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.
72
Sessions (vs 36 for CR)
$131.70
Per Session (APC 5771)
2x
Revenue vs Traditional CR
%201.avif)
%201.avif)
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.
Why ICR?
ICR is a More Comprehensive Program
- Comparison
- Reimbursement per Session
- Maximum Sessions
- Nutrition & Lifestyle Education
- Stress Management
- Revenue Potential
Intensive CR
- $131.70
- 72 sessions
- Core Component
- Core Component
- ~$9,482
Standard CR
- $131.70
- 36 sessions
- Limited
- Optional
- ~$4,741
The BHI Difference
A Model Built on Decades of Clinical Research
The Benson-Henry Institute and the Heart and Vascular Institute at Mass General Brigham have pioneered 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.
CMS National Coverage Determination
"...mortality (of participants in the Benson-Henry Institute Cardiac Wellness Program) was lower at one year and three years compared to rigorously matched controls.”
— CMS Decision Memo, CAG-00434N
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.
On-Demand
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.
Flexible Format
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.
Virtual
Implementation Workshop
A focused virtual workshop that prepares your team to deliver the BHI ICR curriculum confidently and independently.
On-Demand
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).
Cumulative All-Cause Mortality Over 36 Months
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.