Half of primary care providers who provide clinical HIV care report that their HIV caseloads have grown, according to a statement by Health HIV, which conducted a new survey in partnership with Medscape. The growth is attributed to previously uninsured patients living with HIV who now have access under the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. the health care reform law, or ACA).

The third annual State of HIV Primary Care National Survey also shows that 40 percent of providers surveyed believe the number of HIV providers in their area is inadequate to meet the demand. Almost half of those surveyed don’t provide clinical HIV care because they lack knowledge about HIV treatment. About the same number report needing more clinical training to add HIV care to their practice.

The survey shows that HIV primary care providers are treating more complex co-occurring conditions. The top five conditions being seen increasingly in their patients include obesity, syphilis, cardiovascular disease, depression and renal disease. Although 89 percent of these providers are testing for the hepatitis C virus (HCV), only 59 percent are actively managing HIV/HCV co-infection.

To read the statement, click here.