Dr. Ahmed Siddiqi, an orthopedic surgeon based in New Jersey, has implemented digital, remote, and hybrid care models to improve patient engagement and monitoring during recovery. He chose to implement Force Therapeutics’ digital care platform to improve his team’s reach and raise patient satisfaction levels. The Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) codes have created an opportunity for Siddiqi to expand his practice’s reach and raise patient satisfaction levels while also generating cost savings. Successful RTM reimbursement requires a minimum level of patient engagement and a thoughtful process of rethinking the way providers care for their patients in an increasingly digital care landscape.
Dr. Ahmed Siddiqi, an orthopedic surgeon based in New Jersey, has begun using digital, remote, and hybrid care models to improve patient engagement and monitoring. Although the pandemic was a factor in this shift, Siddiqi was also looking for ways to improve the patient experience and prevent adverse events during recovery. Historically, providers have limited visibility into their patients’ progress during recovery, but by leveraging digital care management tools, providers can monitor patients more closely and intervene earlier when necessary.
Siddiqi began searching for a new digital care solution in late 2022, as he found the ones currently available to be insufficient for his needs. He ultimately chose to implement Force Therapeutics’ digital care platform to improve his team’s reach and raise patient satisfaction levels. By moving more elements of in-person care into the home, such as virtual check-ins, education, and physical therapy, Siddiqi was able to solve more substantial problems and provide his patients with ongoing access to the resources they need.
Siddiqi’s practice was already doing many of the activities that are now reimbursable under the new Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) codes, such as providing patient education and engaging with patients consistently during their care journey via the digital care platform. The Force Therapeutics platform regularly monitors patient-reported outcomes both in terms of standardized forms, such as HOOS Jr., KOOS Jr., or PROMIS Global, as well as other non-physiological measures, such as pain and range of motion. By making this time reimbursable, CMS has created an incentive for providers to quantify remote patient engagement to meet the minimum engagement requirements for reimbursement.
The RTM codes have created an opportunity for Siddiqi to expand his practice’s reach and raise patient satisfaction levels. He has already seen a significant return on investment from his use of the Force Therapeutics platform and is projecting upwards of $100,000 in RTM reimbursement by the end of 2023. In addition, the cost savings from his use of the platform are expected to be $2-3 million over one year.
Siddiqi’s advice to other providers looking to implement RTM is to find a solution that has a demonstrable track record of exceptional patient engagement. Successful RTM reimbursement requires a minimum level of patient engagement, so providers need a solution that allows for direct and effective communication with patients to guide them toward care goals. The success of RTM also depends on a thoughtful process of rethinking the way providers care for their patients to be more aligned with an increasingly digital care landscape.
As both public and private payers continue to incentivize behaviors via digital technologies, patient care, and satisfaction will improve, and the national healthcare cost burden will decrease. Siddiqi is looking forward to hearing about the experiences of other providers in other states across the country as the adoption of RTM technology expands. Patients and providers alike have much to gain from this progress.
