A Time of Transition
To help our members thrive, both now and in the future, the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) must continue to evolve amid a host of critical challenges (for complete background, please read the October 8th NHIA Membership Letter). After much Board discussion, feedback from the NHIA Membership Committee and interaction with many individual members and other industry stakeholders, the Board has concluded that the only way to build and maintain NHIA as a strong voice for the field and all its members is to complete the move planned years ago to become a true trade association:

• This decision requires that we transition from a current base of individual and site members to that of “company” provider members.
• Starting with the billing cycles in January 2008, individual membership will become the rare exception, rather than the norm.
• To be fair to companies of all sizes within the alternate- site infusion field, the new dues schedule is based upon a sliding scale—and calls
  for a smaller amount of dues from small provider companies and larger amounts from
  the large provider companies.
• This is the standard approach of almost every successful trade association—and NHIA
  stands ready to assist you and your company in making this “individual-to-company”
  membership transition.

Provider Membership
Any organization actively engaged in the provision of alternate-site infusion therapy is eligible for membership as an NHIA Provider Member:

• NHIA provider membership will be based upon the above company provider dues schedule
  recently established by the Board.
• The change will impact current memberships as they expire during 2008—to help members
  whose dues renewals fall in the first quarter of 2008 (and may need some extra time to process the conversion), we will be happy to work out an appropriate transition solution.
• The benefits of NHIA membership will be available to all employees of a member company
  (and not just a few identified individuals).
• The annual dues payment is based upon a company’s net sales revenue from its infusion business.
• NHIA operates under an honor system for reporting net sales—the success of the association depends upon all members paying their appropriate dues.

Other Membership Categories
If you are not employed by an infusion provider, this dues schedule does not pertain to you. The following membership categories would apply:

• Business Firm Affiliate Membership: A company, not otherwise qualified for membership, that engages through manufacturing, wholesale, reimbursement services, consulting services or is otherwise in a business that supports or enhances alternate-site infusion therapy practice is eligible for this category (the existing business firm membership schedule applies: call 703-838-2665 for more information).
• Individual Consulting Practice Affiliate Membership: A self-employed individual operating as a singular consultant to businesses in the alternate-site infusion field not otherwise qualified for membership is eligible for this category at an annual fee of $600 (Note: All other consulting practices fall under the Business Firm Affiliate Membership).
• Association Membership: Other professional associations representing individuals and corporations involved in providing alternate-site infusion therapy services are eligible for this category at an annual fee of $1,000.
• Individual Affiliate Membership: An individual not otherwise employed by an organization qualified for membership (in any of the above membership categories) that has a vested interest in advancing alternate-site infusion therapy practice is eligible for this category at an annual fee of $500.

For any questions or comments that you have about the above non-provider membership categories, kindly contact David Gershman via david.gershman@nhia.org or at 703-838-2665.