home infusion

Currently, Medicare only covers certain home infusion drugs and biologicals administered intravenously, or subcutaneously, while commercial payors cover patients for an expansive array of intravenous and subcutaneous drugs. Lifting Medicare regulations, will ensure that Medicare enrollees in need of home infusion therapy can receive the care they need in a more comfortable environment and at a more reasonable cost to the federal government. This would provide increased access to care for patients with immune diseases, cancer, serious infections, heart failure, and other conditions that might otherwise force patients to receive their care in a more expensive and less convenient hospital, outpatient clinic, or skilled facility. This legislation is vital to home infusion patients, allowing them to safely receive treatment in the setting they overwhelmingly prefer—their homes.

“Home infusion providers have the capacity to treat hundreds-of-thousands of patients as hospitals and nursing facilities are being pushed to capacity,” said National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) Board Chair Logan Davis, PharmD, MBA. “Regardless of any change in policy, the home infusion community is working with health care providers to bring their resources to bare and keep the most vulnerable patients at home. While this can be a challenge for patients in traditional Medicare — where coverage is limited — the home infusion community is committed to playing a vital role in addressing this public health emergency.”

As per the NHIA, more than 160 hospitals, patient groups, and other stakeholders are calling on Medicare to lift restrictions on home infusion. They have announced their support for concept legislation that would: 

  • Cover Home Infusion Equipment, Supplies, and Professional Services.
  • Adequately Reimburse Providers.
  • Maintain Current Drug and Home Health Reimbursement.

“Our focus has always been to improve post-acute care coordination and care management, to help reduce gaps in patient care, and to enhance the overall patient experience,” said Keith Hartman, RPH, COO of ContinuumRx. “As a response to the pandemic, we have seen the rapid shift from moving care out of the hospital to home, are experiencing and measuring the success rates, and foresee that this is the model for the future. By lifting the current Medicare restrictions the door is opened to offer a higher quality of care and reduction in rehospitalization rates.”

ContinuumRx is committed to to doing our part to #FlattenTheCure, #DeliverHope, and heighten a patient’s quality of care while providing solutions to your staff and patients that require home infusion therapy. Our priority is to work with your team to identify patients that can be moved to the safety of their home not only to decrease their risk of hospitalization/re-hospitalization, but also to free up hospital beds for COVID-19 needs. 

We are actively monitoring the CDC guidelines related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and updating our plans, policies, and guidelines as needed. We continue to accept and service new patients and operate under the highest standards.

ContinuumRx is dedicated to these guidelines to protect our healthcare providers and patients:

General Guidelines:

  • Complying with existing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and disaster emergency plans, and updating as needed for PPE modifications, social distancing, and compounding procedures.
  • Establish remote working capabilities for pharmacy staff where possible.

Patient Guidelines:

  • Providing bedside education and instruction via FaceTime, Zoom and Skype: 
    • For resumption of patient care 
    • For patients that are teachable remotely
    • Patient and caregiver education via video library
  • Requiring patients to wear face masks.
  • Maintain social distancing.
  • Comply with local health department screening, patient contact, and reporting requirements.

Patient Delivery:

  • Employ delivery strategies that limit patient/employee exposure:
    • Leave packages at the patient’s home and call the patient to alert them to delivery.
    • Utilize photo confirmation rather than obtain signatures.
    • Use common courier services (UPS, FedEx) whenever possible.
    • Do not allow courier or shipping personnel into your household.

Nursing Staff:

  • Limit nursing time in the home.
  • Medical-grade masks, gowns, and shoe covers.
  • Hand sanitizer upon initial entry and during glove change processes.
  • Instruct patients to have supplies needed for procedures ready prior to the nurse entering the home.
  • Nursing bags are prohibited in the patient’s home.
  • Limit non-disposable supplies taken into home.
  • Use disposable supplies, such as BP cuffs, stethoscopes and thermometer when possible.
  • Complete non-physical assessment telephonically.
  • Complete all documentation outside the home.
  • Patient Screening Tool to Identify COVID-19 Patients.
  • COVID-19 testing recommendations.
  • Isolation guidelines when employees develop symptoms.
  • Quarantine guidelines when exposure is suspected.
  • Return to work guidelines per CDC Criteria for Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19.

We will continue to implement innovative ways to maintain the same level of service that you expect as we all work together during this difficult time.