Ambulatory Infusion Therapy in the United States
July 10, 2026
Ambulatory infusion therapy refers to the delivery of infused and injectable medications, biologics, and nutrition support in non-inpatient settings—most commonly in the patient’s home, in freestanding ambulatory infusion suites/centers, or in physician offices. The model combines pharmacy compounding and distribution with specialized nursing, clinical monitoring, and coordination across the treating team. For many therapies, ambulatory infusion is clinically appropriate, preferred by patients, and materially less expensive than hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) or inpatient care. Published analyses show sizable site-of-care price differences for infused specialty drugs. For example, AHIP-reported averages found hospital administration cost about $7,000 more per treatment than specialty pharmacy/alternate sites, with physician offices about $1,400 higher on average.[1]
In the U.S., home and alternate site infusion is a large and growing sector. NHIA’s industry trends research has estimated the home and alternate site infusion industry serves more than 3.2 million patients annually and represents an industry of roughly $19B in annual revenue (pre-pandemic baseline).[2]
A core driver of growth is site-of-care (SOC) optimization. Commercial payers and Medicare continue to face sustained pressure from hospital-based pricing—particularly HOPD facility fees—making clinically appropriate care in home or freestanding ambulatory sites increasingly attractive. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association analyses show hospital outpatient prices are consistently higher than ambulatory surgery centers and physician offices for common services, sometimes multiple-fold.[3]
This white paper describes the ambulatory infusion ecosystem, the Amerita model of care, the patient populations who benefit, the clinical conditions treated, and a payer-focused ROI framework that quantifies avoidable utilization and total cost savings when infusion moves from high-cost institutional settings to community-based sites. It also outlines a practical quality-measurement framework aligned to accreditation and national standards and closes with an advocacy agenda to strengthen reimbursement so the workforce and capacity can meet rising demand.
To explore the full data, insights, and research behind these results, download the complete white paper here.
References
[1] Cigna Healthcare Newsroom. Specialty Pharmacies Help Improve Health Care Affordability, New Research Confirms (citing AHIP findings on specialty drug site-of-care cost differentials). Available here.
[2] NHIA/NHIF Infusion Industry Trends Report (summary). Available here.
[3] Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Hospital outpatient prices far higher, rising faster than other sites of care (press release) Available here: https://www.bcbs.com/press-releases/hospital-outpatient-prices-far-higher-rising-faster-other-sites-care
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