Cross-posted from the Department of Health and Human Services' Viral Hepatitis Blog 

The Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy (OHAIDP), in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH), is pleased to announce the launch of a new joint initiative: the Hepatitis C Medicaid Affinity Group. The Hepatitis C Medicaid Affinity Group aims to increase the number and percentage of Medicaid patients diagnosed with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection that are successfully treated and cured. These outcomes have substantial benefits to the health and wellbeing of persons living with HCV as well as significant social value including preventing transmission, early mortality, productivity loss, and direct healthcare costs. Participating state public health and Medicaid programs will have an opportunity to learn and share promising approaches to improve health outcomes and reduce costs by successfully treating and curing Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with HCV.  State teams will also receive direct technical assistance that:

1. Supports improved HCV-related outcomes among Medicaid enrollees through better coordination, delivery, and assessment of high quality HCV prevention, treatment and cure; and
2. Builds stronger collaborative relationships among state Medicaid programs, and other state partners (public or private) who are well positioned to advise and support efforts for maximum impact. 

The Expression of Interest form - PDF [884 KB] is due on Friday, November 3, 2017 by 5:00 PM EST.

A call/webinar with the federal partners is scheduled for Friday, October 13, 2017 from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST to provide further background and answer any questions that prospective states may have regarding this initiative. To register for this webinar, go to https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/3890256143146051073Exit Disclaimer.

For more information about Medicaid Prevention Initiatives and Affinity Groups, please visit https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/prevention/index.html. If you have questions about the Hepatitis C Medicaid Affinity Group, contact Corinna Dan RN, MPH at 202-795-7617 or Corinna.Dan@hhs.gov.