Gilead Copay Assistance: How to Apply for Advancing Access
Gilead's Advancing Access program is the single most important pathway to free PrEP in America. Whether you're insured or uninsured, it can reduce your PrEP cost to $0. Here's exactly how to apply.
Gilead Advancing Access has two programs: (1) the Co-pay Savings Program for commercially insured patients (up to $7,200/year for Descovy, $8,000/year for Yeztugo), and (2) the Medication Assistance Program (MAP) for uninsured patients earning under ~$75,300/year, which provides free medication. Call 1-800-226-2056 or visit gileadadvancingaccess.com.
The Two Gilead Programs, Explained
Gilead Sciences — the manufacturer of Descovy (oral PrEP) and Yeztugo (twice-yearly injectable PrEP) — runs the Advancing Access program, which is actually two separate programs under one umbrella. Which one you use depends entirely on your insurance status.
Co-pay Savings Program
If you have private/employer insurance and your plan charges any out-of-pocket cost for PrEP, this program covers the gap — reducing your cost to $0.
- Descovy savings
- Up to $7,200/year in copay assistance
- Yeztugo savings
- Up to $8,000/year + $100/visit for injection administration
- Income limit
- None — any income qualifies
- Who qualifies
- Commercially/privately insured patients only. Not for government insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VA).
- How to enroll
- Online at gileadadvancingaccess.com, by fax (1-800-216-6857), or by phone (1-800-226-2056)
Medication Assistance Program (MAP)
If you have no health insurance, MAP provides brand-name Descovy or Yeztugo completely free — including overnight FedEx delivery to your home, clinic, shelter, or a FedEx pickup location.
- What's covered
- Free Descovy or Yeztugo medication
- Income limit
- ≤500% FPL (~$75,300/year for individual in 2026)
- SSN required?
- No. Undocumented residents are explicitly eligible.
- Processing time
- Urgent requests can be processed in 5–10 minutes; medication ships overnight via FedEx before 5 PM EST
- How to apply
- Your healthcare provider submits an application, or call 1-800-226-2056 directly
Important change (January 2025): Gilead discontinued free Truvada (generic TDF/FTC) through Advancing Access as of January 31, 2025, citing broad generic availability. This means MAP now only covers brand-name Descovy and Yeztugo — not generic PrEP. If you're uninsured and want generic PrEP, you'll need a different pathway like a state PrEP DAP or a telehealth platform like MISTR that uses the 340B model.
How to Apply: Step by Step
If You Have Commercial Insurance (Co-pay Savings)
Check if you need it
Under the ACA, most commercial insurance plans must cover PrEP at $0 with no cost-sharing. If your plan already covers Descovy or Yeztugo with no copay, you don't need the savings card. However, roughly 36% of PrEP users have been charged cost-sharing despite the federal mandate — so the savings card is a valuable safety net.
Enroll online or by phone
Visit gileadadvancingaccess.com/copay-savings-card and fill out the enrollment form. You can also call 1-800-226-2056 or fax a completed form to 1-800-216-6857. You'll receive a savings card with a unique ID number.
Present the card at your pharmacy
Give your savings card information to your pharmacy along with your insurance. The pharmacy processes your insurance first, then applies the savings card to any remaining copay. For Yeztugo, your provider or specialty pharmacy may need to submit claims through the Co-pay Savings program portal.
Request reimbursement if you already paid
If you've already paid out of pocket for PrEP before enrolling, Gilead offers a reimbursement process for eligible commercially insured patients. Call 1-800-226-2056 to inquire about retroactive assistance.
If You're Uninsured (MAP)
Get a prescription
You'll need a prescription for Descovy or Yeztugo from a licensed provider. This can be from any source — a doctor, clinic, FQHC, or telehealth platform. If you don't have a provider, MISTR or Q Care Plus can prescribe PrEP via telehealth in all 50 states.
Have your provider submit the MAP application
Your healthcare provider submits an application to Gilead on your behalf. The application requires basic demographic information, income documentation, and confirmation of no insurance. No SSN needed.
Receive your medication
Once approved, Gilead ships medication via FedEx overnight — to your home, your provider's office, a shelter, or a FedEx pickup location. For urgent situations (like post-exposure prophylaxis), requests can be processed in as little as 5–10 minutes if submitted before 5 PM EST.
What About Labs and Doctor Visits?
This is the critical caveat: Gilead Advancing Access covers medication only — not lab work or provider visits. PrEP requires quarterly lab monitoring (HIV test, kidney function, STI screening), and these costs can add up without insurance.
Here's how to fill that gap:
Telehealth platforms like MISTR cover labs and consultations at $0 through their 340B partnerships — even for uninsured patients. This is the easiest single-step solution because everything is bundled together.
Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) offer sliding-scale fees based on income. Many provide free lab work for PrEP patients. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
State PrEP Drug Assistance Programs (DAPs) — available in about 12 states — often cover labs and visits in addition to medication. Check your state's page to see if a DAP exists in your area.
Ryan White Program clinics provide comprehensive HIV prevention services, including PrEP labs, to eligible patients regardless of insurance status.
Gilead Advancing Access vs. Other Assistance Programs
| Program | Covers | For | Max Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilead Co-pay Savings | Descovy/Yeztugo copays | Commercially insured | $7,200–$8,000/yr |
| Gilead MAP | Free Descovy/Yeztugo | Uninsured, ≤500% FPL | Full medication cost |
| ViiVConnect Savings | Apretude copays | Commercially insured | $7,850/yr |
| ViiVConnect PAP | Free Apretude | Uninsured, <500% FPL | Full medication cost |
| Patient Advocate Foundation | PrEP copays | Insured, ≤400% FPL | $7,500/yr |
| Good Days Foundation | PrEP copays | Medicare/military, ≤500% FPL | $7,500/yr |
| State PrEP DAPs | Medication + labs + visits (varies) | Varies by state (~12 states) | Full coverage |
Common Questions
Can I use the copay card with Medicare or Medicaid?
No. Federal law prohibits manufacturer copay cards from being used with government insurance programs (Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VA, CHIP). For Medicare, PrEP is covered at $0 under Part B. For Medicaid, PrEP is covered at $0 in all expansion states. If you have government insurance and face unexpected costs, the Patient Advocate Foundation (1-800-532-5274) and Good Days Foundation may be able to help.
I was on Ready, Set, PrEP — what now?
The federal Ready, Set, PrEP program ended in July 2025. Gilead Advancing Access MAP is the closest replacement for uninsured patients, but it only covers brand-name Descovy and Yeztugo — not generic PrEP. If you were getting generic PrEP through Ready, Set, PrEP, your best options are a telehealth platform (like MISTR) that covers generics through 340B partnerships, or a state PrEP DAP if your state has one. See our full guide: What Replaced Ready, Set, PrEP?
Can I use Advancing Access for PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis)?
Yes. Gilead MAP covers Truvada for PEP for eligible uninsured patients. Urgent PEP requests can be processed in 5–10 minutes with overnight delivery. Call 1-800-226-2056 immediately — PEP must start within 72 hours of exposure.
I was denied. What do I do?
If denied for income reasons, check whether your state has a PrEP DAP with different income thresholds. If denied for insurance status (you have insurance but it won't cover PrEP), contact your insurer to appeal — under the ACA, they're required to cover PrEP at $0. You can also file a complaint with your state insurance commissioner.
Skip the Paperwork — Get Free PrEP Through MISTR
MISTR handles Gilead Advancing Access enrollment for you automatically. Medication, labs, and consultations are all $0 — whether you're insured or not. Use our referral code to support FreePrEP.org at no cost to you:
ANDR735
Enter this code when you sign up at heymistr.com. It helps keep FreePrEP.org running — you'll never be charged a penny.