Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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You may have questions about the Ryan White Program and the services available to you as a program participant. Whether you are seeking program eligibility, interested in scheduling an appointment or looking for additional support and resources, our listing of frequently asked questions can help answer many concerns.

The Emory Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides comprehensive HIV primary care and support services to help people living with HIV achieve viral suppression, good health, and quality of life.

Appointments and Scheduling

I am a new patient. What should I bring with me?

For your first appointment, bring a copy of a photo ID, your insurance card, proof of address, proof of income, and a list of current medications and health questions (if applicable) for your care team. You should also bring any health-related intake forms that you can print off (so you have less paperwork to do when you arrive).
I am a returning patient. What do I need to do or bring with me?

Returning patients should also bring a copy of a photo ID, insurance card, proof of address and proof of income. If you have changed your address or you have lost or changed insurance, you must update your patient portal within 10 days of these changes and bring related documentation to your next appointment.
What are the normal business hours for the clinic?

Regular business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Currently, the clinic is not open on weekends. However, we have extended hours of operations on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and extended hours on Wednesday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last appointment on Monday is at 6:20 pm and the last appointment on Wednesday and Thursday is at 4:20 p.m.
Do I have to schedule an appointment?
Yes, all office visits must be scheduled. We do not allow walk-ins. Visits with a nurse can be scheduled as follows:

Monday: 1 pm – 3 pm

Tuesday: 9 am – 11 am

Wednesday: N/A

Thursday: 1 pm – 3 pm

Friday: 1 pm – 3 pm
How do I schedule an appointment?
How early should I arrive for my appointment?
What if I’m running late to my appointment?
What If I miss my appointment?
How do I cancel my appointment?
When is the latest I can cancel my appointment?

Clinic Services

I need blood work done. Where do I go?

It is easiest to get your blood work done right after your appointment, but sometimes your doctor may need to see your blood work in between visits. The lab is located at 550 Peachtree Street on the 8th Floor. You must sign in at the kiosk. Laboratory hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. You can also go to any Emory lab and have your blood work completed.
Can I discuss my eating habits with a nutritionist?
Can I discuss my mental health with someone?
How do I contact my peer navigator?
How do I contact my social worker?

Your social worker is your main point of contact for many services. You can reach your social worker by phone, email, or through your Patient Portal. If you do not know your social worker’s name, please call the main clinic number at 404-686-8114 and choose option 3.

Please allow two to eight hours to receive a return call from the social work team.
Who do I contact with a medical-related question?
You can talk with your doctor through your Patient Portal or call the office if you have questions. Messages will be addressed by the clinic care team between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Most messages will be answered within a two-hour timeframe, but some messages may take a little longer depending on the complexity of the medical issue.

If you are experiencing the following conditions, please call 404-686-8114 to be evaluated as soon as possible because they are of special concern.

You are experiencing a rash

You are at the pharmacy and you do not have any more refills

You are at the lab and there are no lab orders

If you are not feeling well and it is between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, please call the clinic at 404-686-8114 and press Option 2 to speak with a nurse.

If you are not feeling well and it’s after business hours please call 404-686-8114 and you will be connected to an after-hours doctor.
How do I refill my medicine?

Ryan White Program Services

How do I know if I am eligible for the Ryan White Program?
Patients must contact their social worker to confirm if they are eligible. In order to receive services funded through Ryan White, patients must meet eligibility requirements, including:

A positive HIV test

Income less than 400% of the federal poverty level

Enrollment in primary medical care at the midtown ID clinic and scheduling a doctor’s appointment every six months

Residency within the 20-county Eligible Atlanta-metro area. The Atlanta EMA includes the following counties: Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Spalding, and Walton

Completed consent form (your social worker will assist you with this)
Can I lose my eligibility?
Yes, it is possible to become ineligible for the program, so it is important to recertify your eligibility every 12 months with your social worker. This is a simple process, and your social worker will help you to complete it.

To recertify, you must contact your social worker and confirm the following:

Appointments with an HIV provider at the Emory Infectious Disease clinic every six months

Income less than 400% of Federal poverty level

Residency within the service area: The Atlanta EMA includes the following counties: Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Spalding, and Walton

Proof of insurance or a statement indicating you are uninsured
What Ryan White Program services are covered for patients?
Many types of services are covered for program participants at no cost. Some of these include:

Lab services, medication co-payments, and medical insurance premiums

Specialty care including eye care and glasses, oral and dental services, mental health services. Note: these services are by referral only.

Outpatient medical procedures such as imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs), colonoscopies, endoscopy etc.

Medical transportation (MARTA passes, parking, taxis)

Temporary food assistance, including cafeteria passes and grocery vouchers

Utility assistance

Social Service referrals
What are the available dental services? And how do I sign up?

Dental services are by REFERRAL ONLY. Your medical HIV provider must refer dental services. Dental services include annual teeth cleanings, certain types of dentures, X-rays, scaling fillings, basic crowns, root canal work and specific other procedures. Dental services NOT covered include cosmetic dentistry, implants, veneers, bridge work, teeth whitening and other non-medically necessary services. You should discuss your dental needs with your doctor and they will start the referral process. Our RW program oral health coordinator will contact you to assist you through the process.
This process may take a couple of weeks to complete, so if you are experiences any pain in your mouth, please tell your doctor as soon as possible.
What nutritional services are available and how do I sign up?
Can I drive to my appointment?
Can I get assistance with transportation to and from my appointment?
Does the program offer housing assistance?
Is there food or grocery assistance?
Is there assistance to pay for medication?
Can someone help me organize my medication (so I do not miss my dosage)?

The Ryan White Program offers Medication Adherence Counseling that can make it easier to keep up with your medication needs. Don’t worry if you are experiencing issues managing your medication – this happens, and you are not alone. Contact your social worker to find out more. If you need assistance with pill boxes, you can either send a message through the patient portal or call the office on 404-686-8114 and leave a message for the nurses. They will call you back to arrange a nurse visit.
Is there a support group to join?

Ryan White has both a men and women’s support group.

The Men’s Support Group meets the second Wednesday of every month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, contact Eric Thompson by email or by phone: 404-617-4522.

The Women’s Support Group meets every third Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, contact Dina Delva by email or by phone: 470-345-7397.
What is the Consumer Advisory Board/CAB?

The Consumer Advisory Board, commonly referred to as CAB, is a board made up of current Emory University Hospital Midtown clinic Ryan White program participants who are passionate about improving services for all Ryan White patients. For more information, contact Ritanza Abron by email or phone: 404-548-1591 or Magdelene Yonker by email or phone: 404-616-9793.

I Am Not Feeling Well...

What should I do if I am not feeling well?
During Normal Business Hours:

If you are not feeling well and it is between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, please call the clinic at 404-686-8114 and press Option 2 to speak with a nurse. The nurse on call will speak with you about your health and determine what actions need to be taken. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should schedule a COVID test at one of the many COVID testing centers such as CVS, Walgreens or places listed on the Department of Health website.
Medical Emergency

Patients sometimes get sick between regular appointments, even when they get the best medical care available.

If you are experiencing the following conditions at any time during the day or night, please call 911 to be evaluated as soon as possible because they are of special concern.

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fever that is uncontrolled with Tylenol

Seizures or loss of consciousness

Extreme headache

Uncontrollable vomiting or diarrhea

After Normal Business Hours:
If you are not feeling well and it’s after business hours please call 404-686-8114 and you will be connected to and after-hours doctor.

If for any reason you cannot reach the person providing coverage, you should go to Emory Hospital Midtown Emergency Department located at 550. Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA.
General HIV/AIDS Wellness Resources

CDC Resources

What is HIV/AIDS?

Living with HIV

Risk Behavior

PEP

PrEP

Quicklinks

Ryan White Program