Most people with HIV in the United States pay $0 for their medication — through one of four programs that exist for exactly this reason. The hard part isn’t qualifying. It’s knowing which one to start with.
This tool asks four quick questions and points you to the program most likely to work for you — with the exact next step to take. No name, no email, nothing saved. About 45 seconds.
How this tool decides what to show you
The screener matches three things — your coverage type, your state, and your income range — against the major U.S. programs that help people pay for HIV medication, then lists them in the order most likely to work for you. It doesn’t decide whether you qualify; only the programs can do that. What it does is remove the hardest part: knowing where to start and what to actually do next.
It draws from the manufacturer patient assistance program (Gilead Advancing Access, which provides Gilead HIV medicines at no cost to eligible uninsured patients), manufacturer copay cards for people with commercial insurance, state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs for both the uninsured and the underinsured, Medicare Extra Help, Medicaid, the Patient Advocate Foundation’s TotalAssist copay funds (for insured patients), and Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program clinics. Where a program’s rules change often or vary by state, the tool sends you to the authoritative source rather than quoting a number that might already be stale.
- Help isn’t only for the uninsured. Most state ADAPs also help people who have insurance but can’t afford the copay, deductible, or premium.
- Income limits are generous. Gilead’s program reaches roughly 500% of the federal poverty level (a government income line — 500% of it is about $79,800 a year for one person in 2026); California’s ADAP goes to 600% — about $95,760 for a single person in 2026.
- You don’t need a prescriber first. A Ryan White clinic gives you the doctor and the enrollment help in one visit.
- Medicare counts too. Extra Help, plus a state ADAP that works alongside Medicare, can bring HIV drug costs down sharply.
Common questions
Can I get HIV medication for free if I have no insurance?
Yes. If you’re uninsured, Gilead Advancing Access provides Gilead HIV medicines — including Biktarvy — at no cost to patients who qualify, generally up to about 500% of the federal poverty level. Your state ADAP also provides free HIV medication to eligible residents, and Ryan White clinics provide free or sliding-scale care. This tool shows which to start with.
Can ADAP help if I already have insurance but the copay or deductible is too high?
Often, yes. Most state ADAPs help the underinsured, not only the uninsured — covering HIV medication copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, and in many states insurance premiums. ADAP pays after your insurance does, filling the gap your plan leaves. Confirm your state’s rules in the NASTAD ADAP Directory.
What is ADAP and who runs it?
ADAP is the AIDS Drug Assistance Program — federally funded through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and run by each state, so every state sets its own income limit and drug list. California, for example, covers residents up to 600% of the federal poverty level. All ADAPs require proof of HIV diagnosis, residency, and income.
Does this tool save my name, email, or answers?
No. Nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere. The tool runs entirely inside your browser — no account, no submission form, no logging, not even anonymous logging. Close the page and your answers are gone.
What happens to my HIV medication if I lose my job or my insurance?
You have options that prevent a gap. Your state ADAP can often enroll you quickly as uninsured, and in many states can pay a COBRA premium to keep your current plan. Gilead Advancing Access can supply medicine at no cost to eligible uninsured patients while paperwork processes. A Ryan White clinic can often help the same day.
Do I need a prescriber to use these programs?
Yes — every program needs a valid prescription, and most need your prescriber to complete a short form with you. If you don’t have one yet, a Ryan White clinic provides care on a sliding-fee scale and helps you apply for assistance at the same visit. Find the nearest clinic at findhivcare.hrsa.gov.
Why does the tool send me to another website for my state’s income limit?
Because state ADAP limits change, sometimes more than once a year — Florida’s changed three times in the first half of 2026. Rather than show a number that could already be wrong, the tool sends you to the NASTAD ADAP Directory, the source each state keeps current.
I have Medicare. Can I still get help with HIV drug costs?
Yes. Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources may qualify for the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy, also called Extra Help, which sharply lowers prescription costs. Many state ADAPs also assist Medicare enrollees, including with Part D premiums and cost-sharing. Manufacturer copay savings cards generally cannot be used by people with Medicare.
Is this a pharmacy, and are you giving me medical advice?
No. SunnyPharma is an independent, physician-reviewed health-cost-education resource — not a pharmacy and not a provider. This tool helps you find and navigate assistance programs. It doesn’t dispense medication, determine eligibility, or replace advice from your own doctor or case manager.
How we built this tool.
Program facts are verified against primary sources: the 2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines (single-person figure $15,960, effective January 13, 2026); the NASTAD ADAP Directory and April 2026 ADAP Watch; California ADAP eligibility (600% FPL) from the California Department of Public Health; Gilead Advancing Access documentation; and HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program data. State ADAP limits are deliberately not hard-coded because they change frequently; the tool routes to the official directory instead. The federal figures on this page (poverty guidelines, program income ceilings) are current for 2026 and should be reverified after the next HHS poverty guidelines are published, expected January 2027.
Read our editorial policy →Sources
- NASTAD ADAP Directory: nastad.org/adap-directory
- HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, Part B ADAP: ryanwhite.hrsa.gov
- HRSA Find HIV Care: findhivcare.hrsa.gov
- Gilead Advancing Access: gileadadvancingaccess.com · 1-800-226-2056
- Medicare Part D Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy), SSA: ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help
- California ADAP eligibility (600% FPL), CDPH Office of AIDS: cdph.ca.gov
- Patient Advocate Foundation — TotalAssist HIV/AIDS copay fund (check open/closed status): copays.org
- 2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines, ASPE: aspe.hhs.gov
Medical & eligibility disclaimer: Educational content only — not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a determination of eligibility. Program rules change; confirm current details with each program before acting. Consult a licensed healthcare provider or your case manager about your treatment.