For a long time, many specialty medicines were given mainly in hospital infusion departments. Today, many of the same medicines can also be given at independent, physician-supervised infusion centers like Infuse Care. If your doctor has prescribed an infusion, it helps to understand how the two settings compare.
What both settings have in common
Whether you're treated at a hospital or an infusion center, the basics are the same: your doctor prescribes the medicine and writes the order, trained nurses give it, and you're monitored during and after the infusion. The medication itself doesn't change with the setting.
Where they can differ
The environment
Hospital infusion areas often place patients in a shared room with several chairs. At Infuse Care, every patient has a private suite, which many people find calmer, especially for long or regular infusions.
Getting there
Hospital campuses can mean parking garages, long walks and busy waiting areas. A community infusion center is usually smaller and easier to navigate. Our Toms River center has on-site parking and a single front desk.
Scheduling
Hospital infusion units may also serve inpatients and urgent needs, which can affect appointment times. A dedicated outpatient center focuses on scheduled infusions, which can make it easier to plan around work and family.
Cost and insurance
Costs can differ between settings. Some health plans have "site of care" policies that encourage, or sometimes require, eligible patients to receive certain infusions outside a hospital outpatient department. Whether a different setting changes what you pay depends on your plan, so it's worth asking. Our team verifies your benefits before your first visit and explains what we find.
When a hospital may be the better fit
An infusion center isn't right for everyone. Your doctor may recommend a hospital setting if you've had severe infusion reactions in the past, need treatment or monitoring that requires hospital resources, or have other medical needs that call for it. That decision belongs to you and your doctor.
Questions to ask
- Can my medication be given at an independent infusion center?
- Does my insurance plan have a preferred site of care for this medicine?
- How long will each infusion take, and how often will I need one?
- How will the infusion center share updates with my doctor?
How to start at Infuse Care
If you'd like to receive your infusions with us, ask your doctor to send a referral, or call us at 732-444-8808 and we'll help coordinate. Learn more about the patient experience, read what to expect at your first infusion or browse the conditions we support.
Related specialty
This article is general information, not medical advice. Your doctor can help you decide what's right for your situation.
