FAQ

Where can I get tested for Hep C?

The standard test for Hepatitis C is a blood test, and requires a testing center to draw your blood. If you're in Western Pennsylvania or Southeast Ohio, Central Outreach Wellness Center provides FREE rapid Hepatitis C testing to those who need it. If you're elsewhere in the United States, be sure to contact your local health department or primary care physician for an initial Hep C test.

What do my Hep C test results mean?

Your initial Hep C test will come up with one of two results:

• Non-reactive, or negative, which means you are not infected with the Hep C virus.
• Reactive, or positive, which means you have been infected with Hep C at some point in your life.

Once a person is infected with Hep C, the antibodies deployed to fight the virus will always remain in your body, even after the infection has cleared. For that reason, a reactive test doesn’t necessarily mean you currently have Hep C. If your test comes up reactive, the lab will perform a second test, called a “nucleic acid test” (NAT).

The NAT test for Hep C also has two potential results:

• Negative, meaning that although you were infected with Hep C at some point, you no longer have it in your body. If you’ve never been through Hep C treatment before, this likely means that your body fought off the virus naturally.
• Positive, meaning that the virus is present in your blood and that you should begin treatment right away.

I tested positive for Hep C. Can I be treated?

Yes! If you test positive for Hep C, or you've been living with Hep C, HepCMyWay is here to help you start a medication regimen as soon as possible. To learn more about how Hep C treatment works, read the Hepatitis C Treatment page right here on our site!

I’m still currently using drugs. Can I still be treated for Hep C?

Absolutely! Your current drug use has no bearing on whether or not treatment for Hep C will be successful, and any care you receive from HepCMyWay will be completely judgment-free.

After my blood draw, what kinds of tests will HepCMyWay conduct?

After your in-home blood draw, our phlebotomists will deliver your blood samples to a lab to conduct a number of tests that are vital for determining your treatment plan. 

These tests include:

• Viral Load: Your "viral load" refers to the amount of Hep C virus that is currently present in your blood.
• Genotype: This test will identify which strain of the Hep C virus you've been infected with. This will help our team of specialists determine which medication is right for you, and how long you'll need to take it. 
• Liver Fibrosis: Liver fibrosis testing will help us determine the extent of the existing damage to your liver due to Hep C.

The results of all of these tests will be discussed with you during your telemedicine appointment following your blood draw.

Do you provide services outside of PA and OH?

Currently, HepCMyWay services are only available in the state of Pennsylvania or Ohio. If you're living outside of PA or OH and you're having trouble finding treatment, or you have further questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us!

Can I really get Hep C treatment at little to no out-of-pocket cost?

Yes! At HepCMyWay, we do everything in our power to make sure your treatment comes at little to no out-of-pocket cost to you, whether you have insurance or not.