InfusaCare - Home Infusion Services

Home Infusion's Most Commonly Asked Questions

1. How much does home infusion cost?

Home infusion therapy, for the most part, is billed to major medical payers in per diem units. The per diem, or per day, charge usually includes all supplies and equipment necessary to administer the therapy. Of course this varies with each case but the payers have negotiated contracts with providers, such as InfusaCare, to provide the therapy for a “fixed” daily rate. This is much like a hospital charges a certain fee for an appendectomy surgery regardless of the amount of supplies necessary for an individual patient. The medications are billed based upon the average wholesale price (A.W.P.). On average, home infusion therapy costs about 10-25% of hospitalization. Our average daily charges in 1998 for nursing, medication, equipment and supplies were $144.00.

2. What is a per diem?

A per diem is a method of reimbursement utilized as the standard for home infusion. The per diem or “per day” charge is an agreed rate that our company has contracted with a payer, usually a major medical insurer, to provide our services. This rate allows us to design the therapy in whichever format we feel will produce the best results. Some cases require more supplies and time than others but the per diem remains the same.

3. Is there a charge if the nurse cannot get the I.V. started?

Yes. While, in more than 91% of our cases the peripheral I.V. start is successful, sometimes circumstances prevent placement of a catheter. InfusaCare still charges for pharmaceuticals dispensed, supplies utilized and the nurse visit.

4. Can I return unused supplies or medicine for credit to my account?

No. The Mississippi State Board of Pharmacy does not allow the return of prescription medicines or “legend” supplies once dispensed to a patient. Also, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, our accrediting body, does not allow the reutilization of supplies or medications. We do our very best to estimate the amount of supplies and medication, based upon physician orders, necessary for each individual, but it is wholly unpredictable. Our overriding goal is to complete the therapy as prescribed with a positive outcome for the patient.

5. Does your company offer professional or other discounts?

No. Current federal legislation does not allow for the provision of discounts or write-offs to patients or their responsible parties. In compliance with this legislation, InfusaCare does not offer any discounts. We have many, many managed healthcare contracts because we provide a quality service for a very reasonable charge.

6. Does a nurse come every day?

Most of the time our nursing staff teaches the patient or capable caregiver to perform the necessary steps to administer the therapy. Because home infusion therapy is provided in the home and not an acute care facility, such as a hospital, it is much more safely administered when a patient or caregiver learns how to manage their care. Our staff is very qualified and initiates over five hundred infusion cases annually. They are very focused on competent training and assessment of difficult situations.

If you have additional questions, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.