For those who use PrEP to prevent HIV, Medicare announced that it is now covering the drug free of charge.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services determined that PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, “is reasonable and necessary” for the prevention of HIV in those at increased risk. And it will now be covered under Medicare Part B.
Jose Rodriguez Garcia is the Medical Director at Spectrum Medical Care Center.
"So this means that now that if people elect to be on PrEP, they'll be able to receive the medication at no cost, meaning there won't be no co-pays, no deductibles, or any type of co-payment," said Jose Rodriguez Garcia, medical director at Spectrum Medical Care Center.
Rodriguez Garcia says his clinic sees many older patients.
"So we always see many people who are 65 and up. I'll say around 20%-30% of our patient population that are receiving PrEP are [around] that age. I think last month, we did have a person coming in asking for PrEP, and we were able to put them on PrEP, and his age was 80."
PrEP is up to 99% effective in preventing HIV. Medicare open enrollment ends Dec. 7.
