NHIA Membership

NHIA Provider Membership

Frequently Asked Questions
About NHIA’s Updated 2012 Membership Dues Schedule

Click here for a pdf of the FAQs

1. When will the new membership dues schedule become effective?
   The new membership dues schedule will become effective with your 2012 invoice.  The billing cycle for members will remain the same.
   
   
2. What is the definition of “net revenue” for the purposes of identifying your correct membership dues level on the updated schedule?
   “Net revenue” refers to an organization’s total net revenue from infusion and injectable drugs, as well as enteral and parenteral nutrition therapies.
   
   
3. What is the need and rationale for the 2012 change to the NHIA membership dues schedule?
   The imperative for updating the membership dues schedule is two-fold.  The dues schedule adjustment reflects the need of the Association to further strengthen its legislative, regulatory, and advocacy outreach in response to mounting challenges related to attempts to control health care spending by increasing the financial burden on providers—and, thereby, negatively impacting patients, as well.  There is also a need to increase outreach, education and awareness to private payers to help maintain appropriate reimbursement. At the same time, continuing industry consolidation has led to lost revenue for the Association and we expect this trend to continue in the foreseeable future. The current four-year old membership dues schedule can no longer sustain the needed levels of support required to respond to the evolving needs of members. The increase in membership dues will give the Association additional financial resources to appropriately represent all provider members.
   
   
4. Why is legislative, regulatory and advocacy representation so important?
   Health care reform legislation, and our nation’s need to cut health care expenditures, have created considerable pressure to reduce reimbursement to providers.  The Association, on behalf of the industry, needs to be vigilant in responding to a changing health care and regulatory environment that is becoming less positive for providers. Maintaining a strong, unified and assertive voice in Washington provides us with the best opportunities to positively affect public policy and regulatory matters, while defending positions that are critical to the future of the alternate-site infusion field. NHIA works aggressively to secure meaningful Medicare legislation that will offer the prospect to better support the needs of patients and enable the growth of the industry.  At the same time, NHIA is increasing initiatives to respond to the many recurring challenges that could erode current reimbursement levels (and models).
   
   
5. How does this dues change differ from the reorganization of the dues structure in 2008?
   The 2012 adjustment to membership dues represents the first since the 2008 transformation of the Association’s membership structure from that of a struggling individual member-based organization, to a successful trade association comprised of company provider members.  That transformation helped to dramatically stabilize the treacherous financial situation of the Association, supported the advancement of our members and the industry, and helped the alternate-site infusion therapy field gain recognition as a respected provider of low cost, high quality care. The 2012 dues adjustment will build upon that foundation to support activities critical to protecting and advancing the ability of provider members to better serve their patients and operate thriving infusion companies. It will strengthen NHIA services to help members more effectively respond to future opportunities and challenges. The new schedule also reflects a commitment by larger providers to take on a greater share of the required dues adjustment.
   
   
6. How will the membership dues adjustment benefit my organization?
   The 2012 membership dues change will allow the Association to continue to provide its wide array of on-target member services (click here for a list of recent accomplishments made possible through NHIA services), while better representing the emergent legislative and regulatory needs of the industry.  A stronger advocacy program  to both the public and private sectors, will help address the increasing challenges of health care reform and pave the way for future opportunities that exist for the alternate-site infusion therapy industry, within a health care environment that demands high quality and efficient care, at low cost.
   
   
7. What changes can I expect from the new dues schedule?
   The new dues schedule will enable the Association to better represent the evolving legislative and regulatory needs of the industry in light of the challenges brought about by health care reform and debt relief legislation.  In response to member preference for a single payment, the resources required to fund current and future legislative and advocacy activities will now be rolled into the updated dues schedule.  This will eliminate the need for additional funding through the Legislative Defense Fund.
   
   
8. How was the new dues schedule developed?
   The new dues schedule was developed by a NHIA Board of Directors task group comprised of small, medium and large organizations representing the NHIA membership. The task group conducted an extensive evaluation of the current provider dues structure, studied the dues schedules of other health care trade associations, and reviewed various options to assure equitability among members and to ensure the appropriate financial resources were in place to meet the changing needs of members and the Association. The proposed new dues schedule was reviewed by a diverse sampling of members to obtain feedback and to make any final adjustments needed, prior to being finalized and released by the NHIA Board.    
   
   
9. Does the new dues schedule represent a fair balance among members?
   The NHIA Board task group looked at the current distribution of members to ensure that an appropriate spread among the different dues levels of membership existed—and that the new schedule helped to best address the impact of continued industry acquisitions. The NHIA Board made the unanimous decision to maintain affordability at lower revenue levels—thus minimizing impact on small providers, with larger companies assuming a higher level of financial responsibility. The tier levels were designed to help protect the Association from the lost revenue resulting when one member acquires another, while assuring the Association has the necessary funds needed to provide key services.
   
   
10. Who do I contact for additional information on the new membership dues schedule?
    Additional information on the new membership dues schedule can be obtained from Ginny Lebeck, NHIA Manager of Marketing and Member Services by phone at 703-838-2659 or via e-mail at Ginny.Lebeck@nhia.org.
    
    
11. What are some of the recent, key accomplishments attained via NHIA’s many services and actions?
    It is sometimes difficult for members to be aware of all the activity taking place within NHIA that impact their companies—and the industry. While major legislation and education programs frequently receive wide visibility, vigilant work that benefits other aspects of your business takes place every day. Click here to review a list of key accomplishments achieved by NHIA since the Association’s reorganization in 2008.