What Is Home Health Monitoring?

Home health monitoring uses technology to track a patient’s health remotely, allowing healthcare providers to monitor conditions without frequent in-person visits. Some monitoring tools qualify as durable medical equipment (DME) and may be covered by Medicare if prescribed, while others are consumer-grade devices that are not typically eligible for coverage.

Types of home health monitoring 

• Remote monitoring devices (some qualify as DME): Blood pressure cuffs, glucose monitors, and pulse oximeters that transmit real-time data to doctors, allowing for early detection of health changes. 
• Wearable technology (not typically DME): Smartwatches and medical alert systems that track heart rate, detect falls, and send emergency alerts. While helpful for personal monitoring, these devices are generally not covered by Medicare.
• Telehealth monitoring: Virtual appointments where providers review patient data, adjust treatment plans, and monitor ongoing health conditions without requiring in-person visits.

Who benefits from home health monitoring?

• Seniors managing chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or COPD.
• Patients recovering from surgery who need frequent health updates.
• Individuals at risk of falls or sudden health changes who need continuous tracking.

How Solace can help

A Solace advocate can help you determine which monitoring tools are covered by insurance (including Medicare), coordinate with doctors to secure necessary equipment, and explore community resources for additional support. They can also assist with setting up and troubleshooting home health monitoring devices.