November 2019 Message from the Director
Hello colleagues,
I hope everyone is having a productive start to the holiday season! It’s full steam ahead for team NICA as we continue to support a sustainable future for outpatient infusion/injection services and ensure that patients can access the care they need.
Insurance Opinion Survey
In mid-October, NICA created a survey to gauge patients’ perception of cost utilization practices such as Step Therapy and Non-Medical Switching, and the implications these practices have on member satisfaction. So far, more than eighty five percent of respondents have stated their insurance company has made it difficult to pay for the health care they need, including medications, and more than sixty percent have indicated their insurance company has made them try a medication that was different from what was initially prescribed.
We encourage you to share this survey with your patients!
Marketplace Open Enrollment
The open enrollment period for the healthcare marketplace began November 1, and NICA understands that navigating the process can be stressful and at some points overwhelming. Our educational module How to Purchase Health Insurance in the Marketplace breaks down the confusing jargon so that you can make a selection with confidence. We also review types of plans, insurance terminology, and how your costs will be determined in 2020. You can find this educational module and more here>>
Medicare Coverage
Know someone that has recently become eligible for Medicare or is considering a Medicare Advantage plan? We have modules for them too! The annual Medicare Open Enrollment period began on October 15 and ends on December 7, so be sure to review the types of Medicare coverage, Medicare Advantage plans, how Medicare differs from Medicaid, what is needed to enroll, and what to consider before enrolling. Click here to review the module today >>
Get Involved with Us!
Advocate Network
NICA was formed to amplify patient and provider voices into a cohesive advocacy voice for outpatient infusion/injection access. We want to ensure that your voices are being heard! In response to demand from the infusion community, we are continuing to build out an advocate network to empower both patients and providers to be more active in advocacy efforts at the state and/or federal level in support of access to care. If you are interested in learning about ways in which you can be more active, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Patient Stories and Provider Challenges
Decision-makers do not fully appreciate the value of infusion/injection therapy and the implications associated with delayed, restricted, or disrupted access to care. We need to help them and the general public understand how access to high-quality care has impacted people’s lives and what happens when people cannot get the care they need. We are looking for patients willing to share their infusion journey and providers willing to share their professional journey. It is imperative that we continue establishing the human connection with infusion/injection therapy. The future will depend on it! If you would like to share your journey, or have patients that would like to share theirs, please connect with us at [email protected] to discuss how we can work together to compile these narratives.
#NICA2020 Meeting
As we are nearing the end of the year, we’re finalizing the schedule for our second annual meeting! In response to popular demand, we will be adding interactive workshops in which attendees can participate in the dialogue and share their own practices in hot-button topics like infusion billing, challenges, working with payers, and optimizing the patient experience.
With the incredible response to the #NICA2019 meeting and limited capacity to expand registration for 2020, we anticipate registrations will sell out rather quickly. Sign up for registration notifications so you don’t miss your opportunity to join infusion experts from across the country as they address the most pressing challenges in the infusion industry and discuss how to preserve, optimize, and expand access to this important healthcare delivery channel in breakout sessions and workshops. To receive updates, sign up here>>
Did you miss the inaugural meeting? Take a look at some highlights!
This month, we want to say how thankful we are for your continued belief in, and support of, NICA. We are inspired each and every day by the commitment of advocates, patients, providers, office staff, and industry professionals who work tenaciously to support access to consistent, high-quality care in a safe and compassionate office-based care setting.
Thank you for your ongoing support,
Brian Nyquist, MPH
Executive Director, National Infusion Center Association