CareFirst to Cover Remote Patient Monitoring

Coverage Begins February 1

Effective February 1, 2021 CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc. (CareFirst) will cover remote patient monitoring for patients discharged from an inpatient facility or emergency room where treatment was received for any of the following diagnoses:

  • Heart Failure
  • Heart Failure Chronic Hypertension
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Heart Failure
  • Covid-19

Remote patient monitoring must be ordered within 60 days of the patient’s discharge date and requires a prescription from either the discharging provider or the patient’s primary care or specialty care provider. Detailed information will be available in our Medical Policy Reference Manual, medical policy number 2.01.084 Remote Patient Monitoring, January 31.

Have a patient with Diabetes who would benefit from remote monitoring?

In May, CareFirst along with Onduo*, a leading diabetes management company, launched the CareFirst Diabetes Virtual Care Program. This program, which focuses on stabilizing patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, is available at no cost to eligible** CareFirst members as part of their health plan.

Patients aged 18 and older in moderate to high-need living with type 2 diabetes, as shown by their A1c, weight and diabetes distress level could benefit from this program. A smartphone is required for participation. Patients can self-refer at Onduo.com/CareFirstRefer.

*This program is provided by Onduo, LLC an independent company that does not provide Blue Cross Blue Shield products or services.

**The program covers eligible CareFirst members with the exception of Medicare Primary and Supplemental, CareFirst Administrators, the Federal Employee Program with a preferred provider plan and select large employer group accounts. Member eligibility will be checked at registration. Patients who are pregnant, have certain disease states or a diagnosis of severe or end stage kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure, organ transplant, or bone marrow transplants are not eligible.