Delaware's only ICR program
Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation
After a heart attack, stent, bypass, valve surgery, or heart failure diagnosis: 12 to 15 weeks of medically supervised exercise, hands-on nutrition, and stress management, in one program, with one team.
Covered by Medicare for qualifying patients. You do not need to be our primary care patient.
What is different about intensive cardiac rehab
Surgery and stents treat the emergency. Rehabilitation is where recovery and prevention happen. Intensive programs go further than traditional cardiac rehab in three ways.
72
sessions covered
Medicare covers up to 72 ICR sessions over up to 18 weeks, roughly double traditional cardiac rehab. More time on the floor and in the classroom.
3
pillars, every visit
Supervised exercise, nutrition education in a teaching kitchen, and stress management. Traditional rehab is mostly exercise.
1
program in Delaware
Progressive Health operates the only intensive cardiac rehabilitation program in the state, at our Wilmington center.
In a Medicare cohort study, ICR participation was associated with lower all-cause mortality than traditional cardiac rehabilitation. Findings across studies are not uniform, and individual results vary.
Inside our Wilmington center
Purpose-built for cardiac recovery: monitored exercise equipment, a dedicated education room, and a teaching kitchen in one place.
What the program looks like
Two to three visits per week for 12 to 15 weeks. Each visit builds skills you keep.
Supervised exercise
Medically monitored sessions led by clinical exercise physiologists, adjusted to your condition and progress.
Cooking school
Hands-on classes with a registered dietitian. Heart-healthy, plant-forward meals you will actually make at home.
Stress management
Mindfulness, relaxation training, and breathing techniques. Chronic stress is a cardiac risk factor and we address it directly.
Education and coaching
Group workshops plus one-on-one coaching so the changes outlast the program.
Patients commonly report more energy, better sleep, more confidence in daily activity, and measurable changes in blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight. Some are able to reduce medications with their cardiologist. Results differ from person to person.
Do I qualify?
If any of the following apply, you are likely eligible under Medicare rules. Other plans often follow the same list.
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Heart attack within the past 12 months
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Coronary stent placement, at any time
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Coronary bypass surgery (CABG), at any time
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Heart valve repair or replacement, at any time
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Stable angina (chest pain from reduced blood flow)
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Stable chronic heart failure
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Heart or heart-lung transplant
Not sure?
Call us. We will check your eligibility and benefits and coordinate the order with your cardiologist. Please do not send diagnosis details by email.
Call (302) 309-1719Common questions
What is intensive cardiac rehabilitation?
A structured, medically supervised program that combines exercise, nutrition, stress management, and education after a cardiac event or diagnosis. Intensive programs like Pritikin ICR offer more sessions and more nutrition and behavior-change content than traditional cardiac rehab.
Who qualifies?
Medicare covers ICR for patients who have had a heart attack in the last 12 months, coronary bypass surgery, a coronary stent, heart valve repair or replacement, a heart or heart-lung transplant, stable angina, or stable chronic heart failure. Other insurance may follow similar rules. We confirm eligibility with you and your cardiologist.
Do I need a referral?
Enrollment requires a physician order, which we can arrange with your cardiologist or primary care clinician. You can contact us first and we will handle the paperwork.
Do I need to be a Progressive Health primary care patient?
No. Most ICR participants keep their own primary care clinician and cardiologist.
How long is the program?
Medicare covers up to 72 ICR sessions over up to 18 weeks. Our program typically runs 12 to 15 weeks at two to three visits per week.
Is it covered by insurance?
Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation is a Medicare-covered benefit for qualifying diagnoses. Commercial plan coverage varies and cost sharing may apply. We check your benefits before you start.
Where is the center?
Springer Building, 3411 Silverside Road, Suite 103, Wilmington, DE 19810. Patients come from across Delaware and nearby Pennsylvania and Maryland.
For cardiologists and referring clinicians
How to refer a patient
Progressive Health operates a CMS-approved Pritikin ICR program in Wilmington. We accept referrals from any practice; patients keep their existing cardiologist and primary care clinician.
- Fax an order for intensive cardiac rehabilitation with the qualifying diagnosis, recent notes, and current medication list to 302-327-4200.
- Our ICR coordinator verifies benefits and contacts the patient within two business days.
- You receive an intake summary, periodic progress notes, and a discharge summary with exercise capacity, lipids, blood pressure, and weight trends.
Questions: call the ICR line at (302) 309-1719 or email [email protected] for non-clinical questions only. Please send protected health information by fax or through your EHR's secure messaging, not by email.
Ask about ICR
It costs nothing to find out whether you qualify. Call the program directly, or email for general questions.
Email is for general questions. Please do not include your diagnosis or medical history; we will collect that by phone or at intake.
Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Center
Springer Building, 3411 Silverside Rd, Suite 103
Wilmington, DE 19810