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Abstract Details
Louisiana Medicaid access for treatment and care for hepatitis C virus (LA-MATCH) project: A cross-sectional study protocol
PLoS One. 2021 Oct 6;16(10):e0257437. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257437. eCollection 2021.
Hasheemah Afaneh1, Susanne Straif-Bourgeois1, Evrim Oral2, Ashley Wennerstrom3, Olivia Sugarman3, William T Robinson3, Angel Whittington4, Edward Trapido1
Author information
1Department of Epidemiology, New Orleans School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America.
2Department of Biostatistics, New Orleans School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America.
3Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences and Center for Healthcare Value & Equity, New Orleans School of Public Health, LSU Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America.
4University of Louisiana at Monroe, Medicaid, Monroe, Lousiana, United States of America.
Abstract
Introduction: This article presents the Louisiana Hepatitis C Elimination Program's evaluation protocol underway at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans. With the availability of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents, the elimination of Hepatitis C (HCV) has become a possibility. The HCV Elimination Program was initiated by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Office of Public Health (OPH), LDH Bureau of Health Services Financing (Medicaid), and the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPSC) to provide HCV treatment through an innovative pricing arrangement with Asegua Therapeutics, whereby a fixed cost is set for a supply of treatment over five years.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study design will be used. Data will be gathered from two sources: 1) an online survey administered via REDCap to a sample of Medicaid members who are receiving HCV treatment, and 2) a de-identified data set that includes both Medicaid claims data and OPH surveillance data procured via a Data Use Agreement between LSUHSC-NO and Louisiana Medicaid.
Discussion: The evaluation will contribute to an understanding of the scope and reach of this innovative treatment model, and as a result, an understanding of areas for improvement. Further, this evaluation may provide insight for other states considering similar contracting mechanisms and programs.