TeleHepC Treatment Trial

Patients will be prescribed HCV medication treatment for 4 weeks at a time. The study pharmacist will check in with the participant by telephone or telemedicine visit at week 0, week 4, and end of treatment to 1) determine general medication tolerance, 2) assess quality of adherence and 3) dispense medications. Peers will assist participants in keeping telehealth appointments and navigating medication pick up or storage. HCV labs will be repeated at 12 weeks post end of treatment and results will be relayed to the participant in the SVR12 follow up visit with the research assistant, along with follow up surveys. Those successfully achieving SVR12 will be counseled on ongoing harm reduction methods. Those showing persistent HCV viremia at 12 weeks post treatment will be referred to community-based HCV treatment providers for treatment re-initiation.

Following study inclusion and enrollment, research staff will refer the participant to a local community health clinic to engage in hepatitis C care and seek treatment. Peers will assist patients to engage with local primary care and health plan resources and will receive an information sheet on optional clinics to attend and questions to ask their provider.