Uptake and outcomes of supervised exercise therapy for peripheral artery disease: The importance of vascular medicine specialists at a large midwestern health care system during the first 5 years of CMS reimbursement.

backgroundSupervised exercise therapy (SET) is the cornerstone of medical therapy for symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). Despite the efficacy of SET, initial reports following the 2017 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursement decision indicate low SET uptake, referral, and completion. Vascular medicine specialists are key to the success of such programs. We examined rates of SET referral, completion, and outcomes in a health system with a robust SET program during the first 5 years of CMS reimbursement.

methodsA retrospective chart review of patients with PAD referred to SET between October 1, 2017 and December 31, 2022 was conducted. Patient demographic and medical characteristics, SET indication, referring provider specialty, SET participation (e.g., exercise modality, number of sessions, treadmill prescription), and outcomes were abstracted. Descriptive statistics,

resultsOf 5320 patients with PAD,

conclusionSET referral and completion rates are low in the 5 years following CMS reimbursement, despite the advocacy of vascular medicine specialists. SET is effective in improving patient functional capacity and quality of life. Additional efforts are needed to increase both SET availability and referrals as part of comprehensive treatment of PAD.