Is the idea of booking a doctor's appointment and sitting in a waiting room the only thing standing between you and PrEP? We want you to know that you don't need to visit a doctor's office in person to get PrEP fast.
PrEP does require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider, but telehealth services can let you complete most or all of the process remotely. You can talk to a provider, arrange the required testing, and get a prescription if you're eligible, all without setting foot in a clinic (unless you get injectable PrEP).
Let's get into exactly how that works.
Want PrEP without the doctor's-office visit? Connect with a Freddie clinician.
Can You Get PrEP Without a Doctor?
It depends on what you mean by "without a doctor."
No healthcare provider involved at all? Not legally, no. PrEP is a prescription medication in the U.S., and a licensed provider must prescribe it. You don't need a specialist, but you do need someone with prescribing authority, which includes medical physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants (in the US).
No in-person visit to a doctor's office? Yes, thatâs possible through telehealth. Prescribers are allowed to handle PrEP screening, initiation, and follow-up entirely by phone or online consult. This telehealth process has become a normal part of PrEP care.
The reason a provider needs to be involved comes down to safety. Before you can start PrEP, you need some baseline health checks, including an HIV test to confirm you're HIV-negative. A provider reviews those results and decides whether PrEP is safe for you specifically. But they donât have to be in the same room as you (so you can get PrEPÂ discreetly).
How to Get PrEP Without Visiting a Doctor In Person
Here's what the telehealth process typically looks like:
Start with an online PrEP service. Find a telehealth service that offers PrEP care and sign up.
Complete an intake or health questionnaire. This gives your provider the health history and context they need before your visit.
Speak with a healthcare provider virtually. This can happen over video or phone, when it fits your schedule.
Complete the required testing. You'll need an HIV test, STI screening, and other baseline labs. With some services, youâll be able to self-test using a home lab test kit mailed to you with prepaid return shipping to a lab. Or youâll visit a local lab for testing.
Get a prescription if you're eligible. Your provider can prescribe PrEP once theyâve confirmed itâs safe for you.
Fill your prescription. Depending on the service and type of PrEP, you can pick up your medication at a local pharmacy or have it delivered.
Keep up with follow-up testing. PrEP isn't a one-and-done prescription â you'll need HIV testing roughly every three months (for oral pills) or two months (for injections). Telehealth makes these check-ins easy to keep up with, instead of something you have to physically schedule around.
Can You Get PrEP Completely Online?
Your PrEP consultations and follow-up visits can all happen online, except follow-up injections. Testing still needs a physical sample, but that doesn't mean going to a doctor's office. You can do the required tests through an at-home test kit or a quick stop at a local lab.
So, online PrEP doesn't mean skipping medical care. Online PrEP lets you get care in a way that fits into your life. Freddie can help you access PrEP easily, with an online intake, a trusted provider, testing that comes to you where possible, and the medication delivered to you.
Get PrEP without setting up an in-person appointment. Meet with a Freddie clinician online, when and where it works for you.
Can You Get PrEP Without a Prescription?
No. Both oral PrEP (Truvada, Descovy) and injectable PrEP (Apretude, Yeztugo) are FDA-approved medications that require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. There's no legal path to PrEP that skips a provider, but that provider doesn't have to be someone you see face-to-face.
Can You Get PrEP Over the Counter?
PrEP isnât available over the counter in the United States. You need a prescription for every FDA-approved PrEP option (pills or shots). The closest thing to an over-the-counter experience is telehealth, because thereâs no in-person exam or pharmacy counter conversation. You still need a provider and testing, but the process can feel as low-friction as ordering something online.
Can You Get PrEP Without Lab Tests?
Testing is required to start and stay on PrEP, no matter how you access care. Before you can start, you need an HIV test to confirm you're HIV-negative, since taking PrEP with an existing, undiagnosed HIV infection can lead to drug resistance. Your provider will also order a kidney function check and screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis B.
Many telehealth services can arrange an at-home test kit, which lets you collect samples yourself and mail them to a lab in a prepaid package. And once youâre on PrEP, youâll need to repeat HIV testing regularly to make sure itâs still working for you.
What If You Don't Have a Primary Care Doctor?
You can still get PrEP, even without having a regular doctor. There are a few options:
- Telehealth PrEP providers, like Freddie, where the process happens online.
- Sexual health clinics, which often specialize in this kind of care.
- Community health centers, many of which offer PrEP on a sliding payment scale.
- PrEP-specific programs, including a provider locator tool from Emory University if you want to find someone near you.
For a lot of people without a primary care provider, online care ends up being the most convenient option. You speak with a clinician whoâs already set up to prescribe PrEP, from a location thatâs convenient for you.
What If Cost or Insurance Is the Problem?
You have more options for reducing cost than you might think. Under the Affordable Care Act, almost all health insurance plans must provide PrEP without cost sharing. If you're uninsured, Gilead's Patient Assistance Program can help cover the cost of Truvada or Descovy for people who qualify, and state PrEP assistance programs can help cover medication, clinic visits and lab tests, or both.
Learn more about the cost of PrEP and insurance.
How to Get PrEP Online With Freddie
We created Freddie for when you need PrEP, but the traditional doctor's office process feels like a barrier. Maybe you feel embarrassed going into a physical clinic, want extra privacy, or donât have a primary care doctor at all.
Weâll help you get PrEP without an in-person visit, in a few simple steps:
1. Complete an online intake in less than five minutes.
2. Speak with a healthcare provider virtually.
3. Do your lab tests at home and send your test kit back for free.
4. Get your prescription mailed to you if you're eligible.
From there, ongoing PrEP care and testing are online too, so you can stay on PrEP without clearing your calendar for appointments.
If getting to a doctor's office is whatâs keeping you from starting PrEP, weâre here for you. Start your online assessment in just a couple of minutes with Freddie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get PrEP without seeing a doctor?
You need a licensed provider to prescribe PrEP, but you don't have to see them in person. Telehealth visits by phone or video are a normal part of PrEP care.
Can I get PrEP without a prescription?
No. PrEP is a prescription-only medication in the U.S., whether it's a daily pill or an injection.
Is it possible to get PrEP over the counter?
No; there is currently no over-the-counter PrEP option. You need a prescription for all FDA-approved PrEP medications.
Can I get PrEP in one day?
It's hard to promise a specific timeframe because timelines depend on your providerâs schedule, testing turnaround, and pharmacy availability. Telehealth speeds up the process compared to a traditional in-person appointment, since there's no waiting for clinic hours or availability.
Can you get PrEP without insurance?
Yes. If youâre uninsured, Gilead's Patient Assistance Program and state PrEP assistance programs can help cover the cost of medication, visits, or labs (depending on the program).
Do I need a primary care doctor to get PrEP?
No; you donât need an existing relationship with a primary care provider. Any licensed prescriber can prescribe PrEP, including those working for telehealth services, sexual health clinics, and community health centers.
Can I get PrEP online?
Yes, for oral PrEP. With Freddie, you can complete your intake, provider consult, and follow-up care online, with testing done with an at-home test kit. For injectable PrEP, youâll need to get the shots in person.
References
CDC â Clinical Guidance for PrEP
NIH â Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
PubMed Central â Research Article
NASTAD â PrEP Coverage Brief
NASTAD â PrEP Assistance Programs
â
