Services for People Living with HIV/AIDS

Living with HIV is much different now than it was in the early 1990s. For many people, new treatments and aggressive therapies have substantially slowed the progression of HIV to AIDS. That does not mean that living with HIV/AIDS is not a challenge, but it does not have to be overwhelming.

Vermont has an extensive network of AIDS services organizations (ASOs) and HIV-specific clinics for medical care around the state. The Vermont Department of Health also provides several programs that may be extremely helpful.

Early Intervention Program

If you just learned you are HIV+, this program can help by paying for your initial doctor’s visits and for medical tests that will give you a baseline of information about your current health. Any physician throughout Vermont can charge the program for costs related to these tests, so you will not be faced with large medical bills while also deciding what actions to take in making treatment choices.

Tests include screenings for viral load, to help you determine what your best treatment options are. You can also be tested for Hepatitis and TB and be immunized to prevent the flu and pneumonia at the same time. If you are a woman, you may also request a Pap Test and a pregnancy test during your doctor visit

See contact information below.

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The HIV/AIDS Medication Assistance Program (AMAP)

The HIV/AIDS Medication Assistance Program provides financial assistance for the purchase of prescription medications to Vermonters living with HIV disease who meet certain income guidelines. If you are eligible, this program will help pay for your treatment drugs whether or not you have private insurance.

Protease inhibitors and FDA-approved antiretrovirals are included in the FORMULARY (the list of allowable medications). New medications are added to the formulary through an approval process in consultation with the AMAP Advisory Committee, which is made up of consumers and medical professionals.

The HIV Dental Care Assistance Program (DCAP)

This program provides free dental assessments and offers additional preventative care, including cleanings and basic restorative treatments such as fillings. As with the Early Intervention Program, any licensed practitioner in Vermont can access this fund on your behalf.

Application Forms for AMAP and DCAP


See contact information below.

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The HIV Insurance Continuation Assistance Program (ICAP)

This program is designed to pay the insurance premiums for eligible individuals who, because of HIV/AIDS-related illness, are unable to continue working or who have had to reduce their hours of employment and are at risk of losing their existing health insurance coverage.

See contact information below for application forms.

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HIV/AIDS HRSA Part B Support Services

The Ryan White CARE Act

The federal Ryan White CARE Act provides coverage for health care and support services for people living with HIV disease. The program is named after Ryan White, an Indiana teenager who became an active public educator on HIV/AIDS after he contracted the syndrome. He died in 1990, the same year the legislation was passed.

To find out more about CARE Act programs in Vermont, call the HIV/AIDS Program at (802) 863-7245.

Additional information and resources

AIDS Service and Other Organizations Providing HIV/AIDS Services and Support

AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) are the backbone of support for people in Vermont Living with HIV/AIDS. They are independently operated and are staffed with both paid employees and volunteers. Through Ryan White Title II funding some services such as child care, respite care, nutritional support, transportation, substance use, mental health treatment and financial assistance can be accessed. In most instances these services can be accessed directly from the ASO, in other instances payments to third parties are made to service providers.

Other Services

In addition to the programs described above, the Director of HIV Services Programs is available to help you address concerns relating to your AIDS service organization or other HIV service provider. We encourage you to talk about your concerns directly with your provider. However, if you do not feel comfortable doing so, or if you feel your concerns have not been adequately addressed, you may contact us for assistance.

We also offer free screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and voluntary partner notification if you want to anonymously inform a sex or needle-sharing partner that they have been exposed to HIV or other STDs.

The AIDS Program also oversees the state’s anonymous testing systems, offering low-cost HIV counseling and testing at 15 sites around the state.

Dial 2-1-1

A health and human services information and referral program available for everyone in Vermont. This services helps you solve problems and links individuals and families with local, statewide, regional and nationwide resources.

More Information

To apply for any of these programs or to learn more about them, call 802-863-7245 or, from within Vermont, 800-244-7639.

All of these services are available confidentially and free of charge.

AIDS Hotline

Answered weekdays (except holidays), 8:30am to 4:30pm

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