May 20th 2021
Expanded coverage under a Medicare-Medicaid partnership to treat all prevalent cases of hepatitis C appears to be cost-effective by saving money and improving patient outcomes.
February 15th 2020
Atul Gawande, MD, starts his new job today leading the healthcare venture started by Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, and Berkshire Hathaway; what should have been an easy resolution at the United Nations–affiliated World Health Assembly this spring became ensnared in a US-led battle against breast milk; the majority of prison inmates with hepatitis C are not getting potentially curable drug treatment.
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Increasing Hepatitis C Screening in a Large Integrated Health System: Science and Policy in Concert
The success of recommendations to improve screening often rests on the availability of efficacious therapies, coverage policies, and other factors that enable and justify screening.
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FDA Approves HCV Treatment Vosevi for Previously Treated Patients
July 19th 2017The FDA recently approved Vosevi-a fixed-dose combination tablet containing FDA-approved sofosbuvir and velpatasvir, and a new drug, voxilaprevi-to treat adults with the hepatitis C virus who do not have cirrhosis (liver disease).
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The oncogenic effects of the hepatitis C virus can impact patient outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and have economic implications for medical spending. This study underscores the importance of treating patients early in the disease process for savings associated with reducing the risks of HCC.
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Treating Medicaid Patients With Hepatitis C: Clinical and Economic Impact
Hepatitis C virus treatment is often restricted in Medicaid patients. This analysis evaluates the clinical and cost impacts of treating all Medicaid patients versus the current status quo.
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Inconsistent Treatment for Prisoners With Hepatitis C Provokes Lawsuits
October 17th 2016The rate of inmates infected with the hepatitis C virus is estimated at 17.4% across the United States, and can reach as high as 40% in some states. However, many inmates in state prisons are not permitted to receive the the newest and most expensive treatments for the virus.
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Test Hepatitis C Patients for Hepatitis B Before Treatment, Panel Advises
September 26th 2016The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases/Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidance Panel is recommending that before patients begin antiviral therapies for the treatment of hepatitis C, that they be screened for hepatitis B, as well.
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ACLU Sues Colorado Medicaid Over Limits on Hepatitis C Treatment
September 20th 2016The dispute between the ACLU and Colorado Medicaid has been seen in other states and with other payers. Policy questions on treatment for hepatitis C virus were examined in a special issue of The American Journal of Managed Care.
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What We're Reading: Republicans Push for Expanded Exemptions for ACA Penalties
September 13th 2016What we're reading, September 13, 2016: GOP bill would exempt people who live in areas with 1 Obamacare plan or none from penalties for not having coverage; hepatitis C drugs threaten to bust prison budgets; and school challenges for children with mental illness.
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Gilead Again Defends Against Lawsuits Over Patents for Hepatitis C Treatments
September 12th 2016The University of Minnesota filed a lawsuit against Gilead Sciences, maintaining that the pharmaceutical company infringed on a patent when it marketed 3 medications for the treatment of the hepatitis C virus.
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Safety Profile of New Pan-Genomic HCV Drug Similar to Current Treatments
July 3rd 2016After reviewing the evidence for all approved hepatitis C virus treatments, Advera Health has determined that Gilead Sciences’ newly approved, pan-genomic Epclusa has a similar safety profile as Sovaldi, Harvoni, Daklinza, and Viekira Pak.
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Adoption of New Agents and Changes in Treatment Patterns for Hepatitis C: 2010-2014
New hepatitis C medications have been quickly adopted into practice and increased treatment rate. The median out-of-pocket costs of new medications were relatively low.
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What We're Reading: Washington Medicaid Program Must Lift HCV Restrictions
May 31st 2016What we're reading, May 31, 2016: a federal judge ordered the Washington state Medicaid program to remove restrictions on hepatitis C virus medications; the trouble when drug prices are too low; and the World Health Organization will not consider postponing the Summer Olympics due to the Zika virus.
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Denied Treatment and Real-World Outcomes: Most-Read HCV Stories
May 17th 2016Over the last year, The American Journal of Managed Care has covered many aspects of the hepatitis C issue: access to treatment, the cost of drugs, exclusivity deals, and more. Here are the most-read articles from the last year.
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5 Things to Know About Hepatitis C Screening and Treatment
May 13th 2016As CDC reports a record number of deaths from hepatitis C, it seeks to raise awareness of the need for screening and treatment. Authors and the editor of a special issue of The American Journal of Managed Care will take part in a briefing on the issue.
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Special Issue of AJMC Examines Policy Questions Surrounding Hepatitis C Treatment
May 6th 2016The arrival of direct-acting antivirals to treat hepatitis C virus raised unprecedented policy questions in healthcare. This new drug class was initially met with alarm over cost and barriers to the cure, despite the potential for long-term savings, and represents one of a number of topics explored in a special issue of The American Journal of Managed Care.
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