# Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation

A specialized cardiac rehabilitation model that goes beyond exercise — combining mind-body medicine, nutrition counseling, and stress management to deliver measurably better outcomes for cardiac patients.

[Learn How to Offer ICR](https://www.aviaryhealth.com/book-a-demo)

**72**

Sessions (vs 36 for CR)

**$131.70**

Per Session (APC 5771)

**2x**

Revenue vs Traditional CR

## Understanding ICR

### What is Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation (ICR) is a comprehensive, medically supervised program designed for patients recovering from heart-related conditions or procedures. Unlike traditional cardiac rehab, ICR addresses the whole person — heart health, physical strength, nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle habits — through a structured, evidence-based curriculum.

36

sessions

### Traditional CR

Primarily exercise-focused

- Supervised Exercise  
- Mind-Body Medicine  
- Nutritional Counseling

$131.70/session (APC 5771)

**~$4,741 per patient**

CPT 93798 · 36 sessions max

72

sessions

### BHI Intensive CR

Medical Education  
Cardiac risk factors, medication management, symptom recognition

Mind-Body Medicine  
Stress management, cognitive restructuring, yoga, meditation, and Tai Chi

Exercise Training  
Supervised sessions, strength training, balance, exercise prescription

Nutrition Counseling  
Mediterranean diet, meal planning, weight management, sodium control

$131.70/session (APC 5771)

**~$9,482 per patient**

HCPCS G0422 · 72 sessions max

### Revenue uplift

**2x**  
ICR is one of only **3 Medicare-approved programs** in the United States. BHI ICR is the only program backed by a top-5 academic medical center.

Rates per CY 2026 OPPS Final Rule (CMS-1834-FC), Addendum B, APC 5771.

## A More Comprehensive Program

- Comparison  
- Reimbursement per Session  
- Maximum Sessions  
- Nutrition & Lifestyle Education  
- Stress Management  
- Revenue Potential

| Intensive CR         | Standard CR        |
|---------------------|--------------------|
| **$131.70**        | $131.70            |
| **72 sessions**     | 36 sessions         |
| **Core Component**  | Limited             |
| **~$9,482**        | ~$4,741            |

## The BHI Difference

### A Model Built on Decades of Clinical Research

The Benson-Henry Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital has spent over 50 years pioneering the science of mind-body medicine. Their ICR program is the only one backed by a top-5 academic medical center — translating that research into a structured curriculum that delivers measurable outcomes.

- **Mind-Body Medicine at the Core**  
Stress management, the relaxation response, and cognitive restructuring aren't add-ons — they're foundational to every session.

- **Whole-Person Cardiac Care**  
ICR treats the patient, not just the condition — integrating exercise, nutrition, behavioral health, and medical education into a single program.

- **One of Only 3 CMS-Approved Programs**  
ICR has a distinct Medicare coverage determination — recognizing it as a clinically differentiated model, not just more sessions of the same thing.

## Patient Outcomes

### Hear From Our Patients

The best evidence for cardiac rehabilitation comes from the patients who have been through it.

## Your Team Gains World-Class Expertise

ICR certification gives your clinical staff skills in mind-body medicine, stress management, and resiliency — expertise that elevates their practice across all patient care, not just cardiac rehab.

### CME-Accredited Courses

Self-paced, virtual coursework in resiliency science, the Relaxation Response, and clinical applications of mind-body medicine. Your staff earns CME credits on their own schedule.

### SMART Certification

Stress Management and Resiliency Training — an 8-week program your staff can complete via live virtual sessions or the self-guided BHI course. A skillset they'll use for the rest of their careers.

### Implementation Workshop

A focused virtual workshop that prepares your team to deliver the BHI ICR curriculum confidently and independently.

### MGB Faculty Access

Training videos, live shadowing opportunities, and direct access to Mass General Brigham faculty for teachbacks and mentorship.

## Proven outcomes across four peer-reviewed studies and a Medicare demonstration project

### Featured Study

#### Zeng et al., 2013

_American Heart Journal_ · Medicare Lifestyle Modification Program Demonstration

In the largest controlled study of the BHI program, 324 participants were compared against 1,795 matched Medicare beneficiaries. The BHI cohort demonstrated significantly lower mortality at every measured timepoint, with fewer cardiac and non-cardiac hospitalizations (P<.01).

**41%**

lower 3-year mortality vs standard CR controls

**P<.01**

significance for reduced hospitalizations (cardiac & non-cardiac)

**~$3,500**

net savings per participant over 3 years

## Interested in Offering ICR?

Whether you're exploring virtual, hybrid, or in-person delivery — Aviary can help you find the right ICR model for your organization and patient population.

[Request demo](https://www.aviaryhealth.com/book-a-demo)