PrEP in Ohio — 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 Ohio, 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.

Ohio operates Ohio PrEP Drug Assistance Program, layered on top of the federal Ready, Set, PrEP program. Eligibility in Ohio goes up to 300% of the federal poverty line, which covers clinician visits, lab work, and medication. Apply through the state HIV program line at 1-614-466-6374 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 Equitas Health and Cleveland Clinic Infectious Diseases Department as the local institutions that show up consistently — both are listed below.

Equitas Health. Equitas Health in Columbus is Ohio's largest LGBTQ+ FQHC and the Ryan White Part B case-management contractor for central Ohio, with satellite offices in Dayton, Athens, Toledo, and Cleveland and a dedicated Black-focused medical home on East Main Street.

Cleveland Clinic Infectious Diseases Department. Cleveland Clinic's ID Department is northeastern Ohio's Ryan White Part C grantee, serving about 2,100 people living with HIV across Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga counties, with co-located HIV-hepatitis C clinics at Main Campus and Fairview Hospital.