East Bay Getting to Zero

Rapid ART

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HIV Testing and Rapid ART

(Same-day HIV antiretroviral therapy)

Streamlined work flow for non-HIV providers

Updated 5.26.2022

Purpose: To provide HIV treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis; ideally on the same day as disclosure and at least within the same week. Studies have shown that rapid antiretroviral treatment (ART) increases viral load suppression rates and reduces mortality/morbidity.

Testing for and diagnosing HIV:

  • Send a lab-based HIV antigen/antibody serum test with reflex confirmation (Quest 91431 or LabCorp 083935). If confirmed positive, it is diagnostic for HIV.
  • And/or conduct a rapid HIV test. If positive, draw and send the confirmatory test (antigen/antibody and/or viral load) and consider offering rapid ART if the result is positive with high probability of HIV based on clinical impression and/or S/CO ratios. 
  • If you suspect acute HIV infection (exposure in the past 4 weeks or less), also send a lab-based HIV RNA viral load test (Quest 40085 or LabCorp 550430).
  • ICD-10 billing code for HIV testing: Z11.4

Disclosing and prescribing Rapid ART:

  • Disclose:
    • “Your test shows that you (have/probably have) HIV.” (pause)
    • “We’d like to offer you safe and effective treatment today. How do you feel about taking medications?” (pause and listen)
  • Labs- add on, draw or order these labs if not already done:
    • CMP
    • CBC
    • urine pregnancy test if there is pregnancy potential
    • ICD-10 billing codes for HIV care: B20 (symptomatic) or Z21 (asymptomatic).
  • Ask 3 screening questions to rule-out previous ART, crypto, TB and PCP if patient wants ART:
    • “Have you ever taken HIV medications other than Truvada before?”
      • If yes, be sure to get a genotype and consult or do a warm hand-off to an HIV provider who will determine the treatment regimen.
    • “Are you having any headaches that are out of the ordinary?”
      • If yes, refer for or get a CT to rule out lesion, blood for cryptococcal antigen, LP and admit if abnormal. Start cryptococcal meningitis treatment 2-10 weeks before ART.
    • “Have you had a cough for more than 2 weeks, fevers, night sweats or weight loss in past month or so?”
      • If yes, refer for or get a chest x-ray and sputa to rule out TB. Start TB treatment 2-8 weeks before ART. For PCP, initiate ART once stable on PCP treatment.
  • Prescribe rapid ART and link to care if patient does not report the contraindications above. 
    • Prescribe Biktarvy 1 tab PO daily, 30-day supply, no refills.
    • If pregnant or high potential: prescribe Tivicay 50 mg 1 tab PO + Truvada 1 tab PO daily.
    • If has Medi-Cal, write on script: “HIV med, bill to Medi-Cal carve-out” for coverage.
    • ICD-10 billing codes for HIV care: B20 (symptomatic) or Z21 (asymptomatic).
    • If no prescriber is onsite, contact your team’s provider via telemedicine if available.
    • Provide a warm hand-off: personal call or message to HIV team/provider with patient. Find direct contacts for HIV linkage navigators using this directory.
    • Highland ED: call HIV team at 510-437-8368 (M-F, 7:30-5:00) or EPIC route to: HIV and HCV (Hep C) Linkage. (e.g. “Started ART, please follow.”)
    • Aim for intake visit and med check with HIV team within 1-2 days.

References