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Resources Health care and insurance

PrEP and PEP: medicine that protects against HIV

What to do in the first 72 hours after a possible HIV exposure, how to start PrEP, and how to get both without insurance.

Which medicine to take and at what dose is for a doctor to decide.

Start here

  • If a possible HIV exposure was less than 72 hours ago, you need PEP. Walk in to Callen-Lorde or a City sexual health clinic; evenings and weekends, go to an ER. You can ask for an interpreter at the clinic and in the ER. The 24/7 hotline, 844-373-7692, is in English.
  • Without insurance, the state program PrEP-AP pays for PrEP visits and tests. Apply online: nyucp.providecm.net.

A recent possible HIV exposure: PEP

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine that stops HIV infection if you start it as soon as possible and within 72 hours. According to Callen-Lorde, consider PEP if a condom broke or wasn't used, if you shared a needle or syringe, if a partner with HIV doesn't take their medicine regularly or you aren't sure, if you were pricked by a used needle, or after sexual assault.

  1. Count the hours and do not wait

    The sooner the better; the deadline is 72 hours after the exposure. The course lasts 28 days in a row.

  2. Walk in

    Callen-Lorde gives PEP without an appointment, and you don't need to be a patient; the visit can take two to three hours. City sexual health clinics also give PEP and see PEP patients first when it is busy.

  3. Or call the PEP hotline

    844-373-7692, 24/7, from the City Health Department. According to Callen-Lorde, the line connects you to a doctor and a PEP starter pack whatever your insurance. The line is in English.

  4. If clinics are closed, go to an ER

    Callen-Lorde advises getting PEP at the nearest emergency room (ER) in that case.

  5. Find out how to pay

    Most insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, covers PEP. Without insurance, Callen-Lorde helps pay for medicines through its Medication Assistance Program. City sexual health clinics don't take money on site.

PrEP: protection ahead of time

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine taken ahead of time to prevent HIV. According to the City Health Department, it comes as a daily pill or a long-acting shot every 2 or 6 months; a doctor helps you choose.

  1. Choose where to get PrEP

    City sexual health clinics (best by appointment), Callen-Lorde, Q Clinic, Community Healthcare Network, Planned Parenthood or your own doctor. A teenager can consent to PrEP and PEP on their own, without parents.

  2. Find out how you will pay

    If you have insurance, ask the clinic whether your plan covers PrEP. If not, start with the PrEP-AP program.

  3. If the pharmacy asks for money, ask about help

    Clinics and doctors in PrEP-AP must help you get assistance from the drug's manufacturer.

  4. If you are refused or billed, complain

    Since December 25, 2024, insurers may not require prior authorization for PrEP. Appeal a private insurer's denial through the portal of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), the state agency that oversees insurers. For a Medicaid denial, Community Health Advocates helps for free: email cha@cssny.org or call (888) 614-5400, option 3, say "Russian" and ask for an interpreter. Medicaid itself takes complaints only by phone, so if you speak no English, ask CHA for help.

How to pay for PrEP

Who it is forWhat it pays forWhere to go
Medicaid and NYRx (the Medicaid pharmacy program)People who have MedicaidThe PrEP medicineYour clinic or pharmacy; for complaints, CHA helps: cha@cssny.org
Private insurancePeople who have an insurance planThe PrEP medicine, often with no copaymentsYour clinic or insurer; complaints through DFS
PrEP-AP (PrEP Assistance Program)New York State residents without insurance with income below 500% FPL ($79,800 a year for one person in 2026) and proof of state residence. No questions about statusDoctor visits and lab tests, not the medicine itselfOnline: nyucp.providecm.net (form DOH-2794 is also in Russian)
Gilead Advancing AccessThe manufacturer's program: free medicine without insurance on income below 500% FPL, and copay help with private insuranceThe PrEP medicine1-800-226-2056: say English is not your language and ask for Russian ("Russian")
ViiVConnect (the injection Apretude)The program of the maker of the Apretude shotThe Apretude injectionviivconnect.com

Glossary: definitions of special terms and abbreviations

PEP
Post-exposure prophylaxis: medicines started right after a possible HIV exposure, within 72 hours.
PrEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis: medicine taken ahead of time to protect against HIV.
PrEP-AP, ADAP, HASA
Assistance programs: PrEP-AP and ADAP are New York State's; HASA is the City's.
FPL (federal poverty level)
The federal poverty level, from which income limits for assistance programs are calculated.
Sliding scale
The price depends on your income and can be zero on a very low income.

This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.

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Sources, checked November 2026