PrEP in Michigan, pre-exposure prophylaxis, who qualifies, how to start

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a daily pill (Truvada, Descovy) or every-two-months injection (Apretude) that prevents HIV in people who don't have HIV. Taken as prescribed, daily-pill PrEP reduces the risk of sexually transmitted HIV by about 99% and the risk from injection-drug sharing by about 74%, per CDC. In Michigan, PrEP is available through primary-care providers, FQHCs, LGBTQ+ community health centers, and Ryan White Part C clinics, you do not need to see an HIV specialist to start.

To qualify for PrEP you need a recent negative HIV test (or one done the same day), a baseline labs panel (kidney function, hepatitis B, STIs), and a prescriber visit. Follow-up is every three months for a repeat HIV test and medication refill. Most insurance including Medicaid covers PrEP with zero out-of-pocket under the USPSTF Grade A preventive-services rule. The drug manufacturers (Gilead, ViiV) operate patient-assistance programs for anyone without insurance.

Michigan operates Michigan PrEP Assistance Program (MIPAP), layered on top of the federal Ready, Set, PrEP program. Eligibility in Michigan goes up to 400% of the federal poverty line, which covers clinician visits, lab work, and medication. Apply through the state HIV program line at 1-888-826-6263 or any community HIV organization that holds a state PrEP navigation contract.

Black PrEP uptake nationally lags sharply, a 2023 AIDSVu analysis found that Black Americans account for 42% of new HIV diagnoses but only 14% of PrEP users. Long-time Black residents name Henry Ford Health HIV Clinic and Ruth Ellis Center Health and Wellness Center as the local institutions that show up consistently, both are listed below.

Henry Ford Health HIV Clinic. The Henry Ford Health HIV Clinic in Detroit is Michigan's largest Ryan White Part C grantee, serving about 2,900 people living with HIV, nearly 80% Black, and co-sponsoring the annual Detroit Black Gay Pride health fair.

Ruth Ellis Center Health and Wellness Center. The Ruth Ellis Center in Highland Park operates Michigan's only LGBTQ+-youth-specific HIV testing and PrEP clinic, co-located with the Corktown Health Center's FQHC PrEP program, serving roughly 800 rapid-test visits annually.