Kim A. Schwartz is the Chief Executive Officer of Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center. Hertford County, where RCCHC operates, has high rates of poverty and uninsured residents compared to state and national averages. RCCHC has implemented a remote patient monitoring program that has led to statistically significant reductions in hospital and emergency room charges for monitored diseases. This program is estimated to save $4.5 million annually. Remote patient monitoring could save billions annually for conditions like congestive heart failure, diabetes, and COPD nationwide. RCCHC must navigate challenges to serve vulnerable populations through partnerships and innovative solutions.

1. Kim A. Schwartz
Chief Executive Officer
Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center

2. Eastern North Carolina
The per capita income for Hertford County is $15,641, compared to $20,307
for the state, and $21,587 for the country.
US Congressional District 1 – ranked 4th poorest in the nation.
18% of county residents
incomes below 100% of the
Poverty Level
the national rate of
have
Federal
(FPL), compared to
12.3%.
nationally
health
Hertford
c
North Carolina ranks 12th
in terms of the numbers of
are uninsured individuals.
County uninsured is at
25.6%

4. RCCHC RPM
NC Network
Piedmont Health
Services
Ocracoke
Medical Center
Roanoke Chowan
Community
Health Center
Robeson Health
Care Corporation
Chowan Hospital
HRSA OAT
Gateway
Community
Health Center
Solid Foundations
Wake Health
Services
NC ORH
Kinston
Community
Health Center
Greene County
Health Services
East Carolina
Heart Institute
Rural Health Group

5. Hospital and ER Charges
n=64
Statistically Significant Reductions
Hospital Charges
24 mos. post Telehealth = $438
ER Charges
24 mos. post Telehealth = $44
Analyzed Charges are related to diseases being monitored
RCCHC/PPTN Patient Charge Data Ending June 2009
k
k

6. Estimated Savings
Hospitalization Charges
$4,362,000
Emergency Room Charges
$212,000
Total Savings
$4.5 Million

7. Remote Patient Monitoring
How do we pay for it?
Annual savings from remote monitoring could
amount to as much as $10.1 Billion for U.S.
Residents with congestive heart failure; $6.1
billion for patients with diabetes; and $4.9 billion
for patients with COPD.
-Wall Street Journal Report

8. Emerging Trends
 Aging of Population
 Increased costs
 Wireless
 Government pressure
 Efficiencies
 Dwindling economic
 Industry Alliances
resources
 Decreased healthcare
staffing
 Emphasis on error
reduction
 Cost-effectiveness
 Healthcare market
emphasis on patient
experience

9. Navigating the Future – Primary Care
Resources
Affordable Care
Act
ACO’s
Remote
Meaningful Use
Patient
Monitoring
PCMH
Long Term Care
Options
Changing Payer
Structure

10. Challenges and Opportunities
• Vulnerable populations – rural & urban
• Equipment/Vendor issues
• Connectivity
• Provider adoption
• Staffing

11. Establishing Innovative Partnerships

12. Kim A. Schwartz
Chief Executive Officer
kschwartz@rcchc.org
252-209-0237