310. Home Infusion for MS: Skip the Clinic and Treat From Your Couch with Alexis Kaplan
From The MSing Link · 26:43
Show by Dr. Gretchen Hawley PT, DPT, MSCS
In this episode, I’m talking with Alexis Kaplan, strategic marketing consultant for Home Infusion Options (HIO), about at-home infusions for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Alexis isn’t only on the business side. Her own daughter gets her infusions at home through HIO, so she knows this process as a parent, too. Here’s what we cover 🔑: What is home infusion therapy? An infusion is when medication is given through an IV, directly into your vein. With home infusion, a nurse brings the medication and supplies to you, whether that’s at home, at work, even in a college dorm room. Same treatment, without the drive. Which MS infusions can be given at home? Alexis shares the MS medications HIO administers, including Ocrevus, Briumvi, Tysabri, and Lemtrada, and why your insurance plan plays a big role in what’s possible. Why the same nurse every time matters. A familiar nurse already knows your history, so there’s less starting over and often less anxiety. HIO nurses also have at least seven years of ICU or hospital experience and stay with you through the full infusion. We talk about why walking into an infusion center (or a support group) can feel scary, and why that fear makes so much sense. How to get started. Your first step is a conversation with your neurologist. From there, the HIO team checks your benefits and handles pre-authorization (aka getting your insurance’s approval before treatment starts). How your doctor stays in the loop. Nurses can draw labs during your infusion (one poke instead of two!) and send the results straight to your provider. What about cost? We talk about how insurance, copays, and copay assistance work with home infusion, plus the biggest roadblock Alexis sees. Where is it available? Home infusion through HIO is offered across the United States. This episode is for you if: ✅ You get IV infusions for MS and dread the trip to the infusion center ✅ Fatigue makes a full day of driving and waiting feel exhausting ✅ You feel anxious in clinical settings or around other patients ✅ You’ve wondered whether home infusion is an option for you ✅ You care for someone with MS and want to make treatment days easier Your treatment should fit your life, not the other way around. Bring this episode to your next neurology appointment and ask whether home infusion could work for you. You’ve got this 🧡 Resources mentioned in this video: Home Infusions Options Website: https://www.homeinfusionoptions.net/ Instagram for HIO: https://www.instagram.com/homeinfusionoptions Instagram for College Connect: https://www.instagram.com/collegeconnect.hio/ About Alexis Kaplan Alexis Kaplan is a Strategic Marketing Consultant for HIO. Home Infusion Options (HIO) is a patient-centered organization providing expert, personalized in-home medically prescribed IV nursing care for pediatric and adult patients. Unlike traditional infusion providers, HIO combines highly skilled nursing with its own in-house specialty pharmacy, creating a seamless, one-stop resource for physicians, patients, and caregivers managing complex IV medication needs. HIO is committed to continuity of care, ensuring patients see the same trusted providers whenever possible to build lasting relationships, improve communication, and enhance the overall care experience. With extensive hospital and medical center experience, HIO nurses serve as a reliable extension of each patient’s medical team while easing the coordination burden on families and healthcare providers. Additional Resources: https://www.doctorgretchenhawley.com/insider Reach out to Me: [email protected] Website: www.MSingLink.com Social: ★ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mswellness ★ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctor.gretchen ★ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/doctorgretchenhawley?sub_confirmation=1 → The Progress Method for MS: https://www.doctorgretchenhawley.com/the-progress-method-for-ms → Total Core Program: https://www.doctorgretchenhawley.com/TotalCoreProgram → The MSing Link: https://www.doctorgretchenhawley.com/TheMSingLink
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