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)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking a physician’s office and inserting the office setting; and (B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting after physician the following: (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 and inserting 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)); and (3) in paragraph (5), by inserting after physician the following: (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)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking physician-prescribed exercise and inserting 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)); and (2) in paragraph (3), by inserting after physician the following: (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 the date that is 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act.