Is PrEP Affordable?

In most cases, yes! Every person’s financial situation is different and having insurance can change the cost of obtaining PrEP.

If you are uninsured, the expected cost for your PrEP labs and office visits are $0 thanks to a grant through Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE). For medication costs, medication assistance programs are available that may assist with medication costs. APO has PrEP Navigators available to step you through this process, and even submit your application for you!

If you have public insurance through Missouri Medicaid, your expected cost is $0 thanks to the program fully covering both the necessary labs and office visits, as well as the medication.

If you have private insurance, the costs may vary. Under the Affordable Care Act, PrEP must be free under almost all health insurance plans. This also applies to most private insurance plans you get through your employer or purchase yourself, individual plans you purchase through HealthCare.gov or state-based Marketplaces.

Sometimes, the best way to determine your cost is to call your healthcare insurance company directly. We have prepopulated some questions to help determine if your plan covers PrEP.

• DOES MY INSURANCE PLAN COVER PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) MEDICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION?
  • If yes, which medication(s) are covered?
    • Truvada (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300mg/emtricitabine 200mg)
    • Generic tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300mg/ emtricitabine 200mg
    • Descovy (tenofovir alafenamide 25mg/ emtricitabine 200 mg)
    • Apretude (Long-acting injectable cabotegravir 600 mg)
  • If yes, will I be charged any cost-sharing?
• DOES MY INSURANCE PLAN COVER PrEP-RELATED OFFICE VISITS AND/OR LAB TESTING?
  • If yes, will I be charged any cost-sharing?
• IS AIDS PROJECT OF THE OZARKS (APO) IN-NETWORK FOR MY PLAN?

Does APO Offer PrEP Navigation Services?

Yes! APO offers free PrEP Navigation services to anybody who is interested in starting PrEP, or just has questions. Navigators can assist you with a variety of different concerns, ranging from PrEP effectiveness to submitting a medication assistance application for you. Our navigators are designed to be advocates and resources for you every step along your PrEP journey.

Feel free to text or call an APO PrEP Navigator at 417-818-0077 for any questions or concerns you may have.

How to Get Started?

We try to make getting started as easy as possible. Listed below is a general view of the process of starting PrEP with APO.

1. Speak with a PrEP Navigator about your risk for HIV and your interest in starting PrEP. Your PrEP Navigator will complete a Data Sheet of your information to provide to our Intake Coordinator.
2. Our Intake Coordinator will reach out to you to complete your financial consultation and schedule your first appointment.
3. At your first appointment the APO clinic will draw labs for STI testing as well as measure your kidney functionality and bone density.
4. After your labs, you will speak with one of our providers about which PrEP medication may be best for you. In most cases, they will write you a PrEP prescription that day.
5. If you are uninsured or are in need of medication assistance. A PrEP Navigator will assist you with completing your applications. Typically this can be done on the same day as your appointment, ensuring your medication is covered.
6. Pick up your prescription.