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1. Telehealth platforms (available in all 50 states)
This is the fastest and most accessible path. Specialized PrEP telehealth platforms partner with 340B-covered entities — federal health centers and Ryan White clinics that get deeply discounted drug prices — to offer medication, labs, and consultations at $0 for both insured and uninsured patients. No in-person appointment needed, no travel, no time off work. Most can deliver your first prescription within 24–48 hours.
MISTR covers medication, quarterly lab work, consultations, and delivery at $0 in all 50 states. Works for insured and uninsured patients. Supports oral PrEP (generic, Truvada, Descovy) and injectable PrEP (Apretude, Yeztugo). They handle the prior authorization paperwork if your insurance requires it, and they ship discreetly.
Free PrEP telehealth similar to MISTR, with a focus on LGBTQ+ community care. Coverage in most states.
Other telehealth platforms offer PrEP, but pricing varies and the $0 all-inclusive model isn't always there. Worth checking if you have a specific brand preference, but MISTR is typically the cleanest route if cost is the priority. See our provider comparison for a head-to-head breakdown.
Fastest path: start telehealth today
MISTR delivers your first PrEP prescription in 24–48 hours — no in-person visit, no copay, no insurance required. Works in all 50 states.
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Using this code helps keep FreePrEP.org running and connects more people to free PrEP. It costs you nothing — MISTR earns a small referral fee that we use to maintain the site.
Start with MISTR →2. Mail-delivered manufacturer programs
If you prefer to work with a local doctor but don't have insurance, the pharmaceutical manufacturers will ship brand-name PrEP to your provider or home for free. You'll still need a prescription, but the medication itself costs nothing.
Provides free Descovy and Yeztugo (twice-yearly injectable) to uninsured patients under 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (~$60,300/year individual). SSN is not required, and undocumented residents are explicitly eligible. As of May 2025, Gilead can ship medication overnight via FedEx to a home, clinic, shelter, or FedEx location. Urgent requests process in 5–10 minutes.
Provides free Apretude (every-2-months injectable) for uninsured patients under 500% FPL. Apretude is shipped from TheraCom directly to your provider for administration. ViiV also operates an Alternate Sites of Care (ASOC) network that can help you find a clinic that can actually administer the shot.
The generic gap
Gilead discontinued its free Truvada program on January 31, 2025. There's no manufacturer assistance program for generic TDF/FTC — ironic, since the generic is cheapest. If you want generic PrEP free, your options are telehealth (MISTR), Medicaid, or a state PrEP-DAP.
3. Local health departments
County and city health departments in most metro areas offer PrEP at no cost, especially in cities designated as Ending the Epidemic (EHE) priority jurisdictions. Walk-ins are usually accepted and you typically don't need insurance or ID.
Six clinics across all five boroughs. Walk-in for ages 12+, regardless of immigration status, no parental consent needed for minors. See our Free PrEP in NYC guide.
Florida county health departments provide 90-day free PrEP supplies. See our Free PrEP in Miami guide.
The main public sexual health clinic for San Francisco. PrEP available at no charge regardless of insurance or immigration status. Part of our Free PrEP in SF guide.
Almost every major city has something equivalent. Look up "[your city] health department PrEP" or check your state guide on FreePrEP.org.
4. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
FQHCs are community health centers funded by the federal government under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. They're required to offer sliding-fee scales based on income, which often means $0 or close to it for people at or below the federal poverty line. FQHCs serve everyone regardless of insurance or immigration status.
There are more than 1,400 FQHCs operating over 14,000 service delivery sites nationwide. To find one near you:
- HRSA Health Center Finder: findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
- CDC PrEP Locator: preplocator.org
- HIV Services Locator: locator.hiv.gov
FQHCs are also the backbone of the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which is why telehealth platforms like MISTR can offer $0 PrEP — they partner with 340B-covered entities.
5. Planned Parenthood
Most Planned Parenthood health centers offer PrEP. Whether it's free depends on your income, insurance, and location. PP uses sliding-fee scales at most centers, and in many places, PrEP is completely free for uninsured patients under certain income thresholds.
Call ahead to ask specifically about PrEP — not every PP health center prescribes it, but most in major metro areas do. PP is especially accessible for cisgender women who may feel uncomfortable at men-focused LGBTQ+ health centers.
6. LGBTQ+ community health centers
These clinics specialize in sexual health for gay, bi, trans, and nonbinary communities, and PrEP is typically one of their core services. Most operate as FQHCs or Ryan White-funded clinics, which means sliding-fee scales and 340B access. Major centers include:
- Callen-Lorde Community Health Center (New York City, multiple boroughs) — callen-lorde.org
- Los Angeles LGBT Center (LA, largest LGBTQ+ health org in the world) — lalgbtcenter.org
- Howard Brown Health (Chicago) — howardbrown.org
- San Francisco AIDS Foundation / Strut (SF, in the Castro) — sfaf.org
- Whitman-Walker Health (Washington, DC)
- Fenway Health (Boston)
- Mazzoni Center (Philadelphia)
- Legacy Community Health (Houston)
- AID Atlanta (Atlanta)
- APLA Health (LA, multiple locations)
These are the best option for anyone who wants a clinician experienced with sexual health for LGBTQ+ patients specifically.
Not sure which one's right for you?
Use our eligibility tool — four quick questions, 60 seconds, no sign-up. We'll match you with every program you qualify for, based on your state, insurance, and income.
Start the Eligibility Tool →7. State PrEP Drug Assistance Programs (PrEP-DAPs)
Twelve states and DC operate PrEP-DAPs — state-funded programs that cover medication, labs, and/or clinical visits for residents who don't have other coverage. Each program has different eligibility rules, but they're specifically designed to fill gaps left by federal programs and insurance.
California, Colorado, DC, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Washington. Illinois's PrEP4IL is especially notable — no income limit, no SSN required, and undocumented residents are eligible.
If you live in one of these states, a PrEP-DAP is often the best option because it covers the labs and visits that manufacturer assistance programs don't. If you don't, check your state guide for the closest equivalent.
8. Pharmacist-prescribed PrEP (certain states)
In a growing number of states, pharmacists can prescribe PrEP directly — no doctor visit required. You walk into a participating pharmacy, get screened, and walk out with a prescription (or a dispensed supply). States with pharmacist PrEP prescribing authority include:
- California (SB 159, expanded by SB 339 in 2024 — up to 90-day supply)
- Colorado
- Oregon
- Nevada
- Maine (2021 landmark law)
- Virginia
- New Mexico
- Utah
Implementation is uneven — a 2022 survey found only about 11% of California pharmacists actually initiate PrEP under SB 159. Call ahead to ask if a specific pharmacy participates. If it does, this is the fastest walk-in option.
9. University & student health centers
If you're a college student, your campus health center almost certainly offers PrEP — often completely free through student health fees you already pay. This is the easiest route for anyone 18–24 on a college campus. Large state university systems in California, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, and Florida all include PrEP in standard student health services.
Confidentiality note: student health visits generally aren't reported to parents even if you're on their insurance, though billing practices vary. Ask your student health center about their billing and confidentiality before your appointment if that's a concern.
10. Emergency rooms & urgent care (for PEP, not PrEP)
Emergency rooms aren't typically where you'd start PrEP, but if you've had a potential HIV exposure in the last 72 hours, an ER or urgent care is the right place to get PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) — a 28-day course of HIV medication that can prevent infection.
After completing PEP, many ERs will then refer you to a PrEP provider for ongoing prevention. See our How to Get PEP guide. New York City also runs a dedicated PEP Hotline at 844-3-PEPNYC for after-hours access.
How to pick the right option for your situation
If you want the fastest option with no appointments
Telehealth (MISTR). You'll have a prescription in 24–48 hours and medication shipped to your door.
If you're uninsured and want brand-name Descovy or Yeztugo
Gilead Advancing Access (MAP) will ship it free if you're under 500% FPL. Call 1-800-226-2056.
If you're undocumented
Gilead Advancing Access (no SSN required, explicitly accepts undocumented residents), Illinois's PrEP4IL if you're in Illinois, FQHCs anywhere, and most telehealth platforms don't verify immigration status.
If you want in-person care
Start with an FQHC or LGBTQ+ community health center. Both offer sliding-fee scales and $0 is often available.
If you live in a PrEP-DAP state
The state program is often your most complete option because it covers labs and visits in addition to medication.
If you just had a potential HIV exposure
Skip PrEP for now — go to an ER or urgent care and ask for PEP. You have 72 hours. Start PrEP after your PEP course ends.
The ACA rule to remember
If you have commercial insurance, federal law requires your plan to cover PrEP, quarterly labs, and clinical visits at $0 — no copay, no deductible. If your insurer is charging you, they may be billing it wrong. See our PrEP Without a Copay guide for what to do, including a script you can send your insurer.
Bottom line
There's no single "best" place to get free PrEP — it depends on whether you have insurance, where you live, whether you want to be seen in person, and how fast you need it. But every U.S. resident has a free option, and usually several. The hardest part is knowing which door to walk through first.
If you're not sure, use our eligibility tool — four questions and we'll match you with every program that fits your situation.
Ready to start?
MISTR is the cleanest path for most people — $0 PrEP including medication, labs, and consultations in all 50 states. No insurance required, no in-person visit.
ANDR735
Using this code helps keep FreePrEP.org running and connects more people to free PrEP.
Get Started with MISTR →