CMS Proposes Restricting Third-Party Provision Of Medicare Remote Monitoring Services

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed prohibiting Medicare reimbursement for remote physiologic monitoring (RPM) and remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) services when they are provided ("furnished") by clinical staff contracted through a third party. CMS said it does not believe these arrangements provide the billing practitioner with adequate oversight and management of the services.

Generally, remote monitoring devices collect vital signs or data related to adherence to at-home therapeutic interventions. RPM includes systems that remotely monitor physiologic measures such as weight, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry to help track a beneficiary's condition and inform clinical . . .