The House Energy & Commerce Committee held a hearing on Medicare reform legislation, including H.R. 1406, the Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act. During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) waivers allowed cardiac and pulmonary rehab services to be furnished to beneficiaries in their homes as virtual services by physicians or practitioners in a hospital outpatient department through the CMS Hospitals Without Walls Initiative. Under those waivers, respiratory therapists could furnish virtual pulmonary rehab services when an eligible practitioner bills for the service. Without additional authority from Congress, CMS had no flexibility to permit permanent continuation of virtual cardiac and pulmonary rehab services to Medicare beneficiaries in their homes once the PHE ended on May 11. H.R. 1406 would permanently allow patients to receive in-home cardiac and pulmonary rehab services under Medicare. AARC advocated for H.R. 1406 during the PACT Hill Day on September 27 and we continue to urge Congress to pass this important legislation.
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Mara Gillispie is the Content Manager for the AARC where she creates engaging content for the association via the AARC website, newsletters, and videos. Connect with her about potential stories by email, website, or LinkedIn. When she’s not working, you can find her hanging out with her dog Kya, playing softball or volleyball, watching friends, and attending Dallas sports events.
