My understanding is that once you have completed the 36 weeks allowed by Medicare, you can get an additional 36 weeks if you have a bad exacerbation. You may have to fight for it, but my guess is that if your pulmonologist prescribes the program it would be approved. You're right, it would be less expensive, but CMS doesn't always work according to common sense and rational thinking. It's like the fact that cardiac rehab can go on practically forever, but not pulmonary rehab. Those heart people get everything, and COPD don't get no respect!

I am in rehab right now. Yes it helps a lot!! Medicare for me pays for 36 weeks. You must continue on your own after that period. If you don’t the bad breathing comes back!!

So ok. Did rehab help?

I did the pulmonary rehab classes 2+ times. The classes are 12 weeks I believe, so I did those twice. I did a few days after being in hospital and PT for 3 months, I started back after the few days! Medicare and insurance will only pay for a certain number of days lifetime, I have no more days, I used all my days up. I go to rehab as a maintance patient now and have been for 2+ years! But I have done rehab for a total of 5-6 years. My rehab closed for months during the pandemic and I was out a prolonged period of time after being in hospital.