A new Yale-led study reveals that access to pulmonary rehabilitation, an essential component of care for patients with chronic respiratory conditions, is difficult for millions of Americans to access. The study found that while around 80% of Americans live within a 30-minute drive of a pulmonary rehabilitation program, over 14 million people must travel more than an hour away. To bridge this gap, telemedicine and virtual rehabilitation can be helpful in the short term. Long-term improvements need more accessible in-person rehabilitation options, which will require collaboration between policy makers, health care providers, and insurance reimbursement approaches. Insurance reimbursement limitations currently represent a barrier to offering rehabilitation programs.
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Study reveals limited access to pulmonary rehabilitation for millions of Americans
