Episode 22
Interview with Dr. Marc Gruner from Limber about Remote Therapeutic Monitoring
June 20th, 2023
42 mins 37 secs
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About this Episode
- Introduction of a new product called Aging Here newsletter
- Request for subscriptions and feedback for Aging Here
- Introduction of guest Dr. Marc Gruner from Limber Health
- Marc's background as a physician and entrepreneur
- Marc's involvement in creating new CPT codes for RTM
- Introduction to Limber Health and its solution for improving therapy adherence
- Explanation of how Limber's app helps monitor and track exercises at home
- Importance of home exercise therapy for better outcomes
- Potential for house calls in physical therapy
- Challenges with traditional paper printouts for home exercises
- Importance of creating a sustainable lifestyle of exercising at home
- Average age of patients receiving remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM)
- Problems solved by Limber: confusion, compliance, unnecessary surgeries, cost reduction
- Frustration as a physician prescribing physical therapy
- Barriers to successful therapy: cost, time, travel
- Need for codes to support RTM model
- Involvement in the development of new RTM codes
- Importance of a good business model for providers
- Collaboration with AMA and other stakeholders to develop new codes
- Importance of filling out forms and persevering through the process
- Overview of the process for physical therapists using Limber Health
- Risk stratification and evaluation of patients' pain and function
- Selection of exercises for patients to do at home through a portal
- Care navigators reaching out to patients and monitoring their progress
- Remote monitoring of exercises and tracking pain and function
- Providers are the buyers and pay for the services
- Difference between RTM and RPM billing: RTM can be billed by various providers including physical therapists
- Potential impact on revenue for physical therapists and improved patient outcomes
- Providers, including physicians, PAs, NPs, and physical therapists, can bill RTM codes
- Reimbursement for RTM codes varies based on billable milestones achieved
- Limber and similar companies support providers with technology and clinical services
- RTM codes can be used in fee-for-service and value-based care models
- Limber aims to lower total cost of care and improve patient outcomes
- Maryland offers innovative value-based care models through programs like Equip
- Providers can sign up for Limber's services through a contract and training process
- Participating providers may receive shared savings in value-based care models
- Patients are informed and consent is obtained for remote therapeutic monitoring
- Patient awareness of risk-taking in value-based care models may vary and can be addressed with the state of Maryland
- Limber does not have a direct-to-consumer model but works with provider groups in various states
- Providers using Limber's system can be identified through partnerships and collaborations
- Compliance with therapy can potentially offset or delay the cost of procedures like knee replacements.