PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026

Key Points

• The bill would require nearly all health insurance plans — private, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, FEHB, TRICARE, and VA — to cover HIV prevention drugs (PrEP and PEP) at zero cost to patients, including the medication itself, lab tests, and follow-up visits.
• Insurance companies would be banned from requiring prior authorization for PrEP drugs, removing a common barrier that delays or blocks access to treatment. Plans can only require prior authorization for a specific brand if they offer a therapeutically equivalent alternative without such requirements.
• Life, disability, and long-term care insurance companies would be prohibited from denying coverage, charging higher premiums, or discriminating against anyone for taking HIV prevention medication — a protection that could reduce stigma around PrEP use.
• The bill protects patient privacy by ensuring that people on a family insurance plan can access HIV prevention services without the primary policyholder being notified, which is critical for young adults and others who may fear stigma.
• A new grant program would fund PrEP and PEP services for uninsured and underinsured people, with grants going to states, tribes, and community health organizations. A public education campaign would also target high-risk communities and train healthcare providers.