Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

On this page:
Overview
Who can take PrEP
PrEP Navigation
Paying for PrEP
Finding a PrEP Provider

Overview

PrEP is a daily pill that you can take to prevent HIV infection.

When taken as prescribed, PrEP can reduce someone's risk of HIV infection when exposed by up to 99%.

PrEP does not protect against pregnancy or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), so it is best to use PrEP with other risk reduction methods such as condoms and not sharing injection equipment.

• PrEP Fact Sheet (PDF)

Who Can Take PrEP

PrEP is only for people who are HIV negative. Your health care provider will give you an HIV test before prescribing PrEP to make sure you do not have HIV. You must be able to take the daily medication and see your health care provider every three months to be eligible for PrEP.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends PrEP for people who have high risk for HIV infection through sex without a condom or by sharing injection equipment.

PrEP could be right for you if you are HIV negative and:

• Your sexual partner is living with HIV
• You have recently had a bacterial STD like gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis
• You don't always use condoms when you have anal and/or vaginal sex
• You exchange sex for money, shelter or other goods
• You share syringes or other injection equipment
• You have recently participated in a drug treatment program
• You live in an area or network with a high rate of HIV infection

Your health care provider can help you decide if PrEP is right for you.

PrEP Navigation

The Minnesota Department of Health provides funding to several agencies to provide PrEP Navigation services. All services are free and confidential. A PrEP Navigator can help you:

• Sign up for health insurance
• Determine your coverage for PrEP
• Sign up for PrEP financial assistance programs
• Find a health care provider who prescribes PrEP
• Accompany you to your first PrEP appointment
• Offer adherence counseling to help you remember to take PrEP
• Provide a personalized risk assessment and PrEP education
• Offer other HIV prevention and testing services

PrEP Navigation Programs

• Clinic 555
  Saint Paul, MN
• Red Door Clinic
  Minneapolis, MN

Paying for PrEP

Many health insurance and prescription plans cover PrEP. If you have health insurance, it is a good idea to find out what your plan covers and if you need a pre-authorization before starting PrEP.

Financial assistance to cover the costs of Truvada for PrEP may be available through these programs:

• Gilead Advancing Access Program
  Gilead, the maker of Truvada, provides several options for financial assistance for PrEP.
  
  
• PAN Foundation HIV Prevention and Treatment Program
  The Patient Assistance Network (PAN) offers financial assistance for PrEP to qualifying individuals.
  
  
• Ready, Set, PrEP Program
  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services makes PrEP medication available at no cost to qualifying individuals.

Finding a PrEP Provider

Talk to your current provider

Any health care provider that prescribes medications can prescribe PrEP, but not everyone is familiar with PrEP.

The following can help you when talking with your health care provider about PrEP:

• CDC: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
  This page has resources in English and Spanish. The consumer resources include a brochure on talking to your doctor about PrEP. The provider resources include the CDC HIV PrEP clinical guidelines and information about PrEP consultation services for clinicians.

Find a new provider

• Minnesota PrEP and PEP Provider Directory by Region (PDF)
  This Provider Directory lists Minnesota clinics that prescribe PrEP and/or PEP for HIV prevention. This list is voluntary and non-exhaustive, other clinics that are not listed may prescribe PrEP and/or PEP.
  • To register your clinic: Minnesota PrEP Provider Directory Registration
    
    
• PrEP Locator
  PrEP Locator is a national directory of HIV PrEP providers. You can search by zip code or city and state.