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COVID-19 Home Infusion Therapy Program (C-HIT)

Monoclonal antibodies are an effective treatment for COVID-19 if administered early in the course of disease (within 10 days of symptom onset). There are currently two products approved through the Food and Drug Administration through an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Due to emerging variants, some products may be restricted for use in certain states. 

 

Home infusion providers are encouraged to participate in NHIA’s COVID-19 Home Infusion Therapy Program (C-HIT) by offering home infusion of COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies.  As a participant in the program, NHIA will include the providers’ location and contact information on NHIA’s website and provider listing to help prescribers locate services for their patients. NHIA will also collect data on COVID-19 mAB utilization and clinical outcomes to contribute to the scientific body of knowledge for effectiveness and safety of home infusion of these agents. 

Resources for Home Infusion Providers


Home infusion providers are strongly encouraged to offer COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments to eligible patients in their communities. Monoclonal antibodies are an Important intervention for patients who cannot be vaccinated, or do not elicit a strong immune response to the vaccines.

Starting on May 6, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) increased the payment rate for administering monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19 in the home to $750 per infusion. The decision to increase the rate for home infusion reflects the higher cost to treat patients at home for these one-time infusions.

NHIA is collecting data from home infusion providers for purposes of sharing information with CMS about the ability of home infusion to improve the utilization of COVID-19 mABs. Providers who commit to collecting and sharing data about patients receiving home infusion for treatment of COVID-19 will be listed on the NHIA provider location website. For more information about the data-sharing program, see the COVID-19 mAB Data Sharing Agreement below.

For Medicare Advantage Plan patients you treat on or after January 1, 2022 (except for most Medicare Advantage hospice patients), submit claim for administering COVID-19 monoclonal antibody products to the Medicare Advantage Plan. Original Medicare won’t pay these claims beginning in January 2022.

Resources for PHYSICIANS

Home infusion pharmacists and nurses are specially trained in providing a wide range of IV treatments in the home setting, including monoclonal antibodies. For more than 40 years, home infusion pharmacies have supported patients with conditions such as cancer, serious infections, autoimmune disorders, and GI disease. Home infusion providers coordinate with local nurses to administer home therapies and often have large service areas. 

Physicians seeking to access home infusion for COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments are encouraged to directly contact a home infusion provider using the NHIA locator map. If you are unable to find a provider that serves your area, please send an email to Ryan Garst, PharmD, MBA, BCSCP at ryan.garst@nhia.org for additional support.