From the Desk of the CEO

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is the use of digital technology that allows providers to monitor and assess medical and other health data from patients outside of the traditional in-person or telehealth visit structure. Information is electronically transmitted to providers for review, which allows for the management of acute and chronic health conditions by taking into account more comprehensive data.

Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) is a specific designation from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). To receive this designation, the clinic has to increase access to primary care services for patients in rural underserved communities.

In 1992, Medicare updated its payment system with the aid of the American Medical Association (AMA) to establish a standardized physician fee schedule based upon relative value units (RVUs).¹ RVUs define the value of a health care service relative to all other health care services based upon the extent of the provider’s work, practice resources (both clinical and nonclinical), malpractice insurance, and expertise needed to deliver the service to patients.² RVUs are the basis of the Resource-Based Relative Value Scale used by CMS to determine health care providers’ payment.¹

The Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) is an independent, nonprofit national organization dedicated to improving medication safety, adherence, and appropriate use. A measure developer, researcher, educator and convener, PQA’s quality initiatives support better medication use and high-quality care.

A Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) is a private organization responsible for managing policies and processing Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, and durable medical equipment (DME) claims for Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) beneficiaries.¹