This is a program created by the Rhode Island Department of Health to help Rhode Islanders get tested for HIV and other STIs. The goal was to make the process as simple as possible.  

There are three simple steps:

1. On the Testing 1, 2, 3 website, complete and sign the Patient Agreement and Survey Form and pick a walk-in clinical laboratory site of your choice.
2. We then review the Patient Agreement and Survey Form that you signed and completed, generate an electronic “lab slip” for you, and electronically send it to the walk-clinical laboratory that you selected.  You then need to go to the clinical laboratory that you selected, after at least one business day has passed, and provide a urine and blood sample. If you submit your form after 12 noon on Friday, your lab orders will not be available until Monday morning.
3. If you test positive, a Testing 1,2,3 staff person will call you and help you find a clinic of your choice to get treated.

HIV and the following three STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

Talk to your doctor, or visit one these sites:

• The Miriam Hospital STI Clinic
• Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
• Providence Community Health Centers
• Blackstone Valley Community Health Center
• Open Door Health
• Thundermist Health Center

Yes.  This service is only for people who feel healthy and do not have any symptoms.  If you do have any symptoms such as a rash, sore on your genitals, or painful urination, you should follow up at one of the participating clinics.  

The laboratory testing is NOT FREE. The laboratory testing requires insurance which will be billed. People can also pay out-of-pocket if they desire. If you do not have health insurance or cannot afford it, you can go to one of our participating clinics which all have financial assistance programs to help cover the cost.

Yes, most health insurance companies will cover this service. You may want to contact them to see if you will be charged a co-pay or deductible.

You can pay out of pocket for the testing services.  The cost may be hundreds of dollars and will be billed by the clinical laboratory. If you decide to pursue this option, we recommend calling the laboratory first to determine how much you will be charged.

You may be eligible to get free or low-cost care at one of our participating clinical partners:

• The Miriam Hospital STI Clinic
• Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
• Providence Community Health Centers
• Blackstone Valley Community Health Center
• Open Door Health
• Thundermist Health Center

Contact them to determine your eligibility for free or sliding fee scales.

Your privacy is very important.  Your information will be accessible to a small number of Testing 1, 2, 3 staff at the Rhode Island Department of Health and The Miriam Hospital/Lifespan (clinical partner).  Your personal health information and data are protected by HIPAA.  If you do test positive for HIV or a STI, the clinical laboratory is required by law to report it to the Rhode Island Department of Health. With your permission, we will also share your information with a participating clinic so you can be treated if you test positive.

If you are covered under someone else’s health insurance plan, like a parent or spouse, they may receive a “Explanation of Benefits” form in the mail that lists the services you received from the health insurance company.  If you have concerns about this possibility, contact your health insurance company in advance.

After you provide the clinical lab representative your name, photo ID, and payment information (i.e., health insurance card or self pay), they will access your lab slip electronically that Testing 1, 2, 3 staff have sent them.  Then health care staff will draw blood from your arm using a needle, and you will provide a urine sample (i.e., pee in a plastic cup) privately in a bathroom.

Generally, you can expect results back in 3-5 business days.

If one of your tests comes back with a positive result, you will get a phone call from program staff.  Staff will discuss next steps and help navigate you to treatment and care.

You will get an e-mail from program staff letting you know that all your tests are negative.

Yes. Please see http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE23/23-8/23-8-1.1.HTM. If you are covered under someone else’s insurance, please see the question above for more information.

Anyone (straight, trans, or LGBQ) who has oral, vaginal, or anal sex with or without a condom should get tested at least once a year.  If you are a bisexual or gay man who has multiple sex partners, you should get tested every three months. Anyone who shares injecting drug equipment should get tested at least once a year.  If you have been told by a sexual partner that they have tested positive for an STI, you should get tested.

Alexi Almonte, AAlmonte@lifespan.org. 

• CDC HIV Information
• CDC STI Information
• RIDOH HIV Information
• RIDOH STI Information
• DoItRIght.org
• PrEP Information
• RIDOH condom-by-mail program
• RIDOH’s RIghtTime app
• Bedsider app