Frequently Asked Questions
My community is experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19, and know my medication can make me more likely to become sick. Should I skip my infusions until the outbreak is over?
Different infusion therapies affect the immune system in different ways, which means some medications will weaken the immune system more than others. Also, it is important to remember that infusion medications are meant to be given on a set schedule to control the progression of disease. For this reason, it is important to communicate with your provider to discuss your specific case and determine a plan that balances the risks and benefits of receiving your prescribed therapy during a community outbreak of COVID-19. At Infusion Solutions, patients and referring physicians have additional comfort in knowing that every patient receives their treatment in a private suite. As always, you should not stop receiving your infusions without first consulting your healthcare team.
What is my risk of getting COVID-19 at Infusion Solutions?
Here at PURE, we are experienced in caring for patients with weakened immune systems and have already updated our infection prevention plans in accordance with the CDC and WHO, to ensure the safety of our patients. Unlike most other infusion locations, at PURE, you will be assigned a private suite to specifically adheres to the government recommended social distancing guidelines. Additionally, our infection prevention plans are used all year, every year, to protect both our patients and staff from illnesses like the common cold, the flu, and most recently COVID-19. Here are a few examples of our disinfection, screening, and visitation policies:
Disinfecting all patient care equipment (i.e. blood pressure cuffs, infusion chairs, IV pumps) between patient use
Disinfection of frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, check-in area pens and clipboards, faucets, etc.
Screening patients and staff for respiratory illnesses and potential exposure
Limiting or restricting visitors
Why should I go to Infusion Solutions when my hospital offers infusion services?
Getting your infusion or injection therapy done at Infusion Solutions offers significant advantages over the hospital.
For one, our facilities are focused exclusively on infusions and injections — this means that every supervising physician, nurse, and other staff member has the expertise to guide you through all aspects of your treatment in a private suite rather than one large room. Going to Infusion Solutions means less hassle in parking, and not having to navigate through a complex, multi-building hospital to get to your treatment location (which unfortunately will generally be administered in one big room which was designed by an actuary – we love actuaries but just not for designing rooms which require private space and a spa-like atmosphere).
More importantly, your treatment costs at Infusion Solutions are significantly lower than the same treatment provided at a hospital, and with most insurance providers, you’ll also have a much lower copay — this will save you thousands of dollars every year.
Sounds too good to be true? Don’t take our word for it.
Under the Hospital Price Transparency and Disclosure Act of 2018, hospitals are required to post their prices for their standard services on their website (including infusion and injection therapies). If you research your local hospital, you’ll find that hospitals are often over-charging your private insurance company more than 200 times than the Medicare rates for the same medical services (private insurance companies have been found to be overpaying hospitals from the range from 150 percent of Medicare rates at the low end to 350 to 400-plus percent at the high end) (see Rand Corporation -Prices Paid to Hospitals by Private Health Plans – 2019).
Ultimately, by making private insurance companies overpay for the same medical services (while also delivering a lower clinical experience – see the same Rand study cited above), we each end up paying more for healthcare as our insurance premiums go up each year (leaving less of our hard-earned money in our pockets). This is why private insurance companies love PURE as we save you and them money. Thus, at Infusion Solutions, we work with your insurance companies to reduce costs relating to your infusion and injection therapies for all those involved.
Do I have to switch my doctor or nurse practitioner to receive treatment at Infusion Solutions?
Absolutely not. In fact, most doctors’ offices are thrilled to find out that a Infusion Solutions is nearby as we can dramatically remove the administrative burden from their practice in coordinating your care with your insurance provider and administering your infusion or injection therapy. Thus, as an ambulatory infusion center, we serve as an extension to your current doctor’s medical practice which allows your doctor to not worry about the administrative burden of your treatment and thereby focus on what matters most – you and your care.
With your current medical provider, once we have received your order from your current doctor’s office, we coordinate your care by quickly obtaining your pre-authorization with your insurance provider for your specific treatment. Once you have received treatment at Infusion Solutions, we then do regular 360-degree communication with your doctor’s office (e.g., sharing your infusion or injection therapy notes from our facility with your doctor’s office, etc.) each time you visit Infusion Solutions to ensure they can continue to make data-driven decisions.
Who administers my infusion treatment?
Depending on the location, either a board certified physician, nurse practitioner, or a skilled registered nurse will administered your treatment. In general, our infusion nurses have an average of over 15 years of direct patient care experience involving all aspects of each of the complex infusion and injection therapies that we provide.
I am worried about my co-pay amounts for my treatments and medicines - what do I do?
Talk to us! We understand how stressful managing your insurance benefits can be (even more so when you have previously been doing that alone in a hospital setting). The financial burden patients face from chronic illnesses can be truly devastating. At Infusion Solutions, rest assured that you are not left alone to manage your insurance benefits and co-pay amounts as you receive your treatments throughout the year.
As new patients arrive at Infusion Solutions, it is a sad but regular event for our team to observe that many patients were never made aware by their previous hospital or medical provider of the many and specific financial assistant programs offered for their unique treatment. At Infusion Solutions, we have dedicated staff to help each patient obtain the maximum benefit from these programs. In short, our team takes the burden off of your shoulders in navigating the complex insurance and financial assistance program landscape associated with your treatment. At Infusion Solutions, with financial assistance, we are your expert advocate in managing your insurance benefits, and we pride ourselves in ensuring you keep all of your hard-earned money in your pocket by not overpaying for your treatments.
What can I expect at my appointment?
You can expect to come into the office and check-in at the front desk. They will verify your insurance info, collect a co-pay if indicated and verify that all of your paperwork is completed/up-to-date. You will then be taken back to the infusion suite when the nurse is ready to begin your infusion. The RN will start with an assessment to include checking your vitals, reviewing your current medications, and noting any changes since your previous appointment or establishing a baseline if you are a new patient. The RN will also provide teaching about your infusion for new patients. The RN will then start your IV and administer any premeds as ordered, then start the infusion of your medication. Vitals will be checked periodically during the infusion, and once your infusion is complete. You will be observed for 30-minutes after your infusion during which time a saline flush will be administered. After one more set of vitals are taken, you will be discharged with verbal or written instructions as appropriate providing that there haven’t been any complications or reactions. You will also be scheduled for your next infusion before you leave the infusion suite.
Can I bring anyone to my appointment?
Yes. Most of our suites are large enough to allow guests to sit with you during your treatment. They are also always welcome to wait in our waiting room. It is always recommended to have someone else drive you to and from your first few appointments until you know how well you tolerate your treatment.
What can I do during my appointment?
During your appointment, you may watch one of our TV’s, utilize our free WiFi to enjoy on your own device (cell phone, laptop, tablet), read, sleep, color, etc. We provide earplugs at all of our infusion suites for those that prefer a quiet environment. We also have pillows and blankets on hand for comfort, but feel free to bring your own if you wish.
How long will it take to receive my infusion?
It depends on what drug/therapy is being infused and how well the patient tolerates it. Most infusion appointments will require 1-2 hours to complete. Please call or email for specific information about your treatment.
What should I wear to my infusion?
You can wear anything you would like, but we recommend comfortable clothing and request that you wear clothing that allows easy access to arms so that we can start your IV without complication. Avoid sleeves that are too tight as they may restrict the flow of your IV. If you have a mediport, you will want to wear a button-up shirt or a shirt with a v-neck or lower neckline so that we can easily access your port.
Will I be able to eat during my infusion?
Absolutely!!! We have a refrigerator and a microwave onsite at each of our locations, and we are more than happy to heat up your food for you or keep it chilled until you are ready to consume it.
What is an infusion?
An infusion is a method of delivery of medications and fluids through a vein.