Medicare unfortunately does not cover home IV's..I have Medicare as my primary insurance, with Part D and a medigap policy. What I have done to get around this is use my part D insurance to get my IV's (my doctor pre orders them in advance so I have a stockpile of the most commonly used antibiotics). I made sure that my part D insurance covered my IV's (generic) through the doughnut hole phase....sure it costs more to get plans that will cover generics through the dreaded gap, but in my case, it is well worth the cost. IV fluids (such as normal saline or dextrose used to reconstitute my antibiotics in) are covered under part D, so my doc had to write a script for both my antibiotics (they come in vials) and IV fluids.
I pay for my infusion supplies out of pocket, such as my huber needles for my port, needles, IV tubing, etc....It really isn't that bad as far as price, you need to shop around and settle on a company that has the best prices and service. I self access my port, so having all of my supplies handy is crucial. I do think that medicare does cover nursing services if you don't access yourself or have a PICC dressing that needs tending to.
I use to have to go inpatient every time I needed IV's, which unfortunately can be as much as four times a year and for long periods of time because of IV issues with Medicare until I sat down with my doctor and brainstormed a way to stay home unless I was very ill and needed to be in. So far, I have done 3 rounds of IV's home without any issues, I have a good stockpile of antibiotics (a month's worth of Ceftaz, Gent, Zosyn, Merrem with refills so I will never run out) and IV fluids and supplies. The downside, my room looks like a hospital med room......so much stuff! But I will gladly put up with storage issues to avoid the hospital. As long as you are comfortable reconstituting meds (infusion companies send everything all premixed and ready to go, if you do it this way, you have to do everything yourself and have to hang your meds by gravity, not with those fancy bottles or balls)
If you have any questions, ask away and I will do the best I can to answer them.....I think it is awful that Medicare doesn't cover home IV's...it would be SO much cheaper for them and better for the patient as we don't get exposed to so many cooties when we are home. It just doesn't make sense....hopefully someday they will wake up and approve home care for IV antibiotics.
Jenn 40 wCF
