Currently, more than 100,000 New Yorkers are living with HIV and as many as 1 in 4 do not know they are infected. Recent studies indicate that HIV testing is more likely accepted if the member's health care providers recommend it as a part of routine medical care. Members generally do not admit certain risk behaviors and therefore "Risk-based" HIV testing often misses many people who should be tested.
The NYPCHP promotes early identification of HIV infection in members. Information regarding: screening tools for completing mental health assessments with regards to HIV; common screening tools for initial and routine HIV risk factors through administration of sexual behavior and substance and alcohol problems; and the availability of anonymous NYS, NYC counseling and testing service centers is available in the NYC DOH Compendium of Public Health Requirements and Recommendations. The Compendium is made available on the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene web site: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/hca/compendium-index.shtml.
Rapid HIV testing has been shown to increase the likelihood that people get tested and get their results. It is a preferred method for those members who providers feel may not come back to receive their test results when conventional testing is used. Results of rapid HIV tests are available within one hour, compared to the three to ten day lag needed to receive results from traditional HIV tests.
Rapid HIV testing is now available in all Health Department STD clinics. Please remember to offer your patients this option when counseling them on HIV/AIDS.
To offer anonymous HIV counseling and testing information, referrals or information on how to obtain a FREE HIV test without having to give a members name and without having to wait for an appointment a member may call 311 or one of the following numbers:
| Region | Toll Free# |
| Queens | 1-800-462-6785 |
| New York State DOH: | |
| AIDS Hotline | 1-800-541-AIDS |
| SIDA Hotline (Spanish) | 1-800-233-7432 |
| New York City DOH: | 1-800-TALK-HIV |
| AIDS Hotline | 1-800-825-5448 |
Partner Assistance Program (PNAP) and Contact Notification Assistance Program (CNAP) help members with HIV or AIDS inform their partners or contacts that they may have been exposed to HIV. An HIV test is recommended for notified partners. PNAP or CNAP services are free of charge and strictly confidential.
New York City (CNAP) - (212) 693-1419
NYPCHP ensures that our provider network is sufficient to meet the needs of our members with HIV. If necessary, prior-authorizations may be obtained if a member uses an experienced HIV specialist as a PCP or requires the consultation of an HIV specialist to non-HIV specialists serving as PCP. These requests are reviewed by the Medical Director's office and when approved, the requests are then forwarded to the appropriate departments for notification.
A listing of HIV practitioners and participating AIDS Designated Centers may be found in the NYPCHP Provider Directory which may also be viewed on the Plans website, http:/www.nyp.org/healthplan.
Direct assistance may be obtained by calling the NYPCHP:
- Outreach Coordinator, Digna Remache at 212-585-6365 or
- Provider Relations Department at 212-297-5510.
HIV Guidelines
For information on clinical guidelines, best practices, post exposure prophylaxis, quality of care improvement and other issues related to HIV/AIDS, health care providers should consult a website maintained collaboratively by the New York State Department of Health and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases: http://www.hivguidelines.org.
Health care providers may also consult recently published issues of the Morbidity and Morality Weekly Report (MMWR) at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr.
For information on STD/HIV prevention training, including use of Rapid HIV testing, for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician's assistants who provide clinical care for patients, please contact the STD/HIV Prevention Training Center at 212-788-7466 or NYCPT@health.nyc.gov.
