Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2021

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 to expand and expedite access to cardiac rehabilitation programs and pulmonary rehabilitation programs under the Medicare program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2021 2. Expanding access to cardiac rehabilitation programs and pulmonary rehabilitation programs under Medicare program (a) Cardiac rehabilitation programs Section 1861(eee) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(eee) (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking a physician’s office the office of a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or the office of a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)) (B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting after physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)) (2) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking physician-prescribed exercise exercise prescribed by a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)) (3) in paragraph (5), by inserting after physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)) (b) Pulmonary rehabilitation programs Section 1861(fff) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(fff) (1) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking physician-prescribed exercise exercise prescribed by a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)) (2) in paragraph (3), by inserting after physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)) (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2022. 3. Expediting access to cardiac rehabilitation programs and pulmonary rehabilitation programs under Medicare program Section 51008(c) of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 ( Public Law 115–123 42 U.S.C. 1395x January 1, 2024 January 1, 2022

Summary: Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2021 This bill accelerates and expands certain changes that are scheduled to take effect relating to the coverage of cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs under Medicare. Currently, such programs require physician supervision. Effective January 1, 2024, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists may also supervise these programs. The bill expedites the effective date of these changes to January 1, 2022, and also allows these practitioners to administer programs in their offices, prepare and sign treatment plans, and prescribe exercise.