AIS Healthcare (AIS), through its counsel King & Spalding, secured a settlement and new network contract following a lawsuit with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi (Blue Cross) over home infusion therapy per diem billing. AIS is a leader in the healthcare industry for these services.
AIS sued Blue Cross for breach of contract for non-payment. Blue Cross counterclaimed, alleging that AIS had misrepresented its bills by including per diem charges for each day the therapy is administered via an implanted pain pump – i.e., billing code S9328. AIS showed during the course of the lawsuit that the way it bills is appropriate and industry standard for these services.
After a full investigation and evaluation of AIS billing per diems, Blue Cross, as well as the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, both acknowledged, in a written settlement statement, there was in fact no fraud by AIS, and no finding of waste or abuse by AIS.
In agreeing to end their litigation, Blue Cross and the Association also confirmed, in the written settlement statement, that the parties have reached an agreement for Blue Cross to pay for past AIS services, and an agreement for AIS to be in-network again for the Federal Employee Benefits Program (FEP).
AIS was represented by King & Spalding healthcare and litigation partner Glenn Solomon along with trial partner Peter Strotz, who is also managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office, and experienced healthcare counsel Jonathan Shin. Overseeing the King & Spalding legal team that handled the lawsuit and negotiations was AIS Chief Legal Officer John Finley.
See link to a full copy of the Written Settlement Statement. The lawsuit was venued in federal court in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. The court entered dismissal of the lawsuit earlier this November.
The designation continues to reflect AIS Healthcare’s commitment to advancing quality at its compounding pharmacies in Mississippi and Texas as well as Advanced Infusion Care locations in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Texas.
Dallas, Texas—AIS Healthcare is proud to announce that its two state-of-the-art 503A compounding pharmacies (Ridgeland, Mississippi; Dallas, Texas) which produces patient-specific prescriptions for targeted drug delivery (TDD), and it’s five Advanced Infusion Care locations (Valdosta, Georgia; Birmingham, Alabama; Clinton, Mississippi; Panama City, Florida; Dallas, Texas) have received the prestigious URAC accreditation for Specialty Pharmacy.
URAC is the independent leader in promoting healthcare quality through leadership, accreditation, measurement and innovation. By achieving re-accredited status, AIS Healthcare has demonstrated its commitment to going above and beyond to improve quality at every point along the care continuum.
“These accreditations are validation of what we do day in and day out—advancing quality,” said Michelle Wiest, Chief Operations Officer, AIS Healthcare. “It’s a prestigious recognition, and we’re proud to receive it for six of our leading pharmacies.”
AIS Healthcare is the leading targeted drug delivery and infusion care provider. In addition to compounding patient-specific prescriptions at its state-of-the-art 503A specialty pharmacies and providing personalized in-home infusion services, AIS Healthcare also offers a comprehensive suite of services to support both patients and providers.
“Throughout AIS Healthcare, we’re focused on doing more of what matters throughout the care continuum,” said Cindy Dumas, Vice President of Pharmacy Services and Pharmacist-in-Charge, Ridgeland. “This recognition from URAC shows how doing more to advance quality truly does result in meaningful improvements for patients and providers.”
AIS Healthcare is dually accredited by URAC and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), further setting it apart from other compounding pharmacies and infusion services providers.
The URAC accreditations for Specialty Pharmacy are effective through November 1, 2025.
Advancing quality. Improving lives.
As the leading provider of targeted drug delivery and infusion care solutions, AIS Healthcare is committed to doing more of what matters. From pharmacies that put patient safety first to comprehensive services that enhance the entire care experience, we go beyond the expected in everything we do.
Learn more at aiscaregroup.com
Founded in 1990, URAC is the independent leader in promoting healthcare quality through leadership, accreditation, measurement and innovation. URAC is a nonprofit organization using evidence-based measures and developing standards through inclusive engagement with a range of stakeholders committed to improving the quality of healthcare. Our portfolio of accreditation and certification programs span the healthcare industry, addressing healthcare management, healthcare operations, health plans, pharmacies, telehealth providers, physician practices and more. URAC accreditation is a symbol of excellence for organizations to showcase their validated commitment to quality and accountability.
As the designated 503A provider with Premier, AIS Healthcare will offer its TDD pump medications to Premier’s alliance of 4,000 U.S. hospitals and 165,000 other providers.
The recently released 20% subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy expands treatment options offered by Advanced Infusion Care.
Valdosta, GA—Advanced Infusion Care, a division of AIS Healthcare, now offers Xembify®, developed by Grifols for the treatment of primary immune deficiency disease (PIDD).
AIC’s nationally accredited home infusion teams collaborate closely with physicians to provide specialized in-home infusion services. This new therapy option, offered under a limited distribution partnership with Grifols, expands AIC’s ability to serve
immunoglobulin (Ig) infusion patients.
“We’re proud to be able to add Xembify® to our growing list of Ig infusion therapies,” said Jud Hall, Senior Vice President at AIS Healthcare. “This new therapy from Grifols can help us provide additional treatment options for our PIDD patients.”
Xembify® is for the treatment of PIDD in patients 2 years of age and older. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on July 3, 2019, the therapy was launched in the United States on November 18 and is now available at all AIC locations.
Like all AIC patients, PIDD patients receive a high level of care from AIC, including 24/7 access to clinical and support staff. Every patient is assigned a dedicated team of professionals, including clinical pharmacists, infusion nurse specialists, patient care
managers and intake managers, to provide support throughout the treatment process.
For physicians, AIC is a full-service care delivery partner. We have contracts with multiple immunoglobulin suppliers like Grifols to help ensure prescribed therapies are always in stock. We also work directly with patients, insurance companies and physician offices to secure all needed authorizations and complete paperwork.
AIS Healthcare is dually accredited by URAC and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).
Physicians interested in AIC care services should contact their AIC representatives to get started or visit us at aiscaregroup.com/advanced-infusioncare-overview.php.
Advancing quality. Improving lives.
As the nation’s top intrathecal and infusion care solutions provider, AIS Healthcare is committed to doing more of what matters for patients and providers. From the industry leading quality and sterility standards at our pharmacies to our comprehensive services that enhance the entire care experience, we go beyond the expected in everything we do. Because when we do more to advance care quality, providers are empowered and patients are supported. Days get easier. Lives get better.
Learn more at aiscaregroup.com
Grifols is a global healthcare company with more than 75 years of history improving the health and well-being of people around the world. Grifols produces essential plasma medicines for patients and provides hospitals, pharmacies and healthcare professionals with the tools, information and services they need to efficiently deliver expert medical care. Grifols’ three divisions—Bioscience, Diagnostic and Hospital—develop, produce and market innovative products and services available in more than 100 countries.
Learn more at grifols.com
AIS Healthcare is proud to announce that its two state-of-the-art 503A compounding pharmacies and its four Advanced Infusion Care locations have received the prestigious URAC accreditation in Specialty Pharmacy, and its Dallas-based Care Coordination Program has been awarded URAC accreditation for Health Call Center.
AIS Healthcare opened its second 503A specialty compounding pharmacy in Dallas, creating a fully redundant targeted drug delivery operation that goes beyond state and industry standards to produce medications of the highest quality.
The acquisition marks AIS Healthcare’s expansion into ophthalmology and a continuation of its commitment to providing patient-specific medication of the highest quality.
Contact:
Simon Castellanos
877.443.4006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2020
COVID-19 response: AIS Healthcare continues to go above and beyond to protect patients and support providers
In addition to our industry-leading safety and quality standards across all three of our care divisions, AIS Healthcare is implementing additional measures in response to COVID-19.
Dallas, Texas—AIS Healthcare is committed to doing what’s right, not just what’s expected, in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
From pharmacies that put patient safety first to highly skilled nurses dedicated to doing more for patients and providers, AIS Healthcare has the standards, procedures and services in place to support patients and
providers during this time:
We will continue to go above and beyond across our three divisions.
Targeted Drug Delivery:
1 All patient-specific dispenses within maximum concentrations (based on AIS Healthcare in-house data for 120,000 aseptically processed and terminally sterilized patient-specific prescriptions in 2019)
Advanced Infusion Care:
AIS Healthcare Ophthalmics:
Additionally, AIS Healthcare has a preparedness and business continuity plan in place, which has been communicated to all staff members.
Additional COVID-19 response measures:
If you have any questions about AIS Healthcare’s response to COVID-19, you can:
AIS Healthcare
18451 Dallas Parkway
Suite 150
Dallas, TX 75287
623 Highland Colony Parkway
Suite 100
Ridgeland, MS 39157
P: 877.443.4006
F: 888.298.2220
aiscaregroup.com
About AIS Healthcare
Advancing quality. Improving lives.
As the leading provider of targeted drug delivery (TDD), infusion care and ophthalmology solutions, AIS Healthcare is committed to doing more of what matters. From pharmacies that put patient safety first to comprehensive services that enhance the entire care experience, we go beyond the expected in everything we do.
Learn more at aiscaregroup.com
AIS Healthcare is dually accredited by URAC and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2020
AIS Healthcare goes above and beyond to supply needed medication for COVID-19
ventilator patients
AIS Healthcare is leveraging its industry-leading 503A compounding facilities to help address a national medication shortage while continuing to provide existing patients with medications of the highest quality and sterility.
Dallas, Texas—As part of our commitment to doing what’s right—not just what’s expected—in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), AIS Healthcare is working with hospital systems across the country to produce in-demand medications for ventilator patients. AIS Healthcare has provided fentanyl to hospitals in Georgia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
“We want to help and we are thrilled that we could help the healthcare community,” said Blaine Forshage, Chief Commercial Officer of AIS Healthcare.
A national medication shortage for ventilator patients
Ventilators have become life-saving tools in the fight against COVID-19. However, the use of ventilators requires certain opioid medications, including fentanyl, morphine and hydromorphone, that have long been on the drug shortage list. The growing number of COVID-19 patients on ventilators has exhausted the supply of these medications at many hospitals and traditional suppliers are unable to meet current needs.
Proactively supporting patients and providers during a critical time
AIS Healthcare’s state-of-the-art facilities are fully equipped to compound these specialty
medications for ventilator patients with COVID-19. We’re proactively engaging with regulators and hospitals to be able to leverage our capabilities to produce needed medications and get them to where they’re needed most.
For example, when Chief Executive Officer Simon Castellanos learned that Phoebe Putney Health System in Georgia needed fentanyl for its ventilator patients, he quickly took action. The AIS Healthcare team, spearheaded by Jonathan Hamer, Director of Pharmacy and Pharmacist in Charge for the Dallas pharmacy, worked over the weekend to deliver critically needed drugs to the hospital system.
“We’re committed to doing what’s right, not just what’s expected—and producing these medications is what’s right,” said Castellanos. “We’re able to safely and efficiently produce in-demand medications, and we will keep working with hospital partners to use our capabilities to fight this pandemic.”
In addition to addressing the COVID-19 shortages, AIS Healthcare continues to produce high-quality, patient-specific prescriptions for more than 30,000 targeted drug delivery patients and provide comprehensive care services to help them thrive.
About AIS Healthcare
Advancing quality. Improving lives.
As the leading provider of targeted drug delivery (TDD), infusion care and ophthalmology solutions, AIS Healthcare is committed to doing more of what matters. From pharmacies that put patient safety first to comprehensive services that enhance the entire care experience, we go beyond the expected in everything we do.
Learn more at aiscaregroup.com
Contact
Phone 877.443.4006
Simon Castellanos, Chief Executive Officer
scastellanos@aiscaregroup.com
Blaine Forshage, Chief Commercial Officer
bforshage@aiscaregroup.com
John Finley, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
jfinley@aiscaregroup.com
Jonathan Hamer, Director of Pharmacy and Pharmacist in Charge, Dallas
jhamer@aiscaregroup.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2020
The designation reflects AIS Healthcare’s commitment to advancing quality throughout the
care continuum.
Dallas, Texas—AIS Healthcare is proud to announce that its state-of-the-art pharmacy in Ridgeland, Mississippi, which produces patient-specific prescriptions for targeted drug delivery (TDD), has received the prestigious URAC accreditation for Home Infusion Therapy Supplier (HITS). AIS Healthcare is the first organization to secure this specific accreditation with URAC showcasing its drive to deliver specialized, in-home infusion services of the highest quality.
URAC is the independent leader in promoting healthcare quality through leadership, accreditation, measurement and innovation. The new HITS accreditation from URAC focuses on the key role that pharmacists play in providing infusion therapy services, and recognizes the pharmacies that excel in this area. Additionally, home infusion therapy suppliers must be accredited by January 1, 2021 to qualify for bundled payment reimbursement from Medicare.
“Attaining HITS accreditation is not easy, nor should it be,” said URAC President and CEO Shawn Griffin, M.D. “When an organization like AIS Healthcare achieves this distinction, it says they are quality-driven and posting results at the highest levels. We’re pleased to recognize their hard work and success.”
By earning a HITS accreditation AIS Healthcare has demonstrated its commitment to going above and beyond to support patients and empower their providers. From pharmacies that put patient safety first to comprehensive services that enhance the entire care experience, the company goes beyond the expected in everything it does.
“Throughout AIS Healthcare, we’re focused on doing more of what matters throughout the care continuum,” said Pam Carter, Chief Nursing Officer at AIS Healthcare. “This recognition from URAC shows how doing more to advance quality truly does result in meaningful improvements for patients and providers.”
AIS Healthcare also has Specialty Pharmacy and Health Call Center accreditations from URAC, and is accredited by the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB) and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), further setting it apart from other compounding pharmacies and infusion services providers.
The URAC accreditation for Home Infusion Therapy Supplier at the Ridgeland pharmacy is effective through February 1, 2023.
About AIS Healthcare
Advancing quality. Improving lives.
As the leading provider of targeted drug delivery (TDD), infusion care and ophthalmology solutions, AIS Healthcare is committed to doing more of what matters. From pharmacies that put patient safety first to comprehensive services that enhance the entire care experience, we go beyond the expected in everything we do.
About URAC
Founded in 1990, URAC is the independent leader in promoting healthcare quality through leadership, accreditation, measurement and innovation. URAC is a nonprofit organization using evidence-based measures and developing standards through inclusive engagement with a range of stakeholders committed to improving the quality of healthcare. Our portfolio of accreditation and certification programs span the healthcare industry, addressing healthcare management, healthcare operations, health plans, pharmacies, telehealth providers, physician practices and more. URAC accreditation is a symbol of excellence for organizations to showcase their validated commitment to quality and accountability.
Learn more at aiscaregroup.com
Contact
Phone 877.443.4006
Simon Castellanos, Chief Executive Officer
scastellanos@aiscaregroup.com