Inclusive Health Services programs provide an affirming space for primary care tailored specifically to the LGBTQ+ community, including comprehensive transgender care, regardless of HIV status. As a designated AIDS Center, we offer specialized support for individuals living with or at risk for HIV.
The IHS Behavioral Health Team provides outpatient, mental health services to our patients at Inclusive Health Services. Our goal is to provide evidence-based treatment that is rooted in principles of trauma informed care, harm reduction, and recovery orientation. Patients can receive psychotherapy/counseling and medication management. We also offer evaluations for letters to support gender affirming treatments.
Below are examples of concerns that patients often bring to us:
The following treatment modalities are available through our Behavioral Health program:
We are closed to primary care patients at this time.
Funded by the New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute, Inclusive Health Services has been able to expand services to folks within the LGBTQ+ community to provide safe and affirming primary and specialty care. We acknowledge the disproportionate health disparities faced by folks within the LGBTQ community and seek to provide wrap around services to combat these in the upstate New York area.
IHS accepts all insurances with whom Upstate University Hospital participates with. That being said, although we are providing primary care services, some insurances have a carve out for "outpatient hospital billing." This means your copay may be a bit higher than your previous primary care provider. Please contact your insurance company or ask for a benefit check upon intake to determine what your out-of-pocket costs will be.
We offer the following primary care services for LGBTQ+ community members:
Some things we have done to upgrade our inclusivity and sensitivity includes:
We are always looking for more ways to best serve our patients, so please feel free to share any ideas you may have at your visit.
PrEP is a great way to reduce your risk of acquiring HIV. We accept PrEP patients from all walks of life and all types of HIV risk. Our PrEP patients can also receive their primary care at Upstate, and have access to all the support services that IHS has to offer, such as pharmacy support, peer mentorship, behavioral health and social work.
There are various treatment options available for PrEP, including injectable therapy. You will collaborate with your healthcare provider to determine the best option for your needs.
PrEP can help:
New York State offers an insurance, PrEP-AP, to assist those who do not have insurance or whose insurance does not adequately cover PrEP.
IHS accepts all insurances accepted through University Hospital. We will refer you to our PrEP case manager if you do not already have insurance.
Please call or text 315 464-5533 to set up an appointment for PrEP. We accept self-referrals or referrals from a provider.
It has been identified that as patients with HIV are now living longer healthier lives, they are beginning to feel the effects of aging. New funding from New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute has allowed us to create a program for Patients Aging with HIV. We are implementing services that allow us to understand the various needs our patients have and build appropriate methods to meet those needs.
PAWH offers training and education geared toward patient needs, including but not limited to one-on-one assessment, case management services and service referral, and support/education groups.
RAP is a program funded by the New York State AIDS Institute, designed to assist patients living with HIV who are experiencing difficulties taking their medications consistently or attending their healthcare appointments.
Our RAP team will work with the patient to identify barriers that may affect adherence to medications or ability to attend appointments. The RAP Specialist and the patient will work together to design a plan of care to address those barriers. Continued follow up will occur to help the patient overcome their barriers and achieve their health goals.
The RAP team offers training and education geared toward patient needs, including but not limited to one on one assessment and education, case management services, and helpful adherence tools such as pill boxes, and planners.
FFHC helps people living with HIV who also are the primary care givers for children under age 18 and women who are planning to become pregnant or are pregnant. The FFHC Medical Case Manager will assess patient needs and refer for services to overcome barriers to care.
FFHC education geared toward patient needs, including but not limited to one-on-one assessment, case management services and service referral.
As part of Upstate's commitment to patient care, education, and research, Inclusive Health Services is participating in several research studies.
Our studies look at a range of aspects of HIV care and prevention, on topics such as PrEP, alcohol use, to how the immune system controls HIV, how HIV affects the brain, and new regimens for HIV treatment.
Some participants may be enrolled from clinic when they come to see their providers, and others may be enrolled at Upstate's Clinical Trials Unit at the Institute for Human Performance.
If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, please speak to your IHS provider about whether one of our trials might be a good fit for you.
