This bill makes permanent the COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services, allowing patients to receive care in their homes and expanding access to telehealth services, effective January 1, 2026.
Marsha Blackburn
Senator
TN
The "Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act" expands access to virtual cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services by allowing patients to receive care in their homes via telehealth. It broadens the originating sites for telehealth services and waives geographic restrictions, effective January 1, 2026. The Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards for designating a patient's home as a provider-based organization, ensuring consistent care with the Hospital Without Walls program.
Home-Based Rehab Gets a Boost: New Bill Expands Telehealth for Heart and Lung Patients
The Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act is making some big changes to how people recover from heart and lung issues. Basically, it's taking the telehealth flexibilities that started during the COVID-19 pandemic and making them permanent for cardiac and pulmonary rehab, starting January 1, 2026.
Rehab Revolution: From Hospital to Home
This bill amends Section 1861(eee)(2) and Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act. What does that mean in plain English? It means your home can now officially be a place where you receive these rehab services, as long as it's done through real-time video calls or your home is designated as part of a hospital's outpatient services. No more being limited by where you live – geographic restrictions for telehealth services related to cardiac and pulmonary rehab are waived, effective January 1, 2026 (SEC. 2).
Real-World Rollout
Imagine you're recovering from a heart procedure. Instead of having to trek to a clinic multiple times a week, you can now do your rehab sessions from your living room. Or, picture a farmer in a rural area with limited access to specialized care – they can now connect with experts without a long, difficult journey. The Secretary of Health and Human Services has 30 days to set standards for designating a patient's home as a provider-based organization of a hospital, consistent with the Hospital Without Walls program (SEC. 2). This opens up possibilities for so many folks who struggled to get the care they needed before.
Challenges on the Horizon
While this all sounds great, there are some practical challenges. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement these changes (SEC. 2), but how will they ensure the quality of care delivered remotely is as good as in-person? How will they prevent potential billing fraud, given the ease of access? These are things that will need to be carefully managed.
Connecting the Dots
This bill builds on the lessons learned during the pandemic, when telehealth became a lifeline for many. By including cardiac and pulmonary rehab programs under Section 1834(m)(4)(F) of the Social Security Act (SEC. 2), it's acknowledging that remote care can be just as effective, and often more convenient, for certain services. It's a step towards a more flexible and accessible healthcare system, especially for those in rural areas or with mobility issues.