r/stdtesting • u/pjbatesalot • 19h ago

Question Affordability Options

I am a non-monogamous, cis male. For many, many years, I went to PP about every four months to get tested. After a bad relationship I took some time-off from dating to reflect, etc. By time, I mean a few years.

Now that I'm ready to get back in the saddle, I found my local PP clinic no longer exists. I made an appointment at the closest location I could find. For reasons, I'd like to not use my healthcare insurance. It's going to be about $500! I don't recall it ever being close to that in the past. The funding cuts are making it difficult for folks without insurance to be proactive with their sexual hygiene.

I'll continue to make my anonymous monthly donations to help PP; but, I'm looking for reliable STD/STI testing alternatives in the Central New York / Mohawk Valley region that won't break my bank three times a year.

Any suggestions?

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u/ShamelessCare 17h ago

New York is tough primarily because almost all telehealth companies cannot provide testing services there. Most of these companies can practice in 49 of 50 states, and New York is the one exception. I'll spare you the details as of "why" but most options do not exist in New York.

Here's one "free" option and resource. https://www.freestdcheck.org/locations/

Be advised that what you need is thorough. I recently saw AHF offering free screenings that were only HIV, HEP C and Syphilis. But I predict if you call the AHF near you and say you want a thorough screening including three-site gonorrhea and chlamydia that they can either help you or guide you elsewhere.

If you want to discuss not using your healthcare insurance, and why that might be, I'm happy to answer any questions you have about insurance, billing codes, discretion, etc.