The scientists here recruited 40 participants from a managed-care Medicaid plan in New York City and conducted phone interviews during fall 2023. Thematic analysis identified 5 themes related to care engagement during the pandemic: health care system strains led to some delays in care; patient-provider connections suffered; the pandemic led to personal crises and challenges to care engagement; strong communication and connection reduced disruption and stress; and the pandemic had a lasting effect on interpersonal connections. These findings highlight ways to help maintain care engagement among PLWH even during social and public health crises and contribute to ending the epidemic.
