People with other health insurance may want to confirm whether pulmonary rehabilitation is covered by their insurance.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is an individualized program of exercise and education tailored to patients with lung problems. After an assessment of a patient, a multidisciplinary team develops an individual treatment plan. Depending on the patient’s condition and treatment plan, the rehabilitation may include three 60-minute sessions a week for up to 36 sessions.
“The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation may include an increase in respiratory function that enables patients to be more comfortable exercising and performing their normal activities of daily living. Rehabilitation strengthens lung function and circulation, decreasing symptoms and also helping patients better manage anxiety and depression,” said Dr. Sultan Niazi, medical director of Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Goshen Hospital.
For CMS to allow coverage for pulmonary rehabilitation, patients must have had a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19. In addition, patients must have had at least four weeks of persistent symptoms that include respiratory dysfunction.
CMS is not requiring hospitalization, proof of COVID testing or a pulmonary function test, the news release states. If you are interested in participating in pulmonary rehabilitation, you will need a referral from your primary care physician.
