In a November 15 House Energy and Commerce Committee markup, Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) expressed frustration that the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act (H.R. 4104) was not among the 21 health care bills being considered as part of the session.
The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) is pleased to hold its second annual one-day Payor Summit. The event, designed to bring together representatives from commercial health insurance plans with home and specialty infusion leaders, will take place August 23, 2023 in Dallas, TX.
NHIA recently submitted comments to 2 Congressional committees seeking more information on health care-related issues, sharing its recommendations to modernize and personalize the health care system, support innovation, and increase patient access to quality and affordable care.
NHIA has released a draft practice standard that describes situations that may require the use of electronic mechanical pumps to minimize adverse reactions and promote adherence to infusion therapies administered in the home.
The National Home Infusion Foundation’s (NHIF) Status at Discharge Benchmarking initiative is based on the need for research that evaluates the safety of home infusion services and aims to understand why patients discontinue their home infusion service.
On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee held a legislative hearing, “Examining Policies to Improve Seniors’ Access to Innovative Drugs, Medical Devices, and Technology.” Home infusion was discussed at least 3 distinct times throughout the hearing, with a consensus that Medicare needs to improve beneficiary access to home infusion services.
NHIA submitted comments on a CMS PFS proposed rule (CMS-1784-P) that would affect Medicare classification and coverage of self-administered drugs, certain biologics and coding and billing requirements related to the use of single dose containers and drug waste.
NHIA responded to an FDA request for comment on “Increasing Patient Access to At-Home Use Medical Technologies,” applauding the agency for recognizing the importance of facilitating access to care in the home.
NHIA submitted comments to CMS on the proposed 2024 home health payment rule. CMS did not mention the HIT services benefit in its 2024 rulemaking, however, NHIA believes it is important to continue advocating on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries to improve access to home infusion services.
Home infusion is a site of care (SOC) option for patients requiring intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) medications for treatment of acute and chronic medical conditions. Patients and payors have become aware of the sizeable cost savings associated with home infusion when compared to other SOC. There is a need to gain an understanding of the amount of savings associated with home infusion when compared to other SOCs such as the hospital. The literature review objective is to provide a critical evaluation of the current evidence of the cost savings associated with home and outpatient infusion therapy when compared to inpatient therapy.
On Friday June 30, 2023, CMS released proposed updates to the Medicare Home Health Prospective Payment System for CY 2024. The proposed home health rule does not address home infusion therapy (HIT) services other than to describe the potential interaction with the new Home IVIG Items and Service benefit, which replaces the IVIG demonstration starting on January 1, 2024.
The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) applaudes the introduction of bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate that will ensure Medicare patients can receive the intravenous (IV) medications they need while at home.
The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) is pleased to hold its second annual one-day Payor Summit. The event, designed to bring together representatives from commercial health insurance plans with home and specialty infusion leaders, will take place August 23, 2023 in Dallas, TX.
NHIA applauds the guidance issued by FDA to allow for decentralized clinical trials, including in patients’ homes. NHIA believes that allowing decentralized clinical trials will improve the representation in trials. According to the FDA guidance, “remote clinical trial visits and clinical trial-related activities are important strategies to make trials more convenient and more accessible” and “sponsors should strive for diversity and inclusiveness in trial populations.”
The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) applauds the introduction of the “Expanding Care in the Home Act,” (H.R.2853) which would expand coverage for home-based services, such as home infusion, dialysis, diagnostic imaging, and personal care services for Medicare beneficiaries.
Last week concluded the 2023 National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) Annual Conference, which brings together nearly 1,500 home and alternate site infusion professionals for four days of networking, education, and expo. This year’s event saw significant growth in attendance over prior years and the expo featured more than 125 companies displaying the latest products and services supporting the industry.
Eliminating the inequities in how people access and receive health care can go a long way toward improving health care delivery, outcomes, and population health, according to Christina Ritchey from Optum Infusion Pharmacy. Equity in health care means the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health.
Barbara Prosser is currently the Associate, Health Economics and Outcomes for Soleo Health. With over 25 years of experience in developing and overseeing clinical programs, risk management, and performance improvement programs in the home infusion industry, Barbara has a wealth of knowledge to share. With a bachelor’s in Pharmacy from the University of Florida, College of Pharmacy in Gainesville and active involvement in the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), Barbara is an expert in the field. Join us as we delve into her journey, insights, and advice for those in the home infusion industry. Get ready to be inspired by a true innovator and leader in home infusion.
Dr. Powers began his career in community pharmacy in 1980, and in 1988, he co-founded Medical Alternatives, which is now affiliated with the Baptist Memorial Healthcare System in Tennessee. Dr. Powers is a founding member of NHIA and served on the board of directors from 1997-2003 and as President from 1999-2000. In 2009 received the Gene Graves Lifetime Achievement Award. He continues to be active with NHIA as a founding member of the National Home Infusion Foundation (NHIF) board.
For many patients on home parenteral nutrition (PN), the therapy modality is the result of a sustained chronic illness. While it’s less than ideal to rely on life-sustaining nutrition support, when it’s well calibrated for the patient, PN can offer a modicum of clinical stability and even independence on an otherwise long and difficult journey.
Imagine your Gl tract suddenly stopped functioning. That happened to Amanda, who lives with gastroparesis. Diagnosing the problem and landing on an effective treatment is a journey Amanda says she “wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.”
Independence is highly valued among patients with chronic medical conditions, and home infusion therapy plays a significant role in supporting that independence. Unfortunately, changes in coverage policies and unpredictable fluctuations in out-of-pocket costs can introduce barriers and create uncertainty, turning many patients into advocates.
Serious infections can sideline the best of plans. That’s what happened to Jusup, a Montana-based YouTuber with the ambitious goal of running a 100-mile race through the Salmon River mountains of Idaho. “I had never even raced in a 5K,” he recalls, “but, I was progressing in my goal of running at least 2 miles every day for a year and thought it would be a good test.”
In a November 15 House Energy and Commerce Committee markup, Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) expressed frustration that the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act (H.R. 4104) was not among the 21 health care bills being considered as part of the session.
The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) is pleased to hold its second annual one-day Payor Summit. The event, designed to bring together representatives from commercial health insurance plans with home and specialty infusion leaders, will take place August 23, 2023 in Dallas, TX.
NHIA recently submitted comments to 2 Congressional committees seeking more information on health care-related issues, sharing its recommendations to modernize and personalize the health care system, support innovation, and increase patient access to quality and affordable care.
NHIA has released a draft practice standard that describes situations that may require the use of electronic mechanical pumps to minimize adverse reactions and promote adherence to infusion therapies administered in the home.
The National Home Infusion Foundation’s (NHIF) Status at Discharge Benchmarking initiative is based on the need for research that evaluates the safety of home infusion services and aims to understand why patients discontinue their home infusion service.
On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee held a legislative hearing, “Examining Policies to Improve Seniors’ Access to Innovative Drugs, Medical Devices, and Technology.” Home infusion was discussed at least 3 distinct times throughout the hearing, with a consensus that Medicare needs to improve beneficiary access to home infusion services.
NHIA submitted comments on a CMS PFS proposed rule (CMS-1784-P) that would affect Medicare classification and coverage of self-administered drugs, certain biologics and coding and billing requirements related to the use of single dose containers and drug waste.
NHIA responded to an FDA request for comment on “Increasing Patient Access to At-Home Use Medical Technologies,” applauding the agency for recognizing the importance of facilitating access to care in the home.
NHIA submitted comments to CMS on the proposed 2024 home health payment rule. CMS did not mention the HIT services benefit in its 2024 rulemaking, however, NHIA believes it is important to continue advocating on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries to improve access to home infusion services.
Home infusion is a site of care (SOC) option for patients requiring intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) medications for treatment of acute and chronic medical conditions. Patients and payors have become aware of the sizeable cost savings associated with home infusion when compared to other SOC. There is a need to gain an understanding of the amount of savings associated with home infusion when compared to other SOCs such as the hospital. The literature review objective is to provide a critical evaluation of the current evidence of the cost savings associated with home and outpatient infusion therapy when compared to inpatient therapy.
On Friday June 30, 2023, CMS released proposed updates to the Medicare Home Health Prospective Payment System for CY 2024. The proposed home health rule does not address home infusion therapy (HIT) services other than to describe the potential interaction with the new Home IVIG Items and Service benefit, which replaces the IVIG demonstration starting on January 1, 2024.
