HIV+Hep in the News

“While we were predicting the worst, at the moment insurers will still have to cover preventive services, including PrEP, except for the original plaintiffs,” said Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hep Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. However, if the task force’s authority is ultimately voided, Schmid said, insurers will likely impose cost-sharing for PrEP, or not cover the newer, more expensive forms of it. He projected that such burdens would depress PrEP use among those at greatest risk of HIV.

“While we were predicting the worst, at the moment insurers will still have to cover preventive services, including PrEP, except for the original plaintiffs. That is the good news,” said Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, in a statement. “The bad news is, the court still finds the mandate to cover USPSTF recommended services unconstitutional and now asks the lower court to review both the [Health Resources and Services Administration] and [Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices] preventive services.” Schmid added. “The case is not going to the Supreme Court at this time, but back to the lower court. Coverage of preventive services continues.”

“While we were predicting the worst, at the moment insurers will still have to cover preventive services, including PrEP, except for the original plaintiffs. That is the good news,” Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, said in an email, referring to a common HIV preventative treatment. But, Schmid lamented that the court found that the coverage requirement for HIV prevention was adopted in violation of the Constitution, and that the case is going back to a lower court for resolution of other issues that could further muddy the coverage issue.