First-Ever State of HCV Care National Survey Reveals Payer Restrictions as Key Barrier to HCV Treatment

May 2, 2016 - HealthHIVTreatment utilization policies impacting coverage by payers have been identified as a major barrier among substantial and diverse barriers preventing providers from delivering necessary care to their HCV-infected patients, according to HealthHCV's State of HCV CareTM national survey report. Other barriers identified included: limited infrastructure for proving hepatitis C screening and treatment and limited clinical knowledge about screening and/or treatment. The survey results are being released today to coincide with the beginning of Hepatitis Awareness Month, which runs through May.

Treatment utilization policies impacting coverage by payers have been identified as a major barrier among substantial and diverse barriers preventing providers from delivering necessary care to their HCV-infected patients, according to HealthHCV’s State of HCV CareTM national survey report. Other barriers identified included: limited infrastructure for proving hepatitis C screening and treatment and limited clinical knowledge about screening and/or treatment. The survey results are being released today to coincide with the beginning of Hepatitis Awareness Month, which runs through May.

Key findings from the survey include:

  • Over one-third (36%) reported being unable to treat a patient’s infection due to payer restrictions.
  • Both private insurance (36%) and public insurance (Medicaid: 31%; Medicare: 19%) were identified as creating barriers to treatment.
  • Providers need additional training on current HCV screening guidelines, guidance on treatment for HCV/HIV co-infection, and information on new cure therapies. 

There are currently few efforts to collect information on hepatitis C (HCV) care and treatment in the U.S., and these survey results serve as some of the first national data points regarding provision of HCV care. HealthHIV researchers analyzed survey data collected from nearly 200 primary care and specialist medical providers that screen, treat, or provide HCV care to document the current landscape of care.

Learn more here.

The full survey report is available for download here.

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