CMS announced that it will expand coverage for cardiac rehabilitation services to Medicare beneficiaries who have had heart valve repair or replacement, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary stenting, or a heart or combined heart-lung transplant. CMS determined that cardiac rehabilitation services should include medical evaluation, education, and nutrition services. Medicare will continue covering cardiac rehabilitation services for beneficiaries following heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, and angina. While the evidence on the benefits for congestive heart failure is not sufficient for a coverage expansion at this time, says CMS, ongoing studies are likely to provide more certainty about the impact of cardiac rehabilitation for these patients. More details are available on the CMS coverage web site.
