Members of Workit Health’s substance use disorder programs can now receive telemedicine hepatitis C screening and treatment when needed.
ANN ARBOR, MICH. (PRWEB) FEBRUARY 25, 2021
Today, Workit Health announced its virtual substance use disorder program’s expansion to include hepatitis C treatment, making it the first telemedicine program specifically addressing hepatitis C.
“At Workit Health, we’ve seen hepatitis C affect patients of all ages and walks of life. Many patients may not be aware they have hepatitis C until our screening,” said Paul Leonard, MD, Workit Health’s Chief Medical Officer. “Many people still don’t know that hepatitis C is curable, with easy-to-take oral tablets offering a 95% cure rate. Treatment is often as short as 8-12 weeks.”
The CDC estimates that nearly 2.4 million Americans, or 1% of the population, are living with hepatitis C. The ongoing opioid crisis has caused rising rates of hepatitis C, especially among people who use drugs intravenously. Adults age 20-39 now have the highest rates of new hepatitis C cases, and it’s estimated that about 40% of people living with hepatitis C do not know they’re infected.
“Our model is confidential by nature. We’re in a position to identify the highest risk, least adherent populations and develop customized programs for them,” said Lisa McLaughlin, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Workit Health. “Telemedicine harm reduction acts as a unique entry point to lasting behavior change.”
“The opioid crisis has forced us to look at Hepatitis C with a new lens. What used to be thought of as a ‘baby boomer’ disease has now become intertwined with those who inject drugs. The CDC and AASLD have created new guidelines for simplified treatment cascades that lead to a cure,” said Michelle Melchiorre, Nurse Practitioner at Workit Health. “We’re removing barriers to care by offering hepatitis C treatment in a telehealth model. This means people can be diagnosed and cared for from the comfort of their homes. This is a gamechanger and the next step in compassionate harm reduction.”
Integrating hepatitis C treatment furthers Workit’s mission of meeting individuals where they are through wraparound care. By providing integrated services, Workit can assist health plans and other partners by identifying individuals earlier in the disease progression, ensuring a higher rate of treatment adherence and decreased long-term cost. By furthering quality metrics endorsed by CMS, Workit drives increased value through coordination of care across high-risk conditions.
About Workit Health:
Workit Health is an addiction healthcare B-corporation offering online, on-demand evidence-based addiction treatment, including telehealth medication for opioid use disorder. Workit Health partners with healthcare organizations to deliver an innovative digital health solution that blends the best of human-centered design, technology, and science. Through mobile and web apps, members meet with clinicians and Master’s level coaches and complete self-set recovery goals. Workit Health offers 24/7 recovery that fits into daily life, designed by experts. Learn more at workithealth.com.