HepCAP | NYS Hep C Patient Assistance Program (NYS DOH)

What is HepCAP?

The goal of this program is to ensure that people who are infected with hepatitis C have proper access to medical services related to hepatitis C. HepCAP serves New York State residents infected with Hep C who are uninsured and who meet program eligibility criteria.

See where HepCAP is offered in New York City.

Services:

• Initial Hep C Medical and Treatment Evaluation
  The purpose of this service is to establish the state of Hep C disease, monitor chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, and evaluate for and/or initiate Hep C anti-viral therapy.
  Services include: brief interim history; limited physical exam; medication administration (i.e. weekly dispensing of hep C pills); side-effect monitoring; hepatitis A and B vaccination series as indicated; liver screening (i.e. ultrasound, blood test or liver biopsy) and laboratory testing (including Hep C RNA and HIV testing).
• Hep C Treatment Monitoring
  This service includes on-going monitoring recommended during Hep C treatment and up to six months after treatment is complete.
  Services include: brief interim history; limited physical exam; medication administration (i.e., weekly dispensing of Hep C pills if needed); side-effect monitoring; continuation of hepatitis A and B vaccination series as indicated; laboratory testing (including Hep C RNA) and mental health assessments.

NOTE: HepCAP will not cover the costs of the anti-viral therapy, but will help clients to apply to Patient Assistance Programs, available through the pharmaceutical companies currently developing Hep C anti-viral medications.

Patient eligibility:

1. Must be infected only with Hep C, and have a positive viral load. Cannot have HIV.
2. Live in New York State (may be homeless or undocumented)
3. Earn less than 435% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) ($44,000 for a household of one person). FPL varies based on household size and is updated annually. Households cannot have liquid assets greater than $25,000. Liquid assets are cash, savings, stocks, bonds, etc. Liquid assets do not include car, home or federally recognized retirement accounts.

Provider eligibility:

Due to limited funding, only those providers funded by the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, to integrate hep C care and treatment into primary care settings, will be allowed to enroll patients into the program.