Cardiac Rehabilitation as Part of Management in Postacute Care: Opportunities for Improving Care.

Cardiac rehabilitation is an evidence-based intervention, yet only 20% of eligible patients attend. Participation is even lower for patients discharged to postacute care. The lack of data surrounding the use, benefit, safety, and feasibility of cardiac rehabilitation for elderly cardiac patients has contributed to inaccurate perceptions and related patterns of underuse. However, recently published studies are creating new opportunities for the integration of cardiac rehabilitation into postacute care services. This article reviews the current state of reimbursement and use of cardiac rehabilitation, gaps in services, and opportunities to improve the use of cardiac rehabilitation, and provides recommendations for future research.