Testing and Treatment of Hepatitis C in People Who Use Drugs (PWUD)

A toolkit for syringe service providers to promote and support testing and treatment for hepatitis C infection.

This comprehensive toolkit is designed to support syringe service programs (SSP) in expanding access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and treatment for people who use drugs (PWUD). It provides practical guidance, evidence-based strategies, and an array of resources and adaptable tools to help SSPs integrate and strengthen HCV services. These best practices and examples were drawn from SSPs in Massachusetts.

Data and Surveillance

• HCV surveillance data and reports: Reports and resources on HCV from DPH and our partners.

HCV Training and Education Resources

BIDLS maintains a training platform for Integrated Testing and Linkage Services (ITLS) funded providers. Contact the Office of Health Care Planning e-learning team [e-mail] for more information.

Massachusetts Hepatitis C Project ECHO Course

Primary care doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other providers participating in ECHO engage in a virtual community with peers to share information and learn from each other, and with the support of experts.  Learning is case based. UMass Chan Medical School is a Project ECHO Hub for HCV.

Insurance Coverage

From our partners:

Frequently Asked Questions: Prior Authorization for Hepatitis C Virus Treatment: Resource from Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation (CHLPI)

HIV Drug Assistance Program (HDAP): Resource for those living with HIV and coinfected with HCV

Infectious Disease Service Locators

DPH supported programs offering HCV prevention, testing, and treatment services:

• Syringe services program (SSP) locator
• Integrated testing and linkage services (ITLS) locator

Best Practices and Example Workflows

Hepatitis C Best Practices for Massachusetts SSPs
Information on HCV treatment best practices from Massachusetts syringe service programs.

What to do with a Positive Hepatitis Screening Test: How to Identify Active HCV Infection

Tools for clients that can be customized to your programs:

• I want to treat my hepatitis C...What's Next?
• Getting Treated for Hep C

General Hepatitis Information

DPH resources

• Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Fact Sheet
• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Fact Sheet
• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Fact Sheet
• HCV Elimination Plan
• HAV Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  Information for healthcare providers and for the general public on the importance of HAV vaccination for PWUD
• HBV Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  Information for healthcare providers and the general public on vaccination for hepatitis B for PWUD.

From DPH partners

• Understanding barriers to hepatitis C treatment among people who inject drugs in Massachusetts
• NASTAD: Pharmacist Authority to Provide Viral Hepatitis Prevention, Testing, and Treatment Services
• Talking with SSP participants about Hep C testing and treatment (2023)
• Drug User Health Learning Series for Syringe Service Programs (SSPs) in Massachusetts