Remote monitoring of patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: A Health Technology Assessment

KCE Reports 345C (2021)

Each year, in Belgium, around 15,000 people have a pacemaker or defibrillator-type of heart device fitted. Some of these patients have their devices monitored remotely, but this service is not currently reimbursed. KCE was asked to assess the efficacy and the cost-effectiveness of this remote monitoring, and to examine the extent to which it would be desirable to reimburse the services of the health professionals concerned.
After analysing all the available parameters, KCE reached the conclusion that remote cardiac monitoring is equally as safe and effective (but no more) as traditional monitoring via hospital visits, and that the services of the health professionals for this remote service should therefore be reimbursed in the same way. It proposes starting with temporary reimbursement, in order to clarify, first of all, the many uncertainties surrounding the effective use of this remote medicine technology.