Medicare Proposes Ban on Vendors Providing Remote Patient Monitoring

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Medicare regulators on Tuesday proposed to ban vendors from providing remote patient monitoring services on behalf of doctors, a major policy change for a rapidly growing care model that’s been the subject of increasing scrutiny.

Medicare has covered remote patient monitoring since 2018, and payments ballooned to over $500 million in 2024. The proposed change follows widespread concern from the health department’s watchdog, academics, and insurers that the current remote monitoring system is paying for low-value services. If finalized, the rule would impact a large percentage of remote monitoring care as it’s delivered today.

The update comes as the Trump administration moves to rein in fraud and wasteful spending in the Medicare program. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services also recently launched an alternative model to pay for digital health services.

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