Support HIV Testing Day June 27

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. We encourage you to talk to your patients about being tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This year’s theme is Level up your self-love: check your status.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that patients between the ages of 13 and 64 receive an HIV test during their routine physical as HIV testing is a pathway to engage people in their care. When patients are aware of their HIV status, it can help them make choices to stay healthy, regardless of their test results.

To support this effort, we offer a Care Management program to help EmblemHealth members living with HIV/AIDS. This is a free service that helps members find community resources and navigate the health care system. You can refer your members to our HIV/AIDS Resources page for more information.

We ask our New York providers to consider registering for inclusion in the New York State Department of Health PrEP Prescribers directory. 

Here are other resources you can use and share with our members:

• NYSDOH Online Resources for Education, Information, and Services: guidance on HIV perinatal prevention, primary and specialty HIV care, and other related HIV treatment topics. 
• CDC HIV PrEP Resources: an online library of HIV resources, including HIV PrEP, which is a preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It may protect patients against HIV even if their partner has HIV.