Shoppers are turning to virtual health for sensitive care , GoTo Telemed has launched a national HIV Counseling Program that offers pre‑ and post‑test counselling, PrEP/PEP navigation, and mental‑health support through a secure, HIPAA‑compliant telehealth platform, helping people overcome stigma, geography and gaps in care.

Essential Takeaways

  • Nationwide reach: GoTo Telemed now offers dedicated HIV counselling and navigation to patients across the US via its telehealth ecosystem.
  • Full‑spectrum services: Pre‑test education, self‑test coordination, post‑test counselling, PrEP/PEP guidance and adherence support are all included.
  • Privacy and convenience: Virtual sessions let people engage from home, reducing stigma and travel barriers while offering a “warm handoff” to local care.
  • Evidence backed: Digital counselling models increase testing uptake and linkage to care, and structured virtual support improves follow‑up after reactive self‑tests.
  • Provider opportunities: Nurses, counsellors and specialists can apply to join the provider network through GoTo Telemed’s credentialing portal.

Why this matters now: privacy, access and the 13% gap

HIV testing and counselling are still crucial public‑health tools, yet roughly 13% of the estimated 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States don’t know their status. That gap fuels nearly half of new infections, so making testing approachable is a public‑health priority. GoTo Telemed’s programme responds to that need by wrapping evidence‑based counselling, rapid self‑test coordination and immediate linkage into one virtual offering, so people can get answers without walking into a clinic they fear or can’t easily reach. The platform’s secure, HIPAA‑compliant setup also helps with the privacy concerns that keep many people away.

What the service actually does: a full care pathway, from test to treatment

The service isn’t just a video call. Expect pre‑test counselling that explains transmission and what different results mean, real‑time help ordering and using FDA‑approved rapid self‑tests or mail‑in kits, and structured post‑test sessions. Negative results come with prevention counselling and PrEP/PEP navigation; reactive results trigger immediate confirmation testing coordination and a warm handoff to HIV care. There’s also enhanced adherence counselling for people already on antiretroviral therapy and partner services to help with notification and testing. For many, that continuity , from education to linkage , is what makes telehealth effective.

Evidence and outcomes: why virtual counselling works

Recent reviews of technology‑based HIV services show they boost testing frequency and reach people who avoid traditional clinics. Programs that combine self‑testing with guided pre‑ and post‑test counselling and direct referral pathways tend to engage first‑time testers and improve successful linkage to care. For instance, structured virtual support has been shown to connect a majority of people with reactive self‑tests into confirmatory testing and care. Nurses and counsellors acting as digital navigators play a vital role, guiding use of smartphone platforms and ensuring digital health literacy so patients actually follow through.

Who benefits , and how to choose the right option

This model suits people who value discretion, live far from specialised clinics, or simply prefer remote care. A good telecounselling service should offer licensed counsellors, clear pathways to confirmatory testing and local providers, and practical help with PrEP/PEP prescriptions and insurance navigation. If you or someone you care for is considering telecounselling, check whether the service accepts your insurance, whether Ryan White resources are available for those uninsured, and whether counsellors can coordinate in‑person confirmatory tests in your area.

Practical steps if you’re thinking about using the service

Start by self‑referring via the platform or asking your primary care clinician to refer you. Prepare questions about test types, timing for confirmatory tests, and how prescriptions for PrEP or PEP will be handled. If privacy is a concern, plan a quiet, private spot for the call and confirm the platform’s security features. For providers interested in joining, GoTo Telemed’s credentialing portal is open to trained HIV counsellors, NPs and infectious‑disease specialists.

It's a small change that can make testing and follow‑up far easier for many people.

Source Reference Map

Story idea inspired by: [1]

Sources by paragraph: