HIV Support & Health Navigation

We offer a range of services that help connect you to HIV treatment, benefits, housing subsidies, insurance, and more. We also offer free and confidential testing and treatment for sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis as well as hepatitis C.

People living with HIV have more treatment and support options than ever before. We offer a variety of HIV services to assist people living with HIV get into HIV care, start or re-start HIV treatment, get to undetectable and live a healthy life. We do not provide HIV primary care services.

Starting HIV Medications

One of the goals of HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) is to get your viral load down to undetectable levels. You’ll have better health if you’re undetectable, and you won’t transmit HIV to others. In San Francisco, health care providers aim to get people started on HIV medications the very same day they are diagnosed.

For people newly diagnosed with HIV at one of our testing sites, we offer rapid HIV treatment starts. If you are ready to begin treatment, we provide medication the same day of diagnosis.

Re-starting HIV Medications

If you have been diagnosed with HIV already, but are not taking HIV medications or are not in care, we can help you begin treatment and get back into medical care.

For assistance re-starting HIV medications, contact our Positive Force Health Navigation Team. Email pforce@sfaf.org or contact a team member.

HIV Meds for Emergency Situations

We can provide HIV medications to people who are running out of medications or otherwise don’t have access to their medication in some circumstances. If you are traveling in the Bay Area, and lose your medication or run out, stop in to see us at Magnet at Strut for assistance.

Living with HIV and in need of support? Having problems navigating insurance or other assistance programs? We are here to give you individual attention and help you take charge of your health and get the care you need.

Our services include:

• Case management
• One-on-one support
• Assistance with enrolling in and obtaining health insurance and benefits
• Referrals to healthcare providers
• Enrollment in AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and help with finding medications
• Assistance with housing, including emergency housing, and other basic needs
• Mental health referrals
• Support in obtaining identification
• Referrals to alcohol and/or drug treatment programs

All services are free and available to people living with HIV in the San Francisco Bay Area. Contact our health navigation team for more information.

For eligible California residents, the AIDS Drug Assistance (ADAP) program provides free HIV medications and payment assistance for people with private health insurance or Medicare Part D.

To be eligible for the ADAP program, you must:

• Be a resident of California;
• Have a positive HIV/AIDS diagnosis;
• Be at least 18 years old;
• Have an annual Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) that does not exceed 500% Federal Poverty Level based on household size and income;
• Not be fully covered by Medi-Cal or any other third party payers.

Many HIV providers can enroll you in ADAP. Ask your provider and learn more through our Housing & Financial Benefits services.

Friends, loved ones and other forms of social support not only improve your quality of life, they can help you through the tough times you might encounter. We have a variety of social support groups and events to help you meet new people, establish friendships and find a community of belonging.