Your Cardiopulmonary Rehab Care Journey
Know what's coming, from your first phone call to life after the program.
Starting cardiac or pulmonary rehab can feel like a big step. Below you'll find each stage of the program, what your care team does along the way, and how insurance coverage usually works.
Step 1
Talk With Your Doctor About a Referral
Cardiac and pulmonary rehab both start with a referral from your doctor. If you've recently had a heart event, heart surgery, or a lung condition diagnosis, ask your provider whether rehab is right for you.
Your doctor sends us the referral along with your medical history. If you're leaving the hospital, your care team may start this for you before you go home.
What We Need From Your Doctor
- A signed referral or order for cardiac or pulmonary rehab
- Your recent test results and medical history
- Your current medication list
- Any activity limits your doctor wants us to know about
Step 2
We Check Your Insurance Coverage
Once we get your referral, our team reviews your insurance benefits before you start. We'll tell you what's covered, how many sessions you can expect, and what you may owe out of pocket.
You won't have to figure this out alone. If cost is a concern, let us know and we'll talk through your options.
Step 3
Your First Visit
Your first appointment is an evaluation, not a workout. Plan on about an hour. You'll meet your care team, and we'll get to know your health history, your daily routine, and what you want to get back to.
Health Review
We go over your medical history, medications, test results, and any symptoms you've been having.
Baseline Testing
Simple tests, like a short walk test, show us your starting point so we can measure your progress.
Your Goals
Tell us what matters to you, whether that's climbing stairs, gardening, or playing with your grandkids.
What to Bring to Your First Visit
- Your insurance card and photo ID
- A complete list of your medications, including doses
- Comfortable clothes and closed-toe walking shoes
- A water bottle
- Any questions you've been saving up
Step 4
Your Sessions
After your evaluation, our team builds a plan around your condition, your fitness level, and your goals. No two plans look the same.
Most people come in two to three times a week. Each session runs about an hour and combines supervised exercise with education. A nurse or exercise specialist watches your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels the whole time, so you can push yourself safely.
Every Session Includes
- Warm-up and stretching
- Supervised exercise at your pace
- Monitoring of your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen
- Cool-down and check-in with your team
You'll Also Learn About
- Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes
- Eating for heart and lung health
- Taking your medications the right way
- Breathing techniques and saving energy
- Handling stress, worry, and low mood
- Quitting smoking, if that's a goal
We check in on your progress along the way and adjust your plan as you get stronger. If something doesn't feel right, tell your team. That's what we're here for.
Insurance & Cost
What Rehab Costs and What's Covered
Medicare and most private insurance plans cover cardiac and pulmonary rehab when you have a qualifying condition and a doctor's referral. Your exact coverage depends on your plan and your diagnosis.
Cardiac Rehab
Medicare Part B generally covers up to 36 sessions over 36 weeks for qualifying conditions, such as:
- Heart attack in the past 12 months
- Coronary artery bypass surgery
- Stable chest pain (angina)
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- Angioplasty or coronary stent
- Heart or heart-lung transplant
- Stable, chronic heart failure
More sessions may be approved if your doctor says you still need them.
Pulmonary Rehab
Medicare Part B generally covers up to 36 sessions for:
- Moderate to very severe COPD
- Ongoing symptoms after COVID-19
Up to 36 more sessions may be approved when medically necessary. If you have another lung condition, call us. Some private plans cover more than Medicare does, and our team will check for you.
Not on Medicare? Most commercial plans and Medicare Advantage plans cover rehab too, though the rules differ. Call us at (815) 935-3271 and we'll verify your benefits before you start.
You can also review Riverside's accepted insurance plans and billing information, or ask about financial assistance if paying for care is a worry.
Step 5
Life After Rehab
Finishing the program isn't the finish line. It's the point where you take over. Before your last session, your team will help you build a plan to keep going on your own.
A Home Exercise Plan
A routine you can actually stick with, built around what you can do now, not where you started.
Follow-Up Care
We send your results to your doctor so your whole care team knows how far you've come.
Ongoing Support
Ask about maintenance exercise options so you can keep working out in a monitored setting.
Common Questions
What You Might Be Wondering
Do I need a referral?
Yes. Both cardiac and pulmonary rehab require a referral from your doctor. Insurance coverage depends on it. If you think rehab could help you, ask your provider at your next visit.
How long is the whole program?
It depends on your plan and your progress. Many people attend two to three sessions a week for about 12 weeks. Your care team will give you a clearer timeline after your evaluation.
What if I'm not in shape or haven't exercised in years?
That's exactly who this program is built for. We start where you are and build slowly. Every session is supervised and monitored, so you're never pushed past what's safe for you.
Is it safe to exercise after a heart or lung event?
Supervised rehab is one of the safest ways to get moving again. Our team monitors your heart rhythm, blood pressure, and oxygen during every session and works directly with your doctor.
Can I do both cardiac and pulmonary rehab?
Some people qualify for both. Your doctor and our team will look at your conditions and coverage together to decide what makes the most sense for you.
What if I need to miss a session?
Life happens. Call us at (815) 935-3271 as soon as you can and we'll help you reschedule so you don't lose ground.
Where do sessions take place?
Riverside Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation is at 500 N. Wall Street, Suite C410, in Kankakee. We're open Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. View location details and directions.
Remarkable Care. Right Where You Live.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Talk to your doctor about a referral, or call our team and we'll walk you through what comes next.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
See who qualifies, what the program includes, and our supervised exercise therapy for PAD.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
See who qualifies, what the program includes, and our COVID-19 recovery track.
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Coverage rules and session limits can change and vary by plan. Always talk with your doctor and your insurance provider about your specific situation.