PrEP & PEP

With 2 options, accessing PrEP has never been easier!

We have also Partnered with Q Care Plus to Make Accessing PrEP Easy!

Q Care Plus makes accessing PrEP easy by providing flexible options like virtual provider visits with PrEP experts, convenient labs like at-home testing kits or in-person at traditional labs, and medications delivered right to your door.

The team at Q Care Plus also helps make PrEP affordable by working with community partners and foundations like ours to help cover the cost of visits, labs, and medications.

99% of patients pay $0 for their medical visits, labs, and prescriptions. Restrictions may apply*

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis – commonly known as PrEP – is used to keep people with at-risk lifestyles HIV-negative and PEP is an antiviral medication that helps prevent possible HIV infection after potentially being exposed. Palmetto Community Care’s goal is to make this program and medication free or low-cost for participants.

Everyone is at risk for HIV, and PrEP is for EVERYONE. We as a community can reduce the spread of HIV through increasing access. PrEP is more than a medication, it is a whole program and support system we offer to break down barriers when it comes to prevention.

Who qualifies for the PrEP program?

  • Age: Anyone age 16 years or older
  • Location: Living in Charleston, Berkeley, or Dorchester counties
  • Risk: Anyone who is sexually active or participates in high-risk behaviors

Is PrEP free of charge?

Health insurance is a definite benefit and helps for participation, but the program includes services and inclusion for those who qualify but are uninsured. While Palmetto Community Care cannot guarantee that all uninsured PrEP program clients will be eligible, the goal is to find a way for as many people as possible to participate in this life-saving program.

Participants will be required to complete quarterly lab blood work (free or reduced cost for participants), meet with a doctor quarterly, and participate in continued adherence counseling with Palmetto Community Care prevention staff.

Find Out If PrEP is Right for You

In Person

Come by the Prevention Office located at 5064 Rivers Ave., for a free, confidential HIV test and to discuss PrEP with one of our prevention staff members.

Office Hours 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday – Friday

Testing Hours 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday, and 7:30am – 12:00pm Friday.

Over the Phone

Can’t make it to our location, no problem! To participate in a quick phone screening call 843-747-8386

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

What is PEP?

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) means taking antiretroviral medicines (ART) after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent becoming infected.

When is PEP used?

PEP should be used only in emergency situations and must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV. If you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV during sex or through sharing needles and works to prepare drugs or if you’ve been sexually assaulted, talk to your health care provider or an emergency room doctor about PEP right away.

Need Help?

Please contact Truesdale Medical Center by calling 843-266-3870

Good health has everything to do with how well your life is going. We get that. That’s why Truesdale Medical Center is here to help patients manage everything from a pop-up illness to ongoing medical treatment. They are happy to treat you once, but we hope you’ll come back again and again, making our welcoming facility your preferred “medical home”