Medicaid hepatitis C patients more likely to be denied drug coverage

Almost half of hepatitis C patients whose doctors had prescribed antiviral drugs were denied coverage to the therapies by Medicaid because they weren't considered "a medical necessity" or because the patients tested positive for alcohol/drugs, according to a study by University of Pennsylvania researchers.

The findings are in line with a previous study, which suggested that a lack of insurance is the "only barrier" facing those unable to obtain treatment for the disease. 

Additionally, the Penn study revealed that people with hepatitis C who sought prescriptions were significantly more likely to get turned down if they had Medicaid coverage than if they were insured by Medicare or private commercial policies. Study announcement