Frequently Asked Questions

Choose a private telehealth visit, an appointment at the clinic or a community stop, or a mobile concierge visit. Every option is by appointment, one patient at a time. Location, timing, and availability vary, so contact Check Coast to confirm the best option.

Many evaluations can begin by private telehealth when clinically appropriate, and you must be in Florida for a telehealth visit. Testing and injections require an in-person visit. Your clinician will explain which parts of your care can be completed remotely.

Mobile concierge visits are by appointment. The service area and any concierge fee should be confirmed for your address before booking; contact Check Coast for current availability and total pricing.

Community days are listed for Thursday and Saturday mornings, 9–11 a.m., at Mothers Helping Mothers and in Newtown. Clinic appointments are listed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Schedules can change, so confirm the current location and hours with Check Coast before travelling.

PEP is time-sensitive. Call or text Check Coast at (941) 491-3903 to confirm whether an urgent clinician is available now. If you cannot reach a PEP provider immediately, go to an emergency department or urgent care that provides PEP. Do not wait for a website form or message response.

PEP should start as soon as possible after a possible HIV exposure and no later than 72 hours afterward. A prescribed course is typically taken for 28 days. Do not delay urgent medical care while waiting for an online reply.

You can tell the clinician which pharmacy you prefer. The care team can confirm that the pharmacy is open and able to fill the prescription; ask before leaving your visit, especially at night or on a weekend.

PrEP is medication taken before possible exposure to help prevent HIV. When taken as prescribed, oral PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99%, according to the CDC. PrEP does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections.

No. PrEP can be an option for anyone who may be exposed to HIV, including women, straight men, and people of every gender. You can ask a clinician about PrEP without having to justify your interest.

Long-acting injectable PrEP is an option for some people, but current Check Coast availability should be confirmed before booking. Ask the clinician whether an injection is available and appropriate for you; testing and follow-up visits are part of injectable PrEP care.

FDA-approved injectable PrEP options include cabotegravir (Apretude) and lenacapavir (Yeztugo). Their schedules, eligibility, and monitoring differ. Ask the clinician which options Check Coast currently provides and what follow-up testing each option requires.

DoxyPEP is doxycycline taken after sex to reduce the chance of some bacterial STIs for people who meet clinical guidance. It does not prevent HIV, and it is not appropriate for everyone. A clinician can discuss eligibility, timing, benefits, and risks.

Check Coast provides HIV testing and can discuss testing for syphilis, hepatitis C, and pregnancy. The test menu depends on current availability and visit location; ask which tests are available when you book. Confirm current chlamydia and gonorrhea testing availability with the team.

Check Coast offers free HIV testing at community days, by appointment at the clinic, and through concierge visits when available. No insurance or income paperwork is required for the HIV test. Confirm current locations and appointment availability before you travel.

Many results are ready during the visit. Check Coast’s rapid HIV test takes about 60 seconds; other test results may take a few minutes to around 30 minutes, depending on the test. Your clinician will explain when to expect any laboratory results.

A rapid HIV test may use a quick fingerstick, similar to a blood-sugar check. An oral-swab option may also be available. Ask the care team which test types are currently offered at your visit location.

Rapid HIV tests are reliable when used at the right time, but each test has a window period. A very recent exposure may not show up yet, so a clinician may recommend repeat testing. If the exposure was within 72 hours, ask about PEP immediately.

A reactive rapid screening result is not, by itself, a confirmed diagnosis; follow-up confirmatory testing is needed. Check Coast can help explain the next steps and connect you with HIV treatment. With effective treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives.

A negative result is reassuring for the test’s window period, but a recent exposure may require a repeat test. A clinician can help you choose a retesting date and discuss ways to stay HIV-negative, including PrEP.

A clinician can review prescription options such as sildenafil or tadalafil and determine what may be appropriate for you. Medication form and availability can vary by pharmacy and prescription; discuss your health history, other medicines, and preferences during a private visit.

A pill is swallowed, while a troche dissolves in the mouth. A troche may be a compounded medication; compounded drugs are not FDA-approved. Your clinician can explain how the options differ and whether a particular formulation is appropriate.

Sildenafil commonly lasts about 4–6 hours, while tadalafil can last up to 36 hours. Timing varies by person and dose. These medicines generally need sexual stimulation to work, and a clinician can explain when to take a prescribed dose.

Safety depends on your health and other medicines. ED medicines such as sildenafil and tadalafil must not be combined with nitrates, including nitroglycerin, because blood pressure can drop dangerously. A clinician should review your medications and health history before prescribing.

Sometimes. Erectile dysfunction can be associated with conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. A clinician can discuss whether blood pressure or glucose checks, or follow-up with another provider, may be appropriate.

An ED evaluation may begin by private telehealth when clinically appropriate. You must be physically in Florida during a telehealth visit. The clinician will decide whether an in-person assessment or testing is needed.

Delivery and packaging depend on the dispensing pharmacy. Ask Check Coast to confirm the current pharmacy, shipping method, and what appears on the package before a prescription is sent.

ED visit and medication prices depend on the service, prescription, pharmacy, and insurance. Ask Check Coast for the current visit fee and a medication estimate before booking or filling a prescription.

A clinician can discuss prescription options such as finasteride or minoxidil, in oral or topical forms when appropriate. Exact formulations and pharmacy availability should be confirmed during your evaluation before a treatment is prescribed.

Hair-loss treatment takes time. Some people notice less shedding after 3–6 months, while visible regrowth may take 6–12 months. Results vary, and consistent use as directed is important; a clinician can help set realistic expectations.

Hair maintained or regrown with treatment may be lost again over time after stopping. These treatments generally manage hair loss rather than cure its underlying cause. Ask a clinician before changing or stopping a prescribed treatment.

Possible side effects depend on the medicine. Finasteride can cause sexual side effects in some men; minoxidil may cause scalp irritation or temporary shedding at the start. Your clinician can review individual risks and what to do if a side effect occurs.

Yes. A clinician can discuss options suited to women and the possible cause of hair loss. Finasteride is not used during pregnancy and may not be appropriate for someone who could become pregnant; discuss pregnancy plans and medical history before treatment.

Neither form is best for everyone. A topical serum is applied to the scalp, while an oral medicine affects the whole body. Some topical products are compounded and are not FDA-approved. A clinician can help weigh convenience, risks, and your goals.

The total depends on the visit, prescribed product, pharmacy, and insurance. Ask Check Coast for the current visit fee and monthly medication estimate before starting treatment.

HIV testing at Check Coast is free and does not require insurance. Other tests may be free or billed to insurance, depending on the test and visit. Ask which tests are included and confirm current accepted health plans before booking.

PrEP costs vary by insurance, medication, laboratory work, and pharmacy. Many health plans cover PrEP-related care, but your share can differ. Check Coast can discuss lower-cost options; confirm benefits and any medication costs with your plan and care team.

No. Check Coast HIV testing is free, and you do not need insurance or income paperwork for that test. Other services and tests may have different costs, so ask before your appointment.

Ask Check Coast for the price before scheduling. If you are uninsured or paying out of pocket for scheduled care, you can request a written Good Faith Estimate of expected charges before treatment.

Check Coast handles health information under applicable federal and Florida privacy protections, including additional protections for HIV-related records. Ask the care team how records are handled, who may access them, and what information is shared for billing.

An insurer may send an explanation of benefits or other statement to the policyholder, which could reveal that care was received. If you are covered by someone else’s plan, tell Check Coast before your visit and ask about available privacy and payment options.

Enrolled patients can use Check Coast’s Spruce messaging for care-team communications. Ask the team how to enroll. Standard text messages may not be end-to-end encrypted, so avoid sending sensitive health details by ordinary SMS.