Hepatitis C can easily be cured with direct-acting antiviral therapy, but most people are not getting the treatment they need, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 2 million adults in the United States have hepatitis C virus (HCV), and many people living with HIV also have HCV. Left untreated, hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and the need for a liver transplant. Researchers analyzed administrative claims data for 47,687 adults diagnosed with hepatitis C between January 2019 and October 2020 who had some type of continuous insurance coverage. Just 35% of people with private insurance started hepatitis C treatment within 12 months after diagnosis, while only 28% of those covered by Medicare and 23% of those covered by Medicaid did so. The likelihood of receiving treatment was lower in states with restrictions, such as only treating people with severe liver fibrosis or requiring abstinence from drugs and alcohol. This study did not include people without any insurance coverage, a group that likely has even less access to treatment.
Concerns: Hepatitis C Treatment
More than 2 million adults in the United States have hepatitis C virus (HCV), and many people living with HIV also have HCV.
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