What
In October 2022, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Viral Hepatitis (DVH) released an FAQ document which provides an overview of the different insurance plan types that cover viral hepatitis (Hepatitis A, B and C) screening, testing, vaccination, and treatment services. The document also summarizes insurance coverage and patient cost-sharing by plan type for viral hepatitis treatment and prevention services.
Why
Viral hepatitis screening, testing, vaccination, and treatment are critical components of viral hepatitis care cascades and elimination plans. Lack of insurance coverage can pose a barrier to accessing life-saving viral hepatitis prevention and treatment services; uptake of these servicers can also be blunted if patients do not understand what hepatitis services their insurance plans will cover.. Because coverage and subsequent patient costs for these services vary by plan type, it can be challenging for patients to understand the financial and policy impacts of new or updated viral hepatitis recommendations as they are published.
Impact
The newly released CDC DVH FAQ aims to address barriers to access by answering frequently asked questions about viral hepatitis prevention and treatment, providing a glossary of useful and relevant terms, outlining various insurance plan types, and summarizing coverage and patient cost-sharing by plan type for treatment and prevention services. The document also includes a compilation of policy briefs on Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, under- or uninsured funding programs, vaccine coverage, screening and testing coverage, and treatment coverage, as well as additional patient and provider resources. Read and share the FAQ here.
