HIV testing in Nebraska — where to get tested, free options, what to expect

2,800 people are living with HIV in Nebraska, and 30% of new diagnoses in 2022 were among Black residents. Getting tested is the first step — the CDC recommends at least one HIV test for every adult 13-64, and annual testing for anyone sexually active with more than one partner or injecting drugs. Rapid tests return results in about 20 minutes from a fingerstick; laboratory tests take a few days but catch infections sooner after exposure (as early as 10 days with a nucleic-acid test).

Where to test for free in Nebraska: every county health department runs an STI / HIV testing clinic, and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Ryan White Part B Program contracts with community-based organizations to operate walk-in rapid testing with evening and Saturday hours. No ID or insurance is required at these sites. Confidentiality is protected — state law requires public-health HIV testing results to stay out of your medical record unless you authorize release, and anonymous testing (no name collected) is available at most community sites.

What to expect: a pre-test conversation about risk and what a positive result would mean, the test itself (either fingerstick or blood draw), and post-test counseling. If the rapid test is reactive, the counselor draws blood for a confirmatory Western blot or antigen/antibody test. If you're positive, you'll be linked to a Ryan White Part C clinic for same-week HIV primary care and ADAP enrollment if you qualify by income.

The Nebraska HIV info line is 1-402-471-2937; staff can point you to the nearest free testing site, schedule PrEP, and help you navigate insurance or no-insurance options. Long-time Black residents name Nebraska AIDS Project and University of Nebraska Medical Center Specialty Care Clinic as the local institutions that show up consistently — both are listed below.

Nebraska AIDS Project. Nebraska AIDS Project in Omaha is the state's Ryan White Part B case-management contractor, with satellite offices in Lincoln, Kearney, Grand Island, Norfolk, and Scottsbluff serving the full state through a combination of in-person and telehealth appointments.

University of Nebraska Medical Center Specialty Care Clinic. UNMC's Specialty Care Clinic in Omaha is Nebraska's largest Ryan White Part C grantee, serving about 1,400 people living with HIV statewide, with a dedicated outreach program for North Omaha's Black community and the Mike Allen Cares education fund.