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A Guide to Remote Patient Monitoring and Diabetes

Published: 8/7/2020Updated: 9/2/20257 Min Readauthor-drew-kearneDrew KearneChief Strategy Officer

The Problems Facing Diabetes Management

A large population of diabetic patients still faces barriers to accessing the tools needed to manage their health effectively and safely each day.

Recognizing early symptoms of diabetes is critical for timely diagnosis and intervention. These symptoms may include:

  • Increased thirst
  • Blurred vision
  • Frequent urination
  • Increased appetite
  • Numbness or tingling in the feet
  • Fatigue
  • Unexplained weight gain or loss

Unfortunately, the recurring cost of daily consumables—many not covered by insurance—makes it difficult for patients to consistently monitor their health. Most RPM services and devices do not eliminate this burden, leaving patients without the data they need to prevent complications.

Despite the availability of technology that solves many of diabetes’s daily challenges, access remains a significant issue.

Service Solutions

Tellihealth offers a unique and socially responsible system for managing diabetes that improves outcomes while reducing healthcare costs. Unlike traditional models, Tellihealth provides unlimited, no-cost consumables and devices to patients for as long as they’re active on the program.

One key benefit of Tellihealth’s platform is increased data frequency—patients take more readings, giving doctors a clearer picture of ongoing care and enabling preventive intervention. This proactive model reduces emergency risks and can help lower premiums system-wide.

By eliminating the cost barrier and simplifying device usage, Tellihealth empowers patients to manage their health at home while enabling clinicians to track health status in real time. This leads to faster responses and better care.

Tellihealth’s innovation isn’t just about new tech—it’s about applying existing advancements in ways that meet the real-life needs of diabetic patients. By solving problems like device affordability and access, Tellihealth redefines chronic care.

Devices for Remote Diabetic Patient Monitoring

RPM has transformed diabetes care. With real-time data, instant alerts, and remote monitoring, patients can now manage their condition more easily than ever.

RPM enables real-time glucose tracking, helping patients and providers avoid complications from sudden spikes or dips.

A study titled “Supported Telemonitoring and Glycemic Control in People with Type 2 Diabetes” examined 321 patients—half used RPM, the other half used traditional home monitoring. The RPM group, using Bluetooth-enabled devices and a feedback app, saw significantly better control of both blood pressure and blood glucose. The control group saw no such improvements.

The results speak clearly: RPM is especially well-suited for diseases like diabetes that require constant monitoring and quick feedback. It’s a perfect match for the day-to-day realities of managing this condition.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring vs Traditional Devices

While all RPM devices benefit diabetic patients, their effectiveness varies based on diabetes type.

For Type 1 diabetes, Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) are ideal. They reduce the frequency of finger sticks and support pediatric patients whose caregivers need real-time visibility.

However, for Type 2 diabetes—which accounts for 90–95% of all diabetes cases—CGMs often aren’t practical. Type 2 patients typically need 1–3 readings daily, and CGMs still require calibration with finger stick readings, creating redundancy.

For these patients, finger stick devices with real-time connectivity are more effective. Tellihealth’s 4G LTE-connected glucometers automatically send readings to providers, removing the need for manual logging. The platform also supplies unlimited free consumable refills.

Patients still need to perform finger sticks, but the hassle of tracking and supplies is eliminated.

Find Out More About RPM Services

Tellihealth represents a significant shift in diabetes care. By tackling real-world barriers—like supply costs and data access—Tellihealth provides painless, effective, and modern solutions for diabetes management.

Learn more about Tellihealth’s RPM services and how they can improve quality of life for people living with diabetes at www.tellihealth.com.