Georgia Coastal Health District

How to Get Started in Care for HIV

Those living with HIV who get into care and stay in care can prevent sexual transmission of HIV and improve their own health. Learn more about the basics of HIV prevention and how treatment can help you stay healthy and prevent transmission to others.

How to Get Started in Care

Call one of the Coastal Health District CARE Centers to set up an appointment. (Scroll down for contact info.) At your first appointment, you will meet with a linkage specialist who will connect you with a medical case manager and medical provider so you can get the services you need. 

What to Bring to Your Appointment

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Clients are required to bring the following to their first appointment:

1. Proof of HIV status. (If you don’t have proof of your status, a test will be administered at your appointment).
2. Proof of income (mandatory for services): paycheck stubs, SSI letters, etc. If no income, be prepared to provide a statement on how your living expenses are being met, i.e. family support, etc., and the intake case manager can do a notarized affidavit of poverty.
3. Proof of residency (paycheck stubs, SSI letters, utility bills).
4. Identification (driver’s license, birth certificate, social security card, prison ID).

If you have a copy of your medical records, bringing them to your first appointment may shorten the enrollment process. 

Financial Services

Care is provided on a sliding fee scale based on the client’s income. Eligible clients are enrolled in a drug assistance program (ADAP) for HIV medications and a financial assistance program (HICP) for health insurance. No one is denied services due to an inability to pay. Medicaid, Medicare, and most private insurances are accepted.

Case Management Requirement

You must meet with your Case Manager every six months to keep receiving any of our services.

Coastal Health District CARE Center Locations

Although every health department provides free, walk-in HIV testing, our CARE Clinics provide HIV treatment at three locations in the Coastal Health District.

Back to the HIV Program Page