The co-location of HCV care and treatment services in non-traditional healthcare settings could improve HCV-related service uptake among people who inject drugs (PWID). However, it is still relatively new in the United States compared to other parts of the world, such as Australia and Europe. In 2018, New York State (NYS) announced its plan to eliminate HCV as a public health problem by 2030.

As part of the initiative, the state funded HCV Innovative Models of Care Initiative, aiming to co-locate HCV treatment and care in non-traditional settings where PWID who are currently viremic would feel comfortable, while receiving various services to remove barriers to initiating and completing HCV treatment. Three programs were funded under this initiative: a) Embedded primary care in the harm reduction drop-in center; b) Stationing a nurse practitioner in a SSP along with utilization of telemedicine for liver and substance use specialty care; and c) Integration of HCV care and treatment at substance use treatment clinics through on-site access to primary care or use of a mobile van.

Understanding that the complexity and segmentation of the healthcare system can pose unique challenges to providing medical care in non-traditional settings in the United States, a formative evaluation was conducted to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness, and whether enrolled clients completed the care cascade measured by four performance indicators: linkage to care, treatment initiation, treatment completion, and achievement of SVR-12. Findings have supported the NYSDOH in making informed decisions about program continuation and potential statewide adaptation.