VGM infuses new GPO model

WATERLOO, Iowa - VGM Infusion wrapped up its first year of full operation in December with 50 members.

“That's next to nothing compared to a large group purchasing organization, but we're happy with how we're bringing new value to our members,” said Stephanie Hookham, national account manager.

VGM Infusion not only provides group purchasing but also leverages VGM's other divisions like VGM Insurance, VGM Marketing and VGM Homelink to offer additional support. It ran in beta from the end of 2014 to the end of 2015.

Hookham said VGM Infusion had its start in helping existing VGM members with a presence in both HME and home infusion, but it has since also picked up a number of new members that are independent pharmacies. She estimated the current membership to be a 60/40 mix, respectively.

“That's what VGM is all about as a whole—we're here for the independents,” she said.

Pharmacies certainly have a number of larger GPOs to pick from, but Hookham said they see in VGM Infusion more of a partner.

“Most GPOs are geared toward contracts, and they can be large and difficult to navigate,” she said. “With us, they can see the resources at hand and it feels accessible. We're a new angle on it.”

As an example of how no job is too small for VGM Infusion, Hookham recounted how she was able to connect a member who was having difficulty with their software with another member who was a “super user” of the software.

“We're small enough that we can do that,” she said. “We can make those connections.”

VGM Infusion has been increasingly making its presence known in the home infusion market. It has been exhibiting at the annual conference of the National Home Infusion Association for three years now, but at the 2016 event in March, it had its biggest booth to date.

“The word is getting out,” Hookham said.