IDSA Supports Legislation That Would Guarantee Medicare Beneficiaries Access to Home Infusion Therapy Services
One of the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s long-standing legislative priorities has been Medicare coverage for antimicrobial infusion therapy services that are provided in the home-setting, also known as home infusion therapy (HIT). Until recently, infusions of drugs and biologicals were almost exclusively provided in the physician office or inpatient settings. This began to change several years ago as health plans began to recognize the potential of HIT services to reduce costs and increase patient satisfaction. The recent emergence of healthcare-associated infections has made coverage of home infusion therapy services a patient safety issue as well.
In 2003, the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) mandated coverage for home infusion drugs including antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungal drugs, which are prescribed for patients with serious infections, such as bone and skin infections, heart infections, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. Unfortunately, CMS’s strict interpretation of the MMA provision did not extend coverage to the services and supplies associated with home infusion therapy, including pharmacy and care coordination services, and medical supplies and equipment.
The Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2007
IDSA recently joined a coalition of home infusion pharmacists, pharmaceutical companies, and patient groups to urge Congress to enact H.R. 2567, the Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2007, which would provide Medicare beneficiaries with meaningful access to home infusion therapy services. H.R. 2567 would cover the infusion-related professional services, supplies and equipment under Medicare Part B, while continuing coverage of the infusion drugs under Medicare Part D. While a home infusion benefit split between Medicare Parts B and D may not be ideal, it is the most feasible approach given the current political climate. If enacted, this legislation would provide Medicare beneficiaries with the access to home infusion therapy services that private sector patients have enjoyed for many years. A current list of Congressional co-sponsors of H.R. 2567 is available online.
Home Infusion Informational Documents
NEWS RELEASE: Infectious Disease Doctors Urge Congress to Cover Home Infusion Therapy for Medicare Beneficiaries
The Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2007: Section-by-Section Summary
Home Infusion Legislative Letters
IDSA Sends Letter Thanking Representative Eliot Engel and other Congressional co-sponsors of H.R. 2567
Coalition of Medical Specialties Urge Congress to Enact H.R. 2567
Coalition Urges Senate Finance Committee Leaders to Make Medicare Coverage of Home Infusions a Legislative Priority
Urge Your Legislators to Support H.R. 2567
We need your help to pass the Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2007. Please go to IDSA's HIT grassroots advocacy alerts for the House of Representatives and the Senate to download a personalized letter that you can fax to your legisators regarding the need to ensure Medicare beneficiaries’ access to antimicrobial infusions at home.
Additional Home Infusion Therapy Resources
For information regarding billing and coding for home infusion therapy services, please go to the Home Infusion Therapy Frequently Asked Questions Page or the Practice Management Forms and Documents page. Please alert IDSA staff at jscull@idsociety.org to additional questions that you have, as well as problems that arise so that we may quickly address these issues.