Remote patient monitoring (RPM) delivered through simple text messages and phone calls is gaining traction as a way to scale long-term condition management and value-based care (VBC). By removing the need for connected devices and meeting patients on familiar channels, the approach aims to drive engagement, improve adherence and streamline clinical workflows. Plain-language prompts are used to widen accessibility and support multiple programmes, including congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes and depression.
Proponents of the approach highlight earlier risk detection through self-reported symptoms and readings, reduced technical barriers for patients and less troubleshooting for clinicians. The model also extends beyond biometrics to behavioural health concerns, post-discharge issues and social determinants of health.
Meeting Patients Where They Are
Deviceless RPM removes logistical hurdles associated with shipping and managing Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices. Rather than relying on connected hardware, patients respond to automated prompts by text or voice with self-reported readings and symptoms aligned to their programme. Many already use basic blood pressure cuffs, glucose monitors or scales, so submitting values by phone feels familiar and quick. This lowers friction, supports consistent participation and generates a steady stream of data that can be filtered to surface emerging risk. Care teams are reassured when most patients are stable while those trending in the wrong direction are flagged for timely attention.
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The approach broadens the data available for decision-making. In addition to biometrics, patients can share symptom-level information that device-only pathways would miss, such as swelling or breathlessness relevant to heart failure. It also captures qualitative inputs linked to behavioural health, post-discharge challenges and social determinants of health. That wider lens creates a more complete picture of stability or deterioration and supports earlier, targeted intervention without placing clinicians in the role of technical support. Even patients with limited call or messaging allowances can participate, supporting inclusion without additional hardware burdens for organisations or patients.
Scaling Chronic Care Under Value-Based Models
Shifting from fee-for-service (FFS) to VBC requires tools that make proactive, population-level management sustainable. Deviceless RPM reorients the workflow from manual outbound calls to an inbound flow of patient-reported signals. The near real-time stream enables care teams to focus on the 5% to 10% of patients who are high risk and high cost before conditions escalate to emergency department (ED) attendances. For overstretched staff managing growing panels, this concentrates effort where it is most needed and improves patient satisfaction by removing device setup and troubleshooting.
Operationally, the model integrates within existing electronic health record (EHR) processes, with predefined scripts and clear alert resolution pathways. That alignment supports consistent review, pre-visit planning and thorough chart preparation. Short term, FFS organisations can scale chronic care management (CCM) and increase CCM revenue capture by engaging more patients with less overhead. Longer term, the same infrastructure positions organisations to manage larger panels under VBC without proportional increases in staffing. By continually collecting symptom and contextual data alongside biometrics, the approach supports whole-person virtual care across physical, mental and social needs, areas where device-only RPM has limited reach.
Operational Gains and Reported Outcomes
Advocates point to immediate efficiency gains as automation replaces manual outreach and converts dispersed check-ins into actionable alerts. Continuous collection of patient-reported data allows risk stratification and timely escalation. Over time, this forms a longitudinal view that helps prevent avoidable utilisation, supports proactive contact and makes appointments more productive. Care manager-to-patient ratios can expand substantially, with reported scaling from one to 100 up to one to 1,000 without compromising quality.
One implementation at Mankato Clinic illustrates outcomes across cost, quality, operations and satisfaction. The clinic deployed a deviceless programme for high- and rising-risk accountable care organisation (ACO) and Medicaid populations across depression, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, heart failure and COPD. Monitoring ran through texts and calls, with responses automatically risk-categorised and alerts sent to care managers. Reported financial outcomes included $1.5 million (€1.29 million) in cost savings and growth in billable CCM instances from 3% to 17%. Operationally, care manager caseloads scaled from one to 100 to one to 1,000 patients. Clinically, 122 ED (A&E) visits were averted, high-risk Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) depression patients fell by 10.5%, average systolic blood pressure decreased by 20.77 mmHg, and average HbA1c dropped by 2.3 points for diabetes patients. Patient feedback indicated improved communication and clearer understanding of when to seek help.
Deviceless RPM positions virtual care to scale by using familiar channels to capture frequent, relevant patient data without the complexity of connected devices. The model widens visibility beyond biometrics to symptoms, behavioural health and social context, supports targeted intervention, and aligns daily workflows with longer-term value-based goals. Reported implementations show gains across financial performance, operational efficiency and clinical outcomes, with care teams able to manage larger panels and intervene earlier. For organisations navigating the transition to VBC, deviceless RPM offers a practical route to expand reach, focus resources and support whole-person care at population scale.
Source: Healthcare IT News
Image Credit: iStock
