Brooke
Lynn Hytes
Answer a few questions and book a free consult with a Freddie clinician (20-30 minutes)
Get some basic tests at your nearest lab so we can determine if PrEP is safe for you (it is for the vast majority of people!).
We'll help you figure out your testing site options.
Your results are reviewed by your Freddie clinician. If HIV PrEP is safe for you, your prescription will be delivered confidentially to your door!
Looking for details on a specific city? Check out our PrEP guides for Calgary and Edmonton.
Freddie makes HIV prevention medication easy by offering online care, financial assistance, and free discreet delivery.
Get Started TodayPrEP in Alberta is free for those with a valid Alberta health card who are deemed eligible by a clinician.
This coverage is provided through the government’s publicly funded PrEP program administered by Alberta Blue Cross.
However, some pharmacies still charge co-pays and dispensing fees. With Freddie, we'll cover these expenses so you can get PrEP prescribed and delivered for $0.
For a quick estimate of what PrEP would cost you, please pick the description that best matches your status below.
PrEP in Alberta is $0 through the government’s publicly funded PrEP program.
Freddie will cover pharmacy co-pays and dispensing fees to make sure that $0 doesn't increase.
Book a free consult with us and we'll help you get PrEP for $0!
First Nations individuals and Inuit may access PrEP at no cost through the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program.
PrEP is covered under NIHB even if a designated PrEP prescriber does not issue the prescription.
Freddie will cover pharmacy co-pays and dispensing fees to make sure that $0 doesn't increase.
Book a free consult with us and we'll help you get PrEP for $0!
The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) covers certain healthcare benefits (including PrEP) for resettled refugees, refugee claimants, and certain other groups until they become eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance.
Book a free consult with us and we'll help you get PrEP for $0!
The total cost depends on your existing insurance coverage.
If you have an Alberta health card, PrEP is free.
Usually, without insurance coverage or financial aid, monthly PrEP can cost about $250.
Freddie will provide you with financial aid to help lower this cost.
During our free consultation with you, we’ll help you verify your insurance coverage and find a path in which your PrEP is as close to $0 as possible.
For a more in-depth look, take our one-minute questionnaire now and
book a free consultation with one of our LGBTQ2S+ inclusive clinicians today.
In addition to helping you navigate public and private insurance, Freddie offers financial assistance programs to make PrEP as affordable as possible in two ways:
While PrEP is free in Alberta for those with a valid health card, co-pays and dispensing fees can increase this price.
No one likes surprises in the form of additional costs.
With Freddie's unique financial aid, we make sure that $0 stays where it's supposed to.
Did you just move to Alberta and are waiting for your provincial coverage to kick in?
Getting coverage for PrEP can take a few months. We'll help you get on PrEP for free in the meantime.
Freddie provides three months of free PrEP for those who qualify, so you can be protected right away.
Worried about the cost of PrEP stopping you? Our clinicians are here to help you get PrEP for free or as cost-affordable as possible.
Book a free consultation today and we'll answer all of your questions.
This program provides benefits for First Nations registered under the Indian Act and Inuit who are recognized by an Inuit land claim organization.
You can read more about this program here.
This program covers certain healthcare benefits for resettled refugees, refugee claimants, and certain other groups until they become eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance.
You can read more about this program's eligibility here.
This program covers anyone that has a Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) health card.
You can read more about this program here.
Most Freddie patients in Alberta get PrEP for free.
Let us help you make PrEP as affordable as possible.
We’re committed to reducing the transmission of HIV, even if it’s not through us!
We recommend you call ahead before visiting other clinics because:
1. Their availability can change.
2. Some clinics may not be accepting new patients.
3. Some clinics may not accept you without a referral.
Prefer to start your PrEP journey from the comfort of your home? Try Freddie for free today!
Try Freddie (it's free)It can be hard to talk about your sexual health. At Freddie, our inclusive clinicians “get” LGBTQ2S+ health. No judgement, no hassle.
With Freddie's unique financial assistance programs, the vast majority of patients in Alberta pay $0, including those who currently have insurance co-pays.
We'll work with you to find the lowest cost option.
All delivered prescriptions come in unmarked packages, so you do not need to worry about nosy neighbours or roommates.
Or you can pick-up from a local pharmacy.
No one should be made to feel uncomfortable about their sexual health.
Our medical staff provides affirming and evidence-driven care, without judgement.
There are 3 forms of PrEP medication approved in Alberta:
1. Name-Brand Truvada
2. Generic Truvada
3. Descovy
All three forms of PrEP are 99% effective in preventing HIV infection when taken as prescribed.
Truvada is a brand name PrEP medication developed by Gilead Sciences.
Truvada is approved for use in Alberta, but is not covered by provincial health plans.
As a result, out-of-pocket costs, even with private health insurance, can be as high as $800/month.
This is why Freddie focuses on offering affordable alternatives instead.
Generic PrEP, or “generic Truvada”, is the generic version of Truvada.
It has the exact same active ingredients and is also 99% effective at preventing HIV, but is a fraction of the cost.
In Alberta, provincial plans and almost every private insurance plan cover generic Truvada.
With Freddie, over 90% of patients get generic Truvada for free.
Descovy was developed by Gilead to lessen the (few) potential side effects associated with Truvada, particularly with kidney and bone health.
If you have private insurance, Freddie can help you get Descovy for free! Descovy is covered by most private insurance plans, and Freddie will help you get your co-pay waived by enrolling you in a financial assistance program.
However, if you do not have private insurance, the out-of-pocket cost of Descovy is ~$950/month. Descovy is not covered by provincial health insurance.
With Freddie, 85% of patients with private insurance get Descovy for free.
Due to differences in individual needs, it is important to refer to a healthcare professional and find out which option is best for you.
Yes, PrEP is covered for those with a valid Alberta health card.
Freddie covers pharmacy co-pays & dispensing fees to make sure that $0 doesn't increase.
If you have a valid Alberta health card, PrEP is usually free. Though some people still do pay co-pays and dispensing fees. Freddie’s financial assistance brings this cost down to $0.
With private insurance, PrEP is usually free for about 85% of patients through Freddie.
Without public or private insurance, the cost of PrEP is usually $250 per month. Freddie’s financial assistance brings this cost down to about $150.
PrEP is free for individuals who have a valid Alberta health card and 85% of patients with private insurance.
No, you cannot get PrEP without confidentially disclosing your medical information.
Medical information shared with Freddie remains confidential and will not be shared with anyone without your permission.
If an HIV-positive case is found during testing, this information is legally required to be shared with the local health department.
Yes, online PrEP clinics are required to hold to the same standard as in-person clinics.
Online PreP increases accessibility for individuals who live further from city centres. By reducing commute & wait times, PrEP is more attainable.
Freddie delivers PrEP in discreet packaging to your home! Though if you prefer, we can arrange for your prescription to be sent to a pharmacy of your choice to pick up privately.
Lab testing results and prescriptions are viewable to practitioners via a provincial-wide electronic medical record. If you have a family doctor, they can view this, though they would have to search through records to find it, which is not common practice.
If you use private insurance for a prescription with us and have other people listed on your private insurance, they may be able to see prescription receipts.
Please let your clinician know if you require discretion with your prescription, and we will accommodate to the best of our ability!
The quickest way to get PrEP immediately is to book a free virtual appointment with Freddie.
Our medical team is trained to work in LGBTQ2S+ health and has helped thousands of Canadian patients access PrEP for free.