The federal Ready, Set, PrEP program ended July 2025. Many websites still list it as active. See what replaced it →
Updated May 2026

Can I Get PrEP Without Insurance?

Yes — and in most cases, for $0. After Ready, Set, PrEP ended in July 2025, the landscape changed. Here's every pathway to free PrEP without insurance in 2026.

Your Options, Ranked by Speed

1

MISTR Telehealth — fastest, fully free

$0 everything — consultations, at-home labs, medication, delivery. Works in all 50 states. No insurance card needed. No SSN needed. Sign up at heymistr.com. Can have you on PrEP within days.

2

Gilead Advancing Access — free brand Descovy or Yeztugo

Free medication for uninsured patients with income ≤500% FPL (~$79,800/year individual). No SSN required. Medication ships FedEx overnight. Call 1-800-226-2056 or visit gileadadvancingaccess.com. Note: covers medication only — you still need a provider for prescribing and labs.

3

ViiVConnect — free injectable Apretude

Free Apretude (bimonthly injection) for uninsured patients under 500% FPL. Call 1-844-588-3288 or visit viivconnect.com.

4

State PrEP Drug Assistance Program (12 states)

California, Colorado, DC, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Washington operate state-funded PrEP programs. Coverage varies — some cover medication + labs + visits; others cover medication only. Find your state's details →

5

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

Nearly 1,400 FQHCs at ~15,000 sites nationwide offer sliding-fee services. Many prescribe PrEP. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov. Costs are based on income — often $0.

What Changed in 2025

Two major programs ended: The federal Ready, Set, PrEP program ended in July 2025, and Gilead stopped covering brand Truvada through Advancing Access in January 2025 (citing generic availability). These closures left a gap for uninsured people who want generic PrEP — there is currently no manufacturer or federal program providing it free.

The workaround: if you're uninsured and in a state without a PrEP DAP, your best options are telehealth (MISTR provides everything at $0 through 340B partnerships) or Gilead Advancing Access (which covers brand Descovy and Yeztugo, but not generic). The cost paradox is real — the $2,000/month brand drug is easier to get free than the $30/month generic.

Skip the cost — get PrEP delivered free with MISTR

MISTR provides $0 PrEP in all 50 states — consultations, at-home labs, medication, and delivery included. Works with or without insurance.

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Special Situations

Undocumented Residents

You are eligible for free PrEP. Gilead Advancing Access does not require a Social Security Number and explicitly serves undocumented residents. MISTR requires no insurance, ID, or documentation. Many FQHCs serve patients regardless of immigration status. You are excluded from ACA marketplace coverage and Medicaid in most states, but these programs fill the gap.

Students

If you're on a student health plan, PrEP should be covered at $0 under the ACA. If you're uninsured, MISTR and Gilead Advancing Access both work. Many campus health centers also prescribe PrEP — check with yours.

Minors

Consent laws for PrEP vary by state. In many states, minors can consent to STI prevention services, but PrEP-specific consent isn't always explicit. Iowa TelePrEP and some other programs accept minors without guardian consent. Check your state's details for age-of-consent specifics.

Should I Just Get Insurance?

If you're eligible, yes — insurance simplifies everything. Under the ACA, all private plans must cover PrEP at $0, and Medicaid expansion (available in 40 states + DC) covers adults up to 138% FPL with PrEP at $0. Open enrollment for ACA marketplace plans typically runs November through January, with year-round enrollment available through Medicaid.

But don't wait for insurance to start PrEP. The options above — especially MISTR and Gilead Advancing Access — can get you covered within days while you work on longer-term insurance enrollment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does PrEP cost without insurance in 2026?
Generic TDF/FTC costs $30–$90/month at retail. Brand Descovy lists at $2,000+/month. But most uninsured people can get PrEP for $0 through MISTR telehealth, Gilead Advancing Access, or a state PrEP DAP.
Where can I get PrEP for free?
Start with MISTR for the fastest, most comprehensive $0 option in all 50 states. Also apply to Gilead Advancing Access (1-800-226-2056) for free brand medication. Check your state's page for local programs.
Is PrEP free?
For most people, yes. If you have insurance, PrEP is covered at $0 by law. If you're uninsured, multiple pathways exist to get PrEP at $0 — see the ranked options above.

Information sourced from manufacturer websites, FDA prescribing information, CMS, NASTAD, and state health departments. FreePrEP.org is an independent resource — not affiliated with any government agency or pharmaceutical company. Full disclosure