In early 2026, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, re-instating virtual delivery of cardiac rehab, intensive cardiac rehab, and pulmonary rehab services from hospital outpatient department (HOPD)-based programs and phyisian-office based programs to patients who are in their home. For both locations, these services must be delivered using real-time, continuous, audio-visual communications technology.
CR, ICR, and PR programs have the opportunity to expand services to virtual and hybrid delivery. In fact, doing so will help persuade Congress and CMS to extend beyond the current December 31, 2027 expiration, which AACVPR is advocating for.