The Montefiore Medical Center www.montefiore.org received a $3.5 million grant as part of the $10 million Health Care Innovation Award www.innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/Health-Care-Innovation-Awards from CMS to identify, diagnose, and treat people with hepatitis C (HCV).An estimated 146,500 New Yorkers have chronic hepatitis C, but half of that population does not even know that they are infected.
Funds were also awarded through “Project INDPIRE NYC” to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene www.nyc.gov/health, Fund for Public Health in New York www.fphny.org, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai www.icahn.mssm.edu, Weill Cornell Medical College www.weill.cornell.edu,VNSNY Choice www.vnsnychoice.org, and HealthFirst www.healthfirst.org.
The funding for “Project INSPIRE NYC” aims to:
- Provide better care by increasing the number of patients starting hepatitis C therapy, better manage behavioral health issues, and reduce hospitalizations with fewer ED visits
- Increase hepatitis C cure rates, have fewer hepatitis C related complications, and increase screening for depression and alcohol abuse
Over the next three years, the project will reach out to Medicare and Medicaid patients at risk for hepatitis C in eight different locations throughout the Bronx using an integrated model of care. Montefiore’s project will build on the successful tactics that are already being used in their methadone clinics where 50 percent of patients have chronic hepatitis C, and enable the FQHC and CICERO programs to provide HCV treatment.
Also, primary care professionals will work closely with care coordinators and specialists to increase access to effective hepatitis C care for patients. The care coordinators will help navigate care, promote good health habits, and help each enrollee at a patient-centered medical home adhere to medications.
In addition, a peer educator, a person who was cured of hepatitis C will be available to share their experiences and help patients navigate through the process. The project will be supported by a telemedicine system linking a hepatologist, infectious diseases specialist, and mental health provider with the primary care provider.
NYC Health Commissioner Mary Bassett, M.D, reports, “Project INSPIRE NYC brings together an outstanding partnership to increase access to much needed care for people with HCV in New York City. Far too many New Yorkers are infected with Hepatitis C but haven’t been tested and treated.”