AMA postpones discussion on reform proposal for RPM

The American Medical Association’s (AMA) digital advisors recently postponed a discussion on a reform proposal for Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM). This news, reported in the STAT Health Tech newsletter, has drawn attention from various stakeholders in the health tech sector, especially those who view RPM as a transformative tool in healthcare delivery.

A proposed reform for remote patient monitoring
The AMA, a key player in the American healthcare system, has proposed a significant reform to the RPM process. The proposal’s primary aim is to streamline RPM, making it more accessible for healthcare providers and patients. The AMA believes that RPM, if properly utilized and managed, can transform patient care by enabling real-time monitoring and immediate interventions, thereby improving healthcare outcomes.

One of the key aspects of the proposed reform is the call for increased reimbursement rates for RPM services. The AMA argues that higher reimbursement rates would incentivize healthcare providers to adopt and invest in RPM technologies. This would, in turn, facilitate the widespread use of RPM and help integrate it into standard healthcare practices.

Moreover, the proposal also seeks to provide clearer guidelines for billing and coding. This is expected to reduce confusion, prevent errors, and ensure that RPM services are appropriately compensated. The AMA believes that such steps will help to eliminate existing barriers to the adoption of RPM and encourage more practitioners to incorporate it into their practices.

Addressing the digital divide
The proposed reform also includes measures to address the digital divide – a significant concern in the era of digital health. The divide is characterized by unequal access to digital tools and services, including RPM technology, due to factors such as socioeconomic status, age, and geographic location. By addressing this issue, the AMA hopes to ensure that all patients, regardless of their circumstances, have equal access to RPM technology and the benefits it provides.

The alliance for connected care’s response
In response to the AMA’s proposed RPM reform, the Alliance for Connected Care has voiced its concerns. The Alliance, which recently announced new members and a change in leadership with Chris Adamec taking over as executive director, is dedicated to creating a statutory and regulatory environment that encourages the continued use of telehealth and RPM.

The Alliance has sent a letter to the AMA opposing the creation of new telehealth codes that duplicate services already covered by the Medicare program. They argue that such duplication could lead to confusion and unnecessary expenditure. Instead, the Alliance urges the AMA to ensure that coding for RPM and RTM (real-time monitoring) accurately represents clinical utilization, thereby streamlining the process and reducing the potential for confusion and error.

The postponed discussion on the proposed reform underscores the complexity of implementing changes in healthcare. As the AMA and other stakeholders like the Alliance for Connected Care navigate this complex issue, the goal remains the same: to harness the potential of RPM to improve patient care and health outcomes. Medriva