Healthcare legislation
Same nurses, same procedure, different rules.
Insurers will pay for a PICC placed by our nurses in a hospital, but not in the patient’s home, because our practice is owned by nurses. We think that’s worth changing.
Specialized vascular access, PICC lines in particular, has historically been performed only in hospitals and infusion centers. Waiting for a slot often delays antibiotics or discharge, adding extra hospital days.
AIMS was the first company in Lane County to provide specialized vascular access to patients in their homes, physician offices and skilled nursing facilities. For most patients, it also eliminates the need for medical transport.
With the cost savings, convenience and quality of care, you’d expect insurers to jump at the chance to partner with a practice like ours. Instead, every insurer we have contacted, including Medicare, has policies that prohibit working with nurse-owned companies, even though our practice has physician medical direction.
Those same insurers will cover the cost if the same nurses perform the same services in a hospital or infusion center, or if a physician owns the company.
Covered today
- PICC placed by RN in a hospital
- PICC placed by RN in an infusion center
- PICC placed by RN at a physician-owned company
Not covered
- The same RN, same procedure, at home, through a nurse-owned practice
Patient deductibles keep rising and Medicare is short on funds. Throughout our careers we’ve seen real opportunities to reduce costs dismissed because “that’s the policy” or “that’s the way we’ve always done it.”
It’s time for insurers to look for ways to help patients reduce health care costs. If you agree, tell your insurer and your elected representatives that patients should be able to choose qualified, nurse-led care at home.
Get started
Care that comes to you.
Tell us what you need. A nurse coordinator will call you back, explain the plan and the cost, and get you scheduled, often the same day.