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MEDTECH RPM in Hypertension Care: Improved Outcomes with Increased Spending
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is gaining traction as a vital tool for enhancing the management of chronic diseases, particularly hypertension. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of RPM on care outcomes and financial implications for hypertension patients, employing a matched observational study design to mimic a longitudinal, cluster-randomized trial. By examining patient outcomes between 2019 and 2021, the research sheds light on the practical benefits and costs associated with integrating RPM into hypertension care strategies.
Study Design:
- Participants: Patients with hypertension enrolled in Traditional Medicare, involving 192 high-RPM practices (19,978 patients) and 942 low-RPM control practices (95,029 patients).
- Methodology: Matched observational study emulating a longitudinal, cluster randomized trial, focusing on hypertension care outcomes and spending from 2019 to 2021.
- Intervention: Care received at high-RPM practices compared with matched control practices with minimal RPM use.
Key Findings:
- Medication Management: High-RPM practices saw a 3.3% increase in medication fills, a 1.6% rise in days’ supply, and a 1.3% boost in unique medications received by patients.
- Acute Care and Testing: There was a 9.3% reduction in hypertension-related acute care encounters and a 5.9% decrease in testing use among high-RPM practice patients.
- Outpatient Visits and Spending: Patients at high-RPM practices experienced a 7.2% increase in primary care visits and a significant rise in total hypertension-related spending by $274.
HCN Medical Memo
Patients in high-RPM practices had improved hypertension care outcomes but increased spending. And, according to the American Heart Association, nearly half of adults in the United States have hypertension, yet only 24% have their condition under control.
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