Frequently Asked Questions About Infusion Therapy
What is infusion therapy used for?
Infusion therapy is the administration of an IVIG therapy, IV steroid, immune system suppressor, or biologic through a needle or catheter. It is prescribed when a patient is not responding to oral medication or requires intensive attention. Infusions can be administered through veins (intravenous medications), intramuscular injections, or epidurals.
Why would you need an infusion?
Infusion therapy is used to handle a wide variety of conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, Crohn’s Disease, fibromyalgia, hemophilia, immune deficiencies, multiple sclerosis, and more. It is also prescribed for gastrointestinal or diabetes issues, with anti-rejection support for transplant patients.
In addition to supporting challenging illnesses and conditions, infusion therapy can be helpful in administering parenteral nutrition, vitamin supplements, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for immune deficiencies and autoimmune diseases.
See Conditions Treated for Metro Infusion Center’s current infusion offerings. Infusions are available only by physician prescription.
Are infusion therapies effective? More importantly, are they safe?
Infusion therapy has been around for decades. Infused medicines are used widely for several disease states, conditions, and illnesses, and have helped tens of thousands of people improve their quality of life.
Metro Infusion Center ensures all needles, catheters, and other equipment are new and sterile and that our treatment facilities are impeccable. Moreover, at Metro Infusion Center, every infusion is physician-supervised and supported by a full-service pharmacy, enabling us to address any allergic or negative reaction immediately.
I read that infusion therapy can help my condition. How do I get started?
You can request an appointment here, and we will do the rest. New infusion therapy patients must have a written referral by their physician. Once we receive and process your referral (typically within 48 hours), we will contact you to help schedule your appointment at a center close to you.
If you are already receiving infusions at a hospital or other facility and are looking to transfer your care to Metro Infusion Center because of lower cost or proximity, contact us at request an appointment time here.
How long is an infusion treatment? Is there anything I have to do to prepare in advance?
The duration of your particular infusion will vary based on your prescribed pharmaceutical or biologic. Your nurse can provide you with more exact times.
Before your infusion, drink plenty of non-caffeinated liquids, and get a good night’s rest. Metro Infusion Center will advise you if your specific infusion requires fasting. Wear comfy clothes and bring your ID and insurance card. If possible, have a friend or loved one drive you for your treatment. Feel free to bring any reading materials or activities to keep you occupied. Learn more about your first infusion treatment here.
How much do infusion therapies cost? Will they be covered by insurance?
Every infusible drug and biologic is priced differently and may vary based on your insurance plan’s coverage. Metro Infusion Center prides itself on ensuring the lowest possible out-of-pocket costs for our infusion patients. Our services cost an average of 53% less than hospital-based infusions.*
We work closely with insurance carriers to ensure expeditious claim processing and your maximum coverage. Metro Infusion Center staff will also go the extra mile to research and identify any pharmaceutical rebates that may apply, to help make your treatment as affordable as possible. For more information about insurance coverage and rebates, go here.
My hospital offers the infusions I need. Why should I go to Metro Infusion Center?
Infusion center care offers significant advantages over the hospital. For one, our facilities are focused exclusively on infusions — meaning that every physician, nurse, health professional, pharmacist, and other staff member has the expertise to guide you through all aspects of your treatment.
Secondly, going to a dedicated infusion center means less hassle in parking, and not having to navigate through a complex, multi-building hospital to get to your treatment location.
More important, stand-alone infusion center costs are an average 53%* lower than the same treatment provided at a hospital — which can save you thousands of dollars out of pocket.
For other conditions, the cost savings are even greater. The average cost of a hospital stay is $1,500 per day without medications, whereas the per-day cost of an IV center is $150 with medications. A four-day cellulitis treatment costs $600 in an IV center compared to $7,180 in a hospital setting.*
What is Metro Infusion Center’s experience with infusion therapy?
Metro Infusion Center is one of the nation’s most tenured and experienced infusion providers. Every practitioner maintains expert knowledge of all infusions we deliver, understanding every aspect of dosing, administration, reporting, and follow-up care.
In addition to maintaining numerous certifications and participating in national professional organizations such as the Infusion Nurses Society, every member of our nursing team undergoes annual training in infusion medicines, new pharmaceuticals, catheter placement/insertion, dosing, drug delivery, and patient assessment for Metro Infusion Center patients.
What amenities are available at my Metro Infusion Center infusion location?
Metro Infusion Center provides numerous amenities to make patients and their families feel right at home. Every Metro Infusion Center facility is equipped with comfortable infusion seating, large-screen televisions, diverse reading materials, and waiting-room WI-FI. Specific additional amenities vary by location.
Most important, Metro Infusion Center offers a full-service, accredited infusion pharmacy, which provides for:
- Comprehensive patient medical records and referring physician communication
- Maintenance and delivery of sterile equipment, needles, catheters, and pumps for all therapies administered
- Quality assurance of compounding and administration of infused drugs, including drug interaction and incompatibility monitoring
- Comprehensive care planning related to drugs and equipment to meet therapy goals and coordinate activities with other providers
- Laboratory report reviews, and subsequent consults with physicians to adjust medication orders if necessary
- Ongoing employee education and competence reviews
- Performance improvement programs that include a collection of clinical outcomes data, patient satisfaction surveys, and other performance measurement data
How is Metro Infusion Center different from other infusion providers?
Metro Infusion Center has been in the infusion therapy business for more than two decades, with the sole purpose of helping people live fuller, happier, and healthier lives. Our approach to care focuses on our patients, making sure we deliver services that improve their quality of life and do so in a caring, compassionate, and comfortable way. Metro Infusion Center has also made a name for itself in ensuring the lowest out-of-pocket costs for patients.
We monitor your care and progress, discuss your response with your referring physicians, and stay in contact with insurers to bring down out-of-pocket costs through claim specifics and applicable rebates. Our proven tenure and respect in the infusion community have made us the most sought-out provider for highly challenging infusion therapy cases and scenarios.