Published in:
01-09-2017 | Hepatitis C (J Ahn and A Aronsohn, Section Editors)
The Landscape of Patient Access to Direct Acting Antivirals by Payer Within the United States Healthcare System
Published in: Current Hepatology Reports | Issue 3/2017
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Purpose of Review
This review article charts the current landscape of patient access to direct acting antivirals (DAAs) by payer within the United States healthcare system, including Medicaid, Medicare, private/commercial health insurance, Department of Corrections, and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Each payer is reviewed for barriers to access and equity as well as analyzed with regard to cost.
Recent Findings
The advent of DAAs gives the promise not just of cure but of the elimination of hepatitis C (HCV). However, increased demand, pressure to prioritize care, drug costs, and limited financial resources have made delivery of the treatment to all a difficult task.
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) contends that striving for equitable care and long-term financial viability should be cornerstones of HCV elimination. We argue that overcoming barriers to access to care in a sustainable fashion is a key step to closing the gap between the promise of a cure and the widespread elimination of disease.