HIV PrEP Medications | Healthysexual

Learn why you should talk to a healthcare provider about PrEP and if it's an option for you.

Let's break it down: PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. That means routinely taking prescription medicine before you're exposed to HIV to help reduce your chances of getting it.

In fact, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends that ALL sexually active adults and adolescents be informed about PrEP for prevention of HIV.

Just remember, PrEP doesn't protect against other STIs (sexually transmitted infections), so be sure to use condoms and other healthy sex practices.

PrEP as part of a total package

PrEP is for people who are HIV-negative and may have a higher chance of getting HIV through sex.

It's NOT to be used in emergencies, as a one-time-only strategy, as a prevention method for other STIs or pregnancy, or for people who are living with HIV.

You may benefit from PrEP if you currently check one or more of these boxes:

You don't always use condoms

You recently had an STI

You have sexual partner(s) who don’t know their HIV status

You have sex in an area where HIV is more common

If none of these apply to you, it’s possible they could in the future—so just remember, you can always talk to a healthcare provider to see if PrEP may be an option for you.

The best way to find out is by starting the conversation with your healthcare provider to see if PrEP may be right for you.

Most insurance plans should cover PrEP medicines and PrEP-related tests and services.

Here’s the latest from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and Affordable Care Act on PrEP medications:

In 2019, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a Grade “A” recommendation for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medicines, strongly recommending healthcare providers offer PrEP services to appropriate individuals who may benefit from PrEP.

When services and items like prescription medicines receive a Grade A or Grade B recommendation from USPSTF, the Affordable Care Act requires coverage by certain insurance plans* with no cost sharing^† by individuals for the medicine.

For PrEP medicines, under the Affordable Care Act, plans should accommodate individuals for whom a particular PrEP medicine (generic or brand name) would be medically appropriate, as determined by their healthcare provider. In addition, PrEP-related lab tests, like HIV testing, and other services such as adherence counseling may also be covered without cost sharing by certain insurance plans.

To learn more, please visit pleaseprepme.org/paying-prep.

*All non-grandfathered commercial payers and Medicaid expansion plans.

^†Costs shared between you and your insurance provider.

Know the three key steps for starting on PrEP

Get preppedFOR PrEP

Learn why you should talk to a healthcare provider about PrEP and if it's an option for you.

PrEP as part of a total package

You may benefit from PrEP if you currently check one or more of these boxes:

Most insurance plans should cover PrEP medicines and PrEP-related tests and services.

getting on PrEP

getting tested