Involves the intravenous or subcutaneous administration of drugs or biologicals to an individual at home.
Covered components needed to perform home infusion include the drug (for example, antivirals, immune globulin), equipment (for example, a pump), and supplies (for example, tubing and catheters).
Nursing services are necessary to train and educate the patient and caregivers on the safe administration of infusion drugs in the home. Visiting nurses often play a large role in home infusion. Nurses typically train the patient or caregiver to self-administer the drug, educate on side effects and goals of therapy, and visit periodically to assess the infusion site and provide dressing changes.
Medicare home infusion therapy benefit is for coverage of home infusion therapy-associated professional services (including nursing services) for certain drugs and biologicals administered intravenously, or subcutaneously through a pump that is an item of DME, defines home infusion therapy to include the following items and services:
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- professional services
- training and education (not otherwise included in the payment for the DME),
- remote monitoring, and other monitoring services
- qualified home infusion therapy supplier in the patient’s home.
Effective January 1, 2021. Section 1861(iii)(2) of the Act