Healthy Living
Medical Essentials offers a number of different services to help combat HIV and other STDs. However, we specialize in five different areas:
Prevention
Behavioral interventions, which have proven effective in reducing the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV. Ensuring people have the information, motivation, and skills necessary to reduce their risk continues to be important.
​HIV testing, which is critical in preventing the spread of HIV. Most people change behaviors to protect their partners if they know they are infected with HIV.
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Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention option that works by taking one pill every day. When taken daily it can greatly reduce your risk of getting HIV from sex and injection drug use.
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PrEp (Pre_exposure Prophylaxis) ia a daily pill
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PrEP is 99% effective are preventing HIV
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Requires tests
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PrEP is for HIV -negative people of any gender or sexual orientation at risk or concern of contracting HIV through sex or drug use.
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We prescribe PrEP
Comprehensive HIV and STI Testing
HIV Testing: We provide a confidential HIV rapid testing. By using a small amount of blood from pricking the finger with a lancet, results will be given in 10-20 minutes. If results come back Reactive or Preliminary Positive, a confirmatory test will be done through a blood draw. This will be sent to a laboratory that will screen for HIV antibodies.
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STI Testing: Sexually Transmitted Infection screenings are also provided at Medical Essentials. This includes Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis C and B.
Receive Treatment
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a short course of HIV medicines taken as soon as possible after exposure to HIV to help prevent the virus from infection.
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Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a prevention method given to people who test negative for HIV but take HIV medicine daily to reduce their risk of getting it if previously exposed to the virus. This treatment, however, is prescription only, if you think this is right for you, reach out to us.
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We also treat all known STIs with antibiotics. Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Hepatitis C and B are easily cured with these antibiotics. However, we recommend testing after antibiotics are completed to ensure the infection is gone.
Trained and Certified Counselors
Coming to terms with HIV or any STI/STD can be overwhelming. We offer counseling services to help come to terms with that. Trained and certified counselors can offer support on the diagnosis and offer resources/programs that help all patients regardless of ability to pay.
Follow Up
The care for Me* patients does not end when active treatment does.
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Ensuring patients are moving forward with the treatment plan, such as undergoing testing and taking their medications to increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.
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Participating in follow-up care with Me* helps many survivors feel in control as they transition back into their everyday lives. Keeping a medical support system in place is essential for maintaining physical and emotional health.
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PrEP Questions
PrEP is only for people who are currently not living with HIV. So, in order to get your prescription, you’ll need to first be screened for HIV and get some other lab work done as well. To stay on PrEP, you’ll need to have these tests done every three months. We will make things easy for you and walk you through the whole process.
We'll work to make testing as affordable as possible.
The Me* team is here to guide you.
Insurance coverage
PrEP is often covered by insurance. Ask your insurance company whether PrEP for HIV prevention is covered under your plan, and what your copay will be for each month’s prescription.
Without insurance coverage
We work with several payment assistance programs that subsidize some of the cost of PrEP – although not of lab testing.
Gilead's Advancing Access
Patient Advocate Foundation