How to Get PrEP: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Prescription

Who is PrEP for?

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription HIV prevention method — available as a daily oral tablet or a bimonthly injectable — that, taken consistently, substantially reduces the risk of acquiring HIV through sexual contact or injection drug use. The CDC advises that clinicians should offer PrEP to all sexually active adult and adolescent patients without HIV and prescribe it to anyone who asks, including people who do not report specific HIV risk factors 1Ref 1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2026).Clinical Guidance for PrEP.Who should receive PrEP; the three FDA-approved formulations; baseline laboratory requirements before prescribing (HIV test, STI screen, kidney function, hepatitis B); every-three-month monitoring schedule for oral PrEP; ~99% efficacy when taken as prescribed.

PrEP is a standard evidence-based prevention tool. You do not need to justify your eligibility. It is particularly well-suited for people who have had a recent STI, have sexual partners who are HIV-positive or whose status is unknown, do not consistently use condoms, or inject drugs 3Ref 3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021).Preexposure Prophylaxis for the Prevention of HIV Infection in the United States – 2021 Update: A Clinical Practice Guideline.Clinical practice guideline for PrEP in the United States — eligibility criteria, baseline workup, follow-up schedule, and the HIV-testing requirements as part of ongoing care.

What happens at the first appointment?

A PrEP evaluation visit is brief. The clinician will 1Ref 1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2026).Clinical Guidance for PrEP.Who should receive PrEP; the three FDA-approved formulations; baseline laboratory requirements before prescribing (HIV test, STI screen, kidney function, hepatitis B); every-three-month monitoring schedule for oral PrEP; ~99% efficacy when taken as prescribed3Ref 3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021).Preexposure Prophylaxis for the Prevention of HIV Infection in the United States – 2021 Update: A Clinical Practice Guideline.Clinical practice guideline for PrEP in the United States — eligibility criteria, baseline workup, follow-up schedule, and the HIV-testing requirements as part of ongoing care:

• Confirm you are HIV-negative with an antigen/antibody HIV test — required before starting, because PrEP must not be used in someone who already has HIV
• Check kidney function — oral PrEP is processed through the kidneys
• Test for hepatitis B serology — one PrEP formulation can affect hepatitis B
• Screen for other STIs — chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis
• Ask about your sexual and drug-use history to tailor the recommendation

The conversation is clinical, not judgmental. Most people who are HIV-negative and want PrEP qualify. The FDA has approved three options: F/TDF (Truvada), F/TAF (Descovy), and injectable cabotegravir (Apretude, every two months).

Where can I get PrEP?

You have several options:

• Primary care or internal medicine provider: Can prescribe PrEP directly — no referral to a specialist needed.
• Sexual health clinics, Planned Parenthood, and community health centers: Experienced with PrEP and often have same-week or walk-in availability.
• LGBTQ+ health centers: Frequently offer PrEP and can connect you with peer navigators and support services.
• Telehealth platforms: A clinician completes the evaluation virtually and arranges lab work at a nearby facility — especially useful when clinic access or privacy is a concern.

A PrEP navigator at a community health center can also help you identify a prescriber and navigate insurance or assistance program enrollment.

What does PrEP cost?

PrEP is covered without cost-sharing under most private insurance plans and Medicaid under the ACA's preventive care provisions 2Ref 2Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (2024).Preventive Care Benefits — What's Covered Under the ACA.ACA coverage requirement that PrEP be covered at no cost-sharing under most private insurance plans and Medicaid as a preventive service. If you are uninsured or underinsured, the federal Ready, Set, PrEP program (readysetprep.hiv.gov) provides the medication at no cost to qualifying individuals 3Ref 3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021).Preexposure Prophylaxis for the Prevention of HIV Infection in the United States – 2021 Update: A Clinical Practice Guideline.Clinical practice guideline for PrEP in the United States — eligibility criteria, baseline workup, follow-up schedule, and the HIV-testing requirements as part of ongoing care. Manufacturer assistance programs (Gilead Advancing Access for F/TDF and F/TAF) and some state PrEP assistance programs also help cover clinic visit and lab costs. Cost should not be a barrier — a PrEP navigator at a community health center can help you find the right coverage path.

What does ongoing PrEP care look like?

For oral PrEP, follow-up visits are required every three months — for HIV testing, kidney function monitoring, STI screening, and prescription refill 1Ref 1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2026).Clinical Guidance for PrEP.Who should receive PrEP; the three FDA-approved formulations; baseline laboratory requirements before prescribing (HIV test, STI screen, kidney function, hepatitis B); every-three-month monitoring schedule for oral PrEP; ~99% efficacy when taken as prescribed. Injectable PrEP (cabotegravir) requires a clinical visit every two months for the injection and HIV test. These visits are a built-in safety net, not an inconvenience.

When taken as prescribed, oral PrEP reduces the risk of HIV acquisition through sex by approximately 99% 1Ref 1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2026).Clinical Guidance for PrEP.Who should receive PrEP; the three FDA-approved formulations; baseline laboratory requirements before prescribing (HIV test, STI screen, kidney function, hepatitis B); every-three-month monitoring schedule for oral PrEP; ~99% efficacy when taken as prescribed. The follow-up schedule is what maintains that level of protection. Many established patients complete follow-up visits via telehealth with lab work done locally.