
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program receives HHS funding and has Federal PHS deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.
Home > Specialized Services > Hepatitis C Care
Hepatitis C (HCV) disproportionately impacts people experiencing homelessness: Historically, 23% of patients at Boston Health Care for the Homeless (BHCHP) have tested positive for the virus, compared to 1% of Americans at large. Because of deep stigma and barriers to care, this preventable, treatable, and curable illness continues to spread among communities on the street and in shelters, putting people at elevated and unjust risk for lifelong, life-threatening health issues such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
In response, BHCHP is widening access to modern, compassionate, effective HCV treatment, to cure patients and protect their communities; conducting critical research to better understand and shine a light on this hidden health crisis; and advocating for improved state and national HCV policies to benefit thousands more patients living on the margins.
HCV treatment long proved inaccessible to those experiencing homelessness, as it was typically only available through a limited number of specialist medical providers. Our community-based HCV program changes that, establishing HCV as an area of primary care rather than specialty care. In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Health, we invested in HCV training for clinicians and case managers to increase the spread of caregivers prepared to deliver high-quality HCV services, from screening and testing to treatment and counseling. Today, 16 (and counting) BHCHP primary care providers and two HCV care coordinators offer scheduled and walk-in HCV care across 14 locations, including shelter-based clinics and a mobile clinic van.
BHCHP provides patients the most up to date drug regimens to treat and cure HCV, as well as other medical services, such as HIV testing and treatment and substance use disorder treatment, to reduce their risk of complications and/or reinfection. Most uniquely, the treatment we provide isn’t just pills; it’s also the support of an HCV care coordinator, who offers check-ins, assistance navigating insurance and pharmaceutical systems, and linkage to other forms of medical care and social support. Partnership between patients and their care coordinator helps HCV treatment be accessible and manageable within the patients’ specific personal contexts—and is why the vast majority of those enrolled in treatment walk away cured.
BHCHP clinicians, case managers, and data analysts rigorously collect and study data around HCV services, aiming to understand and improve patient outcomes within the program and to share findings about HCV and homelessness more broadly. Our research has been published by the Journal of General Internal Medicine, the Journal of the American Medical Association, the International Journal of Drug Policy, and more. Our staff provide HCV training to fellow clinicians throughout New England and meet regularly with departments of health to advocate for policies that will better serve patients living with HCV and experiencing homelessness. And our program has been recognized as North America’s most innovative HCV program by the International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users, offering a model for other caregivers to replicate.
“It was important for me to be treated so I didn’t get sicker and possibly lose my life. Hepatitis C is something that can be easily treated, and treatment was a lot better than I expected. It was convenient, and everyone at BHCHP is nice—they don’t look down upon you. They don’t judge anybody, and that’s what I respect about this place. They really understand people. It makes me feel better about my life knowing there are actually people out there who care.”
Paula, patient
The best way to make an appointment is to call our main number at 857-654-1600. This phone line is answered Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm.
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program receives HHS funding and has Federal PHS deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.