Help make sure that Medicare will cover pulmonary rehabilitation.

For over 20 years, the AARC and other organizations supporting pulmonary health have attempted to have the Medicare program issue a consistent, clear coverage policy for Medicare pulmonary rehabilitation services. Currently there exists a patchwork of policies, including what is covered, how much is covered, who is covered, etc. All decisions are left to the complete discretion of Medicare local offices. There are even some states, such as Wyoming, where the Medicare local offices refuse to cover any pulmonary rehab whatsoever, The Agency that oversees the Medicare program, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services- or CMS for short has refused to step in and issue a national coverage policy that would effectively end the confusion.

The Congressional bills, S 329 and HR 552 would require Medicare write and issue a national policy that would set standards and guidelines that all local Medicare offices would have to follow. Thus ending the patchwork of inconsistent coverage of pulmonary rehabilitation services.

Message to Send to Congress
The following is a brief message you can use as a model, by filling in your personal information to write to your members of Congress to show your support for S. 329 and HR 552, the Pulmonary Rehabilitation bill.

 

Message to Congress

Dear Member of Congress I am your constituent and I (or my Mom, Dad, son, etc) suffer from a pulmonary disease (name it if you prefer). There are two bills in Congress, S 329 and HR 552 that would fix the current patchwork and inconsistent coverage of Medicare pulmonary rehabilitation. There is not one consistent national coverage policy that clearly sets out the rules for Medicare pulmonary rehabilitation services. As a result, some states cover pulmonary rehabilitation services and others do not and the types of services and the number of sessions vary from state to state. And that is just not fair to the Medicare patient. This legislation would not create a new Medicare benefit, the services that make up pulmonary rehabilitation services are covered in different parts of the Medicare rules. But it would require one consistent national policy, which will be fair to everyone. Please support S 329 and HR 552. Thank you. Sincerely, (Your name and address)