The PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026 makes HIV prevention medications free and easily accessible to Americans by requiring health insurance plans to cover them without any out-of-pocket costs. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medication that prevents HIV infection in people at risk, and this bill ensures that insurance companies cannot charge copays, deductibles, or coinsurance for these drugs or the related medical services like lab tests and doctor visits needed to use them safely.

The law applies to virtually all health insurance in America—private employer plans, individual insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, military health coverage (TRICARE), Veterans Affairs, and Indian Health Services. Insurance companies are also prohibited from requiring "preauthorization" (getting approval before treatment) for HIV prevention drugs, though they can require it for a specific drug only if they offer a therapeutically equivalent alternative without preauthorization. Additionally, the bill makes it illegal for life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance companies to deny coverage, charge higher premiums, or discriminate against people simply because they're taking HIV prevention medication.

The bill also funds public education campaigns to increase awareness about PrEP and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis, used after potential exposure) and trains healthcare providers to prescribe these medications, with special focus on communities disproportionately affected by HIV. It establishes grant programs for states and organizations to expand access to these medications for uninsured and underinsured people. Finally, the law includes strong enforcement mechanisms, allowing people to sue in federal court if their insurance denies coverage, and requiring regular reporting to Congress on compliance.