NHIA COMMENDS CONGRESSMAN ENGEL’S COMMITMENT TO ENACT LEGISLATION SEEKING MEDICARE COVERAGE OF HOME-BASED INFUSION THERAPIES CURRENTLY DENIED TO BENEFICIARIES

(WASHINGTON, DC, June 25, 2009) – The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) today praised Representative Eliot L. Engel (D-NY-17) for his leadership in driving health care legislation aimed at providing Americans on Medicare with much needed access to high-quality, life-saving home infusion therapy denied to them under the current program. At the June 24 House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on health care reform, Congressman Engel asked Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for her support in driving the “Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2009”.

The proposed legislation, “Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2009” (H.R. 574), was introduced by the Congressman earlier this year with bi-partisan support from Representative Tim F. Murphy (R-PA-18), and 92 additional members of the House. This legislation would close a gap that currently exists in coverage where the medications used in infusions to treat serious diseases are covered, but not the services, supplies or equipment needed to deliver the home therapy. The same bi-partisan legislation (S. 254) was introduced in the Senate by Senators Blanche L. Lincoln (D-AR) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME).

At the hearing, Representative Engel acknowledged home infusion therapy as a priority and stated that the proposed legislation “addresses an anomaly in the Medicare program that forces patients into hospitals and nursing homes to receive their multi-week infusion therapy when the same care could be delivered safely in the patient’s home. For decades, private health insurance has covered home infusion therapy. It is used extensively by Medicare Advantage plans. Medicaid programs cover it. But Medicare fee for service stands alone in the failure to cover the services, equipment and supplies needed for home infusion therapy,” Representative Engel told the committee.

“We are tremendously pleased with Congressman Engel’s commitment to achieving meaningful legislation to close the Medicare home infusion benefit gap. We are also grateful for the increasing support we are receiving from both houses of Congress where 110 members have signed on as co-sponsors of the proposed joint legislation,” said NHIA President Russell Bodoff.

Congressman Engel attained commitment from Secretary Sebelius and her staff to work with Chairman Henry Waxman on meaningful legislation to close the Medicare home infusion benefit gap.

“NHIA and its members are committed to providing cost-efficient, high-quality home infusion therapy care to patients needing intravenous medications. For decades, private insurers have provided home infusion coverage in recognition of lower costs and high-quality outcomes. Medicare is the only major payor that does not reimburse for home infusion therapy,” said Bodoff. “We are looking forward to the day when elderly and disabled Americans on Medicare can receive the same benefits. If health care reform is to be successful, our country can no longer support the Medicare practice of utilizing limited health care dollars to keep patients in hospitals and nursing homes when it is not medically needed and when it is contrary to the physician’s advice and patient’s preference,” Bodoff added.

NHIA, based in Alexandria, Virginia, represents and advances the interests of organizations that provide home infusion and specialized pharmacy products and services to the entire spectrum of home-based patients. It is the leading voice in representing the interests of older and disabled Medicare patients denied home infusion coverage. For more information, visit www.nhia.org.