Telemonitoring & cardiac implants: A sensible combination
Did you know? Heart failure patients with cardiac implants also benefit from additional telemonitoring with external devices, which cardiological practices can bill via EBM. In this article, we show you why this patient group is particularly suitable for monitoring with SaniQ HERZ.
Did you know? Heart failure patients with cardiac implants also benefit from additional telemonitoring with external devices, which cardiological practices can bill via EBM. In this article, we show you why this patient group is particularly suitable for monitoring with SaniQ HERZ.
It is important for medical assistants in cardiological practices to know: The presence of a cardiac implant (ICD, CRT-P or CRT-D) is No exclusion criterion The combination of both monitoring systems is a sensible option for monitoring parameters such as weight and blood pressure that are not recorded by invasive devices.
Advantages of combined monitoring
Although cardiac implants have integrated monitoring functions, these are primarily focussed on the functionality of the device itself and specific cardiac arrhythmias. In heart failure, however, other parameters are of crucial importance that are not recorded by the internal monitoring of cardiac implants.
External telemonitoring of vital parameters such as blood pressure and weight therefore offers additional benefits:
- Early detection of decompensation: Fluctuations in weight and blood pressure can herald the onset of decompensation.
- Reduced hospitalisation rate: Hospitalisation can be avoided by recognising deterioration at an early stage.
- Improved therapy control: The additional data enables a more precise adjustment of the drug therapy.
Additional billing via the EBM
The new GOPs for telemonitoring with external devices support rhythm implant monitoring:
- Telemonitoring using external devices: GOP 40910 + GOP 13586
- Reimbursement is possible in addition to the regular rhythm implant check (GOP 13574)
- Billing is independent of the type of device implanted, as long as the diagnosis of heart failure is present and the inclusion criteria are met
Identification & connection of suitable patients
MFAs in cardiology practices should also specifically consider patients from rhythm implant monitoring for telemonitoring and draw attention to the additional benefits.
When identifying suitable patients with cardiac implants, you should follow the QS-V TmHi following Prerequisites note:
- diagnosed heart failure (independent of the implant)
- Stage NYHA-II or NYHA-III
- Ejection fraction < 40 %
And this is the best way to connect with suitable candidates:
- 1. go through patient lists: Systematic review of patients with pacemaker/ICD for additional diagnosis of heart failure
- 2. organisation of consultation hours: Scheduling a brief information session on telemonitoring as part of the regular implant check-ups
- 3. familiarisation of the patients: Support with the initial setup of the SaniQ HERZ app.
Sources:
- Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung & GKV-Spitzenverband: Quality Assurance Agreement Telemonitoring in Heart Failure. 2022.
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