Decision Memo for Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) Programs - Chronic Heart Failure (CAG-00437N)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has determined that the evidence is sufficient to expand coverage for cardiac rehabilitation services under 42 C.F.R. § 410.49(b)(1)(vii) to beneficiaries with stable, chronic heart failure defined as patients with left ventricular ejection fraction of 35% or less and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II to IV symptoms despite being on optimal heart failure therapy for at least six weeks. Stable patients are defined as patients who have not had recent (≤6 weeks) or planned (≤6 months) major cardiovascular hospitalizations or procedures.