Statement on the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act

By Blair Childs, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs

Premier applauds Reps. Terri Sewell (D-AL), Fred Upton (R-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Scott (R-SC) for reintroducing the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act (H.R. 5067 / S. 2652) to protect patients in need of home infusion therapy services across the United States.

Premier has long advocated for comprehensive home infusion payment reform that recognizes important home infusion therapy services that are necessary for patients to access high quality, cost-effective treatment in their preferred setting. Unfortunately, CMS has misconstrued Congress’ intent in passing the 21st Century Cures Act and Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 and is restricting payment for infusion services when it occurs in the patient’s home.

Beneficiaries who receive home infusion therapy are often susceptible to infection and other adverse clinical outcomes. Medicare has recognized the importance of treating beneficiaries in the home throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Medicare home infusion therapy services benefit still needs improvement to support those beneficiaries who could-- and should -- receive infusions in the home.

We call on Congress to pass the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act expeditiously to ensure vulnerable Medicare patients have continued access to crucial home infusion services.