PrEP in Rhode Island — 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 Rhode Island, 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.

Rhode Island operates Rhode Island PrEP Program, layered on top of the federal Ready, Set, PrEP program. Eligibility in Rhode Island 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 1-401-222-2320 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 Miriam Hospital Immunology Center and AIDS Care Ocean State as the local institutions that show up consistently — both are listed below.

Miriam Hospital Immunology Center. The Miriam Hospital Immunology Center in Providence is Rhode Island's largest Ryan White Part C grantee, serving about 1,900 people living with HIV — more than 80% of the state's PLWH — and co-hosting the Brown CFAR's Black and Latino HIV implementation science program.

AIDS Care Ocean State. AIDS Care Ocean State in Providence is Rhode Island's Ryan White Part B case-management contractor, operating the state's only HIV supportive housing program — Project House — on Elmwood Avenue, with dedicated case managers for Black and Latinx clients.