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PrEP in Reno: How to Get It, What It Costs and Who It Is For

Updated · Sources are cited in the text

PrEP in Reno: How to Get It, What It Costs and Who It Is For

This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

PrEP is medicine that helps prevent HIV. It is taken before possible exposure, which is where the name comes from: pre-exposure prophylaxis. If you live in Reno or elsewhere in Washoe County and you are wondering how to get PrEP, this guide covers the whole path. It explains who PrEP is for, the three kinds, what happens at the first visit, what it can cost and which local clinics list PrEP services.

PrEP is a health decision, not a verdict on anyone's life. People ask about it for many reasons, and every gender, orientation and relationship style is part of that picture. A clinician is the person who can say whether it fits your situation.

In this guide

Key takeaways

  • The CDC says PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99 percent when taken as prescribed. For people who inject drugs, the CDC says the reduction is at least 74 percent.
  • PrEP does not protect against other STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis, so regular STI testing still matters.
  • You need an HIV test before starting, and regular visits and tests while you take it.
  • The USPSTF recommends PrEP for people at increased risk of HIV. Under the Affordable Care Act, many insurance plans cover USPSTF-recommended preventive services without cost sharing. Check your own plan.
  • Several Reno clinics list PrEP services, including sliding scale fees and PrEP for uninsured patients. Prices are not published in the listings we reviewed, so call first.
  • Northern Nevada Public Health lists walk-in access, and Nevada Health Centers says walk-ins are welcome. Other clinics list appointments as required.

What PrEP is and how well it works

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It is prescription medicine for people who do not have HIV and want to lower their chance of getting it. A clinician prescribes it and monitors you while you use it.

How it works

The medicine builds protection in the body. If HIV ever enters, PrEP helps stop the virus from taking hold. That is why timing and consistency matter. The CDC explains that PrEP works best when it is used as prescribed.

How well it works

The CDC states that PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99 percent when taken as prescribed. The CDC also states that it reduces the risk of getting HIV from injection drug use by at least 74 percent. The protection is lower when doses are missed. No prevention tool works for everyone every time, so a clinician can help you plan around real life.

What PrEP does not do

PrEP is aimed at HIV only. The CDC is clear that it does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections. Condoms lower the risk of several of those infections, and regular testing finds them early. Bacterial STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are curable with treatment from a clinician. That is one reason PrEP visits include STI testing.

It is also different from PEP, which is post-exposure prophylaxis. PEP is a short course of medicine that a clinician can prescribe after a possible exposure, and it needs to start quickly. We cover it in the safety section below.

Who PrEP is for

The CDC's clinical guidance on PrEP describes who should be offered it. It focuses on specific situations rather than on identity. You do not need to fit a label to ask about PrEP.

Sexual exposure

The CDC says PrEP should be considered for sexually active adults and adolescents who have had anal or vaginal sex in the past six months and who meet any of these:

  • A partner who has HIV, especially if the partner is not on treatment or does not have a suppressed viral load.
  • A bacterial STI diagnosed in the past six months.
  • Inconsistent condom use with partners whose HIV status is unknown.

Injection drug use

The CDC also recommends considering PrEP for people who inject drugs and who share needles or other injection equipment, or who have a partner with HIV.

Anyone who asks

The CDC guidance adds that clinicians should prescribe PrEP to anyone who requests it, even if they do not describe a specific risk. The USPSTF, an independent national panel of health experts, recommends that clinicians offer PrEP to people at increased risk of HIV.

Couples and pregnancy

PrEP is also discussed for couples where one partner has HIV and the other does not, and for people who are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding. Those plans are best made with a clinician, who can talk through the options with you. If your partner with HIV takes treatment and has a suppressed viral load, a clinician can explain how that affects your choices.

Local context

Rates show why prevention matters here. According to CDC AtlasPlus data compiled by Stacker, Washoe County had 497.0 chlamydia cases per 100,000 people in 2021 (2,452 cases) and 213.6 gonorrhea cases per 100,000 (1,054 cases). The same source lists 45.8 per 100,000 for all non-congenital syphilis (226 cases). These are secondary-source figures from 2021, so treat them as a snapshot. A recent county HIV rate was not available in the sources we reviewed. Northern Nevada Public Health is the place to ask for current local data.

Daily, on-demand and injectable PrEP

There are three approaches. Which one fits depends on your body, your health, your routine and what a clinician recommends. This section describes them in general terms. A clinician decides what to prescribe and explains how to use it.

Daily oral PrEP

This is the most established option. It is a pill that a clinician prescribes for people who want protection through ongoing use. The CDC's 2021 guidance lists daily oral PrEP as an option for sexual exposure and for injection drug use. It requires regular lab monitoring and follow-up visits. For many people, linking the pill to something in the day, such as brushing teeth, helps it stick.

Your protection depends on how steadily you take it. If you miss doses often, tell the clinic without worry. They can help you problem-solve or choose a different type.

On-demand PrEP, sometimes called 2-1-1

On-demand PrEP is a different way to time the oral medicine around sex rather than every day. It is sometimes called the 2-1-1 approach. The CDC notes this option has been studied mainly in men who have sex with men, and the CDC describes it for that group only. The FDA has not approved this pattern as a labeled use. It is not described as an option for everyone.

If you are curious, ask a clinician whether on-demand use is a reasonable fit. The clinician will explain the timing in detail. Please do not try to work out a schedule from a website, including this one.

Injectable PrEP

Injectable PrEP is given by a clinician as an injection at the clinic instead of a pill you take on your own. The CDC lists it as an option, and the FDA has approved injectable products for this use. It can suit people who find a pill routine hard to keep up, or who prefer fewer things to remember. It still needs HIV testing before and during use, and visits are scheduled by the clinic.

Not every Reno clinic lists injectable PrEP. The directory listings we reviewed name PrEP in general rather than each type, so ask which options a clinic offers when you call.

Choosing between them

Questions that can help you and a clinician decide:

  • Do you want something you take yourself, or something given at the clinic?
  • How easy is it for you to keep a daily habit?
  • Do you have kidney, liver or bone health issues the clinician should know about?
  • Are you pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding?
  • What does your insurance cover?

How to get PrEP in Reno

Getting PrEP follows a simple pattern. You make contact with a clinic, talk with a clinician, get tested and, if PrEP is appropriate, receive a prescription or injection. You do not need to explain your life story to ask. Saying "I would like to talk about PrEP" is enough.

Step by step

  1. Pick a clinic. The list below shows Reno clinics that list PrEP services.
  2. Call and ask three questions. Do you offer PrEP? Do I need an appointment or can I walk in? What will it cost without insurance, or with my plan?
  3. Bring what you have. Bring an insurance card if you have one and a list of any medicines you take. If you do not have insurance, say so. Several clinics below list help for uninsured patients.
  4. Get tested and talk it through. The clinician will explain the lab tests, side effects and follow-up.
  5. Start and keep up with visits. PrEP is an ongoing plan with regular check-ins.

Reno clinics that list PrEP

The details below come from the CDC's directories of testing and prevention providers (CDC GetTested and CDC NPIN). Directory listings can be out of date and often leave out hours, so call to confirm before you go.

Northern Nevada Public Health Sexual Health Clinic

  • Address: 1001 E Ninth St, Bldg B, Reno, NV 89512.
  • Phone: 775-328-2470.
  • PrEP services: The CDC NPIN lists PrEP, PEP, doxy PEP and PrEP navigation. Another CDC directory lists PrEP navigation.
  • Cost: The CDC GetTested listing shows sliding scale fees, with insurance and Medicaid accepted. It says to contact the organization about eligibility. It also lists a free HIV test and a free STI test.
  • Access: Listed as walk-in. Hours were not published in the listings we reviewed.
  • More: CDC GetTested listing.

Community Health Alliance (two Reno sites)

  • North Valleys Health Center: 280 Vista Knoll Pkwy, Suite 107, Reno, NV 89506.
  • Nell J Redfield Health Center: 3915 Neil Rd, Reno, NV 89502.
  • Phone for both: 775-329-6300.
  • PrEP services: CDC GetTested lists PrEP for uninsured patients.
  • Cost: Sliding scale, with insurance and Medicaid accepted. Contact the organization about eligibility.
  • Access: Appointment required. Hours were not published in the listings we reviewed.
  • More: North Valleys listing and Nell J Redfield listing.

Northern Nevada HOPES, 5th Street Clinic

  • Address: 580 W 5th St, Reno, NV 89503.
  • Phone: 775-786-4673.
  • PrEP services: CDC GetTested lists PrEP for uninsured patients, along with HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis testing.
  • Cost: Sliding scale, with insurance, Medicaid and Medicare accepted. Contact the organization about eligibility. The listing also shows a free HIV test and a free hepatitis C test.
  • Access: Appointment required. The nnhopes.org site lists clinic hours of Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the page does not say which clinic those hours apply to. Confirm by phone.
  • More: CDC GetTested listing.

Nevada Health Centers, Willow Street Health Center

  • Address: 790 Willow St, Reno, NV 89502.
  • Phone: 800-787-2568, the main line listed by CDC NPIN.
  • PrEP services: CDC NPIN lists PrEP, PrEP navigation, STI treatment and testing.
  • Cost: Sliding scale, with insurance, Medicaid and Medicare accepted. Contact the organization about eligibility.
  • Access: CDC NPIN says appointments are recommended and walk-ins are welcome. Hours listed are Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed 12 to 1 p.m. for lunch.
  • More: CDC NPIN listing.

If you also want an STI and HIV test before or alongside the PrEP conversation, our local testing list compares Reno options by cost and access. You can also browse providers on CDC GetTested.

What HIV PrEP costs and how people pay

Cost worries stop many people from asking, so here is what can be said honestly. None of the Reno listings we reviewed publish a price for PrEP visits, labs or medicine. Anyone quoting you a single "Reno price" is guessing. The most reliable step is to call the clinic and ask what you would pay with your coverage, or without it.

The pieces of the cost

HIV PrEP cost has three parts:

  • The clinic visit.
  • Lab tests at the start and during follow-up.
  • The medicine or injection itself.

Ask about all three, because some programs cover one piece but not another.

Insurance and the Affordable Care Act

The USPSTF recommends PrEP for people at increased risk of HIV. Under the Affordable Care Act, most non-grandfathered private plans must cover USPSTF-recommended preventive services without cost sharing, and federal guidance has applied that to PrEP along with related lab tests and visits. Rules differ by plan type, so call the number on your insurance card and ask about PrEP coverage, the drug itself and any limits on which product is covered. Medicaid coverage can also differ, so ask the clinic or your plan.

If you are uninsured or have limited coverage

These local options are listed in the CDC directories:

  • Community Health Alliance lists PrEP for uninsured patients on a sliding scale. Call 775-329-6300 and ask about eligibility.
  • Northern Nevada HOPES lists PrEP for uninsured patients and a sliding scale. Call 775-786-4673.
  • Northern Nevada Public Health lists PrEP navigation, which is help finding and paying for PrEP. Call 775-328-2470.
  • Nevada Health Centers lists PrEP and a sliding scale. Call 800-787-2568.

A sliding scale means the fee depends on income and household size. Ask what paperwork the clinic wants.

Nevada assistance programs

Some states run programs that help with PrEP costs, and drug makers and federal programs have offered help too. The sources we reviewed do not list a specific Nevada state PrEP assistance program or its rules. Ask Northern Nevada Public Health or a PrEP navigator which programs you may qualify for right now, since these programs change. The HHS site at HIV.gov keeps current national information on PrEP and paying for it.

What happens at the visit: tests and follow-up

Knowing what to expect makes the first appointment easier. The CDC's PrEP guidance describes the main parts below. A clinic may adjust them for you.

Before you start

  • An HIV test. This is required. PrEP is for people who do not have HIV, and starting it with an undetected infection can cause problems. The clinician may ask about recent exposures.
  • Kidney function. The CDC guidance includes a kidney check for oral PrEP.
  • Hepatitis B and C tests. These help the clinician choose a safe plan and find out whether vaccination is useful.
  • STI testing. Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis testing is part of care. The type of sample depends on the kinds of sex you have.
  • A talk about your goals. Pregnancy plans, other medicines and past health history all matter.

About HIV test timing

No test detects HIV the instant after exposure. The CDC describes window periods for each type. A nucleic acid test (NAT) can usually detect HIV 10 to 33 days after exposure. An antigen/antibody lab test on blood from a vein can usually detect it 18 to 45 days after exposure. Rapid antigen/antibody tests done with a finger prick can take longer, usually 18 to 90 days. If you had a recent possible exposure, tell the clinician. They may suggest a different test, or talk about PEP. A result can only be interpreted by a clinician, and a negative test does not replace follow-up testing when the window has not passed.

After you start

The CDC describes follow-up visits about every three months for people taking oral PrEP, with repeat HIV testing and a check on how things are going. Injectable PrEP also includes HIV testing at visits. STI testing is repeated on a regular schedule based on your risk, and kidney checks continue for oral PrEP. These visits are also a place to ask about side effects, costs, or switching to another type.

Stopping PrEP

You can stop PrEP if your situation changes. Tell the clinician first, because they may advise you on timing and on testing afterward. This is especially important with injectable PrEP, where a clinician will explain how protection tapers off.

Side effects, other prevention and Nevada rules

Side effects

The CDC says most people have few or no side effects. Some people report an upset stomach, a headache or tiredness in the first weeks, and these often settle. Rarely, oral PrEP can affect kidney function or bone density, which is why labs are repeated. Injectable PrEP can cause soreness where the shot is given. If a side effect worries you, call the clinic. Do not stop on your own without telling the clinician if you can avoid it.

PEP: after a possible exposure

PEP is a different tool. The CDC says PEP should be started as soon as possible after a possible exposure, and no later than 72 hours. A clinician prescribes it. Northern Nevada Public Health lists PEP in its CDC NPIN entry. If you may have been exposed in the last few days, call a clinic or an urgent care or emergency department right away rather than waiting for a routine PrEP appointment.

Doxy PEP and bacterial STI prevention

In 2024 the CDC issued guidance on doxycycline taken after sex to lower the risk of some bacterial STIs for certain groups. A clinician decides whether it applies to you and prescribes it. It does not prevent HIV, and it is not a substitute for PrEP. The CDC NPIN entry for Northern Nevada Public Health lists doxy PEP. The CDC's separate doxy PEP directory lists only PrEP navigation for that clinic, so call to confirm what is offered.

Vaccines

Prevention visits can also cover vaccines. The listings for Northern Nevada Public Health, Community Health Alliance and Nevada Health Centers show HPV and hepatitis B vaccines. Ask about them at the same visit.

Consent for minors

Nevada law, in NRS 129.060, lets a minor give consent to examination and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, and to STD prevention services, from licensed providers such as a health officer, physician, physician assistant, registered nurse or clinic. Whether a specific clinic applies this to PrEP is a question for the clinic, so ask when you call. The Nevada Legislature publishes the statute at NRS Chapter 129.

Testing offers and reporting

Under NRS 441A.315, according to the Nevada Legislature, physicians, hospitals and certain providers must ask patients 15 and older whether they want STD testing, including HIV, in emergency and primary care settings, with some exceptions. Nevada communicable disease rules, in NRS and NAC Chapter 441A, also require providers and laboratories to report certain infections, including HIV, to the health authority. That reporting goes to public health. It is not about PrEP, and being on PrEP is not a reportable condition in the sources we reviewed. If you want to understand how reporting affects you, a clinician can explain it.

Questions people often ask

Do I have to tell a clinic everything about my sex life? Clinicians ask so they can pick the right tests, and nothing you say should be met with judgment. If a visit feels uncomfortable, you can say so or try another clinic.

Can I use PrEP and condoms together? Yes. Using both lowers the chance of HIV and other STIs.

Is it too soon, or too late, to ask? There is no wrong time to start the conversation. A clinician can tell you what tests and steps make sense for you.

Your next step

If PrEP sounds like it might fit, the easiest move is a phone call. Choose a clinic from the list above, ask whether you need an appointment, and ask what you would pay. If you want to check your HIV and STI status first, free and low-cost testing is available in Reno. The CDC's GetTested directory lets you compare providers, and Northern Nevada Public Health lists a free HIV test and a free STI test on its CDC listing. Ask the clinic about eligibility.

Sources