A method according to an aspect of the present invention includes receiving a communication from a patient through an interactive voice response (IVR) system; providing a guided voice prompt from the interactive voice response system to the patient; receiving a response of the patient to the guided voice prompt through the interactive voice response system; analyzing the response of the patient to the guided voice prompt; determining, based on the response of the patient, whether a command should be transmitted; and transmitting a command to a device controlled by the patient after a determination that the command should be transmitted. This method can be practiced automatically to allow a medical device for a patient or other subject to be monitored without requiring the patient to manually enter information.