This bill was sponsored by Elion Engel (D-NY) and Pat Tiberi (R-OH) to address the coverage gap for Medicare patients to receive infusion therapy at home. The bill was submitted to the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Sept. 10. This bill carries with it recent study results from the health policy firm Avalere indicating that Medicare could save an estimated $80 million over a 10 year period by covering home-based infusions for one treatment alone, IVIG for patients with primary immunodeficiency disorder (PIDD) anti-infective therapy alone. The full report on the savings analysis is available at NHIA.
Unlike the first bill that was introduced (Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act) in 2009 and again in 2011, the new bill demonstrates “real savings” to Medicare. The issue previously was not that members of Congress and congressional staff felt the legislation was unimportant, but it was regarded as a cost. With the Avalere study, it can be demonstrated that home infusion can actually save Medicare money. There is renewed optimism that coverage may get approved at some point in the future.