As part of the Michigan Cardiac Rehab Network’s (MiCR) 2025–2027 Strategic Plan, we’re exploring new ways to support cardiac rehab programs across the state. One key area of focus is telehealth. Before jumping into new tools or resources, we wanted to pause and learn: What does telehealth in cardiac rehab look like right now in Michigan?
How We Gathered Feedback
To better understand the current landscape, MiCR Directors Mike Thompson and Jessica Golbus conducted a short survey focused on how cardiac rehab programs are using telehealth, and how leaders and care teams feel about it.
The survey was shared with all MiCR member programs in August 2025 and closed in mid-December 2025. We heard from 27 cardiac rehab centers, representing seven large hospital systems across Michigan. Their responses offered a helpful snapshot of where programs are today.
What We Heard
Survey results showed that while telehealth in cardiac rehab is still emerging, interest is growing:
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- 22% of programs reported offering some form of telehealth.
- Many respondents shared that leadership is interested in providing a telehealth option for cardiac rehab but are unsure how to move forward or that more information is needed before making decisions.
- Only three programs indicated they are not interested in offering telehealth options at this time.
Overall, most programs are open to telehealth even though they may not be ready for implementation.
Common Challenges Programs Face
The challenges programs identified were not surprising. In fact, they closely reflect barriers many cardiac rehab teams already face in traditional, in-person settings:
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- Insurance reimbursement
- Limited staff time and capacity
- Patient access to technology
- No clear clinical champion to lead telehealth efforts
These shared challenges highlight the importance of support that is practical, flexible, and realistic for busy rehab teams.
A Timely Policy Update Creates New Opportunity
While MiCR was reviewing survey responses, a major policy milestone occurred.
On February 3, 2026, Congress advanced the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148). This legislation extends Medicare telehealth and in-home cardiopulmonary rehabilitation flexibilities through December 31, 2027, and is expected to be signed into law.
This is a significant win for cardiac and pulmonary rehab and the result of years of advocacy at the grass roots and national level. With this extension, cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pulmonary rehab programs in both hospital outpatient and physician office settings can continue delivering services virtually using two-way audio and video technology through the end of 2027.
This two-year window gives programs the opportunity to launch or expand hybrid rehab models, try new approaches to reach patients who have difficulty attending in-person sessions, and plan with greater confidence while longer-term policy solutions are explored. Our collective experiences will add to the evidence around telehealth CR and help inform even longer-term policy decisions. Together, these efforts can help programs meet patients where they are and close long-standing gaps in access and participation.
Looking Ahead
Survey insights, combined with these recent policy changes, will help guide MiCR’s next steps. Our goal is to share useful resources, highlight lessons learned, and create opportunities for programs to learn from one another as telehealth continues to evolve.
We’re excited to keep this work moving forward together.
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