Remote Patient Monitoring in Louisiana Medicare Beneficiaries With Diabetes or Hypertension: Retrospective Cohort Study of 2016-2020 Claims Data

This study is among the first large, claims-based evaluations of RPM in older adults with diabetes or hypertension using a beneficiary- and time-fixed-effects design. We identify a pattern of increased health care utilization following RPM initiation, followed by a gradual decline that does not fully offset the initial increase. By characterizing utilization trajectories and not clinical endpoints, this study helps reconcile inconsistent findings in prior RPM research and highlights the importance of implementation factors in Medicare populations. Strategies to maximize the value of RPM may include appropriate population targeting, patient education on digital health technologies, and clinician workflow support to support effective integration into routine care.