Jennifer Hoffman, MD, FACOG, FASAM
Lori Burke, MD, FACOG, FASAM
Connected Health, PLLC
Practice Address: 4277 Okemos Road, Suite 100, Okemos, MI 48864
Provider Specialty: Addiction Medicine, Gynecology
Supplemental Services Offered: Medication assisted treatment for individuals of all genders living with substance use disorder(s), contraception, gender affirming hormone treatment, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, telehealth services
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What are successes and barriers to testing or treating hepatitis C?
- The [American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases/Infectious Diseases Society of America] streamlined/simplified approach to hepatitis C treatment for low-risk individuals living with active hepatitis C has been an extremely helpful service to offer patients.
- It can be challenging to track down the hepatitis C testing results and other results needed to determine if treatment through our office is appropriate. Improved education for all healthcare providers who test patients for hepatitis C regarding the follow-up testing needed once a patient is found to have active hepatitis C is needed. This would help expedite getting the patients to appropriate treating providers.
- For Medicaid beneficiaries the process for obtaining the medication is simple, and no prior authorizations are required. For individuals with other insurances, there are often additional tests, prior authorizations and specific specialty pharmacies required to process the medication orders. It is able to be done, but just need to prepare the individuals of necessary steps in the process.
Can you share an experience with the ease of treating hepatitis C?
- There was a Medicaid beneficiary I was able to see via telehealth following referral from MDHHS, reviewed their medical history, lab testing (which was all complete) and sent their prescription the same day. The beneficiary obtained the medication in less than a week from the local specialty pharmacy we work with and has completed 8-weeks of treatment.
What is something you'd like to share with other providers who may not yet be testing and treating their patients for hepatitis C?
- It is incredibly rewarding to offer this treatment to patients.
- Understandably this is new and unfamiliar to most of us who were accustomed to referring patients to specialists for treatment of hepatitis C. The simplified approach to hepatitis C treatment for low-risk individuals is a result of the research and experience gained over time. There are now medications that are for all genotypes of hepatitis C, in treatment-naive individuals who do not have other coinfections (hepatitis B, HIV), liver compromised, or are currently pregnant.
What are your thoughts on the We Treat Hep C Initiative?
- As we gain more experience through referrals, we can work together to move beyond simply identifying patients who have active disease but completing additional history and lab tests to get them to appropriate treating providers. How often can you say you cure a patient?!
Contact Dr. Burke and Dr. Hoffman: info@myconnectedhealth.com
According to the CDC, infants and children born to persons with current (has detectable HCV RNA) or probable (anti-HCV reactive, HCV RNA results are not available) HCV infection should be tested for hepatitis C:
- At 2-6 months with an HCV RNA test
- If previously not been tested, at 7-17 months with an HCV RNA test
- If previously not been tested, at 18 months or older with an anti-HCV with reflex to HCV RNA test
Infants and children with detectable HCV RNA should be managed in coordination with a health care provider with pediatric hepatitis C expertise for related screenings, preventive services, interventions, and regular follow-up, until the child is eligible for treatment (3 years of age).
Perinatally exposed infants and children with an undetectable HCV RNA result at or after age 2 months do not require further follow-up unless clinically warranted (e.g., presence of clinical symptoms, signs, or laboratory findings consistent with hepatitis C appear).
Continuing Education
FREE continuing education is available for primary care clinicians, pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals who care for children at risk for hepatitis C virus infection.
Perinatal Hepatitis C Resources
- MDHHS Testing Recommendations for Hepatitis C Infants and Pregnancy
- MDHHS Perinatal Hepatitis C Toolkit
- MDHHS Perinatal Hepatitis C Fact Sheet
- MDHHS Perinatal HIV, HBV, HCV and Syphilis Testing and Reporting Guidelines
- MDHHS Perinatal Infection Screening Flow Chart
- Lab Resource Guide for HIV, Syphilis, HBV, and HCV Infection During Pregnancy
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Perinatal Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia Training Series | Instructions for Accessing the Training
Henry Ford Hepatitis C Clinical Consultation Program - a free consultation line is available Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. for all health care professionals with questions about HCV disease management and treatment 313-575-0332.
Midwest AIDS Training + Education Center (MATEC) Michigan - offers free hepatitis C clinical decision support and consultation on a monthly basis available to all health care professionals. Click here for the session schedule and registration information. For all other consultation, technical assistance, or training requests, call 313-962-2000, or e-mail MATECMichigan@wayne.edu.
Overdose Prevention Engagement Network (OPEN) - provides hepatitis C provider consultations for substance use related cases and education, both online learning and live webinars. In addition, OPEN has a number of programs offering various resources to communities and providers. To learn more, click here.
Michigan State University & Michigan Center for Rural Health - Assist providers and members of the health care team throughout northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to manage infectious disease patients more effectively and confidently through Project ECHO model. Free CME available.
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