Question
If I move to the US, how can I access HIV treatment?
27 September 2010. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, Travel.
Hi I have met a really nice girl in the US. I live in the UK. I am on meds and one day thinking of moving there what are my options as far as meds are concerned as I know you have to pay for them in the US. Are there any options that I would have as far as help with the cost of meds or would some sort of health insurance cover the cost or would the NHS still cover the cost of meds or help out with the cost of HIV treatment.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Visiting the US and moving there are different things. Regardless of your HIV status it is difficult to move to the US without a job or family already there. If you are to visit the US then you could speak to your doctors in the UK about the possibility of getting a supply of drugs for the length of time you will be away. As of January 2010, HIV positive people are allowed to visit the USA.
If you get a job in the US and are able to get a visa that way then your employers should provide you with health insurance. You should check that is covers HIV treatment.
If you have family there and want to apply for a visa through them then your need for a supply of HIV treatment may prevent your visa application from being approved.
The NHS won’t pay for HIV treatments accessed in the USA. If you were able to get a visa then you would have to get private health insurance which might be expensive.
For more information on US immigration please follow this link.
I want to visit USA for a year in fact will be doing one year learning is it possible to come with my 12 months treatment
Hi Haru,
We are based in the UK and provide information to the public. It is difficult for us to advise you properly because access to treatment in the US is specific and complicated. You could try contacting Project Inform and poz.com. The links are listed below.
http://www.projectinform.org/
http://www.poz.com/
Most people in the US try to pay with insurance and this is a very complex system. You can also try contacting Medicare and ADAP (AIDS Drugs Assistance Programmes). ADAP focuses on the quality and efficacy of programs that serve low-income, uninsured and under insured people, who do not have medical insurance for HIV. Their link is listed below.
http://www.idph.state.il.us/health/aids/adap.htm
These links were listed in this previous question about health insurance in the US.
Halo,
can a foreigner with hiv work in US? what about the treatment? how can it be accessed by foreigner with hiv in USA?
Thank you
Hi Sharon,
I think there are questions and interviews after being successful applying for the Diversity Visa Green Card lottery. HIV Travel says there are no restrictions on people living with HIV entering the United States.
But I hope you can find an answer at this link.
Hi beautiful people I applied for dvd American lottery visa ticket but I’m H. I. V, will it be a problem.
Hi Stryker,
Yes you can take 6-8 months worth of ARVs into the US, you will however need to have a letter from your doctor explaining why you are traveling with large quantities of medication. This is a precautionary measure.
Yes ARVs can be gotten in the US, and as you’ve noted you’ll need to have health insurance. You’ll need to contact your local HIV facility in the town/city where you will be studying, they should be able to advise you on how you can access medication whilst in the US. Student supports services should also be able to help you with this. You won’t need to tell them about your status.
I am an international student to begin my masters in public health and would definitely be under health insurance will it be stress free to take drugs for 6-8months to USA without any issues and are ARV gotten too?
Hi Sherry,
As Charlotte says on this question:
If you have family there and want to apply for a visa through them then your need for a supply of HIV treatment may prevent your visa application from being approved.
The NHS won’t pay for HIV treatments accessed in the USA. If you were able to get a visa then you would have to get private health insurance which might be expensive.
For more information on US immigration please follow this link.
Hi..i would like to ask you,im from malaysia and if i get married to US residents and move to stay in US,is it possible for me to get a HIV treatment there?and how..if it’s possible and i will accept his marriage proposal.Tqvm
Hi Sunday,
There are no current restrictions affecting people with HIV from entering or migrating to the United States. Please see here.