levels remotely to stay on top of your diabetes management.
    • Innovative RPM systems provide a user-friendly approach to monitoring blood glucose levels remotely, leading to significant improvements in diabetes management and overall health outcomes.

RPM solutions deliver real-time access to patient information, empowering healthcare providers to make data-driven clinical decisions swiftly and implement timely interventions for optimal patient care.

GETTING STARTED

There are three steps to join Family Care’s RPM program and begin actively monitoring your blood pressure and glucose levels:

  1. Qualify for the Program
    • Talk with your provider to see if you have a qualifying diagnosis. Your provider can prescribe a compatible device for you.
  2. Use Your Own Device, or Purchase a Compatible One
    • If you already have a compatible blood pressure monitor or glucose meter, check if it’s compatible with our portal. Our team can help you determine this.
    • If you do not have a device, you can purchase one at your local pharmacy or online using the links below.
      • All RPM devices are eligible HSA/FSA expenses, allowing you to purchase the devices using pre-tax / deductible funds.
      • You do not need a prescription to purchase the device on your own, but a prescription will allow you to use HSA/FSA funds for the device.
  3. Sign enrollment paperwork, link your device to Family Care, and start recording health data!
    • Click here to complete enrollment.
    • Once you have your device, download the appropriate phone apps to link your device.
      • We will send you specific program information to complete enrollment and ensure your device is configured correctly.

COMPATIBLE RPM DEVICES

If you need a device, you will need to purchase one that integrates with our system from iHealth, Omron, or SmartMeter.

iHealth: Comprehensive blood pressure and glucose monitoring system. These are available without prescription at local stores (Target, Walmart, etc.) or online through the links below. These can be purchased as a one-time expense, with no recurring fees.

These devices require some configuration and setup to sync with Family Care’s EMR, so please read each devices manuals for connection information. You will need to provide your healow Patient Portal account information and download the iHealth app (Google Play Store or Apple Store), eventually.

PROS: Low cost. Widely available at local stores or online. No renewal fees after 12 months.

CONS: Glucose devices do not include unlimited test strips and lancets. Will need to download and configure a separate phone app. Must have access to the internet to transmit data.

 

Omron: Comprehensive blood pressure system. These are available without prescription at local stores (Target, Walmart, etc.) or online through the links below. These can be purchased as a one-time expense, with no recurring fees.

PROS: Same as iHealth.

CONS: Same as iHealth. Does not offer Glucose Management devices. 

SmartMeter: Recommended by Family Care due to convenience, reliability, access, and features.

  • SmartMeter does not sell devices to the public, so you will need to purchase the device from Family Care, directly.
  • Devices cost between $90 and $225, including:
    • iGlucose Plus: 12-month membership. $225.
      • For: Glucose Monitoring
      • Includes: iGlucose device kit, unlimited strips and lancets, lancing device, unlimited data, customer support, and an online device management platform.
        • After the first year, a new 12-month membership would cost $15 + $15/month, or $195, total.
    • iBloodPressure Multi-Cuff (Classic): 12-month membership. $120 (S/M/L Cuff) or $130 (XL/XXL Cuff). 
      • For: Blood Pressure Monitoring
      • Includes: iBloodPressure classic device, cuff, unlimited data, customer support, and an online device management platform.
        • After the first year, a new 12-month membership would cost $5 + $5/month, or $65, total.
    • iBloodPressure Multi-Cuff (Pro): 12-month membership. $175. 
      • For: Blood Pressure Monitoring
      • Includes: iBloodPressure Pro device, cuff, unlimited data, customer support, and an online device management platform.
        • After the first year, a new 12-month membership would cost $5 + $5/month, or $65, total.
        • Same as iBloodPressure Multi-Cuff (Classic), but with a fancier device.
    • iScale: 12-month membership. $90. 
      • For: Weight Management
      • Includes: iScale device, unlimited data, customer support, and an online device management platform.
        • After the first year, a new 12-month membership would cost $5 + $5/month, or $65, total.
    • iScale (Plus): 12-month membership. $140. 
      • For: Weight Management
      • Includes: iScale Plus device, unlimited data, customer support, and an online device management platform.
        • After the first year, a new 12-month membership would cost $5 + $5/month, or $65, total.
        • Same as iScale, but with a fancier device.
    • iPulseOx: 12-month membership. $120. 
      • For: Oxygen Management
      • Includes: iPulseOx device, unlimited data, customer support, and an online device management platform.
        • After the first year, a new 12-month membership would cost $5 + $5/month, or $65, total.

Once you have decided on a device, contact Family Care to arrange payment. Our staff will have the device delivered to your home within 2 weeks.

  • The device will be mailed to your home directly from SmartMeter.
  • These devices include free cellular data connections, so you do not need to connect the device to the internet to transfer data.
  • The device will be pre-configured with all information needed to connect to Family Care, making it work (almost) immediately out of the box.

Family Care does not make money on the device, so these prices represent cost + transaction fees, only. We are offering access to SmartMeter devices because we think this is a good product that will save you some time and energy while using the device, making it more likely that you’ll remain compliant and easily track your data without extra tech hurdles to overcome.

PROS: Shipped directly to your home and come pre-configured to link with your Family Care account, so there are no extra apps or steps needed to setup the device. Glucose device costs include unlimited test strips and lancets. Cell-based data uploads, so you do not need to connect to wireless internet to transmit data.

CONS: Must purchase through Family Care. These prices include the first 12 months of use, with an additional monthly fee to renew your SmartMeter account after 12 months.

BILLING INFORMATION

RPM services are billable, but typically covered by insurance. Our team will handle the claims process for you, so you can focus on your health.

  • You will be billed for every 30 minutes worth of medical staff time related to monitoring your data and reacting to abnormal results that need immediate assistance.
  • On average, normal readings take 10-30 seconds and abnormal readings may take 3-10 minutes.
    • Most patients will be billed for 30 minutes once every ~3-4 months.
    • Most insurers pay for this preventive service at 100%, regardless of deductible status.

If you want to verify your insurance coverage for RPM services, you’ll need to reference these specific CPT Codes. The uninsured price is listed below, though specific insurers will have different exact numbers in the same range.

  • 99453 – Initial patient setup and education on use of equipment. $25.
  • 99454 – Delivery of results/reports by practice’s non-provider staff to the physician caring for the patient; every 30 minutes, can be billed up to once every 30 days, actually billed once every ~90 days for most patients. $75.
  • 99457 – 20 minutes of physician’s interpretation and interactive communication with the patient/caregiver every month. $75.

In general, RPM program participation is a preventive service that is covered at 100% by most in-network insurers. You should certainly verify your benefits before enrolling in the program, but direct patient costs are often very low if you have insurance that is already accepted at Family Care.

COMPLETE RPM ENROLLMENT

If you’re interested in enrolling or learning more about the RPM program, please call our office (919-544-6461) and ask for Shenece or Ryan.

  • Sign this agreement to allow Family Care permission to monitor your health information remotely and agreeing to the terms of the program.
  • Make sure you have a Family Care Patient Portal account and access to the healow App.
  • Once you have your device, we will schedule a time with our medical staff to connect your remote account with Family Care and ensure you know how to use your new device.
  • We will walk you through the process to set up the right device and start monitoring your own BP and/or Glucose from your home.

If you are a current patient at Family Care, please contact us with questions at 919-544-6461 or through our online contact form.

Thank you for choosing us to support your healthcare journey!

RPM Brochure for Family CareRPM Brochure for Family Care