Treatment for Hepatitis C through Washington Apple Health Elisabeth S. Smith Northwest Health Law Advocates June 3, 2016

Hepatitis C 1.Liver health for those who are infected with Hepatitis C is graded according to the level of liver scarring under a fibrosis score. The scoring ranges from a score of F0 (mild scarring or scarring absent) to F4 (significant liver damage; cirrhosis). 2.Harvoni® is a prescription drug that effectively cures Hep C in more than 90% of the individuals who are treated with it. 3.However, until recently the Health Care Authority would only approve Medicaid coverage of Harvoni for individuals with a fibrosis score of 3 or 4.

Preliminary Injunction Last week U.S. District Court Judge John C. Coughenour granted a preliminary injunction ordering HCA to begin covering Harvoni “without regard to fibrosis score.” Lawsuit (B.E. et al v. Teeter) will continue, but HCA has not publicly commented on the injunction.

Contact If you hear of a Medicaid client being denied Harvoni, please contact: Amy Crewdson Columbia Legal Services 711 Capitol Way South #304 Olympia WA (360) x x. 214 (360) (360) (fax)