Managing HIV

GEMS has an effective HIV/AIDS Disease Management Programme (DMP) for our members. If you or one of your dependants is living with HIV/AIDS, registering on the HIV/AIDS DMP can give you the support you need to lead a healthy and productive life.

Confidentiality guaranteed

For GEMS members and dependants who are HIV positive and decide to join the programme, special care is taken to maintain their confidentiality. This programme is managed by a team of healthcare professionals separately from other Scheme programmes and the employer. The HIV/AIDS DMP has its own confidential contact channels, which are:

• Telephone: 0860 436 736
• Send a ‘please call me' to: 083 843 6764
• Fax: 0800 436 7329
• Email: [email protected].

What benefits are available?

If patients register on the HIV/AIDS DMP, they will have access to the following benefits:

• Medicine to treat HIV/AIDS (antiretroviral therapy)
• Medicine to treat and prevent opportunistic infections related to HIV/AIDS, including multi-vitamins where appropriate (a doctor's prescription and pre-authorisation is required for all medicines, including multi-vitamins)
• All pathology tests related to monitoring the disease
• Regular monitoring of their condition to ensure they start treatment at the right time and that it is effective
• Clinical support and guidelines for treating doctors
• Access to a specially trained medical team who will review their details and consult with their doctor to ensure that they receive the most appropriate treatment for your condition
• Reminders for the patient and doctor to do regular check-ups and tests to monitor the state of their health and update treatment where necessary
• Treatment to prevent the transmission of the virus from mother to child (including treatment for the baby)
• Treatment to prevent the transmission of the virus from accidental exposure to infected bodily fluids (sexual assault, needle stick injury).

Accidental exposure?

Patients need to call 0860 436 736 if they have had accidental exposure to HIV so that appropriate Post-exposure Prophylaxis can be arranged.

How do patients register on the HIV/AIDS DMP?

Step 1: Patients who do not know their HIV status can ask their doctor or clinic to test them. GEMS will pay for this test and the doctor will be informed of the results.

Step 2: Patients who are HIV positive can download the application form or obtain one by calling 0860 4367 36 using the "please call me number" 083 843 6764 from Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm and Saturday from 8am to 12pm or sending an email to [email protected].

Step 3: Patients must visit their doctor who must examine them and complete your application form. Patients will need to sign the application form and submit it to GEMS.

Step 4: The completed form can be faxed to the confidential toll-free fax number 0800 4367 329 or emailed to [email protected].

Step 5: We will contact the patient to discuss the outcome of their application.

HIV Disease Management Programme (DMP) guides

• HIV Provider Guide
• Living well with HIV/AIDS
• What is HIV/AIDS?
• HIV counselling and testing (HCT)

Need more information?

Patients who require more information about the programme can call 0860 436 736 or send a "Please Call Me" to 083 843 6764.