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.