Ensure That Pulmonary Rehabilitation Will Be Provided to Medicare Beneficiaries

Take action today. Ask your Senators and House of Representative member to co-sponsor S 329 and HR 552 respectively the Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation Act.

For over 20 years the AARC and other organizations supporting pulmonary health have requested clear and consistent Medicare policy for pulmonary rehabilitation. Medicare statute currently does not specifically provide reimbursement for pulmonary or cardiac rehabilitation for beneficiaries. Often pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation programs are covered services by Medicare under the “incident to physician services” clause. But because there is no national policy there exists a patchwork of varying coverage and reimbursement for the servcies. In some states pulmonary reahab services are totally denied. In an effort to ensure access to necessary care, Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) have introduced the “Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation Act ” providing a national coverage policy that will ensure that individuals are not denied or limited access. S 329 will end the debate between the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), fiscal intermediaries and providers by clearly defining Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Medicare recipients. Congressman Pickering from Mississippi and Congressman John Lewis from Georgia introduced an identical companion bill , HR 552 in the House of Representatives. Support from the House is key to advancing the bill through the legislative process.

The treatment of chronic lung diseases such as emphysema or COPD is frequently complicated, confusing and frustrating for patients, family members and those who care for them. As you know, pulmonary rehabilitation combines education with therapeutic exercise and functional activities to help individuals understand and cope with the disease and function more comfortably and independently.

This is an important opportunity to advocate for the lung and airways disease community. The AARC urges you to take action by contacting your Senators and and House of Representative members requesting co-sponsorship of this important legislation. It is time to resolve this problem and improve the lives of those living with lung disease.

Why Medicare Should Define and Pay for Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• PR is a restorative and preventative process for patients with chronic respiratory disease;
• PR has been defined as a multi-disciplinary program of care for patients with chronic respiratory impairment that is individually tailored and designed to optimize physical and social performance and autonomy;
• PR improves the patient's ability to manage and cope with progressive lung disease;
• PR is often focused on those with COPD but is also appropriate for other lung and airways disease such as asthma, Alpha-1, CF or before and after transplantation;
• PR includes critical components of assessment, physical reconditioning, skills training and psychological support;
• PR teaches individuals valuable skills that assist in managing and understanding their disease and improving health outcomes;
• PR is appropriately practiced in a variety of settings;

What can I do?

• Join us in taking action by using AARC’s Capitol Connection
• Write a letter to your Senator and your member of the House of  Representatives
• Request co-sponsorship of S 329 and HR 552
• Copy the AARC on the action you take so that we may better represent our constituents on Capitol Hill

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