PrEP Miami: How to Start in 2026

Table of Contents

• Quick Answer: Starting PrEP in Miami
• PrEP Eligibility Requirements
  • Who Qualifies for PrEP
• Step 1: The 7-Day HIV Test Rule and Baseline Labs
• Long-Acting PrEP Injection vs Daily Pill
  • Daily Pill: How It Works
  • Injectable Options: How They Work
• PrEP Assistance Programs for Uninsured Patients
• PrEP Follow-Up Schedule: What to Expect
  • The First 30 Days: What Most People Feel
  • Telehealth vs. In-Person: Which Fits You
• Where to Start PrEP in Miami-Dade and Broward
• Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: September 16, 2026

Quick Answer: Starting PrEP in Miami

PrEP Miami how to start comes down to four steps: confirm eligibility, get an HIV test within the last 7 days, complete baseline labs, then pick a daily pill or a long-acting injection. Starting PrEP Miami is that simple. Most partner clinics in Miami-Dade and Broward can complete all four in one or two visits, and many start with a telehealth appointment first.

PrEP, short for pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a medication taken by people who are HIV-negative to lower the chance of getting HIV through sex or drug use. It works best when taken on schedule.

Resumen en español: PrEP es un medicamento para personas sin VIH que reduce el riesgo de contraer VIH. En Miami, puede empezar con una prueba de VIH reciente, análisis de sangre y una receta, a menudo con una visita por video primero. Llame al 855-560-2280 o busque una clínica en RapidTesting Miami.

This is health information, not medical advice. Talk with a clinician about what fits your situation, and call 911 for emergencies.

PrEP Eligibility Requirements

Most adults and teens who are HIV-negative and at ongoing risk for HIV qualify for PrEP. A clinician makes the final call after a short health history.

Who Qualifies for PrEP

• Anyone with a partner who is living with HIV
• People who have had a bacterial STI in the past 6 months
• Men who have sex with men, and transgender people
• People who share injection equipment
• People who do not use barrier methods consistently

A medical history helps the clinician check for kidney issues, hepatitis B, and drug interactions. Most people who want PrEP can start it.

Step 1: The 7-Day HIV Test Rule and Baseline Labs

A negative HIV test within the last 7 days is required before starting PrEP. That is a CDC rule, and it protects patients: starting PrEP while already HIV-positive can lead to resistance.

At our partner clinics, the visit usually goes like this:

1. Rapid HIV test with results in minutes
2. Lab 4th-generation antigen/antibody test to confirm
3. Kidney function check, called creatinine clearance
4. Hepatitis B and STI screening
5. Pregnancy test where relevant

Window periods matter. HIV can take about 18 to 45 days to show on a lab test, syphilis about 3 to 6 weeks, and chlamydia or gonorrhea about 1 to 2 weeks.

Long-Acting PrEP Injection vs Daily Pill

Two forms of PrEP are available in 2026: a daily pill and long-acting injections. The right choice depends on schedule, privacy, and how a person feels about shots.

Daily Pill: How It Works

Generic emtricitabine/tenofovir, or the brand version, is taken once a day. It is easy to start, easy to stop, and refills are simple. Adherence matters: missed doses lower protection.

Injectable Options: How They Work

Cabotegravir is given every 2 months after two starter doses one month apart. Lenacapavir is given every 6 months after a lead-in. Missing an injection by more than about a month can mean restarting the schedule.

Option	How Often	Best For	Watch Out For
Daily pill	Every day	People who prefer a routine	Missed doses
Cabotegravir injection	Every 2 months	People who dislike daily pills	Clinic visits on schedule
Lenacapavir injection	Every 6 months	People with busy or irregular schedules	Lead-in doses first

PrEP Assistance Programs for Uninsured Patients

Cost is the top worry we hear, and there is good news. Under the ACA, PrEP and its required labs and visits are $0 with most insurance when billed as preventive care. That includes the HIV test, kidney function check, hepatitis B screening, and the quarterly follow-ups.

• Manufacturer assistance programs. The makers of brand PrEP and the injectable options run patient assistance programs that can cover medication for people who qualify by income. The clinic usually submits the paperwork for you.
• State and county programs. Public health programs in Miami-Dade and Broward help cover PrEP for people without insurance. Ask the clinic which program fits your zip code.
• 340B-supported pharmacies. Many partner clinics work with 340B pharmacies, which lowers medication cost for eligible patients. This is one reason our partner visits stay free or low-cost.
• Sliding-fee scales. If you pay out of pocket, most partner clinics adjust the visit fee based on income. Bring whatever proof of income you have, pay stubs, a benefit letter, or a bank statement.
• Medicaid and Medicare. Florida Medicaid covers PrEP. Medicare Part D covers the medication, and many plans cover the visits. A clinic navigator can check your plan before you commit.

You do not need to know which program you qualify for before you walk in. At our partner clinics, the front desk or a navigator screens you for every program you might fit and applies on your behalf. That is the part most online guides skip.

PrEP Follow-Up Schedule: What to Expect

Follow-up keeps PrEP working. On the pill, most people return every 3 months for an HIV test and STI screening. On injections, visits follow the dosing schedule. Booking the next visit before you leave the clinic is the single best way to stay protected.

Option	Visit cadence	What happens at the visit
Daily pill	Every 3 months	HIV test, STI screen, refill check
Cabotegravir injection	Every 2 months (after 2 starter doses 1 month apart)	Injection, HIV test, STI screen
Lenacapavir injection	Every 6 months (after lead-in)	Injection, HIV test, STI screen

The First 30 Days: What Most People Feel

The first month is when side effects may show up, and they are usually mild. In our experience at partner clinics, common patterns include:

• Nausea or stomach upset may occur in the first week or two, often fading within days
• Headache that may respond to water and rest
• Mild fatigue or loose stools
• Injection-site soreness for a day or two after cabotegravir or lenacapavir

Take the daily pill at the same time each day, with or without food. If nausea is the issue, taking it at night often helps. Ask the clinic before adding any over-the-counter remedy.

Telehealth vs. In-Person: Which Fits You

Many partner clinics start PrEP with a telehealth visit, then a quick lab stop at any office. Here is how to choose:

• Telehealth-first works well if you want privacy, have a busy schedule, or live far from a clinic. You do the video visit, then drop by for labs and a rapid HIV test.
• In-person works well if you want same-day start, need a full STI exam, or prefer to talk face to face. Walk-ins are accepted at all partners.
• Mixed is the most common: telehealth for the check-in, in-person for labs and injections.

Where to Start PrEP in Miami-Dade and Broward

Partner clinics across the area offer walk-in and same-day PrEP starts, in English and Español. A telehealth-first visit is often available, followed by a quick lab stop.

• Elite Wellness Club, Downtown Miami 33130: serves Downtown, Brickell, Overtown, 33130/33131/33129/33132/33136
• MedPlus Medical Center, Allapattah 33142: serves Little Havana, Wynwood, Liberty City, 33142/33125/33127/33147/33150
• MJD Wellness, North Miami 33161: serves North Miami Beach, Biscayne Park, 33161/33162/33181/33168
• Anuvia Medical Center, North Miami 33179: serves Aventura, 33179/33180
• Miracles of the Heart, Kendall West 33193: serves Kendall, The Hammocks, Tamiami, 33193/33186/33196
• First Class OBGYN, Miramar 33029: the Broward partner, 954-507-4494, serves Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Davie, Weston, 33029/33027/33025
• Survivors Pathways: multiple locations across Miami-Dade and Broward

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I qualify for PrEP in Florida?

You qualify if you are HIV-negative and at risk of exposure through sex or injection drug use. A clinician will review your medical history, test you for HIV within the past 7 days, and check kidney function and hepatitis B. At RapidTesting Miami partner clinics, most people can start the same day after a negative rapid test, with a lab 4th-generation antigen/antibody test confirming the result.

What is the 7-day HIV test rule for PrEP?

CDC guidelines require a negative HIV test within 7 days before starting PrEP. This makes sure you are not already infected, because taking PrEP during an undetected infection can lead to drug resistance. At our partner clinics, rapid HIV results come in minutes, and a lab 4th-generation antigen/antibody test confirms the rapid negative before your prescription is written.

Is PrEP free under the Affordable Care Act?

Under the ACA, most insurance plans must cover PrEP and its required labs and visits with $0 copay when billed as preventive care. This includes the daily pill and injectable options. If you are uninsured, manufacturer assistance programs and state programs can help cover costs. Many RapidTesting Miami partner clinics also offer free or low-cost visits through public health programs, so check with the clinic about your specific situation.

What is the difference between daily PrEP pills and injections?

The daily pill (generic emtricitabine/tenofovir or brand) is taken once a day and requires refills. Long-acting injections include cabotegravir, given every 2 months after two starter doses one month apart, and lenacapavir, given every 6 months after a lead-in. Injections mean fewer pharmacy trips but require clinic visits on schedule. Missing an injection by more than about a month can mean restarting the series.

How often do I need follow-up appointments for PrEP?

For the daily pill, follow-up is every 3 months with an HIV test and STI screening. For injections, you follow the dosing schedule: cabotegravir every 2 months, lenacapavir every 6 months. Booking your next visit before leaving the clinic is the single best way to stay protected. At our partner clinics, you can schedule follow-ups online or by calling 855-560-2280.

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Starting PrEP takes one test, one lab visit, and one prescription, and the hardest part is usually just booking the first appointment. RapidTesting Miami lists partner clinics in Downtown, Allapattah, North Miami, Kendall, and Miramar with hours, addresses, and online booking, so patients can match to the nearest one by zip code with a private SMS code. Use the Find a clinic tool at https://www.rapidtestingmiami.com or call 855-560-2280 to book at a partner clinic and start protection this week.