Modivcare Inc. (Nasdaq: MODV), a technology-enabled healthcare services company focused on improving health outcomes through integrated supportive care solutions, has successfully completed an 18-month Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) pilot program. This initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH), aimed to enhance healthcare delivery in three rural hospitals in Michigan through its Higi service.
The pilot program, funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund’s 2022 Special Projects and Emerging Ideas Initiative, aimed to enhance digital health capacity and access to care in three rural critical access hospitals. Conducted at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, McKenzie Health System, and Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, this initiative demonstrated significant success in improving patient outcomes and reducing the clinical burden on healthcare providers.
In these communities, which have an average population of 2,000, the program enrolled 117 patients with conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and congestive heart failure, achieving an enrollment rate of 48.72%. Patients referred by their primary care providers engaged at rates more than eight times higher than those referred by letter or cold call.
Of the patients monitored, a group of 46 experienced six months of consistent engagement and blood pressure monitoring. Among them, the proportion of patients with controlled blood pressure doubled, rising from 39% to 78%. Those with uncontrolled hypertension saw average reductions of 27 mmHg systolic and 11 mmHg diastolic, significantly lowering their risk of major cardiovascular events. Many patients also reported improvements in blood glucose and weight.
The program proved particularly beneficial for homebound patients or those with limited social support, highlighting RPM’s role in addressing care gaps in rural areas. Despite some connectivity challenges, the use of cellular-enabled devices resulted in a device failure rate of less than 10%.
“This pilot has shown that combining relationship-driven care with technology can transform rural healthcare,” said L. Heath Sampson, Modivcare’s President and CEO. “RPM fosters personal care relationships while improving efficiency for healthcare teams, enhancing the well-being of Michigan’s rural residents.”
Dr. Michael Beaulieu, Chief Medical Officer at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, added, “RPM can reshape rural healthcare, providing continuous care beyond traditional settings while alleviating clinician workloads.”
Following the pilot, two hospitals continued to offer RPM as a service, and a comprehensive Remote Patient Monitoring Playbook was developed to guide other healthcare organizations in implementing RPM solutions for underserved populations.
John Barnas, Executive Director of the Michigan Center for Rural Health, expressed gratitude to the participating hospitals, noting their positive impact on patient health and their contributions to broader healthcare improvements.
As RPM technology advances, healthcare organizations nationwide are increasingly adopting these tools for proactive, personalized care. Through this initiative, Modivcare and MCRH are addressing healthcare access challenges in underserved areas.
About Modivcare
Modivcare Inc. (Nasdaq: MODV) is a technology-enabled healthcare services company that provides integrated supportive care solutions for public and private payors. Our value-based solutions focus on social determinants of health (SDoH), improving access to care, reducing costs, and enhancing outcomes. We are a leading provider of non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), personal care, and remote patient monitoring.
