The True Cost of Moving Your IG Therapy to a Healthcare Provider’s Office

Do you have an immunodeficiency disease or an autoimmune condition? If so, immunoglobulin (IG) therapy could be a life-saving treatment for you. This therapy can be administered either at home or in a healthcare provider’s office, depending on the specific brand and how it’s given. 

If you currently receive IG therapy at home, you might consider switching where you receive your therapy to a healthcare provider’s office for many reasons. While this is possible, it is important to understand the potential challenges involved with switching. In this article, we will explore the true costs and challenges of moving your IG therapy to a healthcare provider’s office.

What Is IG Therapy?

Immunoglobulin (IG) therapy or IG replacement therapy is a treatment used to provide patients with antibodies that they need to fight infections. Immunoglobulins (antibodies) are collected from the blood of healthy donors. These immunoglobulins help prevent infections by fighting foreign pathogens like viruses and bacteria.

You might receive IG therapy if you have primary immunodeficiency disorders or other conditions that affect your immune system’s ability to produce antibodies. Immunoglobulin therapy is typically infused into the body, either by intravenous (IV) infusion or by subcutaneous (SC) injection. Immunoglobulin therapy given via an IV infusion is called IVIG, and when given via a SC injection, it is called SCIG. In both IVIG and SCIG, you receive the same immunoglobulin product. You can typically receive IVIG and SCIG at home or in a healthcare provider’s office. 

IG therapy only provides temporary protection from infections. A single dose of IVIG or SCIG will protect you for 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the specific product. Because of this, you have to receive IG therapy on a regular basis. If you have a primary immunodeficiency disorder, you have to take IG therapy for a lifetime [1][2].

Reasons for Moving Your IG Therapy From Home to a Healthcare Provider’s Office

There may be several reasons why you would want to move your IG therapy from home to a healthcare provider’s office. Some examples may include: 

Supervision and Support: You might feel more comfortable receiving treatment under the supervision of a medical professional. Also, some people may have specific conditions that need close monitoring.

Convenience: For some people, it is more convenient to receive IG therapy in a healthcare provider’s office. This is especially true if you have difficulty with self-infusion or you do not have a suitable home environment for infusion.

Access to Resources: Generally, a healthcare provider’s office has more resources than you have in your home. There are emergency equipment and professional staff who can handle any complications that you might have.

Ensuring Proper Administration: In a healthcare provider’s office, medical staff will ensure that the IG is administered at the correct dose and rate. Also, if any complications occur during the infusion, there will be trained staff who can manage these issues effectively.

The True Price of Moving Your IG Therapy to a Healthcare Provider’s Office

Before moving your IG therapy to a healthcare provider’s office, you must first consider the drawbacks, such as:

Higher Costs

Several studies have shown that both healthcare and pharmaceutical costs are significantly higher for healthcare provider’s office infusion than home infusion [4][5][6]. Another study showed that in 2010, taking IV therapy in a healthcare provider’s office was 31% more expensive than receiving the infusion at home [3]. Back then, patients had to spend an additional $18,876 to $26,136 per year if they received 13 to 18 infusions in a healthcare provider’s office.

Besides medical bills, there are other costs associated with receiving IG therapy in a healthcare provider’s office, such as:

• Transportation costs. These costs can add up if you visit a doctor’s office frequently and live in a rural or remote area.
• Lost wages if you take time off work for frequent healthcare provider’s office visits. 
• Childcare arrangements during your appointment.
• Overnight accommodations if you have to travel long distances to reach your healthcare provider’s office. This can increase your overall treatment cost significantly.

Logistical Challenges

If you want to move your IG therapy to a healthcare provider’s office, you may also face some logistical challenges, such as:

Time and Convenience: Coordinating visits to your healthcare provider’s office can be difficult, especially if you have a busy schedule or family responsibilities. Unlike home therapy, receiving IG therapy in a healthcare provider’s office is less flexible. You may face situations where you must miss an appointment or rearrange personal commitments. This can cause additional stress and inconvenience. Additionally, if you live in a rural area or get stuck in heavy traffic, traveling to and from your healthcare provider’s office can take a lot of time. 

Comfort and Safety: Receiving IG therapy at a healthcare provider’s office can be less comfortable and safe compared to home therapy. At home, you have the comfort of familiar surroundings. But in a healthcare provider’s office, you may feel anxious and uncomfortable due to the intimidating environment. Several studies have shown that receiving IG therapy at a healthcare provider’s office can reduce your quality of life because of such reasons [3]. Additionally, a healthcare provider’s office can expose you to other sick people. This can increase your risk of getting infections [7].

The Bottom Line

You might think that moving your IG therapy to a healthcare provider’s office is a minor change. But the reality is different. This transition comes with a lot of hidden costs and logistical challenges. The treatment cost in a healthcare provider’s office is significantly higher, and there are other significant indirect costs like lost wages, childcare, and transportation costs. In addition, there are inconveniences related to time, travel, and treatment experience that must be considered when making the decision to switch where you receive your infusion.

If you are still considering this transition, you should conduct a cost-benefit analysis first. After that, consult your healthcare professional for further advice about the transition.