Nearly 50% of U.S. counties don’t have a cardiologist, according to a 2024 report in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Rural communities are affected the most, with 86.2% reporting an average drive of more than 85 miles to the nearest cardiologist.

Unfortunately, these rural communities are also disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease. The report found that counties without a cardiologist had a 31% higher risk index, more risk factors, and higher mortality rates.

Rural healthcare – and healthcare in general – needs more doctors and better access, and not just in the field of cardiology. We’ve known for some time that America has a physician shortage problem that limits access for millions of patients. Now, reports like the one above are beginning to show the repercussions of that shortage.

There’s no easy solution to the problem, but the good news is that virtual care can help.

How CCM and RPM Improve Rural Healthcare Access

Chronic care management (CCM) and remote patient monitoring (RPM) help bridge the care gap by giving doctors a viable way to monitor patient conditions remotely. These programs help relieve the burden of chronic care management for practice staff who may already be working at or above capacity. The result is that patients with chronic conditions require fewer in-person visits and still get the ongoing monitoring that they need. Doctors have more time to see patients in person, improving overall patient access.

Here’s how CCM and RPM can help improve outcomes and access to care for patients in rural communities or those without a doctor:

  • Monthly Phone Calls – Patients receive a call from a care coordinator each month to check in, ensure care plan adherence, and answer any questions.
  • Vitals Monitoring – With RPM, patients receive devices to monitor their care at home so providers can keep a close eye on blood pressure, blood sugar, oxygen, and more.
  • Medication Management – Care coordinators ensure patients are taking their medicine as prescribed, which helps doctors know whether changes are needed.
  • Early Detection – Because CCM and RPM provide regular updates on patient health and vitals, doctors can detect changes in health earlier. Care coordinators are trained to escalate issues based on specific criteria, so doctors know immediately if they need to address an issue.
  • Fewer Hospitalizations and ED Visits – When patients don’t have access to a doctor who can provide regular preventive care, they may end up in the hospital more frequently. CCM and RPM reduce admission and re-admission rates by identifying issues early. These programs can also reduce the need for an ED visit due to an undetected change in health.

Consider this example:

A patient named Joe has been diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. Joe lives in a rural town with no doctor’s office. To see a doctor, he has to drive 45 minutes into the city, which means he doesn’t go as often as he should. Joe’s wife is concerned that he’s had less energy lately and seems to get out of breath quickly.

Problem: Joe’s symptoms may be early warning signs of heart disease. If he doesn’t see a doctor, his condition could quickly escalate into a heart attack.

How CCM and RPM Make the Difference: If Joe’s doctor has partnered with a CCM and RPM provider, then Joe will receive devices he can use to record his vitals readings at home. His doctor can monitor his vitals history over time, making it easy to see when there has been a change. Joe will also receive a monthly phone call from a care coordinator who will ask how he’s doing, make sure he’s taking his medication as prescribed, and answer any questions. The care coordinator can immediately let Joe’s doctor know about the recent symptoms he’s been experiencing so he can schedule a visit.

Delivering Value-Based Care, One Patient at a Time

The healthcare industry as a whole has begun to recognize the importance of improving the quality of patient care by focusing on patient experiences and outcomes rather than just providing services. Known as value-based care, this emphasis can improve patient health, lower overall healthcare costs, and promote better communication among healthcare providers serving the same patient.

This focus on outcomes is especially important for communities with limited access to doctors. Key components of a value-based care model for rural healthcare include care coordination, health monitoring, and patient education. CCM and RPM programs provide all these elements, making them important tools physicians can use to improve outcomes for their patients.

At HealthXL, we understand the critical importance of delivering the best possible care for every patient. That’s why we emphasize process adherence, quality assurance, and patient engagement in our service model, and it’s why we consistently see improved health outcomes for the patients we serve.

Ready to explore how HealthXL’s CCM and RPM service can support your practice? Learn how we can partner with you.