Telemetry data from an IMD (110) are routinely extracted in order to perform a full prognosis of a patients condition and to alter the IMD therapy programming if necessary. Typically, while the IMD is inside of the patient, it periodically or continuously collects and stores data into its memory (220). These stored data can then be extracted by a physician to an external device for further analysis. In addition to the stored telemetry data, the physician may also want to collect real-time telemetry data such as real-time IEGM data or other physiological data while the patient is in the physicians office. However, transmitting telemetry data can consume a high level of power and shorten the battery life of the IMD if not properly managed. Thus, it is advantageous to have built-in features to minimize the possibility the IMD is not transmitting and/or receiving data while it is not being monitored and/or used by the physician for a predetermined amount of time.
