AMC Health remote monitoring program helps Medicare Advantage members who have CHF

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are working with AMC Health to offer remote patient monitoring to eligible members with congestive heart failure. This offering, which went into effect Aug. 1, 2020, is available to BCN Advantage℠ and Medicare Plus Blue℠ members.

The goal of the program is to reduce avoidable inpatient and outpatient utilization by improving member self-management skills. Through remote monitoring and self-management education provided by the AMC Health team, we expect to reduce gaps in care and help members:

• Improve medication adherence
• Improve their diet and make other lifestyle changes that may improve their conditions
• Improve communication with their physicians

Our care management team identifies members for the program, using criteria based on their diagnosis and claims. The team will refer members to the program for up to 12 months.

Patients who agree to participate in this program use simple monitoring devices to measure their vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, body weight and glucose level). Results will be compared against nationally accepted standards. Care managers follow up with patients whose results are outside the normal range.

Each participating member’s primary care physician has the ability to customize the program so that it’s consistent with their treatment plan for the patient. When members are referred to the program, AMC Health sends providers a welcome fax informing them of the patient’s participation in the program.

We’re planning to expand the program in the future for members with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.