TL;DR
If you're uninsured and under 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (~$75,300/year individual), you qualify for free PrEP through multiple pathways. For Descovy or Yeztugo: Gilead Advancing Access (no SSN required, serves undocumented residents). For Apretude: ViiVConnect Patient Assistance Program. For generic PrEP: state PrEP DAPs (in ~15 states) or telehealth services using 340B pricing. For broader coverage: Medicaid in expansion states, or ACA marketplace plans where PrEP is covered at $0. This guide walks through each eligibility pathway in detail.
The short version: what actually matters for eligibility
Free PrEP eligibility in 2026 comes down to a handful of factors. You'll want to know your answer to each:
- What's your household income relative to the Federal Poverty Level? Most programs use 500% FPL as the upper bound.
- Do you have insurance? If yes, different programs apply. If no, different programs.
- Which PrEP medication do you need? Brand-name drugs (Descovy, Apretude, Yeztugo) have manufacturer programs. Generic TDF/FTC does not.
- What state do you live in? Some states have PrEP DAPs; most don't.
- What's your immigration status? Matters for Medicaid (varies by state) but not for Gilead Advancing Access or most telehealth platforms.
2026 Federal Poverty Level reference
Most PrEP assistance programs use FPL thresholds. Here are the 2026 numbers for common eligibility cutoffs:
| Household size | 100% FPL | 200% FPL | 400% FPL | 500% FPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | ~$15,060 | ~$30,120 | ~$60,240 | ~$75,300 |
| 2 people | ~$20,440 | ~$40,880 | ~$81,760 | ~$102,200 |
| 3 people | ~$25,820 | ~$51,640 | ~$103,280 | ~$129,100 |
| 4 people | ~$31,200 | ~$62,400 | ~$124,800 | ~$156,000 |
"Income" for these purposes typically means modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), which is roughly your income before taxes including most forms of income. Different programs may use slightly different definitions — always check the specific program's rules.
Skip the eligibility paperwork — start PrEP today
MISTR delivers $0 PrEP to most uninsured patients in all 50 states without formal income verification paperwork. Free consultation, free labs, free medication. Fastest path from 'uninsured' to 'on PrEP' for most people.
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Using this code helps keep FreePrEP.org running at no cost to you. MISTR's $0 PrEP is funded through insurance reimbursement and 340B program partnerships — you pay nothing whether you have insurance or not.
Program-by-program eligibility
Gilead Advancing Access (Descovy, Yeztugo)
| Factor | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Insurance status | Must be uninsured or underinsured |
| Income | ≤500% FPL |
| Social Security Number | Not required |
| Immigration status | Undocumented residents eligible |
| Drug covered | Descovy, Yeztugo (NOT brand Truvada) |
| Apply | gileadadvancingaccess.com or 1-800-226-2056 |
ViiVConnect Patient Assistance (Apretude)
| Factor | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Insurance status | Must be uninsured |
| Income | ≤500% FPL |
| SSN | Not required |
| Drug covered | Apretude (cabotegravir injectable) |
| Apply | viivconnect.com or 1-844-588-3288 |
State PrEP Drug Assistance Programs
About 15 states operate state-funded PrEP DAPs with varying eligibility rules. Income limits typically range from 300% to 500% FPL. Some require state residency verification but don't require citizenship (Illinois, California, New York are the most inclusive). See our state-by-state guide for your state's program details. States with particularly strong PrEP DAPs include California (PrEP-AP), Illinois (PrEP4Illinois — no income limit!), Washington (PrEP DAP), Massachusetts, New York (PrEP-AP), Colorado (PHIP), Ohio (PAPI), and Virginia.
Telehealth platforms (340B pathway)
Most telehealth services like MISTR don't have formal income requirements — the 340B mechanism works for most patients. No documentation typically required beyond basic intake. Works regardless of immigration status for most platforms.
Telehealth: the easiest eligibility path
Most telehealth services don't require formal eligibility paperwork. MISTR starts most uninsured patients on $0 PrEP within 3-7 days, no income verification forms, no state residency proof — just a brief medical intake.
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Medicaid
Covers PrEP at $0 in all 50 states. Eligibility varies significantly:
- Medicaid expansion states (41 + DC): Adults up to 138% FPL (~$20,800/year individual) qualify
- Non-expansion states (10 states, mostly Southern): Much more restrictive — typically only parents, disabled, pregnant women, or children qualify
Immigration status matters for Medicaid eligibility in most states — though a handful (California, Washington, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, DC, Oregon, Minnesota) offer some Medicaid-equivalent coverage for undocumented residents, with California and Washington being most inclusive.
ACA Marketplace plans
Not technically free PrEP, but under the ACA, all ACA-compliant marketplace plans must cover PrEP at $0 (no copay, no deductible) for qualifying patients. If you earn 100-400% FPL, you qualify for subsidies that significantly reduce premium costs. Some states also offer additional subsidies.
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program
Ryan White clinics serve low-income patients with PrEP on sliding-scale basis. Income eligibility varies by specific clinic — typically under 400% FPL. Find a clinic at locator.hiv.gov.
If multiple programs apply — which to pick?
If you qualify for multiple programs, here's the practical ranking:
- Medicaid first (if you qualify) — covers everything, simplest ongoing care
- Then: Telehealth (MISTR) — fastest to start, works in all 50 states, handles logistics
- Then: State PrEP DAP — if your state has one, it's comprehensive
- Then: Manufacturer PAP — good for brand drugs, slower than telehealth
- Then: FQHC/Ryan White — best when you need wraparound services
What if nothing fits?
The primary gap is uninsured patients on generic TDF/FTC in non-expansion states without a state PrEP DAP. For these cases:
- Telehealth platforms typically have the best workaround
- FQHCs provide sliding-scale access — at a minimum, can prescribe generic TDF/FTC for ~$30/month cash
- Cash-pay generic TDF/FTC with a GoodRx coupon runs ~$17-31/month
Not sure which program fits you?
A free MISTR consultation can help you sort through options. If telehealth works, they handle everything. If another program is better for your situation, they can direct you.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I qualify for free PrEP without insurance?
Three main pathways: (1) Gilead Advancing Access for free Descovy or Yeztugo if you're under 500% FPL — no SSN required, serves undocumented; (2) telehealth services like MISTR provide $0 generic PrEP to most uninsured patients without formal income verification; (3) your state's PrEP Drug Assistance Program if one exists (about 15 states).
What income is considered too high for free PrEP?
Most manufacturer and state programs use 500% of the Federal Poverty Level as the upper limit — roughly $75,300/year for an individual, $102,200 for a couple in 2026. Above that, you'd need to use insurance (which must cover PrEP at $0 under ACA) or pay cash for generic TDF/FTC (~$30/month).
Can I get free PrEP if I have no SSN?
Yes. Gilead Advancing Access explicitly doesn't require an SSN. Most telehealth platforms don't require SSN. California PrEP-AP, Illinois PrEP4IL, and several other state programs serve patients without SSN.
Does Medicaid cover PrEP?
Yes, in all 50 states. Medicaid covers PrEP medication, labs, and clinic visits at $0 under the ACA preventive services mandate. The question is whether you qualify for Medicaid in your state — eligibility is much more restrictive in non-expansion states.
How long does it take to qualify?
Varies by program. Gilead Advancing Access processes most applications within 5-10 business days. State PrEP DAPs take 1-4 weeks. Telehealth platforms typically start you on PrEP within 3-7 days without formal eligibility paperwork. For urgent situations, telehealth is usually fastest.
What if I'm close to but over 500% FPL?
You'd fall outside manufacturer PAP eligibility, but telehealth platforms typically don't have formal income caps. Alternately, if you're working, you likely have access to employer insurance or ACA marketplace plans that must cover PrEP at $0.
Does the Ready, Set, PrEP program still exist?
No. Ready, Set, PrEP ended in July 2025. The current landscape is a patchwork of manufacturer PAPs, state programs, Medicaid, and telehealth — no single federal program. See our Ready, Set, PrEP 2026 update for details on replacements.