Every question we get. Answered honestly.

No. Asheville EECP operates as a wellness amenity under the Renew NCP-5's healthy-individual FDA clearance — the same model as our sister property Waking Dreams Retreat. We are self-pay only and do not bill insurance of any kind, including Medicare. If you have a documented angina or heart failure diagnosis and want to pursue insurance-covered EECP, we can refer you to clinics that bill — but the wait is typically months and the nearest is a long drive.

It means we operate under the NCP-5's third FDA clearance — for vasodilation, increased VO₂, and improved blood flow in healthy individuals — rather than as a medical treatment for a specific diagnosis. You don't need a cardiac diagnosis to use our service. You do need physician clearance, which is a written note from a licensed physician confirming you're cleared for this type of activity.

The equipment is similar, but the operating model is different. Medicare covers EECP under NCD 20.20 for patients with chronic stable angina who meet specific criteria. We operate under the NCP-5's healthy-individual clearance and do not bill Medicare. If you want Medicare-covered EECP, we can refer you to clinics that provide it — but they're typically far away and have long wait lists.

A full 35-session course runs $5,600 for a single person. A 20-session block is $3,400. Individual sessions are $200 each. In-home sessions add a per-trip travel fee based on distance from our West Asheville base. Couples at the same address share one travel fee. See our pricing page for full details.

The traditional protocol is 35 sessions over seven weeks at one session per day. With our two-a-day option (sessions four hours apart), you can complete the full course in about three weeks. We also offer flexible 20-session blocks for clients who want a meaningful start with an option to extend.

You don't need a referral — but you do need a written physician clearance note before your first session. This is non-negotiable and applies to every guest, the same way it does at Waking Dreams Retreat. We provide a standard form to make this easy. Your primary care doctor can usually sign it during a routine visit.

Life happens. We have a pause policy that allows you to stop and resume within a reasonable window without losing your sessions. The details depend on how far into your course you are. Ask us about this on your consult call.

Cancellations before sessions begin receive a refund of the deposit minus a scheduling fee. Once sessions begin, the deposit is non-refundable but unused sessions can be applied to a future course within 12 months. Full details provided at scheduling.

Most clients describe it as a deep, rhythmic leg massage in time with their heartbeat. You lie back fully clothed (loose pants, no shoes), inflatable cuffs wrap around your calves, thighs, and hips, and they inflate and deflate in sync with your pulse. Sessions run an hour. Many people fall asleep, read, watch a show, or take work calls.

No. The cuffs inflate firmly but not painfully. The sensation is rhythmic pressure — like a deep massage. Occasionally clients with very sensitive skin or circulation issues notice mild discomfort in the first few sessions, which typically resolves. If anything feels wrong, we stop immediately.

Loose pants — sweatpants, yoga pants, or loose-fitting trousers. No jeans or tight pants. No shoes during the session. Comfortable is the goal. You'll be lying down for an hour.

Yes. Many clients take work calls, watch shows on a tablet, read, or listen to music. The session is an hour of enforced rest — use it however you'd like.

It varies. Some clients notice improved sleep quality or slightly more energy in the first week. By weeks 3–5, many clients notice improved exercise tolerance, better circulation, and reduced fatigue. The full benefit of the course typically continues to develop for 2–6 weeks after the final session as the body consolidates the vascular changes.

The collateral vessels built during a course are real anatomical structures — they don't disappear. The functional improvements tend to be durable. Some clients do a maintenance course annually; others don't. We'll talk through what makes sense for your situation after your course.

A small percentage of clients don't respond to EECP. We're honest about this. If you're not noticing anything by session 15–20, we'll have a frank conversation about whether continuing makes sense. We don't push people to complete courses that aren't working.

All three are owned and operated by Jack Clifford. Atlantic EECP is based in Florida and serves the Southeast. Waking Dreams Retreat is a residential wellness retreat in West Asheville that bundles lodging with EECP sessions for people traveling from out of town. Asheville EECP is the local-resident answer — mobile in-home service and on-site day visits for people who already live in Western North Carolina.

Jack Clifford runs all sessions personally. He has 700+ hours of personal EECP experience and has been operating EECP services since 2021. You won't be handed off to a technician you've never met.