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May 18, 2022

Michigan Medicaid: What you need to know about caring for members with hepatitis C

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched the We Treat Hep C Initiative to help eliminate the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Michigan.

We Treat Hep C aims to:

  • Increase testing for HCV
  • Increase the number of health care professionals who treat HCV
  • Expand access to HCV treatment for Michigan Medicaid beneficiaries by removing barriers to prescribing

Here’s what you need to know about this initiative as you care for your patients who are UnitedHealthcare Community Plan members.

Testing recommendations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults be tested for HCV at least once in their lifetime. Pregnant women should be tested for during their pregnancy and receive treatment during the postpartum period if they test positive.

The CDC offers a recommended testing sequence to help guide you through the testing process.

Expanded treatment
The We Treat Hep C initiative has removed several barriers to care, including:

  • Primary care providers (PCPs) can now prescribe HCV treatment for Medicaid beneficiaries
    • MDHHS recommends that PCPs incorporate HCV testing into members’ annual and preventive visits
    • UnitedHealthcare Community Plan can provide you with a roster of members who should be tested
  • Prior authorization is no longer required for MAVYRET®, an oral prescription medication used to treat HCV
    • Other antiviral medications will require prior authorization if MAVYRET is not clinically appropriate
  • Documenting sobriety for more than 6 months is no longer required for members to receive treatment

Support for members
If you prescribe MAVYRET to a UnitedHealthcare Community Plan member, you can refer them to the MAVYRET Nurse Ambassador Program for assistance and guidance on their treatment. 

Resources
For more information and resources, including frequently asked questions and clinical fact sheets, see the We Treat Hep C page for health care professionals

You can also call the Henry Ford Health System Hepatitis C Consultation program at 313-575-0332 if you have questions about testing and treatment. 

Questions?
Email MDHHS-Hepatitis@michigan.gov.

PCA-1-22-01555-BenOps-News