PrEP for HIV in Calgary, AB

Get free PrEP prescribed online & delivered discreetly in Calgary.

No more awkward doctor visits or hassle. Welcome to Freddie.

Calgary residents get PrEP for free with Freddie.

PrEP Clinic in Calgary, AB

Get free PrEP prescribed online & delivered discreetly in Calgary.

No more awkward doctor visits or hassle. Welcome to Freddie.

Calgary residents get PrEP for free with Freddie.

PrEP from the comfort of your phone

PrEP for HIV in Calgary, AB

Get free PrEP prescribed online & delivered discreetly in Calgary.

No more awkward doctor visits or hassle. Welcome to Freddie.

Calgary residents get PrEP for free with Freddie.

Brooke
Lynn Hytes

How to get PrEP in Calgary

With Freddie: 3 steps
With other providers: 10+ steps

find out if PrEP is for you with a short questionnaire
1.

Short questionnaire and phone call

Answer a few questions and book a free consult with a Freddie clinician (20-30 minutes)

visit a lab
2.

Complete your lab work

Get some basic tests in-home or at a local clinic 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.

get a PrEP prescription to your home
3.

Get your free prescription

Your results are reviewed by your Freddie clinician. If HIV PrEP is safe for you, your prescription will be delivered confidentially to your door!

HIV prevention meds shouldn't be a hassle

Freddie makes HIV prevention medication easy by offering online care, financial assistance, and free discreet delivery.

Get Started Today

Cost and price of PrEP in Calgary

PrEP in Calgary 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.

Valid Alberta health card holder
$0

PrEP in Calgary 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 individual or Inuit
$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!

Refugee
$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!

International student
$0 - $150

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.

Financial assistance and insurance support with Freddie

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:

Program 1: (Almost) Everyone with insurance pays a $0 co-pay with Freddie

While PrEP is free in Calgary 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.

Program 2: Three months of free PrEP while you wait for your coverage

Did you just move to Calgary 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.

Other financial assistance programs

The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program: Benefits for First Nations individuals & Inuit

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.

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP): Benefits for refugees and other groups

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.

The Treatment Benefits Program: Benefits for Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) health card holders

This program covers anyone that has a Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) health card.

You can read more about this program here.

See if you qualify for $0 PrEP

Most Freddie patients in Calgary get PrEP for free.
Let us help you make PrEP as affordable as possible.

Get PrEP for free

Freddie is the #1 PrEP provider in Calgary

Unfiltered and honest reviews!

Sexual health clinics in Calgary that offer PrEP [Alternatives to Freddie]

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.

Bonaventure Medical Clinic

3.9

Google Rating

(

14

reviews)

12427 Bonaventure Dr. SE Calgary, AB T2J 3N8

403-225-9499

Offers PEP:

3.9

CUPS Health clinic

Google Rating

(

reviews)

1001 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB TWR 1M4

4032218797

Offers PEP:

High River Hopsital

Google Rating

(

reviews)

560 9 Ave SW High River Hospital, Calgary, AB T1V 1B3

(403) 652-2200

Offers PEP:

Kingswood Medical

Google Rating

(

reviews)

7712 ELBOW DR SW Kingswood Medical, Calgary, AB

403-252-1111

Offers PEP:

MCI Doctor's Office

Google Rating

(

reviews)

1110 11 Ave. SW Calgary, AB T2R 0G4

4032699488

Offers PEP:

Metro City Medical Clinic

4.8

Google Rating

(

17

reviews)

#150-909 5 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3G5

587-430-0905

* Offers PEP

Offers PEP:

4.8

Metro Medical Clinic

Google Rating

(

reviews)

Metro City Medical Clinic #150-909 5 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3G5

587-430-0905

Offers PEP:

Pinnacle Medical Centres

3.6

Google Rating

(

30

reviews)

#125-4611 Bowness Rd NW Calgary, AB T3B 0B2

587-774-6400

Offers PEP:

3.6

Pristine Health Clinic

3.2

Google Rating

(

25

reviews)

#108-11420 27 St. SE Calgary, AB T2Z 3R6

(403) 800-2242

Offers PEP:

3.2

Sexual & Reproductive Health - East Calgary Health Centre

Google Rating

(

reviews)

4715 8 Ave. SE Calgary, AB T2A 3N4

(403) 955-1431

Offers PEP:

Sexual & Reproductive Health – Sheldon Chumir (Downtown)

5

Google Rating

(

3

reviews)

Sheldon Chumir Medical Centre, 1213 4 St. SW Calgary, AB T2R 0X7

(403) 955-6500

* Offers PEP

Offers PEP:

5

Sexual & Reproductive Health – South Calgary Health Centre

5

Google Rating

(

1

reviews)

31 Sunpark Plaza SE Calgary, AB T2X 3W5

(403) 943-9510

Offers PEP:

5

Sexual and Reproductive Health

Google Rating

(

reviews)

31 Sunpark Plaza SE, Calgary, AB T2X3W5

4039553368

Offers PEP:

Sexual and Reproductive Health - Downtown

Google Rating

(

reviews)

Sheldon Chumir Medical Centre, 1213 4 ST, SW Calgary, AB T2R 0X7

4039553368

Offers PEP:

The Alex - Community Health Centre

4.1

Google Rating

(

43

reviews)

#102-2840 2 Ave. NE Calgary, AB T2A 7X9

403-266-2622

Offers PEP:

4.1

Get PrEP for $0

Prefer to start your PrEP journey from the comfort of your home? Try Freddie for free today!

Try Freddie (it's free)

Why Calgary patients love Freddie

convenient healthcare

#1 in patient care

It can be hard to talk about your sexual health. At Freddie, our inclusive clinicians “get” LGBTQ2S+ health. No judgement, no hassle.

affirming & LGBTQ+ friendly clinicians

Free or low cost PrEP

With Freddie's unique financial assistance programs, the vast majority of patients in Calgary pay $0, including those who currently have insurance co-pays.

We'll work with you to find the lowest cost option.

free or low cost PrEP

Quick, discreet delivery

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.

Get the sexual healthcare you deserve

No one should be made to feel uncomfortable about their sexual health.

Our medical staff provides affirming and evidence-driven care, without judgement.

Get Started Today

Types of PrEP medication available in Calgary

There are 3 forms of PrEP medication approved in Calgary:

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 (Name-brand)

Truvada is a brand name PrEP medication developed by Gilead Sciences.

Truvada is approved for use in Calgary, 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 Truvada ("Generic PrEP")

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 Calgary, provincial plans and almost every private insurance plan cover generic Truvada.

With Freddie, over 90% of patients get generic Truvada for free.

Descovy

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.

Additional questions you may have

Where can I find the guidelines for prescribing PrEP in Calgary?

If you’d like to read Canada’s medical guidelines on prescribing PrEP & PEP, you can do so here.

Is PrEP Covered in Alberta?

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.

How do you qualify for PrEP?

To access PrEP, you need to obtain a prescription from an approved medical professional.

Freddie will help you determine if you qualify for PrEP by walking you through the following steps:

  • HIV risk assessment: By confidentially discussing your sexual history & health with our LGBTQ2S+ inclusive clinicians, we can determine if PrEP is a fit for your sexual health needs.
  • Lab Testing: In order to be approved to start PrEP, testing will need to be performed to confirm you're HIV negative and that your kidneys can healthily tolerate the medication (it's not an issue for the vast majority of people).
Can I get PrEP over the counter?

No, you cannot receive PrEP over the counter. You need a prescription first.

Does PrEP help against Covid?

No, there is no current evidence that taking PrEP benefits Covid immunity or recovery. 

There is also no evidence of interaction between PrEP and any Covid vaccines approved in Canada. There is no reason that being on PrEP should stop you from getting vaccinated, or that being vaccinated should stop you from being on PrEP. 

In fact, we encourage you to get the vaccine to protect yourself and everyone around you.

Is PrEP safer than condoms?

PrEP reduces HIV risk by 99% when taken as prescribed, but it does not prevent other STIs. 

Condoms, when used consistently and correctly, prevent the transmission of HIV by 98%. 

It is recommended to use both PrEP and condoms for maximum protection.

Can I transfer my PrEP prescription from outside of the region? Or do I have to start the process all over again?

That usually depends on what part of the PrEP journey you’re in.

Just tell your Freddie clinician about any history with PrEP and they’ll guide you through the next steps.

Convinced yet?

We're impressed that you made it this far. 😳

If this page hasn't convinced you yet, set up a free call with us and we'll address your concerns.

We really think you'll like us.

Book Free Consult