Infusion Services

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects about 3.1 million adults in the United States and can be debilitating when left untreated. At Ernest F. Ribera, M.D. - Burlingame Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Burlingame, California, experienced gastroenterologist Ernest Ribera, MD, and his team provide infusion services to patients with IBD who qualify. Call the office or use the online booking feature to schedule an evaluation today.

What are infusion services?

Infusion services at Ernest F. Ribera, M.D. - Burlingame Gastroenterology and Hepatology consist of fluids and medicines infused into the bloodstream of patients with IBD who need biologic medications (medicines that target specific parts of your immune system).

Infusion treatments are done in a comfortable office with a doctor and infusion nurse readily available for monitoring and consulting. This increases the chance of treatment compliance and success.

The infusion services model at Ernest F. Ribera, M.D. - Burlingame Gastroenterology and Hepatology encourages treatment compliance and promotes timely assessments of inflammatory bowel diseases.

What can infusion services help with?

Infusions at Ernest F. Ribera, M.D. - Burlingame Gastroenterology and Hepatology help reduce the following symptoms of Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, two common chronic inflammatory bowel diseases:

• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramping and pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Reduced appetite
• Bloody stool

See the experts at Ernest F. Ribera, M.D. - Burlingame Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the first sign of IBD symptoms.

Which drugs are used in infusion services?

Examples of infusion medicines administered by Ernest F. Ribera, M.D. - Burlingame Gastroenterology and Hepatology include:

• Skyrizi® (risankizumab-rzaa)
• Stelara® (ustekinumab)
• Omvoh™ (mirikizumab-mrkz)
• Entyvio® (vedolizumab)
• Remicade® (infliximab)
• Inflectra (infliximab-dyyb)

The practice gets prior authorization from your insurance company, enrolls you in patient assistance programs, and submits copay rebates on your behalf.

What should I expect during the infusions?

During infusion services, the infusion nurse inserts a needle into a vein, usually on your arm, allowing the medications to flow steadily into your bloodstream.

Infusions typically last ½ to 2 hours, though treatment times vary from person to person and the medicine being infuse. You might rest, read, listen to music, or take a nap during treatment. 

How does infusion services billing work?

Two billing options are available. You can choose the “buy and bill” option in which Ernest F. Ribera, M.D. - Burlingame Gastroenterology and Hepatology provides the medication and bills your insurance company. 

If your insurance provider only allows a specialty pharmacy to provide your medicines, the office accepts delivery from them and bills only for the infusion/administration of the medicine.

To learn more about advanced infusion services, schedule an evaluation today at Ernest F. Ribera, M.D. - Burlingame Gastroenterology and Hepatology by phone or online.