[Jamie Hagan]

We currently do not do Infusion and I'm trying to gather information to see if we want to even pursue this avenue. Can those of you that do this fill me in on things like reimbursement, cost, overall thoughts on it? Are you able to "team Up" with a Pharmacy that would do the Meds and as a DME supply the Pumps?? I'm totally ignorant on this and would like any advice out there on it. Thanks

[CrystalO]

Infusion requires that a pharmacist be available 24 hours a day. The pharmacist must determine if an ambulatory infusion pump is required for the administration of the drug. Most drugs can be given IVP or by gravity. The pump must be programmed by the pharmacist. You must have a back up pump available for each pump that is assigned to a patient. Infusion is more of a pharmacy service than it is a DME service. I could not imagine providing infusion pharmacy through DME without the clinical staff with the knowledge and expertise of the drugs and reimbursement issues. Reimbursement is dependant upon the payor. Some Medicare part d drug plans only cover the vial of medication, no compounding and no supplies.

[jacqberry]

i sold infusion for caremark 20 or more years ago a lot of physicians have started and own there own infusion companies that order it a lot (for private pay only) and medicare does not currently cover infusion unless that changed in the new health care bill you need a pharmacist a pharmacy tech and a clean room or hood it is expensive to get it started i would do a market analysis first to see if there is a need in your area a lot of the insurance companies have contracts with companies also it is labour intensive requires a nurse who knows how to use infusion pumps and they are hard to find sometimes good luck

[Regina]

jacqberry- Just wondering- someone was just trying to get me to come work for their infusion company, and asked if I knew anything about Medicare billing of infusion. But you say that Medicare doesn't cover it? I am just curious. Thanks!

[jacqberry]

if you are in billing that might be ok medicare patients who need infusion usually end up in nursing homes for the duration of their antibiotics usage medicare does cover tpn total parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition i would want to know A> who are the owners of the infusion company B do they have physician investors and C what are they going to do about competitive bidding if and when it hits for TPN Tpn can be pretty complicated getting it covered and mixing it you might be better off where you are of course all bets are off with the new health care bill physicians are no longer allowed to own medical equipment, hospitals, mri's etc so who knows who will end up winning in the future if you are looking for long term employment and of course a lot of infusion is dictated by insurance companies also ask them who there biggest payor is too that should tell you alot good luck

[Regina]

Thanks! I would definitely check those points out before I made a move.