NORWALK-BASED CENTER RECEIVES GRANT

Circle Care Center recently announced that it has received a grant in the amount of $50,000 from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation to support its new comprehensive HIV prevention and sexual health program for uninsured people.

The new program was launched in May 2023 and will cover all out-of-pocket expenses for 35 uninsured patients for comprehensive sexual health care and the HIV prevention treatment pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for 12 months. This program includes quarterly STI testing, quarterly provider appointments, an annual physical exam, annual physical lab panels and 12 months of HIV prevention medication.

While drug manufacturers offer pa- tient assistance programs to help cover the cost of HIV prevention medication for uninsured patients, barriers still exist that prevent uninsured people from accessing this important service. Appointment fees, required quarterly lab testing and STI testing and treatment can sometimes present unexpected out-of-pocket costs that might prevent an uninsured patient from remaining on this treatment, which requires quarterly testing and provider visits. With the support of the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation, Circle Care Center’s new program aims to eliminate all of these potential financial barriers to ensure that uninsured patients can access HIV prevention treatment for zero out-of-pocket costs for at least 12 months. If the program is suc- cessful, Circle Care Center intends to seek funding that will extend its duration and expand the program to reach more people in the future.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must live in Fairfield County, be between the ages of 18 – 50, be currently uninsured, make less than 250% of the federal poverty limit, and be a member of a group considered to have an elevated risk of being exposed to HIV such as men who have sex with men, gay, bisexual, queer and transgender people, intravenous drug users or women of color. Applicants can find more information and apply to participate in the program on Circle Care Center’s website at circlecarecenter.org/ prep-grant-program-2023/.