Key Points
If you are living with HIV, there are resources that can help you find a health care provider, pay for your medicines, locate affordable housing, and get help with mental health issues.
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program is a federal program designed to help people with HIV get the medical care and other support services they need. Use this search tool from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to find medical providers in your area that participate in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
The HIV Testing Sites and Care Services Locator from HIV.gov can help you locate HIV testing centers, mental health services, medical centers that participate in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, housing assistance programs, and substance abuse treatment resources in your area.
If you have questions about HIV treatment or need help finding HIV treatment resources, HIVinfo health information specialists can assist you. Visit the HIVinfo Contact Us page to find out how to get in touch.
How Do I Find a Health Care Provider?
Health care providers are an essential part of successful HIV treatment. They prescribe HIV medicines and order tests to monitor their patients' health. People with HIV work with their health care providers to select an HIV regimen that works best for their needs.
The following resources can help you find a health care provider:
State HIV/AIDS Hotlines, from HRSA: If you need help finding a health care provider or HIV/AIDS-related services in your area, call your state's HIV/AIDS hotline. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) maintains a list of HIV/AIDS hotlines for the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Find a Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Medical Provider, from HRSA: The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides HIV treatment services to people with HIV who have no health insurance or who are underinsured. Use this search tool from HRSA to find medical providers in your area that participate in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
HIV Testing Sites and Care Services Locator, from HIV.gov: This search tool from HIV.gov can help you locate services in your area, including HIV testing centers, mental health services, medical centers that participate in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, housing assistance programs, and substance abuse treatment facilities.
Where Can I Get Help Paying for My HIV Medicines?
There are several resources that can help people with HIV get the medicines they need:
ADAP Directory, from the ADAP Advocacy Association: AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) make HIV medicines and other services available to people who are living with HIV and who do not have sufficient health insurance or who need financial assistance. The ADAP Directory is an online resource that includes current ADAP-related information from the United States and several U.S. territories.
NASTAD Membership Directory: Use the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors' (NASTAD) directory to find health care specialists who administer HIV health care programs in your state.
Ready, Set, PrEP, from HHS: The Ready, Set, PrEP program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides the HIV medicines that are used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) at no cost for qualified applicants.
Drug Companies: Some companies that make HIV medicines also have drug assistance programs. To find the contact information for the manufacturer of an HIV medicine, search for the drug in the ClinicalInfo Drug Database and then scroll down the drug fact sheet to the section titled "Manufacturer Information."
Where Can I Find Housing Assistance?
A stable living situation makes it easier for people with HIV to keep appointments with their health care provider and stick to an HIV regimen.
HIV/AIDS Housing, from HUD: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) manages the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program, which is designed to provide housing assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS and their families.
How Do I Get Help With Mental Health Issues?
Anyone can have problems with mental health, but people with HIV are more likely to experience some mental health conditions, such as depression, than people without HIV. Read the ClinicalInfo HIV and Mental Health fact sheet for more information.
Below are some places to find mental health treatment services:
SAMHSA is a U.S. government agency that offers resources for those looking for help with mental health problems or substance abuse. SAMHSA's treatment locator allows people to search for mental health and substance use treatment facilities in the United States. SAMHSA also operates a 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Help for Mental Illnesses, from NIMH: As part of HHS, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funds research on ways to prevent and treat mental disorders. Their website includes a resources page to help people find health care providers and treatment services, locate clinical trials, and learn more about mental health.
How Can HIVinfo Help?
If you have questions about HIV treatment or need help finding HIV treatment resources, HIVinfo health information specialists can assist you. English- and Spanish-speaking health information specialists are available. Contact HIVinfo by phone (1-800-448-0440) or email (ContactUs@HIVinfo.NIH.gov) for confidential assistance. For more information, visit the HIVinfo Contact Us page.
[Note from TheBody: This article is a cross-post of a page published by HIVinfo on Sept. 24, 2020.]