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Access to Care and Treatment in the U.S. Achieving the Goals of the U.S. National HIV/AIDS Strategy: A Community Perspective July 26, 2012 2012 International AIDS Conference – Satellite Session. Outline . Treatment in the United States Medicaid and Ryan White ADAP
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Access to Care and Treatment in the U.S. Achieving the Goals of the U.S. National HIV/AIDS Strategy: A Community Perspective July 26, 2012 2012 International AIDS Conference – Satellite Session
Outline • Treatment in the United States • Medicaid and Ryan White • ADAP • Opportunities and the Future • Affordable Care Act • Ryan White • HarborPath
Goals of the National Strategy Reduce New HIV Infections Increase Access to Care and Improve Health Outcomes • Increase proportion of newly diagnosed patients linked to clinical care within three months of their HIV diagnosis from 65% to 85% • Increase proportion of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program clients who are in continuous care from 73% to 80% Reduce HIV-Related Health Disparities
In the United States: • Nearly 20% of people living with HIV do not they are infected • Nearly one-third of people living with HIV continue to be diagnosed late • One-third of those progress to AIDS within 12 months of diagnosis • Approximately half of people living with HIV are in regular care • Nearly two-thirds of those in regular care have suppressed viral loads (28% of people living with HIV)
Also, in the United States: • HIV disproportionately affects poor people. • Medicaid eligibility currently limited to individuals who are both very poor ($698/month) AND disabled, single parents or over 65, in most states. • Most people with HIV do not qualify for Medicaid until they are sick and disabled. • Even once eligible for Medicaid, significant state variation in what’s covered and in provider participation. • Medicare for disabled individuals. • Therefore, many PLWH rely on Ryan White Program for care and treatment (70% of Ryan White clients under 100% Federal Poverty Level – or about $11,000).
AIDS Drug Assistance Programs(ADAP) • As of July 19, 2012 – 1,805 individuals in nine states on waiting lists. • Most wait-listed clients receive medications from Welvista or manufacturer patient assistance programs (PAPs). • HRSA recently announced $69 million to 25 states (FY12 funding; including the President’s World AIDS Day commitment). • States received all funding they requested. • Expected to address “current” waiting lists. • Continued enrollment and fiscal challenges (FY13).
Opportunities to Improve • Science! • The Affordable Care Act (ACA) • Increased and improved (more reliable) coverage • New and diverse payers of HIV care • Build on Ryan White system of care and successes (medical home model) • Ryan White in a post-ACA environment • HarborPath and Streamlined Access to Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)
What’s Ahead • 2012 Election • Results will affect ACA implementation and Ryan White reauthorization/extension • ACA Implementation • Uncertainty of full ACA implementation • States may not comply with Medicaid expansion • Access and health care will vary by state • Insufficient medical workforce capacity • Ryan White Program • Program up for reauthorization in September 2013
Affordable Care Act Implementation What to look for moving forward: • HHS/CMS will likely release information/guidance about how they are interpreting the ACA ruling • Clarify the implications on other pieces of reform • Answer questions from states, including whether there will be flexibility around incremental expansion • Regulations on essential health benefits requirements for newly-eligible beneficiaries still forthcoming • If/when will states have to notify HHS/CMS about whether they will expand
Next Steps(continued) The ACA is the Law of the Land, and Implementation Will Continue
Ryan White Extension of 2009 • “Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009” • Authorized the program for four years (FY10-FY13) • Removed “sunset” provision allowing program to remain funded at end of authorization period
Ryan White Post-FY13Options • Full reauthorization • Would open up legislation completely for changes from community and Congress • Big risk potential as some Members of Congress think there’s no need for Ryan White post-health reform • Do nothing • Since current law does not contain sunset provision it is possible to do nothing • Congress can still appropriate funding • Potentially risky in this fiscal environment
Ryan White Post-FY13Options (continued) • Extension with a few minor agreed upon modifications • Would allow Congress to weigh-in, but hopefully with community input on changes • Would entail much work with community to ensure modifications were well crafted and virtually non-contoversial
Implementation of ACA:Short Term Issues for Ryan White • Far reaching changes of the ACA will not be fully realized and understood for years after full implementation begins in 2014. • Changes must be fully analyzed before making significant modifications to the Ryan White Program. • Need to ensure that all critical RW services continue while clients transition to new sources of coverage. • Changes made prematurely could be very harmful to current systems of care for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Implementation of ACA:Long Term Issues for Ryan White • RW will still be needed to address gaps in covered services and populations along with enabling and support services • There is unmet need for current RW services – ACA will help but won’t address all. • Medicaid reforms and private insurance reforms are being left to the states. Scope of coverage will vary. • States that “opt-out” of Medicaid expansion may continue to have very limited programs. People under 100% FPL hurt – no subsidy to buy insurance. • Undocumented individuals will not be eligible for either Medicaid coverage or private insurance through exchanges.
Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) And HarborPath
The Role of HIV PAPs • PAPs operated by pharmaceutical manufacturers play a small, but very important role in the U.S. health system for delivering medications to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). • PAPs operate in the context of a patchwork health care system: • A drug coverage safety net for the public safety net programs. • In an environment where ADAPs and other programs restrict access to medications, PAPs are critical.
The Role of HIV PAPs • All 8 companies that manufacture HIV antiretroviral medications in the U.S. operate PAPs. • One additional PAP for a two company/combination drug. • Varying eligibility levels (most 500% FPL), application processes and medication distribution methods. • Each company has worked to simplify their PAP enrollment, eligibility and distribution processes: many successes are noted.
Challenges Accessing PAPs • PLWHA, providers and case managers often report these programs can be difficult for individuals to access: • Multi-drug regimens (from multiple companies) require multiple applications with varying requirements. • Lack of knowledge of PAPs. • Confusing and/or challenging application and income verification requirements that vary by company. • Delays in eligibility processing (vary by company and on a case-by-case basis).
Challenges Accessing PAPs(continued) • PLWHA, providers and case managers often report these programs can be difficult for individuals to access for a number of reasons: • Communication about status of application. • Inconsistent eligibility requirements (eligible for some but not all PAPs). • Differing time frames and locations for receiving medications. • Differing re-certification time frames.
HarborPath: Overview and Purpose • To implement a “single portal” for uninsured or under-insured people living with HIV in the United States to simplify access to medications from PAPs. • A collaborative undertaking between NASTAD, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), donors and pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and advocacy groups. • Advisors include NASTAD, CHAI, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Jeff Crowley and AKA Health.
Actions to Optimize the Safety Net Provided by PAPs • Develop a common application form (HHS) • All PAP enrollment forms serve the same purpose; BUT there are differences in: • type and amount of data requested for the same purpose • requirements for supporting paperwork • the number and types of signatures required 1 • Streamline eligibility determination • Simplify and standardize income determination/verification 2 • Improve prescription fulfillment • Single pharmacy with delivery options, refills and medication assistance that meets patient and care manager needs 3
A Common PAP Form PLUS a Cooperative Entity Single portal model for access to donated drugs Current State • Multiple pharma manufacturers • Multiple PAP vendors • Multiple phone numbers and websites • Multiple applications • Multiple sets of criteria • Approval of some meds, not others • Fulfillment of some meds at one time; other meds at another time • Fulfillment of various meds to different locations • Patient, prescriber and case manager must contact multiple PAPs for status • Need to contact each supplier for refills • Multiple pharma manufacturers • PAP access through web-based portal • One phone number and website • One application • One set of criteria • Approval of all meds at one time • Fulfillment of all meds at one time; safety checks on multi-drug regimens • Fulfillment of all meds to one location • Patient, prescriber and case manager are notified of status in one database • One contact for all refills
The HarborPath Single Portal • Provides case managers with a single portal and one time data entry for completion of all PAP forms
The HarborPath Single Portal (continued) • Case managers most important needs are to simplify eligibility documentation and to track status.
The Way Forward – Turning the Tide People living with HIV in the U.S. need: • Full funding and support for effective implementation of the Affordable Care Act. • A sustained federal commitment to Medicaid and Medicare Programs. • A continuing, robust Ryan White Program to fully address the HIV public health crisis. • Partnerships among all organizations and agencies working to serve their needs.
Murray Penner Deputy Executive Director mpenner@NASTAD.org www.NASTAD.org