Myth busting: Treating hepatitis C in primary care

Washington State Health Care Authority sent this bulletin at 01/06/2023 12:00 PM PST

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Myth busting: Treating hepatitis C in primary care

Eliminating hepatitis C is a major public health priority for Washington, with a goal of elimination by 2030. Treating the infection in primary care settings is critical to eliminating this deadly virus in our communities.

Below are some common myths that have been busted about treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) in primary care settings.

Myth 1

Primary care providers should only test patients who have injected drugs, had a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992, or had a sex partner who used drugs.

Truth

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for HCV infection in all adults aged 18-79. Based on modeling, screening all adults would find an additional 256,000 HCV-infected individuals in the United States.

Myth 2

Patients should be considered for antiviral therapy only if they are sober and have advanced fibrosis (F3-4).

Truth

Treatment is recommended for all patients with an HCV infection, except those with short life expectancies that cannot be remediated by treating HCV, by transplantation, or by other direct therapies. Reinfection rates, even among active injection drug users, are much lower than commonly perceived. In general, testing for extent of fibrosis is not required.

Myth 3

Only specialists can treat HCV patients.

Truth

Anyone licensed to prescribe medication is allowed to screen and treat Apple Health members. With simple training, most primary care providers can become competent and comfortable treating hepatitis C.

Learn more

Watch the full webinar where Dr. John Scott, infectious diseases specialist at UW Medicine, and professor in the Department of Pharmacology at UW, discusses these myths and more.

Contact

If you’re a primary care provider, let us know how we can help you treat HCV more effectively.

Email: eliminatehcv@hca.wa.gov

Links

HCA’s eliminating hepatitis C provider webpage

HCA’s hepatitis C client webpage

Read the Governor’s directive

About the Health Care Authority (HCA)

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is committed to whole-person care, integrating physical health and behavioral health services for better results and healthier residents.

HCA purchases health care for more than 2.5 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program, the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program, and the COFA Islander Health Care Program. As the largest health care purchaser in the state, we lead the effort to transform health care, helping ensure Washington residents have access to better health and better care at a lower cost.

Please do not reply directly to this message. For more information, visit the HCA website, where you'll also find contact information.

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