UCLA

The objective of this study was to measure HIV screening rates and variables associated with screening among new enrollees in California's Low Income Health Program (LIHP). A logit model was used to estimate associations between HIV screening and enrollment, claims, and encounter data for enrollees. HIV prevalence among new LIHP enrollees was 1.2%xd. Among 42,550 new LIHP enrollees with no prior HIV diagnosis, only 27% received screening within 12 months of their first medical evaluation. A total of 350 new HIV diagnoses were identified (incidence rate of 0.8%), exceeding the 0.1% level at which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine HIV screening. California reduced screening barriers by removing required written informed consent and pretest counseling; the Affordable Care Act (ACA) eliminated cost-sharing and enhanced access. Removing financial and administrative barriers to HIV screening is necessary, but may be insufficient to reach CDC's recommended screening targets.