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How much does PrEP cost?
Find out how to get PrEP at the lowest cost — and even for free.
The price of PrEP varies depending on the type of PrEP you're prescribed, the insurance coverage you have, and your access to financial assistance programs.
There are provincial and federal assistance programs that can reduce the cost of PrEP.
The generic form of PrEP is the most commonly prescribed version, and usually the most affordable.
The price of PrEP varies depending on where you live and what type of insurance you have.
There are provincial and federal assistance programs that can reduce the cost of PrEP.
The generic form of PrEP is the most commonly prescribed version, and usually the most affordable.
There are three forms of PrEP medication approved in the US:
Name-Brand Truvada
Generic Truvada
Descovy
All three forms of PrEP are 99% effective in preventing HIV infection when taken as prescribed.
Truvada is a brand-name PrEP medication developed by Gilead Sciences.
Truvada is approved for use in Canada but is not covered by provincial health plans.
As a result, out-of-pocket costs can be as high as $800/month.
This high cost is why Freddie focuses on offering affordable alternatives instead, such as Generic Truvada and Descovy.
Generic PrEP, or “generic Truvada,” is the generic version of Truvada.
Generic Truvada has the same active ingredients as name-brand Truvada and is also 99% effective at preventing HIV, but it is a fraction of the cost.
Because of this lower cost, generic Truvada is the type of PrEP most likely to be recommended when there is no coverage or financial assistance programs available.
With Freddie, most of our patients have the option of getting Descovy (the newest form of PrEP) for free.
Descovy was developed 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! Most private insurance plans cover Descovy, and Freddie will help you get your co-pay waived by enrolling you in a financial assistance program.
With Freddie, 85% of patients with private insurance get Descovy for $0.
Take our 1-minute PrEP questionnaire to learn how much PrEP will cost you ($0 for most) and book a free appointment to get PrEP now!
These are the provinces where Freddie is currently able to serve patients.
PrEP is available for no cost through the government’s publicly funded PrEP program administered by Alberta Blue Cross. To access PrEP for no charge under this program, an individual must:
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Be registered under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan
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Meet the Alberta PrEP eligibility criteria
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Receive their prescription from a designated PrEP prescriber
By choosing to get PrEP through Freddie, patients gain free access to virtual appointments & discreet delivery.
Start Free AssessmentDue to provincial regulations, Freddie can only serve BC patients with private insurance at this time.
With private insurance: Most patients with private insurance can get PrEP free from Freddie. Plus, you have the added benefit of gaining access to online care & discreet delivery.
Without private insurance: PrEP is free for BC residents enrolled under the province’s Medical Services Plan. Patients can get generic PrEP for free by physically visiting a doctor or clinic within The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS network.
With public insurance: PrEP in Manitoba is not covered by provincial assistance programs. Individuals who fit eligibility requirements for certain federal programs may be able to get the price of PrEP covered. Without any additional coverage, costs can be around $250,
With private insurance: Most patients with private insurance can get PrEP free from Freddie.
With OHIP, 24 years old and younger: $0
With OHIP, 25 years old and older, no private insurance: $150 per month.
No insurance: Same as above
With OHIP, 25 years old and older, with private insurance: $0; Most plans cover 80% of the cost, so insurance covers $200, and the patient pays $50. However, Freddie’s financial assistance programs lower the $50 cost to $0.
Without OHIP, with private insurance: Same as above.
In Ontario, the price of PrEP is covered for some residents automatically. For others, several other options are available to assist with the cost of PrEP for individuals without private insurance.
Ontario residents 24 years and younger are fully covered by OHIP+ as long as they are not on a private insurance plan. Anyone in this category can rest assured that they do not have to enroll or register to access OHIP+ coverage and will get PrEP for free. If they are 24 and under and on a private insurance plan, they can get PrEP for free through a mix of their private insurance coverage and Freddie’s financial assistance programs.
For Ontarians 65 years and older, coverage is offered under the Ontario Drug Benefit plan (ODB). Enrolment in ODB is automatic, and coverage begins on the first day of the month after turning 65 years old.
Residents of Ontario between and including 25 and 64 years of age may be covered under a private insurance plan through their employer or educational institution. For those who fit this age group and don’t have private insurance, there are a few different governmental options to consider before purchasing an individual private insurance plan.
Provincial aid is offered through Service Ontario for Ontarians with continuous or recurrent impairment or disability under the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). Under ODSP, a benefit member is eligible for drug coverage if income support is being paid on their behalf.
For Ontarians in temporary financial need, Ontario Works may be an option that provides support with health benefits and financial assistance for housing, food, and other living costs.
The Trillium Drug Program (TDP) is a government-run program that assists Ontarians 25-64 years old who are responsible for paying out-of-pocket for high-cost, recurring prescriptions. TDP will help cover prescription drug costs for all eligible household members. Though an application process is required, annual enrollment is automatic.
Our team has worked with 1000’s of Ontario patients. Book a free consultation now, and we’ll help you navigate insurance and financial assistance programs to find PrEP for $0 or as low-cost as possible.
For residents of Saskatchewan, PrEP is fully covered by the provincial government for individuals who are at a higher risk of coming in contact with HIV. During your initial consultation, your clinician will go through the criteria with you and determine your level of risk.
If you meet the criteria and have a valid Saskatchewan Health Card, PrEP will be available to you at no cost.
By choosing to get PrEP through Freddie, patients gain free access to virtual appointments & discreet delivery.
Eventually, Freddie hopes to serve all of Canada’s provinces and territories. We’re not established in the following provinces and territories yet, but here is a brief overview of what coverage looks like for PrEP across the rest of Canada:
PrEP may be covered under plans available to seniors, uninsured individuals, and social assistance programs, but co-pays may be required.
PrEP coverage is available through the provincial drug program, and some co-pays are defined by the program’s eligibility criteria.
The Northwest Territories provides universal coverage with no clinical criteria for PrEP.
PrEP in Nova Scotia can be covered through exception status via the Nova Scotia Family Pharmacare Program and requires enrolment in the Nova Scotia Family Pharmacare Program. Co-pays are defined by the family’s size and annual income.
Nunavut provides universal coverage through Extended Health Benefits for eligible Nunavut residents with a valid Nunavut Health Care card.
PrEP in Prince Edward Island is provided at no charge if approved by the chief public health office.
The cost of PrEP differs based on whether you have public health coverage through RAMQ or private insurance.
With private insurance: The cost of PrEP has historically been ~$50 per month (but it depends on the policy).
Without private insurance: If you are covered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ), the cost of PrEP is $95.31 per month unless you have received an exemption. That being said, if you already have recurring prescriptions that you are filling with RAMQ, the most you will pay to add on PrEP is the maximum fee of $95.31.
The Government of Yukon fully covers PrEP.
Get StartedLooking for more information on additional financial assistance? Your options include the following programs:
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The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) 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’s eligibility here.
The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) 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 covers anyone with a Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) health card.
You can read more about this program’s eligibility here.
Most Freddie patients get clinical support, at-home lab testing, PrEP prescriptions and discreet delivery all for $0.
Freddie partners with Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to offer all of our clinical services for free. These CBOs also partner with pharmacies that provide free prescription shipping, and can help you navigate your insurance plan.
PrEP is free with the majority of health insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act.
Thanks to Freddie’s partnership with CBOs, we are also able to offer all of our other clinical services – such as clinician appointments, at-home lab kits and ongoing support – for free.
Freddie has helped thousands of patients navigate insurance plans and financial assistance options to get PrEP at the lowest cost possible.
Most private insurance plans cover Generic Truvada or Descovy as PrEP. The vast majority of Freddie patients with private insurance can get Descovy, the newest form of PrEP with even fewer side effects, for $0.
For the most accurate cost estimate, take our 1-minute PrEP questionnaire.
The price of PrEP without insurance varies greatly depending on the prescribed drug.
Descovy and Truvada – the two PrEP drugs available in the U.S. – can both cost up to $2,000 monthly paid out of pocket. The generic version of Truvada costs approximately $60 for a month’s supply.
Even if you don’t have insurance, Freddie can help you work with a local clinic to get PrEP through an Affordable Care Act plan that could reduce your PrEP costs to $0.
Book an appointment with us to find out more!
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
Depending on where you live and your insurance coverage, PrEP can range from $0 to $250 per month.
To get the most accurate estimate for what PrEP would cost you, use this 1-minute PrEP cost calculator.
To get PrEP for free, you’ll need to find a trained clinician to navigate insurance coverage and financial assistance programs.
Freddie has helped over 22,000 patients better understand their options for free and affordable PrEP. Book a free consultation today to learn more about your options!
No, PrEP is not available over the counter. Getting PrEP requires a prescription from an approved medical provider like Freddie, a family doctor, or a sexual health clinic.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Caley Shukalek
Caley is passionate about evidence-based patient-centred care, including telemedicine that can provide high quality care from wherever a patient may choose.
He helped create some of the early PrEP guidelines and works as a specialist in General Internal Medicine with additional training in sexual health, including HIV and sexually transmitted infections.
Caley is passionate about evidence-based and patient-centred care, including high-quality telemedicine.
