Advocating for Extension of Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation Support

April 24, 2024

In an action led by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) formally supports two pieces of legislation to retain existing coverage for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR).

The support surrounds the SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act (H.R. 955/S. 1849), which would ensure a consistent payment rate for hospital-based PR services, and the Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act (H.R. 1406/S. 3021), which would extend coverage for center-based virtual PR.

The Sustaining Outpatient Services Act mandates that Medicare payment for hospital-based PR services remains under the outpatient payment rate. The 60% reduction in reimbursement for off-campus PR is unsustainable. This legislative correction would remove the financial barrier to expanded patient access to these beneficial services.

First introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act would allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive PR services via real-time, audio/visual communication from their home. This hybrid delivery of hospital-based PR services was effective during the pandemic and allowed more patients to receive these beneficial treatments, especially those in rural settings or those lacking transportation or the financial means to travel to a center.

Both of these bills would provide necessary support for PR services to improve access and meet the increasing demand for these beneficial treatments.

The bills can be read in full through the links above.