What is PrEP?
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a pill that can significantly reduce the risk of contracting HIV. PrEP is recommended for sexually active people to lower their chances of getting HIV from sex.
Those who should consider PrEP are people who have had anal or vaginal sex in the past 6 months and:
- Are in a relationship with someone who is living with HIV.
- Have had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past 6 months.
- Do not use condoms or use them inconsistently.
- Share injection drug equipment or have an HIV-positive injecting partner.
- PrEP Is also recommended for people who share injection drug equipment or have an injection partner who has HIV.
What is the PrEP pharmacy-based pilot program?
Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Public Health Seattle & King County are collaborating with select pharmacies located in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties on a pilot program to make PrEP more accessible in areas currently underserved. People interested in taking PrEP are now able to visit participating pharmacies and receive PrEP directly without a visit to a physician.
How to schedule an appointment with a participating pharmacy
Currently the pilot is in select pharmacies in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties and is ongoing through 2024. Pharmacies in areas with low or no access to PrEP are currently prioritized for the pilot.
- Schedule an appointment with a participating pharmacy
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Acts Pharmacy and Healthcare Services
1901 S. Union Ave, Building B, Suite 2011 Tacoma, WA 98405
- Schedule an appointment online at www.actspharmacy.com or call (253) 272-0324
- The PrEP Clinic is open Mon—Fri: 9 am—3 pm.
Payment and insurance options
- Medication and Lab Costs: Most commercial and managed Medicaid plans, Medicare, and PrEP Drug Assistance Program (PrEP DAP) are accepted.
- Note: the lab will bill the patient or patient's insurance separately for lab costs.
- Services (Consultation, etc) Costs: PrEP DAP, Premera, most commercial and Medicaid plans, and cash pay are accepted.
If none of those options are available, a patient navigator can assist. Contact AHF at Jerrale.Morris@AHF.org
Lakewood Safeway
10223 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499
- Schedule an appointment by calling (253) 581-7181
- The PrEP Clinic is open Mon—Fri, 9:00 am-9:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00am-6:00pm.
Payment and insurance options
- Medication and Lab Costs: Most commercial and managed Medicaid plans, Medicare, and PrEP Drug Assistance Program (PrEP DAP) are accepted.
- Note: the lab will bill the patient separately for lab costs.
- Services (Consultation, etc) Costs: PrEP DAP and cash pay is accepted ($35).
If none of those options are available, a patient navigator can assist. Contact AHF at Jerrale.Morris@AHF.org
Federal Way Safeway
1207 South 320th Street, Federal Way, WA 98003
- Schedule an appointment by calling: (253) 946-1505
- The PrEP Clinic is open Mon—Fri, 9:00 am-9:00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 am-6:00 pm.
Payment and insurance options
- Medication and Lab Costs: Most commercial and managed Medicaid plans, Medicare, and PrEP Drug Assistance Program (PrEP DAP) are accepted.
- Note: the lab will bill the patient separately for lab costs.
- Services (Consultation, etc) Costs: PrEP DAP and cash pay is accepted ($35).
If none of those options are available, a patient navigator can assist. Contact AHF at Jerrale.Morris@AHF.org
AHF Pharmacy
Cabrini Medical Tower: 901 Boren Ave., Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98104
- Schedule an appointment online at https://calendly.com/ahfrx/seattle or by phone (206) 624-1391.
- The PrEP Clinic is open Mon—Fri: 8:30 am-5:0 0pm (Weekend and evening hours available upon request)
Payment and insurance options
- Medication and Lab Costs: Most commercial and managed Medicaid plans, Medicare, and PrEP Drug Assistance Program (PrEP DAP) are accepted.
- Services (Consultation, etc) Costs: PrEP DAP and cash is accepted. The pharmacy will work with those who do not have insurance or cannot afford the costs of the program.
If none of those options are available, a patient navigator can assist. Contact AHF at Jerrale.Morris@AHF.org
How does the pilot work?
If you are interested in accessing PrEP directly, visit a participating pharmacy, where you can meet directly with a pharmacist to receive:
- Counseling and more information about PrEP
- Take a rapid HIV test
- Test for other sexually transmitted infections, renal (kidney function), and hepatitis B, and syphilis
- Receive a pregnancy test, if appropriate.
The pharmacist will discuss your medical history, provide counseling and education regarding PrEP.
After receiving these services, a pharmacist will directly prescribe PrEP.
The visit is estimated to take approximately one hour. Follow-up counseling and testing, after receiving PrEP will also be provided one month after your initial appointment, and every three additional months thereafter.
Protecting patient privacy
All services will be provided in a confidential setting, and the pharmacy can assist in protecting individual health information.
Paying for PrEP
There are very low-cost options for PrEP medications. Pharmacies can bill most insurance plans and assistance programs for PrEP medication costs. Pharmacies can bill some insurance plans and assistance programs for costs of clinical services, cash pay is also accepted. The lab can bill most insurance plans and assistance programs for lab costs.
PrEP navigators
If you have questions about accessing PrEP in your area or the PrEP pharmacy-based pilot program, contact a local Prevention Service Navigation Partner. They are knowledgeable about the resources and providers in your area. They can also support you in enrolling in a health insurance plan and other medication assistance programs” (note to add the link to the prevention navigation partners page).
Pilot project contacts
Sarah Stewart
Public Health-Seattle and King County
Email: sarah.stewart@kingcounty.gov
Phone: 206-447-9479
Michael Barnes, Infectious Disease Prevention Coordinator
Washington State Department of Health
Email: Michael.Barnes@doh.wa.gov
Phone: 360-810-1880