Bipartisan Bill Aims to Make At-Home Heart and Lung Rehab Permanent for Medicare Patients
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
This bill would permanently allow Medicare to cover cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services delivered in patients' homes via telehealth. During COVID-19, temporary waivers let people do heart and lung rehab at home with video supervision, but those rules were set to expire. Making this permanent means Medicare beneficiaries — especially those with heart disease, heart failure, or chronic lung conditions — could complete their rehab programs without traveling to a hospital or clinic. Studies show that only about 25% of eligible patients complete traditional in-person cardiac rehab, often due to transportation barriers, so this could meaningfully improve completion rates.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Rep. John Joyce reintroduced the Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act to permanently give Medicare beneficiaries access to heart rehab services in their own home. Joyce notes that heart disease is the leading cause of death and patients may recover better at home.
Medicare telehealth services were set to expire, but a short-term extension keeps flexibilities through March 31. The report highlights the uncertainty for patients who rely on virtual visits, including those needing specialized rehabilitation services that were expanded during the pandemic.
Lawmakers and advocates are calling for action as expanded telehealth coverage for Medicare patients is set to expire at the end of the month. For many elderly patients, losing virtual access creates transportation and mobility barriers that could result in them going without necessary care.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act
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