number of overall visits per patient remains the same
But it will not remain the same. And not just because of unplanned visits due to SEs. But also because it'll be a lot easier to convince someone to get treated (if their insurance covers it that is) vs. now even treatment eligible patients take convincing to get on IFN. And to establish that someone is treatment eligible a physician will typically require them to visit several times to prove that they can keep their appointments and are going to be compliant enough with treatment. And once they get treated, chances are you don't have to see them again because they are cured. How can visits per patient not go down?