Your fastest path to free PrEP in California
Step 1: If you earn under 138% FPL, enroll in Medi-Cal — it covers PrEP at $0 regardless of immigration status. Call 1-800-541-5555.
Step 2: Apply for PrEP-AP if you're uninsured or underinsured (≤500% FPL). It covers medication, labs, visits, and STI treatment. Phone: 1-800-424-6812.
Step 3: Visit a pharmacy — trained California pharmacists can prescribe PrEP directly (up to 90 days under SB 339). No doctor visit needed.
Step 4: Use MISTR or other telehealth for home-delivered PrEP statewide.
MISTR delivers free PrEP across California.
MISTR provides $0 PrEP including consultation, at-home labs, medication, and monthly delivery for insured and uninsured Californians through 340B partnerships.
Start Free PrEP with MISTR →California PrEP programs
PrEP Assistance Program (PrEP-AP)
California PrEP-AP — the nation's largest state PrEP program
Covers medication (generic TDF/FTC, Descovy), labs, clinic visits, STI treatment, and vaccines. Also covers PEP. No prior authorization required for PrEP (prohibited by SB 159).
Eligibility: ≤500% FPL. Caseload projected at 11,746 for FY 2025-26 (near doubling from 5,324 in FY 2023-24). Generic Truvada added to formulary January 2025.
Medi-Cal
California expanded Medi-Cal to all adults regardless of immigration status in 2024 — the most expansive Medicaid program nationally. PrEP covered at $0 including labs and visits. Enrollment: coveredca.com or 1-800-786-4346.
Pharmacist PrEP prescribing
SB 159 (2019) + SB 339 (2024) allow trained pharmacists to prescribe up to 90 days of PrEP and ongoing refills with clinical monitoring. Medi-Cal reimburses pharmacist services. California was the first state in the nation to authorize this.
Clinics & community resources
Los Angeles
Largest LGBTQ org in the world. PrEP, HIV/STI testing, transgender care.
San Francisco
PrEP, testing, substance use services. Lost ~$500K in CDC grants but maintained all programs.
San Diego
Planned Parenthood operates throughout California with PrEP at most health centers. California has the largest FQHC network in the nation with 340B drug pricing.
Telehealth PrEP in California
These platforms ship PrEP medication directly to your door.
HIV in California
EHE priority jurisdictions
Seven California counties — the most of any state: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, San Diego, and Alameda.
Know your rights
Minors
California allows minors age 12+ to consent to STI prevention services. PrEP is generally interpreted to fall under this authority. Many providers prescribe PrEP to adolescents.
Undocumented residents
Full-scope Medi-Cal available regardless of immigration status (expanded 2024). PrEP-AP also serves regardless of status. Gilead Advancing Access has no immigration requirement. California is the most inclusive state for undocumented PrEP access.
Transgender individuals
California has strong nondiscrimination protections. Gender-affirming care protected by law. Trans-affirming providers include Lyon-Martin, LA LGBT Center, APLA Health, FOLX Health.
HIV criminalization
California modernized its HIV laws in 2017 (SB 239), reducing HIV-specific criminal penalties and removing the felony classification for HIV-positive sex workers.