Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) has introduced a bipartisan bill protecting patients' right to receive intravenous (IV) medications at home.
Named the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act, Rep. Buchanan's bill specifically addresses issues related to using IV medications within one's house, namely the physical presence of a nurse requirement for providers of IV medication to receive reimbursement.
The current system of a nurse needing to be physically present fails to adequately account for remote administrative and clinical services provided by home infusion clinicians. A Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services report suggested that this setup has seen a decline in providers participating in home infusion, despite 95% of patients saying they would prefer doing infusions at home.
As a result, Rep. Buchanan's Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act cuts out the middleman of a nurse required to be physically present, thereby ensuring payment and adequately accounting for the various services provided in home infusion into the reimbursement structure.
"Home health services are invaluable for the nearly 200,000 seniors in my district and anyone in need of accessible, convenient care," the Florida Congressman said in his press release, adding, "The Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act will ensure that Medicare recipients are able to continue to receive life-saving drugs in a safe and effective way from the comfort and convenience of their own home."
Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI), the bill's cosponsor in the House, added, "Expanding at-home care not only enhances patient comfort but also offers substantial cost savings for both patients and providers."
"The legislation's commonsense reforms will expand access to home infusion services for Medicare beneficiaries, saving the Medicare program millions of dollars, cutting patient costs, and ensuring people receive safe and adequate care in the comfort of their own home. I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this bipartisan legislation forward so we can effectively care for people and save money by doing so in a home setting," Rep. Dingell continued.
Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the Senate companion version of the Act.
