Remote Patient Monitoring and Chronic Care Management: Associated Physicians Group
ALTON - Associated Physicians Group has introduced new care options for patients who are managing chronic conditions.
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Remote Patient Monitoring allows patients to take their own blood pressure every day. This number is electronically submitted to the Alton office, where a staff member reviews it. Chronic Care Management organizes a monthly phone call between a patient and a staff member so they can go over the patient’s medications and concerns.
Dr. Christopher Green noted that both of these services are relatively new and rare, but available in Alton. He believes Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) can prevent “catastrophic” events, while Chronic Care Management (CCM) makes it easier for patients and APG to work together.
“We’ll be the leaders in the community providing the service,” he said. “We are basically opening up two new programs out of our practice, which are only being provided by about 3% of primary care practices in the country right now.”
Green said the office is enrolling eight to 12 new patients in the RPM program every week. These patients typically are diagnosed with a condition like hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes or atrial fibrillation.
Patients take their blood pressure every day using their equipment at home. A staff member then reviews the number and alerts a supervising physician if there is an abnormality.
This program has already prevented several emergency room visits. The goal is to minimize the risk of heart attack or stroke.
“I’m convinced we’ve already prevented a handful of emergency room visits or, in one case, I think one of these patients would have had a catastrophic problem if we hadn’t been able to get our hands on them, and they felt fine. So sometimes it’s pre-symptomatic,” Green explained.
On the other hand, CCM is a monthly phone call where the patient can review their medications and talk through any difficulties they have in managing their health. Green and the team at APG understand that some people face non-medical challenges when caring for their health, like barriers to transportation or affordability. The CCM phone call allows APG to connect patients with resources.
Green also believes CCM “keeps patients on track” and helps them manage their medications. To qualify, patients must have two or more chronic diagnoses and take medication.
Green pointed out that some patients take upwards of five medications every day, and it can be difficult to keep track of them all. But he believes this is worth it if the medications are working.
“It sounds like a lot of medications, and it is, but if you look at the outcomes, people are living longer,” he said. “They’re living healthier and they’re spending fewer days in the hospital. That’s what it translates into. And living longer is one thing, but they’re living more independently for longer. Their functional status is better.”
Certain Medicare plans cover most of the cost for both RPM and CCM. Green noted that the office is currently working to get their Medicare patients “situated.” After this, they will introduce RPM and CCM to patients with commercial insurance.
Green hopes both services help patients feel more empowered and supported when caring for their health.
“The security…is just huge,” he added. “It’s like having a guardian angel.”
For more information about Remote Patient Monitoring or Chronic Care Management through Associated Physicians Group in Alton, visit the official Associated Physicians Group website or call their office at 888-363-8333.
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