Search gettested.cdc.gov for free or low-cost testing sites near you[2], or order free HIV self-tests by mail through CDC's Together TakeMeHome. Health departments, community health centers, and Ryan White–funded clinics are the most dependable free options in person. And if you do have insurance, HIV screening is already covered with no co-pay — so you shouldn't be paying either way.
The free options, ranked by reliability
CDC's position is that most HIV tests are available for free or at a reduced cost, and if you don't have insurance, some places offer free or low-cost tests[1]. The locator exists for exactly this search: gettested.cdc.gov lists clinics that provide confidential and free or low-cost testing[2].
HIV.gov is more specific about who gives tests away — people without insurance may be able to receive free tests from testing sites, health centers, and local health departments[5]. In practice, that's the order to work through:
- County or city health department — call and ask for the HIV or STD program.
- Federally qualified health center — findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov; health centers serve patients regardless of ability to pay and operate nationwide[6]
- Ryan White–funded clinic — findhivcare.hrsa.gov searches Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program medical providers[7]
- Community-based organizations, mobile units, and testing events — often the easiest same-day option; CDC suggests checking gettested.cdc.gov for local organizations handing out free or reduced-cost self-tests as well[1]
Free self-tests, mailed to you
CDC's Together TakeMeHome program mails HIV self-tests at no cost. Its stated eligibility: if you live in the United States (including Puerto Rico), are 17 or older, and have not ordered from Together TakeMeHome in the past 90 days, you can receive a pack of two HIV self-tests — one for you and one to share with a friend or partner[3]. Kits arrive in about 3 to 5 days in a discreet package[3].
The program launched with a goal of distributing up to 1 million free HIV self-tests over five years[4]. Supply and funding for mailed-kit programs can change, so treat this as "order one if kits are available" rather than a guarantee — HIV.gov describes free self-tests through the initiative as subject to availability, and notes local health departments and HIV service organizations may also provide free or low-cost self-tests[5].
If you want help or you're anxious while you wait, Together TakeMeHome lists support@together.takemehome.org and 628-899-4662, and points people to the Crisis Text Line at 741741[3].
Health centers and Ryan White clinics
These two networks are the backbone of free and sliding-scale testing in the U.S. HRSA's Find a Health Center tool locates federally supported health centers, which exist in all U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia[6]. They are built for people who are uninsured or underinsured, so testing there rarely comes with a surprise bill.
HRSA's Find a Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Medical Provider tool at findhivcare.hrsa.gov lets you search Ryan White medical providers[7]. Ryan White clinics are set up for HIV care and for connecting people to it immediately after a positive result — which is exactly what you want on the other side of a test.
Advocacy organizations also run free testing in many cities. Those programs come and go, so use the federal locators to confirm a site is currently operating before you travel[2].
If you have insurance, it's already covered
Plenty of people pay for HIV tests they didn't have to. Under the Affordable Care Act, HIV screening is covered by health insurance, including most Medicaid programs, without a co-pay[5]. CDC says the same: HIV tests are covered by health insurance without a co-pay[1].
If you get a bill for a routine HIV screening, call the billing office and ask them to reprocess it as ACA preventive care. Note that a test ordered because you have symptoms or a known exposure can be coded as diagnostic rather than preventive — ask how it will be coded before the blood draw if cost matters to you.
One caveat if you're taking PrEP
Free mailed self-tests are great for screening, but they are not the right tool for PrEP monitoring. Together TakeMeHome states it outright: HIV self-tests are not recommended for people on PrEP because of their lower sensitivity in detecting recent HIV[3]. CDC's self-testing guidance makes the same distinction between self-testing and the lab-based testing used to monitor people on PrEP[10].
If you're on PrEP, keep your every-3-month lab testing with your prescriber — those visits and labs are part of what insurance must cover at no cost to you. And whoever you are: a reactive self-test result is preliminary and needs a confirmatory test at a clinic or lab[10].
Florida: a second free kit, from the state
Floridians have a state option on top of the federal one. Florida DOH runs a free in-home test kit program: visit KnowYourHIVStatus.com to receive a free OraQuick In-Home Rapid HIV Testing Kit, mailed along with linkage-to-care and pre-exposure prophylaxis information[8].
The state describes the kit as free at-home HIV testing for Florida residents — a test valued at $45, at no cost to you, done at home: swab the inside of your mouth, set your timer, and find out your status[9]. The request survey is available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole[8], and the site walks you through what to do next either way[9].
Related questions
Who can order a free HIV self-test from Together TakeMeHome?
Anyone living in the United States, including Puerto Rico, who is 17 or older and hasn't ordered from the program in the past 90 days can receive a pack of two self-tests[3]. Kits arrive in about 3 to 5 days in a discreet package, when supply allows.
Is "free" testing actually free, or will I get a bill?
At health departments, community health centers, and community testing events it is generally free — CDC notes that if you don't have insurance, some places offer free or low-cost tests[1]. Search gettested.cdc.gov and filter for free or low-cost sites[2], then call the site and ask them to confirm before you go.
What happens if a free self-test comes back reactive?
A reactive self-test is a preliminary result that needs a confirmatory test at a clinic or lab[10]. Call a health department, community health center, or Ryan White clinic — findhivcare.hrsa.gov lists Ryan White providers[7] — and tell them you need confirmatory testing. Treatment starts fast now, often the same day.
Do free testing sites require ID or insurance?
Free sites are set up for people without insurance[5], and no federal page publishes a universal ID requirement — but policies differ site to site. Call ahead and ask what to bring. If anonymous testing matters to you, ask about that on the same call.
Related from RiseUpToHIV
References & Sources
- CDC — Getting Tested for HIV. Most HIV tests are free or reduced cost; some places offer free or low-cost tests for people without insurance; HIV tests covered by insurance without a co-pay; gettested.cdc.gov can show organizations offering free or reduced-cost self-tests. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
- CDC NPIN — GetTested testing locator. National search for testing sites, including many clinics that provide confidential and free or low-cost testing. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
- Together TakeMeHome — free HIV self-tests by mail (CDC-supported). Eligibility: U.S. residents including Puerto Rico, 17 or older, no order in the past 90 days, for a pack of two self-tests; delivery in 3 to 5 days in a discreet package; support email and 628-899-4662, Crisis Text Line 741741; self-tests not recommended for people on PrEP due to lower sensitivity for recent HIV. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
- CDC — Announcing the launch of Together TakeMeHome. Program goal of distributing up to 1 million free HIV self-tests over five years. ↩
- HIV.gov — HIV Testing Overview. People without insurance may receive free tests from testing sites, health centers, and local health departments; free self-tests through Together Take Me Home subject to availability, with health departments and HIV service organizations also providing them; under the ACA, HIV screening is covered including most Medicaid programs without a co-pay. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
- HRSA — Find a Health Center. Locator for federally supported health centers, present in all U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia. ↩ ↩
- HRSA — Find a Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Medical Provider. Search tool for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program medical providers nationwide. ↩ ↩ ↩
- Florida Department of Health — HIV Prevention Program (free in-home test kit). KnowYourHIVStatus.com provides a free OraQuick In-Home Rapid HIV Testing Kit mailed with linkage-to-care and PrEP information; request survey in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. ↩ ↩
- Florida DOH Know Your HIV Status — get a free home testing kit. Free at-home HIV testing for Florida residents using the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, described as valued at $45 and provided at no cost; oral swab with a timed result and next-step guidance. ↩ ↩
- CDC — HIV Self-Testing. How self-tests work, the need for follow-up laboratory testing after a reactive result, and the distinction from laboratory testing used for PrEP monitoring. ↩ ↩ ↩
Community publications like POZ, Positively Aware, and TheBody inform framing and lived-experience context on RiseUpToHIV. Every clinical, epidemiological, or public-health claim above is anchored to a primary source.