The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority has announced Activity Based Funding (ABF) from 1 July 2024 for home delivered subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) infusion therapy.(2.11) in its Tier 2 Non-Admitted Services Compendium 2024–2025.

This means that SCIg infusion therapy performed by the patient in their own home without the presence of a healthcare provider may now be counted as a non-admitted patient service event, provided there is documentation of the procedures in the patient’s medical record. 

ASCIA acknowledges the advocacy work of patient/carer support organisations AusPIPS and IDFA which have contributed to improved funding of SCIg, including this latest development in ABF.

Example:

A patient self-administers SCIg infusion therapy in their own home 3 times a week, there were no disruptions or changes to this routine for the week and each procedure was documented in the patient’s medical record.

Outcome: one non-admitted patient service event would be counted for each procedure on the day it was delivered and classified to 10.22 Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) infusion therapy - home delivered.

Example:

A patient performs SCIg infusion therapy every day in their own home. Within the month, the patient’s hand dexterity worsens requiring assistance to perform the SCIg infusion therapy. A nurse from the clinic makes a home visit the following day to assist the patient with the administration of SCIg infusion therapy and the procedure is documented in the patient’s medical record.

Outcome: The visit by the nurse and the SCIg infusion therapy occur on the same day and would therefore be counted as one non-admitted patient service event and classified to 10.22 Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) infusion therapy – home delivered.

More information is available here: 

https://www.ihacpa.gov.au/resources/tier-2-non-admitted-services-2024-25 - this webapge includes links to the following documents:

Tier 2 Non-Admitted Services Compendium 2024–25419.15 KB - 2.11. Counting of home delivered renal dialysis, nutrition procedures, subcutaneous immunoglobulin infusion therapy and home ventilation - Page 23

Tier 2 Non-Admitted Services Definitions Manual 2024–251.59 MB - 10.22 Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) infusion therapy - home delivered - Page 41

This news item was issued on 18 July 2024 by Jill Smith, CEO of ASCIA, the peak professional body for clinical immunology and allergy in Australia and New Zealand.