Non-occupational post exposure prevention

When you think you were exposed to HIV within the past three days

May 2007     View PDF     En español

Where can you get nPEP?

Federal Recommendations on using nPEP for non-occupational exposure to HIV were published in January 2005. These are available at www.ucsf.edu.

Currently nPEP is not routinely available at public health clinics or through federal reimbursement programs, like Medicaid. Only one state (Arizona) covers the cost of nPEP through its AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). In all other states, ADAPs only cover the cost of therapies to manage HIV disease, for people living with HIV, who are uninsured and underinsured and who do not qualify for Medicaid. Some health departments throughout the country support nPEP programs. (For more information about your state’s ADAP, contact your local or state Department of Public Health, or contact the Access Project at 1-800-734-7104 or visit their website at www.aidsinfonyc.org. Contact your local health department for information about nPEP programs in your area. Not all areas will have programs in place or guidelines.)

Currently, some people can get their insurance to cover the cost of nPEP and related lab tests. Because nPEP is considered experimental, a person’s ability to access it may vary dramatically. The kinds of factors that might influence a provider’s willingness to prescribe nPEP might include their knowledge about HIV and comfort level in prescribing and monitoring the effects of anti-HIV medication. The cost of 28-day nPEP regimens range from $300–$1,800, depending on the regimen, not including costs for lab work and follow-up visits to your doctor.

These sites make nPEP available:

San Francisco, CA and Bay Area
Together with the SF Department of Public Health, San Francisco General Hospital’s nPEP program has led the way in defining the issues about nPEP and making information available (415-487-5538). The San Francisco program also includes extensive HIV prevention counseling. nPEP and related lab work is provided free of charge to those who qualify.

Boston, MA
The Fenway Community Health Center (617-267-0900) has been providing nPEP to those seeking the option for over two years and they are currently in the process of establishing a statewide nPEP registry. These sites provide nPEP and related lab work free of charge to those who qualify.

Other non-occupational HIV PEP programs may be available through emergency rooms or local clinics. Your city or state depart­ment of public health may have more information about HIV nPEP programs in your area. This list merely reflects formal programs that we are aware of at the time of publication.