Why Every Home Infusion Note Needs a Temperature Reading at Delivery.

In home infusion, many claim denials come down to one simple question: “Can you prove the drug was kept at the right temperature before giving it to the patient?” The problem? Notes often say things like “stored cold” or “per label.” That’s not good enough for payers or regulators. And just trusting a courier who says “it was fine” won’t work either. What auditors and payers want is clear, measurable proof. The Missing Step: Temperature at Delivery The weak spot in most notes is that they don’t show the actual temperature when the nurse received the drug. If you don’t record this number, linked to a monitor ID or photo, your claim can easily get denied.

Why it matters?

USP <1079> says you must show drugs stayed in their proper range (for example, 2–8 °C for refrigerated meds). CMS Home Infusion Therapy rules require documentation that proves safe handling and ties directly to the patient’s plan of care. Without this, you’ll spend weeks fighting appeals—and often lose. How to Fix It The solution is simple: make “receipt temperature” a required part of every nursing note. Add a field: Require the nurse to enter monitor ID + temperature at delivery. Allow photos: Let them upload a picture of the probe screen or temperature indicator. Make it required: Don’t let the note close unless the information is filled in.

The Benefits
No chasing couriers for missing data later Faster appeal packets when payers ask for proof Stronger compliance with USP and CMS standards Less stress for nurses, pharmacists, and billing teams Bottom Line Writing “cold” isn’t proof. A monitor ID, a real temperature number, and a photo if possible can be the difference between a paid claim and a denied one. Want to protect your buy-and-bill claims? Start by adding one small field to your notes.

References
1. USP <1079> Good Storage and Shipping Practices: https://www.helmerinc.com/articles/usp-chapter-outlines-good-drug-storage-and-shipping-practices
2. USP <659> Packaging and Storage Requirements: https://www.uspnf.com/sites/default/files/usp_pdf/EN/USPNF/revisions/659_rb_notice.pdf
3. USP <797> Sterile Compounding Standards: https://www.usp.org/compounding/general-chapter-797
4. CMS Home Infusion Therapy Services: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/fee-for-service-providers/home-infusion-therapy