A remote patient monitoring (RPM) model for high-risk pregnancies is showing promising early results at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Patients in the study had fewer emergency department visits and improved chronic disease management. For local hospitals and ERs, this freed more space and resources for patients in critical conditions. 

Marani Health presented the findings of this study at the 88th Annual Meeting of the South Atlantic Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in January, highlighting how care models that extend beyond the physical clinic space can improve both patient outcomes and system efficiency. 

A Shift in Prenatal Care 

Maternity care systems across the U.S. continue to face rising demand and increasing complexity among patient populations. Prenatal care schedules have been standardized regardless of risk, and that can lead to some patients being over-monitored and others not monitored closely enough. 

Remote patient monitoring offers a different approach. By enabling continuous data collection and ongoing communication between patients and care teams, RPM allows care to become more personalized and proactive. 

Marani Health’s M•care System was designed with this shift in mind, according to guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and supporting risk-based, patient-centered care. 

Insights From the Study 

The model was implemented at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, with support from Catalyst by Wellstar, a direct investor in Marani. Catalyst’s involvement allowed for this pilot to take place in a real hospital environment.  

The program targets pregnant women with multiple chronic conditions or barriers to in-person care. 

Participants use connected devices, including blood pressure cuffs, weight scales, and glucometers, to share daily health data with an interdisciplinary care team.  Additionally, the participants engaged in mental health and social determinates of health assessments. 

Early observations include: 

  • More timely management of hypertension and diabetes, enabled by remote medication adjustments 
  • No increase in hospitalizations, despite shifting aspects of care outside the clinic, but faster escalation for patients in critical conditions 
  • Earlier identification of postpartum mental health needs, through integrated screening workflows 
  • Reduced reliance on emergency care, suggesting fewer avoidable acute visits 

One of the key advantages of Marani’s technology is the ability to intervene between visits. Instead of relying on periodic check-ins, clinicians can monitor trends from the home and respond accordingly. 

This continuous model supports faster clinical decision-making and reduces the delays that can occur when care is tied exclusively to in-person appointments. 

Expanding Capacity in Resource-Constrained Systems 

In addition to clinical outcomes, the model demonstrates strong financial potential. 

Modeled estimates per 1,000 pregnancies suggest: 

  • $1.5–$3.2 million in NICU-related savings 
  • Over $1.2 million in reduced cesarean delivery costs 
  • Approximately $1.4 million in avoided emergency visits and hospitalizations 

When combined with reimbursement pathways for RPM and chronic care management, these reductions contribute to an estimated 3:1 return on investment. 

By shifting appropriate care into the home, Marani can help health systems better allocate limited resources. In-person visits can be reserved for higher-acuity needs, while lower-risk monitoring continues remotely under clinical supervision. 

This approach is particularly relevant in settings like rural hospitals, where demand often exceeds available capacity. 

As the program continues, further evaluation will compare outcomes against historical cohorts and examine the impact across different patient populations. Future work will also explore how prenatal care models can incorporate more remote management while maintaining established safety standards. 

These early findings suggest that remote patient monitoring can play a meaningful role in modernizing maternity care while better serving patients in critical conditions. For moms and babies, this means healthier pregnancy journeys and more access to the resources they need, when they need it.