Stay Negative: PrEP and TelePrEP at Cooper
One way to keep healthy and prevent HIV transmission is a medication called pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. Taken as directed, and combined with safe sex practices, PrEP reduces your risk of contracting HIV by about 99%! Your options are a daily pill or an injection given in the office every two months.
Among its health services for the LGBTQ+ community, Cooper connects patients throughout New Jersey to primary care physicians who can prescribe PrEP medication virtually, through telemedicine. This program, called TelePrEP, gives you the flexibility to securely and confidentially connect with a provider through your smartphone, tablet, or computer to talk about and manage PrEP.
At Cooper, patients who are interested in PrEP may choose either an in-person or virtual visit with one of our participating primary care providers via the MyChart/MyCooper app. Whether you opt for an in-person or virtual visit for PrEP, patients at Cooper are seen every three months for:
- HIV testing (blood testing)
- Screening for sexually transmitted infections, or STIs via blood and urine testing as well as throat and rectal swabbing
- Medication prescribing
- Health counseling
Unlike other national telemedicine platforms for PrEP, Cooper’s program provides more comprehensive care by prescribing you treatment for an STD, if needed, rather than referring you to your primary care provider for treatment.
Most insurances – including commercial plans, Medicare, and Medicaid – cover the costs for the telemedicine visits, medication, and necessary lab work for PrEP. You are responsible for any primary care co-pay for your telemedicine visits, just as you would for an in-person visit.
Why You Should Consider TelePrEP
If you engage in any activity that puts you at a higher risk for contracting HIV, PrEP may be right for you. Higher risk activities include having unprotected sex or having been diagnosed with an STD in the past six months.
In addition, you should consider TelePrEP at Cooper if you are having trouble finding a primary care provider in New Jersey that prescribes PrEP or if you are have difficulty with transportation to/from a health care clinic.
Helping You Navigate Your Care
Whether you need community-based services, education, support, or advocacy, Cooper offers a Navigator upon request to help you on your health care journey. Our Navigator also provides patients receiving PrEP with ongoing services, and will assist you with your insurance questions and medical care questions and needs.
Meet Your Care Team
Justin Schweitzer, DO
Medical Director, LGBTQ+ Health and Primary Care at Cooper Care Alliance
Dr. Schweitzer is a primary care physician who has worked extensively to improve accessibility to health care for members of the LGBTQ+ community. He has worked with the New Jersey Department of Health to implement and launch TelePrEP, is knowledgeable in gender-affirming hormone therapy, and has been managing transgender and non-binary patients since 2018.
Lori Atkinson, MD
Primary Care Physician
Gabriela Chaviano, MD
Primary Care Physician
(Speaks English and Spanish)
Mara Gordon
Primary Care Physician
John W. Lowe, DO
Primary Care Physician
Jonathan Shulman, MSN, APN, FNP-C
Director, Cooper Care Alliance Advanced Practice Providers
Rosemary DeCicco, MS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Elizabeth A. Fletcher DNP, APN-BC, AAHIVS
Advanced Practice Nurse
Sharmila Galvelis, MSN, APN, CRNP
Advanced Practice Nurse
S. Ryan Kirker, MS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Lisa Kunkle, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Keyandria Jenkins, BA
PrEP Counselor
Make an Appointment
For more information or to make an appointment with one of our participating primary care providers, call 856.536.1515.