PrEP in Philadelphia: How to Get It, What It Costs and Who It Is For

PrEP is medicine that lowers the chance of getting HIV. It is prescribed by a clinician, and in Philadelphia there are several ways to start it, including a city clinic that offers PrEP services at no charge.

This guide covers how PrEP works, who it is for, the different forms, what happens at the first visit, how insurance and cost work, and where to go in Philadelphia. It also explains what PrEP does not do, so you can plan the rest of your sexual health care around it.

Table of contents

1. What PrEP is and how well it works
2. Who PrEP is for
3. Types of PrEP: daily, on-demand and injectable
4. The visit and lab tests
5. HIV PrEP cost and coverage
6. How to get PrEP in Philadelphia
7. After you start: follow-up, STI testing and other tools
8. Sources

What PrEP is and how well it works

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. "Pre-exposure" means you take it before a possible exposure to HIV. "Prophylaxis" means prevention. PrEP is a form of HIV prevention that you start while HIV negative.

PrEP is not a vaccine, and it is not a treatment for HIV. People who already have HIV take different medicines, called HIV treatment, which a clinician prescribes. HIV is not curable, but it is treatable and manageable.

How effective is PrEP?

The CDC says PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99 percent when it is taken as prescribed. For people who inject drugs, the CDC says it reduces the risk by at least 74 percent when taken as prescribed.

The phrase "as prescribed" matters. PrEP works best when the medicine is in your body consistently. Missing doses of a daily pill, or missing injection appointments, lowers protection. If you are worried about keeping to a routine, tell your clinician. There are options, and no one needs to feel judged for asking.

What PrEP does not do

• It does not prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HPV or other STIs.
• It does not prevent pregnancy.
• It is not the same as PEP, which is a short course of HIV medicine started after a possible exposure. The CDC says PEP must begin within 72 hours of a possible exposure. If that applies to you, Health Center 1 and several community sites in Philadelphia list PEP among their services (see the clinic table below).

Who PrEP is for

PrEP is for people who do not have HIV and who may be exposed to it. The CDC's PrEP guidance describes the groups below. Being in one of them says nothing about your character. It describes how HIV can pass between people.

Sexually active adults and adolescents

According to the CDC, PrEP is recommended for sexually active adults and adolescents who may be at increased risk of getting HIV. That can include people who:

• have a partner who has HIV, especially if the partner is not on treatment or has not reached a level where HIV cannot be detected
• have had a bacterial STI, such as syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia, in the past six months
• have more than one sex partner, or a partner whose HIV status they do not know
• do not always use condoms

This applies to people of every gender and orientation. Gay and bisexual men, transgender and nonbinary people, heterosexual people and women can all be part of these groups.

People who inject drugs

The CDC also recommends PrEP for people who inject drugs and who share needles or equipment, or who have had a recent injection partner with HIV. PrEP is one tool among several here. Clinics can also talk with you about other ways to lower risk.

People trying to conceive

The CDC's guidance includes people who are trying to conceive with a partner who has HIV. A clinician can talk through the options and the timing.

The USPSTF recommendation

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that clinicians offer PrEP to people at increased risk of getting HIV. This matters for coverage, as explained in the cost section below.

Not sure if you qualify?

Only a clinician can talk through your situation with you. Many people start PrEP simply because they want the extra protection and peace of mind. You can ask for a conversation about PrEP at any sexual health visit. You do not have to prove you are at risk to ask a question.

Minors who want to know about PrEP should check directly with a clinic. Guttmacher Institute's summary of Pennsylvania policy says minors may consent to STI testing and treatment, and it lists no minimum age. The sources used for this guide do not say whether PrEP specifically falls under that rule, so ask the clinic how it handles PrEP for people under 18. The city's walk-in clinic at Health Center 1 says anyone over 13 can get testing and treatment.

Types of PrEP: daily, on-demand and injectable

There is more than one way to take PrEP. Which one fits depends on your health, your kidneys and bones, how you have sex, your routine, and your preferences. A clinician makes that call with you.

Daily oral PrEP

This is the form most people know. It is a pill taken by mouth every day. The CDC says there are two oral PrEP medicines approved by the FDA, and a clinician chooses between them based on your health history and lab results. Daily oral PrEP is the form with the longest track record.

For protection, the CDC says the medicine needs time to build up in the body before it is fully effective, and that the time differs by type of sex. Ask your clinician how long to wait after starting before you rely on it.

Injectable PrEP

Injectable PrEP is given by a clinician, so there is no daily pill to remember. The CDC lists it as an option for adults and adolescents who may be at risk. It requires visits to the clinic for each injection, so it suits people who can reliably keep those appointments.

The injectable options have been expanding. Ask a clinician which injectable forms are available at the site you choose, and whether they fit your situation. Availability and costs vary by clinic and insurance.

On-demand PrEP (2-1-1)

You may hear about "on-demand" or "2-1-1" PrEP. This approach uses oral PrEP only around the time of sex, instead of every day. It has been studied in a specific group: men who have sex with men. The CDC's guidance notes that this schedule is not FDA-approved, and it describes it as an option for that group in particular, not for everyone.

The CDC does not describe on-demand dosing as appropriate for people who have vaginal sex, for people who inject drugs, or for anyone whose sex is hard to predict. Do not start on-demand PrEP by yourself. Ask a clinician whether it applies to you, and how to follow it safely if it does. This guide does not give a schedule on purpose, because that belongs in a clinician's plan.

Which is right for you?

Questions worth bringing to the visit:

• Which forms does this clinic offer?
• Which ones does my insurance cover?
• How often would I need to come in?
• What lab tests will I need, and how often?
• What happens if I miss a dose or an appointment?

The visit and lab tests

Starting PrEP is a normal medical visit. It can be done in person, and some programs offer it by phone or online (see TelePrEP below). Here is what the CDC's PrEP guidance says clinicians check before prescribing.

An HIV test

PrEP is only for people who do not have HIV, so a clinician tests for HIV before prescribing it. This is routine and does not mean anyone suspects anything. If the test finds HIV, the clinician can connect you to HIV treatment, which works well. If it does not, the clinician can go forward with PrEP. A single test result cannot cover a very recent exposure, so tell the clinician about any recent possible exposure. The CDC publishes window period information for different HIV tests, and the clinician can explain which one applies.

Other lab work

• Kidney function. Some oral PrEP medicines are processed by the kidneys, so clinicians check kidney function first and again during follow-up.
• Hepatitis B. Clinicians check hepatitis B status. This affects which medicine is safest, and it can lead to a hepatitis B vaccine if you need one.
• Hepatitis C. The CDC recommends hepatitis C testing for some people, including people who inject drugs. Several Philadelphia sites list hepatitis C testing.
• STI testing. The CDC says people on PrEP should be screened for STIs on a regular basis. This can include tests for syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia, depending on the kinds of sex you have. Samples may be urine, swabs or blood.
• Pregnancy test. Where relevant, a clinician may ask about pregnancy. Talk with them about pregnancy plans. PrEP can be part of care for people who are pregnant or trying to conceive.

What you will be asked

A clinician will ask about your health history, medicines and sexual practices. They ask so they can pick the right tests and options, not to judge. You can tell them as much or as little as you are comfortable with, but more detail helps them care for you. Your answers can also help you get tested for the right infections.

Can you start the same day?

Some clinics can start PrEP quickly, and some wait for lab results first. The CDC says clinicians sometimes prescribe PrEP before every lab result is back when the risk of waiting is high. Ask the clinic what its process looks like. The sources used here do not give timing for Philadelphia sites, so check with the clinic you plan to visit.

HIV PrEP cost and coverage

The cost question is the one that stops many people from asking about PrEP. In Philadelphia, there are several paths that reduce or remove the cost.

If you have insurance

The USPSTF recommends PrEP for people at increased risk of HIV. Under Affordable Care Act preventive services rules, most health plans must cover services the USPSTF rates highly without charging you a copay or deductible. The Pennsylvania Department of Health's December 2024 newsroom release on no-cost PrEP coverage says federal rules require most insurers to cover HIV PrEP medication with zero out-of-pocket cost for insured consumers.

Details matter, so check these with your plan:

• Which specific PrEP medicines and forms are covered without cost-sharing.
• Whether the visits and lab tests tied to PrEP are covered the same way.
• Whether you must use an in-network clinic or pharmacy.
• Whether your plan is exempt from the federal rules. Some plans, such as certain grandfathered plans, may be.

If a claim comes back with a charge you did not expect, you can ask your insurer and the clinic to review it. Ask the clinic's billing staff about this early.

If you are on Medicaid or Medicare

The Jonathan Lax Treatment Center and Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania both list that they accept Medicaid, and Lax lists Medicare as well. Ask your clinic what your specific plan covers for PrEP.

If you do not have insurance

Several options exist, but the details depend on the clinic:

• Health Center 1. The city's STI clinic is free, and its services include PrEP. Philadelphia's National HIV Testing Day release (June 26, 2024) says Health Center 1 offers PrEP counseling to people who test negative for HIV.
• Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center. The CDC GetTested listing says it offers PrEP for uninsured patients and a sliding scale fee.
• Philly, Keep On Loving TelePrEP. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health's program offers online and phone access to HIV prevention medicine. The page does not state cost or eligibility, so call the Health Information Helpline at 215-985-2437 and ask.
• Community sites. Mazzoni Center, Bebashi and Courage Medicine are listed by the City as sites offering PrEP, but costs are not published in the sources used here. Call before you go and ask about cost.

Pennsylvania assistance programs

People often ask about state programs that pay for PrEP. This guide could not confirm a Pennsylvania state PrEP assistance program with published details. Rather than guess, check with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health or the clinic where you plan to get care. Clinic staff and benefits counselors often know about manufacturer programs and other help. Ask about them directly.

A short note on total cost

People often use "HIV PrEP cost" to mean the medicine alone. The full picture includes the medicine, the visit, lab tests and follow-up. Ask a clinic about all four. For people paying out of pocket, the free city clinic is the simplest way to find out what is possible without a bill.

How to get PrEP in Philadelphia

If you are wondering how to get PrEP, the steps are short:

1. Pick a place: a city clinic, a community health organization, a primary care office or a telehealth program.
2. Call or walk in, depending on the site. Tell them you are interested in PrEP.
3. Get an HIV test and the other lab work.
4. Talk with the clinician about which form suits you.
5. Start, and schedule follow-up.

Your regular primary care clinician can also prescribe PrEP. If they are unsure, you can ask for a referral to a sexual health clinic.

Philadelphia clinics that list PrEP

Details below come from the City of Philadelphia, the CDC GetTested listings and the clinics. Hours and walk-in rules can change, so call before you go.

Clinic	Address and phone	PrEP and access	Cost
STI clinic at Health Center 1 (Philadelphia Department of Public Health)	1930 S. Broad St., Fl. 2, Philadelphia, PA 19145; (215) 685-6570 or (215) 685-6575	Lists PrEP and PEP. Walk-in only, first-come first-served. Mon and Wed 7:45 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Tue, Thu, Fri 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Opens at 1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. Closes earlier on very busy days.	Free, per the City
Mazzoni Center	1201 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19107; (215) 985-9206	The City lists PrEP, PEP, HIV and STI testing. Hours listed: Mon and Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tue to Fri 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.	Not stated on the City page. A CDC GetTested listing for Mazzoni at 1348 Bainbridge St., (215) 563-0652, lists free HIV and STI tests and no appointment required.
Jonathan Lax Treatment Center (Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers)	1233 Locust St., 4th Fl., Philadelphia, PA 19107; (215) 790-1788	The listing says appointment required. Hours are not published on the CDC page. PrEP is listed in search results but I could not confirm it on the opened page, so ask when you call.	Free HIV and STI tests; insurance, Medicaid and Medicare accepted
Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center	1144 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19107; (215) 351-5560	Appointment required. Lists PrEP for uninsured patients. Hours not published on the CDC page.	Sliding scale; insurance and Medicaid accepted
Bebashi - Transition to Hope	4101 Woodland Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104, and 1237 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia, PA 19123; (215) 769-3561	The City lists PrEP, PEP, HIV, STI and hepatitis C testing. Bebashi's own page does not list these services, so confirm by phone. West screening hours: Mon to Wed and Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thu 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.	Not published
Courage Medicine	3751 Island Ave., Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19153; 267-217-3217	The City lists PrEP, PEP, HIV, STI and hepatitis C testing. Hours listed for Island Ave: Mon to Fri 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mobile unit hours vary.	Not published

For the full local list of places to get tested, including sites that are not about PrEP, see this guide to where to get STD testing in Philadelphia.

TelePrEP: online and phone access

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health's Philly, Keep On Loving program offers TelePrEP, which gives online and phone access to HIV prevention medicine. This can help if work, transportation, caregiving or privacy makes a clinic visit hard. The page this guide used does not list cost or who is eligible, so call the Health Information Helpline at 215-985-2437 to ask.

Free home test kits

The same program says Philadelphia residents can order free HIV or STI test kits, condoms and lube online at phillykeeponloving.com/order/. The city's June 26, 2024 release says free at-home HIV test kits are mailed discreetly to residents. Eligibility is not listed on the page. A home test is not a replacement for the lab work a clinician orders before PrEP, but it can be a first step.

Tips for your first visit

• Bring your insurance card if you have one, and a list of any medicines you take.
• Walk-in clinics like Health Center 1 are first-come first-served. Arriving earlier in the day is a sensible choice, and the clinic says it may close early on busy days.
• Ask about privacy. Clinics can explain how your information and billing are handled.
• Write your questions down beforehand.

After you start: follow-up, STI testing and other tools

Follow-up visits

PrEP is ongoing care. The CDC says people on PrEP have regular follow-up visits, which include repeat HIV testing, kidney checks where needed, STI screening and a check on how you are doing with the medicine. Your clinician sets the timing. These visits are also a chance to switch forms, ask about side effects or stop PrEP when it no longer fits your life.

Side effects

Many people have no side effects, and some have mild ones early on. A clinician can tell you what to expect for the form you take. Report anything that worries you promptly. Do not stop and start the medicine without talking with the clinic.

Why STI testing stays on the list

PrEP prevents HIV only. Other infections can still pass. The CDC's STI Surveillance report for 2023 lists Pennsylvania's chlamydia rate at 421.2 per 100,000 people (54,600 cases), gonorrhea at 144.7 per 100,000 (18,758 cases), and primary and secondary syphilis at 9.1 per 100,000 (1,179 cases). Those are statewide numbers, and this guide does not have Philadelphia-only rates to share.

The good news is that chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are curable with treatment from a clinician. Herpes and HPV are not curable but are manageable, and HPV has a vaccine. Health Center 1 lists HPV, hepatitis A and B, and mpox vaccines among its offerings.

Under Pennsylvania rules (28 Pa. Code 27.21a), health care practitioners report HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis to public health authorities within 5 work days after identifying them. That reporting is part of how health departments track and respond to these infections.

If an STI test comes back positive, the Philadelphia STD Control Program offers partner services, which means help with testing and treatment for the sex partners of people who have an STI. You can ask about this at the clinic. Pennsylvania's Expedited Partner Therapy Act (Act 147 of 2022), described by the CDC, also lets a practitioner prescribe or furnish antibiotics for certain STIs to a partner without examining them first. Which infections it covers in Philadelphia was not confirmed in the sources used here, so ask your clinician.

Doxy-PEP is a different tool

In 2024 the CDC issued guidance on doxycycline taken after sex to reduce the risk of some bacterial STIs, called doxy-PEP. It is separate from PrEP. It does not prevent HIV, and PrEP does not prevent the bacterial STIs it targets. It is something a clinician prescribes after considering your situation. This guide could not confirm how doxy-PEP is offered in Philadelphia, so ask a clinician at your visit.

Condoms and other prevention

Condoms lower the risk of HIV and many other STIs. Using condoms along with PrEP gives wider protection. Vaccines for HPV, hepatitis A and hepatitis B add to it. For people who inject drugs, clean equipment and access to services matter too.

If you want to stop PrEP

Some people use PrEP for a season of life and stop. Tell your clinician before you stop. They can explain what the CDC says about timing and about getting tested afterward.

Next step: free or low-cost testing

A good first step is a test. The city's Health Center 1 offers free STI and HIV testing as a walk-in, and the CDC's GetTested site at gettested.cdc.gov lets you find more sites. Once you have a baseline HIV test, you and a clinician can decide on PrEP together.

Sources

• CDC: About PrEP
• CDC: Clinical guidance for PrEP, and CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) with the 2024 doxy-PEP update
• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: PrEP recommendation to prevent HIV
• CDC: Legal Status of Expedited Partner Therapy in Pennsylvania
• CDC: STI Surveillance 2023, Pennsylvania state tables
• CDC GetTested clinic listings
• City of Philadelphia: Get walk-in testing and treatment for STDs
• City of Philadelphia: Health Center 1
• City of Philadelphia: STD Control Program
• City of Philadelphia: National HIV Testing Day release, June 26, 2024
• Philly, Keep On Loving (Philadelphia Department of Public Health)
• Pennsylvania Department of Health: No-cost HIV PrEP coverage available
• 28 Pa. Code 27.21a (reportable diseases)
• Guttmacher Institute: Minors' Access to STI Services