Telehealth platform implementation to expand access to HIV primary medical care for low-income and underserved people with HIV in Central Indiana. - Damien Center, Inc., a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike (FQHC-LAL) and Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C recipient, requests support to expand access to HIV primary medical care through implementation of a telehealth platform for people living with HIV in Central Indiana. Damien Center provides comprehensive HIV medical care and supportive services through an integrated model that includes primary medical care, pharmacy services, behavioral health, case management, housing assistance, food and nutrition services, insurance navigation, and other programs that address barriers to care. In 2025, Damien Center served 13,702 unduplicated clients, including more than 3,000 individuals through its medical clinic. Many people living with HIV continue to experience barriers that make it difficult to consistently access in-person medical care. Transportation challenges, work and family responsibilities, housing instability, behavioral health needs, stigma, and long travel distances—particularly for individuals living outside Marion County—can contribute to missed appointments and interruptions in care. These barriers can negatively affect engagement in care, medication adherence, and long-term health outcomes. This project will develop and implement a telehealth platform that expands Damien Center's capacity to provide HIV primary care through secure virtual visits. The platform will support patient intake, appointment scheduling, provider visits, pharmacy coordination, patient engagement, and integration with Damien Center's existing clinical and Ryan White systems. Telehealth services will complement existing in-person care and provide an additional option for eligible patients to access high-quality HIV medical services while remaining connected to Damien Center's comprehensive care model. During the project period, Damien Center will complete software implementation, integrate telehealth workflows into existing HIV primary care operations, train staff, and launch a pilot serving approximately 25 Ryan White-eligible patients. Project outcomes will include expanded access to HIV primary care, improved care coordination, increased flexibility in service delivery, and strengthened engagement and retention in care for people living with HIV who experience barriers to traditional clinic-based services. The project will establish sustainable telehealth infrastructure that will become a permanent component of Damien Center's HIV care delivery system, expanding access to high-quality HIV care throughout Central Indiana.
