Increasing hepatitis C screening in a large integrated health system: science and policy in concert.

Abstract

HCV screening has been increasing in our healthcare system, more so since June 2013 and among the birth cohort. The availability of efficacious therapies and coverage policies coincident with the USPSTF recommendations may have facilitated access to screening and treatment in ways that were absent at the time of the 2012 CDC recommendations. Health systems must also be poised to make resources available to clinicians and patients in order to incentivize screening. Future research should inform a better understanding of incentives and barriers to screening and linkage to care from all stakeholder perspectives.