Short answer: both formats work. One-on-one fits people who want a plan built around their own symptoms, schedule and pace. Group fits people who like company and a set class time. The best format is the one you will actually finish.
What pulmonary rehab does
Pulmonary rehab is a supervised program of exercise, breathing training and education for people with chronic lung disease. A Cochrane review found that it improves quality of life for people with COPD and strongly supports making it part of COPD care. The American Lung Association notes that people with COPD, asthma and other chronic lung diseases may be referred.
The research supports the program itself. There is no strong evidence that one format beats the other for everyone. That makes the choice a personal one.
When one-on-one is the better fit
- Your symptoms change from day to day. A private session can be adjusted on the spot when you are having a hard breathing day.
- You have asthma or more than one condition. Your triggers, inhaler routine and limits are different from the next person’s.
- You still work. A private session can be booked around your job instead of a fixed class time.
- You are nervous about exercising in front of others. Many people hold back in a group because they do not want to be the one who stops first.
- You want your inhaler technique checked closely. That is hard to do well for ten people at once.
When group is the better fit
- You are motivated by other people. Seeing others with the same diagnosis do the work can be a strong push.
- You want to meet people who understand what breathlessness feels like.
- You like routine. A class at the same time each week is easy to build a habit around.
Questions to ask any program before you start
- Who leads my sessions, and what is their license?
- How many people are in each session?
- Does the program bill my insurance, or is it cash pay?
- What happens if I am having a bad breathing day?
- Will the program share progress with my doctor?
How Bloom Medical does it
Many virtual rehab programs are built around Medicare and group classes. Bloom Medical was built differently.
- If you have commercial insurance, your sessions are one-on-one by video with a licensed respiratory therapist or clinical exercise physiologist.
- We work with Aetna, Anthem BCBS, Cigna, Horizon BCBS and UnitedHealthcare.
- We are built for people with commercial insurance. Medicare Part B is accepted in New Jersey and California, and every session is one-on-one.
- We treat moderate to severe asthma as well as COPD, ILD and long COVID breathing problems.
- We coordinate with your own doctor, so your current treatment plan stays in place.
See if you qualify
It takes a few minutes. Fill out the eligibility form, or call 1-866-972-8228 for faster service. Read how virtual pulmonary rehab at Bloom works.
Frequently asked questions
At Bloom Medical, one-on-one sessions are billed to commercial insurance plans we work with. We check your benefits before you start.
No. Both formats deliver the same core program of exercise, breathing training and education. The difference is how much of the session is built around you alone.
Yes. Bloom Medical sessions are held by video, so there is no travel to a clinic.
This article is for education and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your own care.
