The best virtual pulmonary rehab program is one with a licensed clinician leading live sessions, a plan built around you, a clear safety process, experience with your lung condition, and a straight answer about insurance. Reviews of the research suggest that rehab delivered by video can work about as well as rehab in a clinic, but programs differ a lot in how they are run. This guide gives you the questions to ask before you sign up, and what a good answer sounds like.
Is virtual pulmonary rehab a legitimate option?
Yes, according to the research we reviewed. The American Thoracic Society guideline on pulmonary rehabilitation made a strong recommendation for offering the choice of center-based pulmonary rehab or telerehabilitation to people with chronic respiratory disease, based on moderate-quality evidence. (American Thoracic Society guideline summary, 2023)
A Cochrane review of 15 studies with 1,904 participants reached a similar view. Its authors concluded that primary or maintenance pulmonary rehab delivered by telerehabilitation achieves outcomes similar to traditional center-based rehab, with no safety issues identified. (Cochrane review of telerehabilitation)
What the evidence does not tell you
The same authors said the certainty of the evidence is limited by the small number of studies, and almost all participants (99%) had COPD. They called for more research on other conditions and on how long the benefit lasts. (Cochrane review) That is why one of your questions below should be whether a program has experience with your own diagnosis. If you want to see how the two formats compare, read our page on whether virtual pulmonary rehab is as effective as in-person.
What do good pulmonary rehab programs have in common?
The American Thoracic Society describes pulmonary rehab as a treatment program made up of individualized exercise, education and support, with a team of health care professionals. (American Thoracic Society, Pulmonary Rehabilitation) MedlinePlus adds that the team usually starts with tests and a review of your history and treatments, then builds a plan that can include exercise, breathing strategies, energy-saving techniques and education about triggers and medicines. (MedlinePlus, Pulmonary Rehabilitation) A virtual program should offer the same pieces. The difference is that you do them at home, on video.
Questions to ask before you sign up for a virtual pulmonary rehab program
Bring this list to your first call. A good program will answer each one clearly and without pressure.
1. Who leads my sessions, and are they licensed?
The American Thoracic Society says a pulmonary rehab team includes a number of health care professionals, such as respiratory therapists. (American Thoracic Society) Ask who will be on your screen each time, what their license or credential is, and whether it is the same person from visit to visit.
2. Is every session live and one on one?
Some online programs are recorded videos, group calls or an app with check-ins. Others are live with one clinician and one patient. Neither is automatically wrong, but you should know which you are buying. If you have moderate to severe lung disease, one-on-one time lets the clinician adjust the session to how you feel that day. Our comparison explains the trade-offs: group vs one-on-one pulmonary rehab.
3. Will I get an individualized plan?
The American Thoracic Society describes the exercise in pulmonary rehab as individualized. (American Thoracic Society) Ask how the plan is set up, who adjusts it, and how often. A plan that is the same for everyone is a warning sign.
4. How will you check that exercise is safe for me?
The American Thoracic Society says you are evaluated before you begin a program to make sure you can exercise safely, and that program staff keep monitoring your progress. (American Thoracic Society) For a program at home, ask what the first evaluation involves, how you are watched during sessions, what happens if you feel unwell mid-session, and who to call between visits. Your own doctor should also be part of the decision.
5. Do you work with my condition?
Because most of the telerehab research so far involves people with COPD, ask whether the team regularly works with your condition, whether that is asthma, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis or long COVID. (Cochrane review) Our article on whether pulmonary rehab helps long COVID covers one of these in detail.
6. Will you bill my insurance, and what do I need first?
Ask whether the program bills your plan or asks for cash, whether it needs prior authorization, and whether you need a referral. The American Thoracic Society advises asking your health care provider for a referral to a qualified program. (American Thoracic Society) Our guides explain how a referral works and what to check about insurance coverage. Bloom is not able to accept Medicare at this time.
7. What do I need at home?
Ask about the device, internet connection and space you need, whether any equipment is required, and who helps if the video drops. A good program tells you before the first session, not during it.
8. How often, and for how long?
The American Thoracic Society says most programs meet two or three times a week and can last eight to 12 weeks or more. (American Thoracic Society) Ask for the schedule in writing and whether sessions fit your work hours. See how long pulmonary rehab takes and pulmonary rehab while working full time.
Warning signs when comparing programs
- It cannot tell you who will treat you or what their license is.
- It promises a cure or a dramatic result. Pulmonary rehab is a supportive treatment, not a cure.
- It tells you to change or stop your prescribed medicine.
- It starts without asking about your diagnosis, your doctor or your medical history.
- It will not explain costs or insurance before you commit.
How Bloom Medical Group answers these questions
Bloom provides one-on-one online pulmonary rehab. Education sessions about your condition may include other patients. Sessions are live by video and run by licensed respiratory therapists and clinical exercise physiologists. Each patient gets an individualized treatment plan, and we meet every patient where they are. Care is billed to commercial insurance, and we serve adults with COPD, moderate to severe asthma, interstitial lung disease or long COVID. See what happens in a pulmonary rehab session for a walk through a visit. Bloom is not able to accept Medicare at this time.
Frequently asked questions
Ask who leads the sessions and what their license is, whether sessions are live and one on one, how your plan is individualized, how safety is checked, whether the team works with your condition, and whether the program bills your insurance.
A Cochrane review of 15 studies concluded that telerehabilitation achieves outcomes similar to center-based pulmonary rehab with no safety issues identified. The authors noted the evidence is limited by the small number of studies, and almost all participants had COPD.
The American Thoracic Society advises asking your health care provider for a referral to a qualified program. Requirements vary by program and insurance plan, so confirm with both.
The American Thoracic Society says most programs meet two or three times a week and can last eight to 12 weeks or more. Your own schedule depends on your plan and your care team.
Bloom is not able to accept Medicare at this time. Bloom provides one-on-one virtual pulmonary rehab billed to commercial insurance. Call 1-866-972-8228 to check your plan.
Next step
Not sure whether rehab fits you? Take our free 2 minute lung health assessment.
Ready to find out if you qualify? Call Bloom Medical Group at 1-866-972-8228 or fill in the see if you qualify form. One-on-one virtual pulmonary rehab with licensed respiratory therapists and clinical exercise physiologists, billed to commercial insurance.
This article is for education only and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about what is right for you.
Sources
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Telerehabilitation for chronic respiratory disease. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD013040.pub2
- AACVPR News and Views. Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Adults with Chronic Respiratory Disease: An Official ATS Clinical Practice Guideline (Rochester C, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2023;208(4):e7-e26)
- American Thoracic Society. Pulmonary Rehabilitation (patient resource)
- MedlinePlus. Pulmonary Rehabilitation
