Will NAHC’s interest in infusion help or hurt?
Group looks at improving representation
Is the home infusion industry on its way toward further fragmentation, or could its various interests take a collective step forward? It depends how the National Association for Home Care (NAHC) chooses to represent its members’ interests in the durable medical equipment (DME), home medical equipment (HME), and home infusion industries.
"Based on feedback over the last couple of years from our members, we’re looking at how we could better represent our members in the durable medical equipment and related aspects of the home health industry," says Steve Delfin, director of public relations for Washington, DC-based NAHC.
The association is currently considering three options to accomplish this goal:
• a staff-driven function to provide research and represent members’ interests;
• cooperative ventures with other associations or groups with similar interests;
• creation of a new NAHC affiliate.
Delfin notes that how each option would be handled is up to the NAHC board committee. However, he adds that an example for the third option is the Home Care Aide Association of America, which has a volunteer board that serves in an advisory capacity to the NAHC Board.
At press time, no timetable had been set and none of the three options was a preferred choice by NAHC. The association is currently considering its options and weighing member input. But what could this do to the home infusion industry if the association decides to follow through on its proposed course of action to further its representation in the infusion industry?
Could be good for home infusion
Most agree that, depending on its implementation, such representation by NAHC could further industry interests. However, it’s clear that reinventing the wheel may not be the best option.
"I think the concept would be very helpful, particularly the second alternative of interacting with existing organizations," notes Kay Coulter, CRNI, president of Coulter Consulting in Clearwater, FL. "If they create another group, it only creates more schism and usually creates different approaches to care that muddies the waters, and we already have some of that."
Coulter says that the home infusion industry is desperate for more information on current IV practice and standards. In addition, she notes that the rapid growth of home infusion therapy has put patient care in the hands of home care nurses whose knowledge specific to home infusion can be minimal. (See Home Infusion Therapy Management, December 1996, p. 133.)
Don’t reinvent the wheel
Of the three options, many believe strongly that cooperation with existing organizations rather than creation of a new NAHC affiliate is the wisest choice.
"I think it would be most beneficial for them to sit down and talk to the existing associations and see what can be done to prevent any fragmentation of that particular part of the home care industry and see if there is some way the associations can work together," says Ann B. Howard, executive director for the American Federation of Home Health Agencies in Silver Spring, MD.
NAHC has, in fact, already made such an effort. Val Halamandaris, NAHC’s president, met with Bill Coughlan, president and CEO of the National Association for Medical Equipment Services.
"[Halamandaris] emphasized cooperation as much as possible," says Coughlan. "He said he would like to collaborate on government relations."
With the proper approach, NAHC’s venture into somewhat new territory is likely to be good for the industry.
"I can see what NAHC is trying to do, which is be a large umbrella organization which represents all segments of the home care delivery system," says Howard.
And that’s good for NAHC members. Even the Alexandria, VA-based National Home Infusion Association (NHIA), which at the very least could see NAHC’s venture as competition, says the move is a good one.
"They’re trying to encompass all of home care, and we think that’s a good approach because home care is all of these various portions and parts," says Tim Redmon, NHIA director of regulatory affairs.
Representation out of necessity?
While the move could benefit NAHC’s value to members offering home infusion, some say it’s also clear that NAHC may be changing as much out of necessity as member interest.
"Obviously, Washington-based associations such as NAHC are scrambling to reinvent themselves," notes Kevin O’Donnell, MIM, chairman of Healthcare Resources of American, a consulting firm in Lewisville, TX.
He says that, as the Health Care Financing Administration moves toward rate-based, rather than cost-based reimbursement, the principle function of a Washington-based trade association lobbying decreases in value to the membership. Instead, associations such as NAHC must attempt to address the changing health care marketplace, where home care providers are beginning to need the greatest amount of assistance.
Redmon points out that the three options put forth by NAHC are efforts the association should have been doing all along.
"As far as research, representing members’ interests, and joint ventures with other associations, we do that all the time," says Redmon. "For them to put down one, two, and three, I kind of have to say, ’We’re supposed to do that.’"
However, the outlining of its mission could be a good sign for current NAHC members. Redmon, like O’Donnell, notes that it’s time for NAHC to reinvent itself. And if its most recent efforts are any indication, the association appears to be doing just that.
"NAHC has always gone on its own, but now they’re getting some advice from members," Redmon says. "I think they’re having the input of members and changing the mission based on that input, which is the way it’s supposed to go. It’s catch up and the best thing I think NAHC has done in a long time."
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