What is Infusion Therapy?

Infusion therapy is the method of delivering your ordered medication through an IV. This is becoming a very common method of delivering medication for chronic disease.

Some of our drugs are given as injections and not through an IV. These are still given in the infusion area as they require proper storage and administration with the same pre screening process as our infusion medications.

What Conditions are Treated with Infusion Therapy?

There are many diseases treated with infusion therapy, including but not limited to: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Crohn’s/Ulcerative Colitis, Vasculitis, Lupus, Osteoporosis and more.

What to Expect with Infusion Therapy

When applicable upon check-out, you will meet with one of our Patient Navigators. They will sit with you and walk you through the process and explain any requirements we need of you in order to obtain approval for your treatment. The Patient Navigators can answer any remaining questions you may have, they are your practice resource!

The prior authorization team will confirm that your insurance provides coverage for your treatment. Once that is determined, most insurance companies require a predetermination/authorization before proceeding with an infusion. This generally takes up to 4 weeks.

It may take 3-4 weeks to be scheduled for your first infusion.  Once coverage and prior authorization/determination have been establish, our Infusion Coordinators will call to schedule your first infusion. They will go over your estimated costs to receive the infusion and answer any additional questions you may have. Depending on the drug ordered, it may be 1-4 hours for your first infusion. Some drugs have “loading doses”, which means the first few infusions will occur closer together. 

If your insurance denies coverage, you will schedule an in person or Telehealth visit with your provider to discuss other potential treatment options. 

Copayments, coinsurances, balances and deductible for infusion will be collected at time of service. Any credits available can be applied to outstanding balances or will be refunded to the patient. Remaining balances determined by your insurance plan will be billed to the patient and/or collected at next visit. 

No, the drugs we infuse are not chemotherapy.  A select few may be used in the oncology field as well as rheumatology.  However, you may see “chemotherapy” on your Explanation of Benefits (EOB).  That is because it is classified as “chemo” from a billing perspective given the complexity frequent monitoring required. 

Most patients do not experience any side effects and are able to go about their day normally after their infusion.  

    • Some patients may experience mild side effects such as nausea, itching or headache.  
    • If you experience any of these symptoms, notify your nurse during the visit. 
    • On rare occasions, if a patient experiences any signs of severe allergy the infusion is stopped, the patient is medicated and may be transferred to the hospital for monitoring. 

If you are planning on becoming pregnant, it is best to discuss this with your provider before starting or continuing your infusions to ensure the best treatment plan. If there is a chance you could be pregnant, please notify your provider as soon as possible. 

If any of the following apply to you, please call and speak with an infusion nurse prior to your appointment.  Your appointment may need to be rescheduled  as receiving an infusion may decrease your body’s ability to heal and fight infection.  

  • POPUP: Loading doses are the initial few doses given closer together to allow the drug to reach a therapeutic  blood level.  After the loading doses, your infusion appointments will be at the normal frequency for your drug.

The length depends on your medication.  Some of our infusion drugs are administered over 30 minutes and others can take up to 5hrs. 

Yes, we have a bathroom conveniently located near the infusion suite should you need to use it at any time.  

The frequency of your infusion therapy is determined by your provider and the drug you’re on. 

Most patients say, “I didn’t feel anything at all,” while others claim it feels like a small pinch and is comparable to getting routine labs drawn.  The needle zise is very small; the size is often used on children in the hospital.

Yes, patients can safely transport themselves to and from an infusion appointment.  Sometimes Benadryl ( diphenhydramine) is used with our drugs and this can be sedating.  If this drug makes you drowsy, please call our office prior to coming to determine if you will get it. 

  • Pre-infusion:
    • Your healthcare team will check your weight, vital signs and ask questions about your health.
      •  How have you been feeling?  Any new infections? Any recent antibiotic use?
      • Any recent or planned procedures or surgery? Including but not limited to dermatologic, dental or ophthalmologic.Dfsfs
    • After your check-up, some infusion protocols may require premedication with corticosteroids, antihistamine and anti-fever medication.
    • Your healthcare

 

  • During infusion: 
    • Duration may be as short as 30min to as long as 4-5hrs.
    • You will be in a supportive chair with all your belongings 
    • Patients can have personal entertainment on hand and snacks to help pass the time.  
    • Once you’re settled an IV infusion needle will be placed and connected to an infusion pump.
    • If an infusion reaction occurs, your healthcare team may slow or stop the infusion.  If severe reactions occur, the infusion will be stopped, you will receive medications for treatment of symptoms and possible transfer to the hospital for monitoring.
  • Post-infusion:
    •  Most infusion or injection therapy in the infusion center will not require post infusion monitoring but your healthcare team will notify you if needed. 

Our oxygen tank is for emergency purposes only.  It is the patient’s responsibility to bring enough oxygen for their commute to our facility, the length of appointment/infusion, and the commute from our facility. 

Available Infusable or Injectable Therapies

Browse through our available therapies below.

Prepare for Your Visit

What to Know Before You Go

Whether you’re a new face or a familiar friend, we look forward to seeing you. Preparing for your visit beforehand will help save time and get the most from your visit.

Arrival Information

Please arrive 15 minutes early for your scheduled appointment for your infusion. 

Directions & Parking

All of our locations have complimentary parking available to our patients. For directions, please call our office prior to your appointment date and our staff will be happy to assist you. 

Accessibility

All locations are handicap accessible by ramp, elevator, or walkway, with handicap parking available. Please call our office if you need additional information or clarification.

Items to Bring

  • Health insurance card(s), pharmacy insurance card (if applicable).
  • Driver’s license or other photo ID.
  • Form of payment for any copays/coinsurance, deductible or balances.
  • List of any medicines (and dosages) you are or have been taking (including over-the-counter medicines)

For faster check-in:

  • We request that you complete the online pre-registration forms prior to your appointment. These will come to you by email and/or by cell phone through a company called Phreesia. 
  • It is important that you complete this information prior to your scheduled appointment to keep you and the office running on time as much as possible. Please call our office if you need assistance in completing the online registration. 
  • Check in at the front desk as you would a regular appointment.  Inform the front receptionist you are checking in for the infusion center.  The receptionist will direct you to the infusion waiting room.

Cancellations or Late Arrival

  • Kindly give us 24 hours advance notice if you are unable to make an appointment. This allows us to provide care to other patients in need of an appointment. 
  • If running late, call our office 941-365-0770 to let us know.  If we are unable to work you into the schedule later in the day, then we will assist in rescheduling your appointment. 
    • Sarasota: ext 1089
    • Bradenton: ext 1063
    • Venice: ext 1015

Insurance Plans

Although we take most insurance plans, please contact our office prior to scheduling an appointment or changing your insurance plan to make sure we are in-network with your insurance provider. If you are looking for new insurance, please refer to the provided link for information regarding various insurance plans. https://www.mymedicarematters.org/

Your First Infusion Visit

We understand there is a lot of information to remember prior to your first infusion appointment with us, but please know our staff and providers are here to assist you! Here are some helpful reminders for your first infusion visit:

  • Make sure you arrive on time for your infusion appointment. If you are more than 15 minutes late, your infusion may have to be rescheduled. If you are running late, please call our office (941) 365-0770 and speak to an Operator. If we are unable to work you in at a later time, we will assist in rescheduling your appointment.
  • Check-In at the front desk as you would for a regular appointment. Let the front desk Patient Care Coordinator know you are receiving an infusion. They will direct you to the waiting room and alert the Infusion Nurse that you are here for your appointment. Please note, Sarasota patients, infusion check-in is Suite 101 on the first floor.
  • From the waiting room, a nurse will call you back into the infusion suite.
  • When you are called back, the nurse will weigh you and ask several questions:
    • How have you been feeling lately? Have you had any recent infections?
    • Have you had or are you planning to have surgery or an invasive dental procedure?

Because our infusion medications can mildly suppress your immune system, we try to determine if there is any reason your body needs the immune system in optimal “fighting” mode, which can be caused by an infection or healing. In these cases, it might be determined to hold your infusion for a while. If you are uncertain, please feel free to call (941) 556-5996 prior to coming to your appointment (even if it’s the same day as your appointment) to discuss this with the nurse.

Our infusion suites are designed with patient safety in mind.

 

At any point during your infusion, a highly-trained nurse will have eyes on you at all times. Every suite has a provider onsite that will come to your aide should you experience a reaction or other medical issue. Our providers are all Board Certified Rheumatologists and trained in the specialized treatment of your rheumatic and autoimmune conditions.

Infuse easy knowing you are receiving the utmost specialized care, at a practice you know and by staff you trust. 

Patient FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are more frequently asked questions for the infusion center.

Your infusion will take place at the office.  We have an infusion suite at each of our locations: Sarasota, Bradenton & Venice.

  • If you received care at another provider’s office, whether in  or outside of your home state, you must see your rheumatologist before your infusion/injection can be scheduled.  
  • The provider will let us know to continue your medication and we will call to schedule your appointment once we have reviewed the documents below and insurance has been verified.  
  • The following documents must be faxed to our infusion department from your last infusion center and/or provider: 
    • Last infusion note or document showing the medication, dose and the date given. 
    • Lab work
    • Most recent provider chart note. 
  • If your insurance changes, please call the office immediately and be prepared to fax over required documents.

We do not allow infants or children in the infusion suite as it is unsafe for both patient and child in case of a medical event.  Additionally, children can  carry germs that we don’t want to expose other patients to.  Our infusions are done in a group setting and all our patients are immunocompromised to a certain extent.  

We do not allow friends or family members to sit with patients receiving infusion as it is a violation of privacy for other patients. 

In accordance with the ADA, we do allow service animals in the infusion suite.  The service animal should meet the following requirements:

    • It must be free of fleas, ticks and intestinal parasites and has been screened by a veterinarian within the past twelve (12) months prior to entering the facility and received all required inoculations.  
    • The service animal should remain clean and well groomed and presents no apparent threat to the health and safety of patients, visitors, employees or others.
    • All animals must be supervised by persons who know the animal and its behavior and can control the animal.

Yes.  However, you must have your Concealed Weapon License with you and the firearm/weapon cannot be visible. We do ask that you please leave your firearm in your vehicle for the safety of all persons in the buildings.

  • Drink plenty of water. Being well hydrated will help make it easier to start your IV.
  • Avoid excessive amounts of coffee prior to your infusion because it can be dehydrating.  
  • Avoid foods and activities that cause dehydration such as heavy exercise, salty foods and donating blood.  
  • Make sure you arrive on time for your appointment.  
  • If you are more than 15 minutes late, we may have to reschedule your infusion.

 

Contact our Infusion Department

If you have any questions, please call the office’s infusion department at (941) 556-5996. If you have any insurance changes, please call us immediately and fax any requested documents to (941) 217 - 5090.

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