Welcome to Beyond the Drip, where we dive into the fascinating world of Infusion Pharmacy, from Home Infusion to Ambulatory Infusion Centers. Expect topical conversations on the latest happenings in Infusion from industry leaders who will bring you the latest news, trends and innovations in the infusion industry, as well as expert insights and stories to keep you informed and inspired.
In the latest Beyond the Drip episode, co-hosts are joined by Connie Sullivan, President and CEO of the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA), to discuss the evolving landscape of home infusion and the key role of NHIA in driving the industry forward. Connie, who began her career as a pharmacist, transitioned into home infusion management and has since played an instrumental role at NHIA, shaping policy, advocating for better reimbursement models and fostering innovation within the space.
Throughout the episode, Connie reflects on her journey from creating a position focused on research and data at NHIA to becoming its leader. She discusses the importance of attending NHIA events to network, learn about trends and connect with newcomers and seasoned professionals in the industry.
Key Takeaways:
- The NHIA conference has become an essential networking hub, particularly for newer clinicians and leaders entering the home infusion space.
- Home infusion should be seen as a service, not just a commodity. It’s crucial for providers to advocate for better reimbursement models and document services more robustly.
- Overcoming barriers to reimbursement for complex therapies like peritoneal nutrition and IV antibiotics requires a focus on care coordination, data-driven insights and effective advocacy.
- The role of data is pivotal in demonstrating the value of home infusion services, with NHIA working to standardize data collection to better capture outcomes and drive payer engagement.
- Data security and system resilience are still concerns for NHIA members in the wake of recent breaches, underscoring the importance of redundancy plans and secure claims processing systems.
Connie’s insights underscore the importance of collaboration, data and advocacy in shaping the future of home infusion therapy and ensuring sustainability within the industry.
Listen to the full episode of Beyond the Drip to hear more from Connie Sullivan on navigating the challenges and opportunities in home infusion!
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Guest Speaker:
Connie Sullivan | President & CEO at National Home Infusion Association (NHIA)
Connie Sullivan is the President and CEO of the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA), a non-profit organization based in the United States that represents and advocates for the interests of the home and specialty infusion industry. With more than 30 years of experience in healthcare and advocacy, Ms. Sullivan has become a respected leader in the industry, working tirelessly to advance the quality of care for patients who require home infusion services. She has also been a vocal advocate for issues related to patient access to care, healthcare policy, and reimbursement. As CEO of NHIA, Ms. Sullivan leads a team of professionals dedicated to supporting the home infusion industry, advancing patient care, and promoting the value of home infusion therapy.
Beyond the Drip Co-hosts:
Paula Roth, VP of Pharmacy Services at Prochant
As Vice President of Pharmacy Operations at Prochant, Paula leads an expert team focused on enhancing the home-based care industry through innovative technology and streamlined processes. With more than 20 years of experience in revenue cycle management for alternate sites of care, Paula leverages technology and teams to ensure clients achieve or exceed their financial targets.
Jon Love, President & Chief Growth Officer at MedEdge Solutions
Jon Love joins MedEdge with leadership experience in the infusion and specialty pharmacy industries. He has previously served in sales at WellSky, chief operating officer at Rock-Pond Solutions and senior VP of pharmacy services at Prochant.
Pamela McIntyre, founder and owner of Expert Infusion Nurse Consulting
With 40 years of experience in infusion nursing, Pam founded Expert Infusion Nurse Consulting to advance excellence in infusion and mentor other infusion professionals. Her certifications include CRNI, IgCN, OCN and VA-BC, and she has an immersive background in home infusion and ambulatory infusion in the fields of acute and chronic care, including oncology nursing.
Brandon Carpenter, President of MedEdge Solutions
Brandon Carpenter is the owner and founder of MedEdge Solutions. With more than 12 years of experience in pharmacy solutions, process improvement and data analytics, Brandon takes an active role in each of our projects. Prior to forming MedEdge, Brandon was the Director of Products and Professional Services at Rock-Pond Solutions where he worked with over 250 pharmacies nationwide to solve problems ranging from system integrations, financial reporting, 340B, Limited Drug Distribution, software management and more. He is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas where he received his bachelor’s in business & information systems, as well as his Master of Business Administration.
Brian O’Sullivan, President of The O’Sullivan Group
Brian O’Sullivan formed The O’Sullivan Group, Inc. in February 1999 to serve health care providers with managed care and provider business development services. Over the years, The O’Sullivan Group has also been sought out by Medicare Advantage and Managed Medicaid plans to assist with network development needs. His vision for The O’Sullivan Group, Inc. was to bring real world know-how by offering the same level of service and expertise for both large and small companies that are enjoyed by major Fortune 1000 organizations.
