Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is a medical treatment which bolsters the immune system by providing the patient with a large dose of immunoglobulin full of antibodies via infusion. This therapy leverages the healing power of immunoglobulin, a natural substance found in human blood that is full of antibodies crucial to fighting infection and disease.​ The infusions also stimulate the body's natural production of antibodies, restoring its ability to fight off infections on its own.

IVIG treatment is administered intravenously. An infusion nurse inserts a needle into the patient's vein, connecting an infusion tube to a bag containing the immunoglobulin. Once the treatment begins, the immunoglobulin flows from the infusion bag through a tube into the patient's bloodstream.

Each IVIG treatment is about 4 to 8 hours. A single treatment session is actually broken into two shorter sessions over 2 days. After each treatment, the body naturally breaks down about half of the immunoglobulin over the course of 3 to 4 weeks. In order to fortify the immune system and stave off infections, patients return about every 3-4 weeks for treatments. Over time, these treatments typically spur the immune system to producing more immuglobulin on its own. At this stage, treatment sessions become less frequent. When the patient's immune system is successful in generating enough immunoglobulin on its own, the IVIG therapy is ended.

Click on the video on our home page to listen to Dr. Bouboulis, chief immunologist and founder of Superior Associates, explain IVIG as he tours the Superior Infusion Center. If you have more questions, please click on "Contact Us" to connect directly.

We serve patients of all ages and genders. Monthly treatment sessions are required, so most of our patients reside in New York or Connecticut, but we are also able to serve patients outside of the tri-state area.

Contact your insurance provider and review this checklist: Out-of-Network Provider Coverage: Superior Associates must be covered as an out-of-network provider under your insurance policy. Coverage of J-Codes: Your policy must include the following J-codes to ensure IVIG therapy is covered: J1561: Gammaked and Gammunex-C J1569: Gammagard Liquid J1568: Octagam 96365: Intravenous infusion, nursing (1 hour) 96366: Intravenous infusion, nursing (each additional hour) Verify that your plan includes these codes and does not restrict them to an in-network ("par") provider or a specialty pharmacy. In addition, please note: Major Medical Coverage: These J-codes must be covered under your plan's major medical benefits, not through the prescription drug (RX) plan. Ambulatory Infusion Coverage: Your plan must include coverage for infusion therapy at an infusion suite or ambulatory infusion center, such as a doctor's office. It should not limit coverage to home infusion therapy only. Out-of-Network Deductibles: You will be responsible for any out-of-network deductibles. Be sure to check your policy’s deductible rates and budget accordingly.

Once Dr. Bouboulis has prescribed IVIG therapy for you, Superior Associates will assist in securing your insurance carrier's preauthorization for IVIG therapy. The first step will be authorizing a release of your medical records, which will allow us to ensure that your insurance carrier is given all the necessary documents to preauthorize your IVIG therapy. Be aware that it may take 30-60 days for your insurance carrier to complete the preauthorization screening and notify you of their determination. We will also be able to consult with you if you are initially denied the preauthorization, and assist in helping to reverse the initial determination. Superior Associates is an out of network facility and only accepts policies with in- and out-of-network benefits, provided the insurance company has not excluded coverage of procedures and treatments of IVIG therapy. The infusion treatments must be a covered service by the major medical part of the insurance policy. Since Superior Associates is not a pharmacy, IVIG therapy at the Superior Infusion Center is billed through a prescription plan. Medical insurance coverage for IVIG therapy is not universal. The following carriers do not provide coverage for IVIG treatments and procedures: Aliera Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of California, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, ConnectiCare, Fidelis Care, GHI, Harvard Pilgrim, MagnaCare, Mass Health (Fallon), Medicare, TriCare.

Make sure to drink plenty of water starting a few days prior to the infusion to be sure you are well hydrated. If you have a heart condition, kidney condition or any other health condition that prevents you from drinking large amounts of fluid, check with your healthcare practitioner for instructions on how to hydrate before your infusion procedure. Come dressed in comfortable loose clothing. Consider wearing clothing with layers to allow for temperature control. The temperature of the infusion center may be cool or warm; also some intravenous infusions can make you feel either warm or cool. Having layers of clothing allows you the flexibility to easily control your comfort zone. TV’s, Snacks, Coffee, Pillows and blankets are provided to the patients. You are more than welcome to bring your own items as well. Bring activities- Please feel free to bring books, computers, tablets, phones, headphones, handheld gaming consoles, etc. As a reminder that the infusion center is a Quiet Zone, please be respectful of other patients. All phone calls must be made outside the infusion center. Visitors- Guests may bring no more than one guest during their infusion. Patients receive priority for infusion recliners.

Most of all, follow all medication directions given by infusion nurse and be sure to stay hydrated after each treatment infusion. Drink 2-3 liters of water and/or a drink with electrolytes. Refrain from strenuous exercise for 12 hours after an infusion. Schedule a follow up evaluation with Dr. Bouboulis every 2 to 3 months (this is required to maintain procedure authorization). Post-infusion side effects may include headaches or migraines, nausea and vomiting, and a low grade fever (less than 101.0). These may occur anytime during or after infusion, this can be prevented by maintaining good hydration and following medical instructions.