Implementation of Site of Care Optimization Program for members in the North GSA, effective 11/15/2024
Date: 10/07/24
Implementation of Infusion Site of Care Optimization Program for Medicaid Members in the North Geographic Service Area Effective 11/15/2024
Effective 11/15/2024, Arizona Complete Health–Complete Care Plan (AzCH-CCP) is implementing an Infusion Site of Care Optimization Program (SOC Program) for members moving from Care1st (in the North Geographic Service Area including Apache, Coconino, Mohave, Navajo, and Yavapai counties) to AzCH-CCP on 10/1/2024. Providers with members receiving infusions in an outpatient hospital will receive notification to select a home infusion or ambulatory infusion suite (AIS). We offer several home infusion options and/or AIS locations, which are listed on page 2. Current prescribers will receive a fax in early October requesting Site of Care change selections for identified members.
The SOC Program involves redirecting the dispensing and administration of provider administered drugs away from outpatient hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices into patients’ homes or AIS. If administration of a drug is to be found to be medically necessary at a prescriber office or outpatient hospital, the policy also allows for shipment of the drug to the administering facility from AzCH-CCP’s preferred specialty pharmacy, AcariaHealth.
The SOC Program targets several therapeutic areas including immune globulin, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, and oncology with a goal to promote positive clinical outcomes and re-direction to the most cost-effective setting. Home infusion allows members with compromised immune systems to minimize future hospitalization by avoiding the risk of hospital acquired infections1. Additionally, patients that receive home infusions are not at greater risk of an adverse event2. In a recent retrospective observational study of home infusion, out of 863 patients, only three experienced adverse events that warranted emergency department visits.3
The SOC Program allows for one-on-one care with a primary nurse who can build a trusting relationship with their patient as well increased comfort, safety, effectiveness, and accuracy. It also allows our underserved and rural communities to receive infusions in the home versus attempting to navigate issues like transportation, time off from work and childcare. Home infusion is available during and after business hours and on the weekend.
Infusion nurses are trained to support patient adherence, assist with actionable interventions, e.g., supportive, emergency and pre-medications, provide patient education, and they follow CDC guidelines for hygiene and germ reduction. For our pediatric patients, nurses are certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
Provider Name | Services Offered |
Soleo Health | Home or AIS |
Coram | Home or AIS |
Aleracare (formerly VascoRx) | Home or AIS |
Option Care Health (formerly Critical Care Systems) | Home or AIS |
Nufactor | Home |
Amerita | Home or AIS |
Optum | Home or AIS |
Acaria | Home |
Foundation Care LLC | Home |
Specialty Therapeutic Care | Home |
Aspen Infusion | Home |
SISU Healthcare Solutions | Home |
Orsini Pharmaceutical Services Inc | Home |
Banner Home Care | Home |
Patient Care Infusion | Home |
KabaFusion, Inc | Home |
For more information on the SOC Program, please contact our Pharmacy Provider Liaison by email azch_pharmacyproviderliaison@azcompletehealth.com. Please include the patient’s name, date of birth, AHCCCS ID# and drug. You may also contact us by phone (888) 788-4408 ext. 6031278. If the Pharmacy Provider Liaison is unavailable, please ask to speak to the Pharmacy Operations Manager.
We appreciate your support through this implementation and look forward to speaking with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Arizona Complete Health-Complete Care Plan Pharmacy Department
AzCHPharmacy@azcompletehealth.com
References:
1. Custodio, H. (2023). Hospital-Acquired Infections: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology. EMedicine. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/967022-overview?form=fpf
2. Susman, E. (2022, December 7). Infliximab Maintenance Home Infusion Appears Safe. Medpagetoday.com; MedpageToday. https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aibd/102114
3. Rentala, M., Andrews, S., Tiberio, A., Alagappan, K., Tavdy, T., Sheppard, P., & Silverman, R. (2016). Intravenous Home Infusion Therapy Instituted From a 24-Hour Clinical Decision Unit for Patients With Cellulitis. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 34(7), 1273–1275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2016.04.022