How to get PrEP quickly?

Ugggsee

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I want to get on PrEP but I’ve hit a wall, and I don’t know what else to try. I’m in Minnesota. I had an appointment with my doctor who referred me at the last minute because it was out of his scope. I understood the referral but I was less than thrilled with the last-minute notice; Friday at 4pm for a 9am Monday appointment. I made that appointment weeks ago, and the clinic has no availability in my time frame. Sept 29th I leave for a solo trip to Spain for two weeks.

This seems to be a complication: I want to self-pay. I make too much money for the pharma programs, and I will not use my insurance - this is non-negotiable, my employer is self-insured. That means I may have an insurance card, but they just process the claims and give my company the bill to pay after our copayment. They may not see the specific treatment, but they do see how much I costs them, that's not a risk I can take. They love that dehumanizing language of, “it’s just business.” It doesn’t matter if it’s illegal, it matters if you can prove it. (I need more than a new job, I need a new career but that's another topic)

This more than just medication, it’s a coping mechanism for an irrational fear. From age four to ten, I experienced three family members whither from AIDS. It was the 80’s and the sentiment engrained was: gay = death. Therapy has helped, but it stunted my 20's and 30's. It’s been over five years since I had any intimacy of any kind. I'm not trying to make up for lost time, but I'm also not trying to join a monastery, either.

I’d appreciate any suggestions specifically related to obtaining PrEP. Thank you!
 

LPSG Simon

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Is there an online pharmacy you could go to that might fit your schedule? Usually they just do the assessment over the phone and courier you the prescription.

If you want to self pay, you should just be able to take the scrip to any pharmacy (or give your credit card if you use an online one) and pull out your wallet instead of handing over your insurance info.
 
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bayleepeach

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PREP is extremely expensive to pay for out of pocket, but there are patient assistance programs that you can apply for. There are a lot of people in your situation with insurance and small employers.

Here are some HIV resources in Minneapolis. Good luck!

Red Door Clinic
Health Services Building
525 Portland Ave, 4th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55415

PrEP | Red Door

The Aliveness Project
17 E 38th St, Minneapolis, MN 55409

PrEP - The Aliveness Project

Hennepin Healthcare
Positive Care Center
HCMC
900 South 8th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Positive Care Center
 

LPSG Simon

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PREP is extremely expensive to pay for out of pocket, but there are patient assistance programs that you can apply for. There are a lot of people in your situation with insurance and small employers.

Here are some HIV resources in Minneapolis. Good luck!

Red Door Clinic
Health Services Building
525 Portland Ave, 4th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55415

PrEP | Red Door

The Aliveness Project
17 E 38th St, Minneapolis, MN 55409

PrEP - The Aliveness Project

Hennepin Healthcare
Positive Care Center
HCMC
900 South 8th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Positive Care Center
Is generic available in the US yet?