Medicare prescription drug plans will help pay for hepatitis C medications, while Medicare Part B will pay for preventive care in some cases. Part A will cover you if you’re hospitalized due to complications.

Hepatitis C is a potentially life threatening and chronic infection that affects a person’s liver function.

Medicare covers screenings and some medications to treat hepatitis C. Yet there’s a lot to know about getting the best cost savings.

Keep reading to learn which parts of Medicare cover hepatitis C detection and treatments and what is not.

The treatment of Hepatitis C primarily involves medications. This means that most of your treatment coverage will come from Medicare Part D, which covers prescription drugs.

In fact, as of July 2015, Medicare requires all Part D formularies to cover at least one medication that treats hepatitis C.

In addition, Medicare Part B covers outpatient medical costs, which means it will cover doctor’s office visits related to your illness. But if you require hospitalization related to your hepatitis C, you’ll get coverage under Medicare Part A.

If you’re insured by Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) instead of Original Medicare (parts A and B), your plan will offer the same coverage. Because Part C plans are private, some plans may offer additional coverage. In addition, some Part C plans can also cover prescription medications instead of Part D.

Preventive screening

If you want to be screened for Hepatitis C, it’s important to know that Medicare Part B covers one preventive screening annually if you were born between 1945 and 1965 and aren’t considered high risk.

You can also get screened annually if you have a history of illicit drug misuse or had a blood transfusion before 1992.

Exclusions from coverage

Researchers have consistently produced new antiviral medications to treat hepatitis C. Some may be too new for Medicare plans to cover them, so they may not appear on your Part D plan’s formulary. As a result, your doctor may prescribe medications to you based on what your plan covers.

In addition, not all hepatitis C medications are the same. Some require that you take them for an extended time period, even up to nearly a year. Some are more convenient, have fewer side effects, or are more researched regarding their risks and benefits.

If your doctor feels that you need a different medication than your plan covers, they may be able to write a letter to Medicare or your Medicare Advantage provider and ask for an exemption for your specific situation.

A 2022 report found that many Part D plans provide some coverage for select brand-name hepatitis C medications rather than generic versions. This may result in a high out-of-pocket cost, varying by plan.

In fact, according to a 2017 review, some of these drugs may cost more than $600 a month, which can add up to $6,297 to $10,889 for an entire treatment course because you’ll typically take hepatitis C medications for about 8 to 24 weeks. That said, sometimes grants may be available to help you get the medication for a lower cost.

Note, as well, that you must account for the cost of meeting the deductible and paying your monthly premium. As both Part C and Part D are private plans, these costs can vary. In 2025, the national base Part D beneficiary premium will be $36.78, while the average monthly premium for Part C plans will be around $17.00.

Original Medicare costs

If you qualify for a preventive screening under Part B, you can get screened at no cost. For doctor’s visits and other covered services, you usually pay 20% of the cost, and Medicare covers the rest. That said, you must first meet the annual Part B deductible of $257. In addition, you have to pay a monthly premium of $185.

If you’re hospitalized, your coverage will fall under Part A. Most people don’t pay a premium, but you must meet a $1,676 deductible. Once you do, Part A will cover your hospital stay and services during that time fully for the first 60 days.

How can I get hepatitis C treatment for free?

Depending on your income, you may qualify for a low-income subsidy. This means you’d get assistance to pay for your medication costs.

According to the same review, Medicare beneficiaries with a low-income subsidy paid between $10.80 and $1,191 for their total hepatitis C treatment costs. In addition, many drug manufacturers offer coupons or other discounts that can help lower your cost.

Medicare covers screenings to detect hepatitis C, often at no cost, if you’re at higher risk for the condition. Medicare Part D plans must include at least one hepatitis C treatment medication.

That said, these prescription drugs can be expensive if you don’t have a low-income subsidy to help pay for them. You can talk with your doctor about ways to save money on your prescriptions and find an option that meets all your needs.