KabaFusion likes Lincare's presence

CERRITOS, Calif. - KabaFusion plans to expand its focus beyond IVIG to other infusion therapies with its recent acquisition of Lincare's home infusion business, says founder and CEO Dr. Sohail Masood.

The deal, announced in early March, also expands the company's footprint, adding specialty pharmacies in 11 markets where KabaFusion has no presence, for a total of 28 locations in 16 states.

“We started KabaFusion in 2010 primarily focusing on IVIG therapy, but Lincare gives us a chance to expand in a much bigger way into acute care therapies like antibiotics, enteral and total parenteral nutrition,” said Masood. “Lincare has been in business for a long time and it has many loyal, longstanding employees.”

It's KabaFusion's first acquisition since partnering with Pritzker Private Capital in January 2019.

The home infusion market has been on a growth trajectory for several years, something that will help KabaFusion continue its double-digit growth, said Masood.

“Our services are one-tenth the cost of the hospital or infusion center,” he said. “We are keeping patients home, there's a huge quality of life improvement and (it reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections). I think that as insurances work with us or others and really look at the costs, it can be a win-win situation.”

It's a stance Masood has held throughout his career and he continues to push for recognition of the value of home infusion, including working with the National Home Infusion Association in support of Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act. Introduced in March, the legislations would provide technical clarifications to remove the requirement that a home infusion professional must be present in the home on the day services are provided to be paid.

“The way the benefit is set up right now, it does not pay for our services,” he said. “Medicare Part B is not paying our per diem, but we are regularly monitoring the patient, whether the nurse is there or not. I am hoping that Congress will understand what we are trying to do.”