Why RPM Matters More Than Ever in Diabetes Care: New Codes, More Opportunities, Better Outcomes
November is National Diabetes Month, and we’re celebrating the progress of diabetes care, and looking ahead to what’s next. With more than 38 million Americans living with diabetes, the focus isn’t just awareness, it’s about continuous support, real-time insight, and stronger patient connection every day.
The finalized 2026 CMS RPM CPT codes make it easier than ever to deliver connected care, reach more patients, and optimize program success. And patients are ready for it. Smart Meter’s 2025 National Diabetes Survey shows that RPM has officially moved into the mainstream, and it’s changing how diabetes care is delivered.
What Patients Are Looking For in Their Daily Diabetes Care
Each year, to better understand how people with diabetes feel about their care, we survey individuals about how they monitor their blood sugar and manage their condition. The results show people with diabetes are very engaged in managing their health:
- 71% test once or twice a day, the other 29% test even more frequently
- 72% say their provider reviews their glucose trends
Nearly all respondents currently rely on in-office visits when it comes to making changes to their care plan. What patients are looking for now is care that keeps up with them between appointments. RPM helps turn their daily readings into meaningful insight, giving providers a clearer picture of what’s happening in real time and supporting more timely, personalized care.
RPM Is Growing Fast. And Patients Prefer It!
With the annual survey, our goal is to learn how patients perceive tools that automatically share glucose readings with their healthcare providers between visits, and how these tools may influence engagement, support, and overall diabetes management. We found that RPM adoption is rising, and patient demand for connected care is stronger than ever.
- 24% of patients are now enrolled (up from 18% in 2024)
- 50% prefer a provider who uses RPM tools
- 53% would test more often if their data was sent to their provider automatically
Patients want care that’s connected, simple, and responsive and achieving this with Bluetooth and app-based devices can often be challenging. Patients report ongoing issues with syncing, setup, or pairing. Cellular RPM solves that problem, making connected care seamless by eliminating those additional steps.
Why Cellular RPM Is Empowering Better Diabetes Care
Cellular-connected devices give patients and providers what matters most, simplicity and reliability.
They deliver:
• Real-time automatic data transmission
• No setup required
• No apps, no Bluetooth, no Wi-Fi, no hubs
• Consistent, reliable flow of reading data
Smart Meter’s cellular iGlucose® devices are built for everyday diabetes management, keeping patients connected effortlessly.
iGlucose Plus®
A connected experience with advanced features without the complexity. Key features:
- English or Spanish display options
- On-screen, customized testing reminders
- Multicarrier SIM automatically connects the strongest available cellular signal in the device area
- Large, high-contrast display for easy readability
- Pre- and post-meal markers to give providers more context around glucose patterns
- Automatic cellular data transmission, no Bluetooth, no Wi-Fi, no hubs
iGlucose® Essential
A simplified glucose monitoring solution ideal for patients who want ease and reliability above all. Key features:
- One-button operation and automatic shut-off after use
- Ergonomic design that is lightweight and patient-friendly to support regular testing
- Pre- and post-meal tags to give providers more context around glucose patterns
- Automatic cellular data transmission, no Bluetooth, no Wi-Fi, no hubs
Both devices operate on Smart Meter’s Private Data Network, ensuring fast, secure, dependable transmission every time. With zero setup, no smartphone required, and real-time delivery of glucose readings, iGlucose devices remove barriers that often prevent sustained monitoring, and support care teams in delivering timely, connected diabetes care.
2026 CPT Codes: Supporting Patient Care and Provider Opportunities
The new RPM codes make it easier to reach more patients and support a wider range of testing patterns. You can read full details about RPM reimbursement and the 2026 CPT code updates here!
New 2026 RPM Codes:
• 99445 — RPM with 2–15 days of readings
• 99470 — First 10 minutes of RPM clinical monitoring
These new codes will support:
• More eligible patients
• Reimbursement for lower-frequency testers
• Smoother patient enrollment
• Easier program scaling
• New revenue opportunities
With reliable data at the center of these codes, cellular RPM solutions are uniquely positioned to maximize both patient outcomes and reimbursement.
Care with RPM Is Now Mainstream, And Patients Are Ready for It
Smart Meter’s survey confirms:
• Patients want their readings to automatically reach their care teams
• Cellular connectivity eliminates barriers that are seen with devices that require Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
• Reliable data is essential for both health outcomes and 2026 reimbursement
The future of diabetes care is connected, and patients are ready for it. National Diabetes Month reminds us that improving care isn’t just about awareness, it’s about providing the tools, support, and insights needed for impactful diabetes care.
Click to Get Started! With cellular RPM solutions from Smart Meter, organizations can deliver continuous, reliable care, strengthen patient connections, and empower better outcomes.
