HIV Treatment

Getting Started with Treatment

I’m HIV+ how can HIV Alliance help?

People living with HIV/AIDS are eligible to enroll in Care Coordination with HIV Alliance, which is funded by the Ryan White Care Act. HIV Alliance serves people living in 15 counties.  Enrollment is voluntary and confidential.  

Once enrolled, Care Coordinators and RN Case Managers will help with planning and managing your healthcare. As a participant you will have the benefit of having access to a well developed information and service network within your community.  

The intent of our program is to improve your access to services and help you with many decisions involved in living with HIV. We take a holistic approach, understanding that all aspects of a person’s health & wellness should be addressed.

Getting Started with Care

Call 541-342-5088 or Toll Free 1-866-470-3419, or drop by any of our offices in Eugene, Roseburg, Medford, or Salem and ask for an Intake Coordinator. For questions about becoming a client or eligibility renewals for people living with HIV/AIDS contact intakecoordination@allianceor.org.

Your Intake Coordinator will help you:

• Schedule an appointment
• Complete and return intake paperwork
• Complete requirements for enrollment, such as income verification, proof of residency, and HIV verification.
• Set up Care Coordination Screening to create a plan for your care.
• Set up an RN Health Assessment to identify ways to improve your wellness.

Click to download PDFs of our information packet with more information:

• English Version: Client Information Packet
• Spanish Version (en español): Cliente Paquete de Información

For Community Partners

If you are assisting an individual living with HIV who wants to enroll into our case management services, please read the following instructions on how to begin our enrollment process.

To help your clients with a quicker enrollment process you can download the enrollment packet below. This packet consists of four documents clients need to read and sign before the enrollment process can begin – Informed Consent, Client Rights & Responsibilities, Notice of Privacy Practices, and Client Grievance Policy. Please also complete an Authorization for Use of Disclosure of Information between HIV Alliance and your agency.

Please note that this is not the entire Intake process. Clients will still need to speak with one of our Intake Coordinators to complete the enrollment process and submit additional documentation.

Submit signed forms to our Lead Intake Coordinator Johnny Garcia via fax, (541) 440-9665. Please include your contact information on fax cover sheet so we can reach out to complete the enrollment process.

• Enrollment Packet (English)
• Enrollment Packet (Spanish)
• Enrollment Packet (French)

Accessing HIV Treatment at HIV Alliance

HIV+ Care Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an income limit to receive care coordination services?

Anyone living with HIV may receive care coordination services, including medical case management. However, emergency financial assistance is limited to clients below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. You can find this information at https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines.

I was recently diagnosed with HIV and I don’t have insurance. What do I do?

There are many options. Our Care Coordinators will guide you through the process of enrollment for the insurance type you qualify for. 

I have health insurance but my co-pays are really expensive, and I can’t afford my medications. Is there any way to get help?

Yes, Our Care Coordinators can help you find assistance. One option might be Oregon’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which is called CAREAssist. CAREAssist can help you with the cost of premiums and co-pays.

I have insurance and am financially stable, but don’t know anyone else living with HIV. Where can I meet people that understand what I’m going through?

The HIV Alliance offers several social groups for people living with HIV/AIDS. Ask your Care Coordinator for the group details and event closest to you.

Why do people living with HIV/AIDS need care coordination services?

Many people living with HIV/AIDS face multiple challenges. This may include behavioral or mental health, addiction issues, and/or other medical diagnoses. In addition, HIV can be financially devastating, leaving people unable to work or with a reduced ability to earn income. This combined with the management of a chronic disease and the high cost of care leaves many with the need for additional support.

Do I have to be “clean and sober” to become a client?

No. We may recommend you kick the habit, but if you don’t want to, or are not ready, we’re still here to help. We embrace a harm reduction philosophy. This means that we understand not everyone is ready to quit, so we work with clients to help them take steps to reduce risk, such as providing new syringes so that a client does not feel compelled to reuse syringes or share syringes.

I just moved into town–how do I become a client?

Becoming a client is as easy as calling our agency at 541-342-5088 and scheduling an appointment with an Intake Coordinator.  Our program is voluntary and you can un-enroll at any time.

HIV+ Support Services

Care Coordination

Care Coordination at HIV Alliance helps people living with HIV/AIDS to stabilize and maintain their health through support, advocacy, referral services, and emergency financial assistance.

Many of our clients struggle to meet basic needs like housing, food, electricity and heat, and medication. We provide holistic care to meet all these needs, recognizing that physical health is dependent upon emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.

Care Coordination Includes:

• AIDS certified RN – Medical Case Management
• Medication adherence
• Nutrition counseling and education
• HIV education
• Monitoring of labs and explanation of medical conditions
• Liver health support
• Emergency Financial Assistance & Services
• Insurance Services
• Housing Services
• Dental Services
• Support Services
• Employment Services
• Medication Reminders
• Smoking Cessation

All clients have access to a care coordinator. If you are unsure who your care coordinator is please email carecoordination@allianceor.org to get connected with your assigned care coordinator.

Insurance Services

Our Care Coordinators and/or Application Assister will help you find the best option available to you, depending on your situation. There are many types of insurance available to people living with HIV, including persons who are also undocumented.  

Below is a list of the most common types of insurance. 

• Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid)
• Medicare
• Qualified Health Plans

There are also programs that can help you with the cost of insurance, medical care, and medications.  Below are a few, click on the name to learn more.

• Low Income Subsidy
• Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
• CAREAssist

Contact your Care Coordinator or the Application Assister for more information about insurance, and help covering the costs associated with your health and well-being.

Housing Services

The Oregon Housing Opportunities in Partnership (OHOP) is a project created to provide a continuum of housing and related supportive services opportunities for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families.  

Our HIV Care Coordinators work with OHOP throughout the state to help eligible clients and their families:

• Locate and/or secure suitable housing
• Identify other related community based resources that may be available to clients
• Provide information and referral to those resources
• Provide tenant based rental assistance through rental subsidy payments

Oak Program for Housing 

The Oak Program for Housing is The Alliance for Community Wellness’s supportive housing program. 

Who is Eligible?

Contact your Care Coordinator to learn more about program eligibility requirements. Generally, eligible individuals must:

• Have low or no income
• Be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
• Be actively engaged in ongoing HIV case management services

What Type of Rental Assistance is Provided?

Generally, OHOP can assist clients with:

• Move-in costs (security deposits, cleaning fees, etc.)
• Limited utility assistance
• Short-term or ongoing monthly rental assistance to help clients pay a portion (or sometimes all) of clients’ rent

OHOP cannot assist clients with application fees, utility payments, mortgage assistance, or other non-housing-related needs. Clients should work with their HIV Care Coordinator to address these needs.

Where Can Clients Live?

If OHOP clients need assistance finding suitable, stable rental housing, OHOP Housing Coordinators will work with them to do so. If clients are already in suitable, stable rental housing, OHOP housing coordinators are often able to work with clients to help them remain there. Generally, clients must locate and/or maintain rental housing that:

• Meets minimum housing quality standards
• Rents at or below fair market rent price
• Landlord who is willing to work with OHOP

Is There a Waiting Period?

Unfortunately, yes. There is a state-wide waiting list for this program.  It may take a while to get approved for financial services. Clients shouldn’t hesitate to get on other wait lists, which have different services and eligibility (Section 8, St. Vincent DePaul, Homes For Good).

Contact your Care Coordinator for more information. If you need help finding a Care Coordinator in your county, call the Oregon Department of Human Services HIV Care and Treatment Program office at 1-800-805-2313 or see the full list of HIV Case Management agencies by county at the DHS HIV Care and Treatment Program website.

Dental Services

HIV Alliance and Lane Community College Dental Clinic have partnered to provide HIV-specific, high quality, and consistent dental care to eligible clients. Services provided to clients through this partnership may include the following:

• Cleanings
• Fillings
• Extractions
• Dentures
• Emergency treatment
• Root Canals
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Partials/Flippers

Benefits of accessing services through the LCC Dental Clinics include:

• Shorter wait times
• Familiar staff
• HIV trained providers
• Dental Case Management
• Travel Assistance (based on eligibility)

Accessing Free Dental Care

Dental services through HIV Alliance are available for those who have no or limited dental insurance. In order to access HIV Alliance free dental services you must be below 300% of Federal Poverty Level. Dental funding is limited and may not cover all types of care. HIV Alliance works hard to find services that meet the needs of the client and are within our funding abilities. When possible HIV Alliance will refer you to the LCC Dental Clinics.

The Dental Clinic’s primary location is in Eugene, Oregon but also provides services throughout the state of Oregon. For clients that need to travel to access services, transportation and travel lodging may be available.  If you have health concerns and traveling to the Dental Clinic would be a hardship, dental services may be available in your area. 

Contact your Care Coordinator for more information on accessing this service.

Support Services

At HIV Alliance we know that clients often struggle with things like isolation and desire to meet others with HIV.  Our Social Support programs are intended to help clients get the peer support they need. Services include:

• POZ (HIV+) Groups
• Care Packages
• Holiday Parties & Other Social Events

These events are offered weekly, monthly and seasonally in counties throughout the region. Visit the Events Calendar for more information.

Employment Services

The employment program at HIV Alliance provides clients with specialized employment and financial planning.

Program participants gain access to:

• Continuous support through job search, application, and placement
• Skill-building workshops and classes
• Resume, cover letter and supplemental material assistance
• Professional attire and transportation assistance
• Interview preparation
• Assistance to overcome barriers to work (criminal history, addiction, disability, work gaps)
• Ongoing workplace support to ensure success on the job

As well as information on:

• Career exploration
• Returning to school, locating training programs, and available financing for education
• Where to look for jobs
• Budgeting and financial assistance
• Impacts to benefits (SSI/SSDI, SNAP/food stamps, Section 8)
• Accessing tax benefits

Do you have specific questions about what the HIV Alliance employment department can do for you? Would you like to schedule an appointment? Contact intakecoordination@allianceor.org  and someone will be in contact with you soon!

Pharmacy Case Management Services

Our Pharmacy Medication Adherence program is available to clients with a referral from the Medical Case Manager. Our clinical pharmacists provide consultations to clients who need help managing their medication needs and improving their medication adherence. Some of the things our pharmacists help clients with include:

• Medication assessment
• Medication consultation
• Medication aids
• Assistance managing side effects
• Medication education
• Case consultation with physician

Contact your Medical Case Manager for a referral to the pharmacy program.

Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U)

The science is clear: individuals living with HIV who take antiretroviral therapy (ART) and achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load (defined as <200 copies/mL and also known as viral suppression) for at least six months do not transmit HIV to their sexual partners.

In 2016, the Prevention Access Campaign, a health equity initiative with the goal of ending the global HIV pandemic and HIV-related stigma, launched the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) initiative. More than 800 organizations from over 100 countries have now overwhelmingly endorsed the U=U initiative. HIV Alliance and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) are proud to endorse this initiative.

Visit the Oregon Health Authority’s webpage on U=U to learn more.

Privacy Policy

You can review our privacy policy here (English version, Spanish version)