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Free PrEP in Ohio

Ohio's PAPI program covers PrEP-related costs at ≤500% FPL — including for undocumented residents. Equitas Health provides TelePrEP and 22 locations statewide.

Medicaid ExpandedPAPI Program (PrEP Assistance)3 EHE Counties

Fastest Path to Free PrEP

1
If insured (private)

PrEP is covered at $0 under ACA. Use the Gilead Co-Pay Coupon (1-877-505-6986) for any remaining costs. PAPI can cover copays too.

2
If on Medicaid

Ohio expanded Medicaid in 2014. PrEP covered as preventive service. Enroll: benefits.ohio.gov.

3
If uninsured

Apply for PAPI through Equitas Health (1-855-400-7737). Covers office visits, labs, and prescription copays at ≤500% FPL. Undocumented eligible.

4
Use Equitas TelePrEP

Ohio's largest LGBTQ+ health system. TelePrEP via MyChart with Zoom. At-home lab kits shipped to your door.

MISTR — Free Telehealth PrEP

Virtual consultations, at-home lab kits, and free medication delivery. Available statewide in Ohio.

Code: ANDR735

Using this code supports our mission of helping provide free PrEP to everyone who needs it.

Visit MISTR →

State Programs & Assistance

PAPI (Prevention Assistance Program Interventions)

Ohio's de facto PrEP assistance program. Covers office visit copays, lab work copays, prescription copays, and insurance premiums. Income ≤500% FPL. Undocumented individuals explicitly eligible. Enrollment through PAPI provider agencies.

Phone: 1-855-400-7737 (Equitas Health)

Website: ohiv.org/papi

Ohio Medicaid

Expanded in 2014. PrEP covered as preventive service. Generic TDF/FTC preferred; Descovy and Apretude may require prior authorization.

Phone: 1-833-491-0344 (Gainwell Pharmacy)

Ohio HIV/STI Hotline

Statewide navigation and referrals.

Phone: 1-800-332-2437

Clinics & Community Resources

Equitas Health (22 locations)

LGBTQ+ Health System

Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Athens + more

(833) 378-4827

Ohio's largest LGBTQ+ health system. Oral PrEP, Apretude, Yeztugo, PAPI enrollment. MOVe Health Center mobile outreach for rural areas.

Website →

AHF Columbus

AIDS Healthcare Foundation

815 W. Broad St, Suite 350, Columbus

(614) 223-1532

Free HIV care and PrEP regardless of ability to pay. Wellness Center at 1230 N. High St.

AHF Cleveland

AIDS Healthcare Foundation

2829 Euclid Ave, Cleveland

(216) 357-3131

Free HIV testing and PrEP.

Caracole

ASO

Cincinnati, OH

(513) 761-1480

PAPI enrollment, PrEP navigation, housing and support services.

Website →

PrEP2Me

Free TelePrEP

Serves Ohio, PA, WV

(412) 844-PREP

Completely free TelePrEP powered by Central Outreach. Virtual appointments + home lab kits.

Website →

Telehealth PrEP Options

Featured

MISTR

Free for most users

At-home lab kits, virtual consults, medication delivery. Available statewide.

Code: ANDR735

Using this code supports our mission of helping provide free PrEP to everyone who needs it.

Visit MISTR →

Equitas Health TelePrEP

Free (via PAPI)

MyChart + Zoom integration. At-home lab kits. Covers rural areas via mobile outreach.

Learn more →

PrEP2Me

Free

Completely free TelePrEP for OH, PA, WV residents. Powered by Central Outreach, PA DOH-funded.

Learn more →

Q Care Plus

Usually free

Gender-affirming telehealth. Free through assistance programs.

Learn more →

HIV & PrEP Data

866
New HIV diagnoses (2022)
25,419
People living with HIV
7:1
Black-to-white diagnosis rate ratio

Three EHE priority jurisdictions: Franklin County (Columbus), Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), and Hamilton County (Cincinnati) — together accounting for ~55% of Ohio's PLWH. Black/African Americans represent ~13% of Ohio's population but 47% of new diagnoses.

Know Your Rights

PAPI for Undocumented Residents

Ohio's PAPI program explicitly covers undocumented individuals. No immigration status requirement for enrollment.

Insurance Coverage

Private insurance must cover PrEP at $0 under ACA. Ohio Medicaid covers PrEP as preventive service.

HIV Criminalization

Ohio's laws remain among the more severe nationally — felonious assault charges possible for non-disclosure (up to 8 years) with mandatory sex offender registration.

Gender-Affirming Care

HB 68 bans gender-affirming care for minors and prohibits Medicaid coverage at all ages. Ohio Supreme Court heard oral arguments on constitutionality March 2026. Trans-affirming PrEP providers: Equitas Health, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio.

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Information sourced from state health departments, NASTAD, AIDSVu, and CDC surveillance data. Last reviewed April 2026. FreePrEP.org is an independent resource. Full disclosure