Getting treatment
Keeping up to date with medical care is key to your health.
Our medical providers, nurses, pharmacists, mental health professionals, LINC navigators and case managers work together to ensure your HIV infection will have the least possible impact on your quality of life.
Medications
HIV infection is treated through a customized combination of medicine known as antiretroviral therapy, or ART. The ART regimen suppresses the virus and prevents it from spreading so your immune system can continue fighting infections. With daily medication, most patients reach undetectable viral levels in three to six months.
ART won’t cure HIV but should keep it under control. You’ll be responsible for taking this medication daily under the supervision of a doctor. Skipping doses increases the chance of the virus becoming resistant to your current regimen.
Pharmacy program
The VCU Ryan White Part C 340B Pharmacy Program provides access to medication through Curant Health, a mail-order pharmacy. Eligible patients receive free or deeply discounted medications, regardless of insurance. Patients enrolled at this pharmacy help generate program funds that are reinvested into HIV care and services at VCU.
Contact your assigned case manager or medical provider for more information about Curant Health.
Established in 1986, Virginia Commonwealth University Ryan White Program (VCU RWP) is the largest and broadest of its kind in Central Virginia.
Our mission is to improve the health and social condition of persons living with HIV and to prevent the spread of the disease. VCU RWP established its 340B Program in 2014. The prescription drug program has been a vital lifeline for safety-net providers to stretch scarce federal resources. Through 340B cost savings the VCU RWP has been able to offer a wider range of services and improve the quality of care for people living with HIV.
Since the inception of our 340B Program in 2014, we have more than doubled the staff and available services to meet the demand as the largest HIV provider in Central Virginia. 340B savings has enabled our program to provide medical and supportive services directly to Ryan White patients, including:
- Medication co-pay assistance
- Outpatient cost-share and co-pay assistance
- Labs cost-share and co-pay assistance
- Medical and non-medical case management
- Dental services
- Medication adherence
- Transportation
- Legal services
- Eye care
- Nutrition
The Health Resource and Services Administration reports that Ryan White recipients have increased outcomes, with 89.4% clients in Virginia achieving viral load suppression in 2020. If the VCU RWP were to lose 340B savings, the program would have to eliminate 83% of the services that are provided. Patients would either need to be waitlisted or referred to smaller community partners.
Additional information about our program:
- Approximately 2,200 patient have been served by 340B savings
- $3.1 million of cost savings in Grant Year 2021
- $418,000 in charitable contributions and prescriptions for the uninsured
- 73% of patients are 200% below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- 89.4% of clients in Virginia achieving viral load suppression in 2020
Services offered
- Outpatient and Lab co-pay assistance
- Medical Case Management
- Non-Medical Case Management
- Mental Health Counseling
- Psychiatry
- Nutrition
- Transportation
- Eye exams and glasses
- Housing
- Food
- Legal Services
- Medication Adherence/Nurse Education
- Support groups
Hepatitis C
About 30 percent of HIV patients have also contracted the hepatitis C virus. Co-infected patients may be eligible for assistance with HCV medication through the Virginia Department of Health. Learn more about Hep C from VDH.
I received care and support from VCU HIV Services throughout my pregnancy. The OB/GYN clinic provided medication, education and emotional support. Thanks to their help, my child was born without HIV.
M.M.