For those using PrEP to prevent HIV, Health insurance announced that it is now reimbursing the drug for free.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has determined that PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, “is reasonable and necessary” for HIV prevention in people at increased risk. And this will now be covered by Medicare Part B.

Jose Rodriguez Garcia is the medical director of Spectrum Medical Care Center.

“This means that now if people choose to take PrEP, they will be able to receive the medication for free, meaning there will be no co-pay, no deductible, or any type of co-payment,” said Jose Rodriguez Garcia, medical director of Spectrum Medical Care Center.

Rodriguez Garcia says his clinic sees many elderly patients.

“So we’re still seeing a lot of people who are 65 and older. I will say about 20 to 30 percent of our patient population who are receiving PrEP are (around) that age. I think in the last month we’ve welcomed a person asking for PrEP, and we were able to put them on PrEP, and he was 80 years old.”

PrEP is up to 99% effective in preventing HIV. Medicare Open Enrollment Ends December 7.