CapMedic helps patients use their inhalers regularly and correctly while also measuring their lung function at home. Here’s how physicians can get inhaler training and lung function tracking covered:
In-Clinic Inhaler Training:
Physicians can teach the correct inhaler use to their patients using CapMedic Trainer kit. Patients use disposable placebo inhalers (not containing any medication) to practice the correct inhaler technique on their own. CapMedic records, stores and provides a detailed report of the training session to the physician/nurse/respiratory therapist who can review the patients inhaler technique and improvements through training. Providers can use the following code for reimbursement:
Inhaler technique evaluation and training 94664-59:
Demonstration and/or evaluation of patient utilization of an aerosol generator, nebulizer, metered dose inhaler or IPPB device can be used demonstrating (teaching) patients to use an aerosol-generating device property.
How to use CapMedic Trainer kit:
- CapMedic Inhaler training tool uses its automated audio interface to train the patient on how to correctly use the inhaler.
- The device can be provided to the patient in the waiting room with the relevant training documents.
- The patient can practice the correct use of inhaler with CapMedic on their own.
CapMedic provides a printed report (and pdf) of inhaler technique training. The nurse spends 5-10 mins during the visit to introduce the device and teach the first use. This will reduce the nurse’s time in interacting and training with the patient as the device does most of the legwork and provides quantified data.
The national average reimbursement amount (2018) is ~ $18 (Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS))
CapMedic for Remote Home Monitoring:
Patients can also use CapMedic for regularly tracking their lung function as well as to correctly use their personal control or rescue inhalers at home.
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) codes (99453, 99454, 99457, 99458)
Physicians can now use the RPM codes for getting reimbursement for patients who use CapMedic at home.
What’s RPM? CMS states that “Chronic care remote physiologic monitoring (RPM) services involve the collection, analysis, and interpretation of digitally collected physiologic data, followed by the development of a treatment plan, and the managing of a patient under the treatment plan.”
What’s eligible? For monitoring through RPM, patients must use a medical device as defined by FDA and collect physiologic data such as flow rates, glucose measurements (note that medication usage/ adherence is not physiologic data).
CapMedic is a Class II FDA cleared medical device and eligible for monitoring lung function and inhaler use through the RPM codes. Use CapMedic to monitor physiologic data:
- Lung function – PEF, FEV1 measured by CapMedic to record lung health are expiratory flow rate-based physiologic data.
- Inhaler use parameters of inhalation and coordination during dosage are inspiratory flow-based physiologic data that correlates directly with medication deposition in the lungs.
The RPM codes 9945x cover setup/installation, device rentals, and data review. For more information please refer to the CMS Fee Schedule and this nice guide on RPM.
Disclaimer: The information provided on reimbursement for CapMedic on this post is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. The information is based on CMS guides and may change at any time. The provider must conduct own research before filing claims for devices and services.
