By: Pepe Torres
Wesley Health Centers is a medical system of care that provides free services for low-income and uninsured people as well as those with insurance. Wesley Health Centers has locations across Los Angeles County and cares for everyone regardless of ability to pay. Wesley Health Centers provides medical and dental care, mental health counseling, eye glasses, chiropractic care and comprehensive HIV services including PrEP. Whether you have a cold or flu, seeking an HIV or STD test and treatment, or you are looking for a regular medical doctor Wesley Health Centers is there for you. You can make an appointment for services by calling the Wesley central appointment line at 562-867-7999.
PrEP is an important service which Wesley Health Centers offers. According to Phyllis Richardson, the organization’s program manager, if you are interested in getting linked to PrEP services, you can contact one of the PrEP Navigators at the location you are seeking to go which is listed below. Wesley Health Centers offers PrEP in East Hollywood, Bellflower, Pasadena, Lancaster and Palmdale.
What is PrEP and Why is important to consider taking?
PrEP is a proven method to prevent acquiring HIV infection from sex with a 99% success rate when taken as prescribed. PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis and is a highly effective medication used by HIV-negative people to prevent contracting HIV. It works by stopping the virus from establishing a permanent infection in the body.
Types of PrEP medications: PrEP is available in different forms, depending on your lifestyle, preferences, and medical history. One form is a pill which is taken by mouth every day and there are long-acting injectable options also. In fact, there are two long-acting shots, one which is given every two months and one given every six months or twice a year.
“It is quite amazing that I can take a shot every two months and not worry about contracting HIV infection,” says Ramon, who has been taking PrEP for more than a year. “For me I wanted to protect myself and I’m the kind of person who sometimes forgets to take a pill on time. The injection I get at my doctor’s office is better for me because I just make an appointment every two months and I don’t have to worry about it.”
Is PrEP for You? Who should consider taking PrEP?
Medical organizations like the CDC recommend PrEP for adolescents and adults who test negative for HIV but meet any of the following criteria:
• Sexual health: You have had anal or vaginal sex in the past 6 months and have a sexual partner with HIV, have not consistently used condoms, or have been diagnosed with an STI. Or, you have multiple sexual partners.
• Injection drug use: You share needles, syringes, or other equipment, or have an injection partner who is living with HIV.
• Emergency cycles: You have recently used multiple courses of PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) but continue to engage in behaviors that increase exposure risks.
Key considerations
• Prescription required: You must consult a healthcare provider to get a prescription. They will administer an HIV test beforehand to ensure you are HIV-negative, alongside checking your kidney health.
• Routine follow-ups: Users must undergo regular lab monitoring and HIV testing every 2 to 6 months depending on the chosen method of how you’re taking PrEP.
• No other STI protection: PrEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (like gonorrhea or chlamydia) or prevent pregnancy. Condoms are still recommended for full protection.
If you are interested in starting PrEP, but you need help getting it, understanding how it works and how to take it; or you need help with paying for the cost of the drug and medical care, Wesley Health Centers is there to help you. The Wesley PrEP team can answer your questions, get you signed up, connect you with a doctor and also help you get other services which the agency provides.
At Wesley, What to expect during the prep enrollment visit? During the first visit, the PrEP Navigator will explain all that will happen on the initial PrEP visit. This will consist of completing registration information, having vitals taken, and seeing a doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. The medical provider will do an examination, collect prep labs, provide a rapid HIV test and speak to the patient about what form of PrEP are they interested in, pills or injectables. Wesley offers both options. As mentioned earlier, there are two types of injectables, Apretude which is every two-months or Yeztugo, which is every six months.
Wesley helps people who are uninsured, have MediCal or Private Insurance. If a patient does not have insurance, the PrEP Navigator can get them enrolled into a California funded program called PrEP-AP. PrEP-AP also provides assistance for co-payments for insured patients that have extra costs attached to their insurance, which PrEP-AP will pick up the cost.