Welcome, New Patients

A little preparation makes your first appointment with a new patient doctor in NYC go more smoothly. When the front desk has your documents in hand, check-in takes less time and your provider can spend the visit on your health instead of paperwork. We ask new patients to arrive about 15 minutes early so there is time to verify your information, scan your cards and answer any questions before you are called in.

Please gather the three items below the day before your visit. It also helps to bring any recent test results, hospital discharge papers or specialist letters you have, along with the name and phone number of your pharmacy and any previous doctor. If you prefer to speak with your provider in a language other than English, let us know when you book — an interpreter is available on request at no charge to you.

Photo ID

Bring a current, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID card, IDNYC card or passport. We use it to confirm your identity and to make sure your medical record, prescriptions and lab results are matched to the right person. Checking identity at the first visit also helps protect you from insurance fraud. If your name on your ID differs from the name on your insurance card, tell the front desk so we can note both and avoid problems with claims later on.

Insurance Card

Bring the physical insurance card for every plan you have, including any secondary coverage. We scan the front and back so our billing team has the member ID, group number and the phone numbers they need to verify your benefits. If you have Medicare, bring your red, white and blue Medicare card as well as any Medicare Advantage or supplemental card. If you are changing plans soon or your card has not arrived yet, call the clinic before your visit and we will explain your options.

List of Medications

Write down everything you take regularly: prescription medicines, over-the-counter pain relievers, vitamins, supplements and herbal products. Include the strength and how often you take each one. Many patients find it easier to bring the bottles themselves in a bag, which is perfectly fine. Please also list any medication allergies and the reaction you had. An accurate list lets your provider spot possible interactions, avoid duplicate prescriptions and send refills to the correct pharmacy.

Your first visit primary care appointment is longer than a routine follow-up because it lays the groundwork for your ongoing care. After check-in, a medical assistant will take you to an exam room and record your vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, weight and temperature. They will review your medication list and allergies with you.

Next, your provider will sit down with you to go over your health history: past illnesses, surgeries, family history, lifestyle habits and any concerns that brought you in. Expect questions about sleep, diet, exercise, alcohol and tobacco use, since these shape the advice you receive. A physical exam follows, focused on your needs and age.

Depending on what you discuss, your provider may order blood work, recommend age-appropriate screenings, update vaccines or refer you to a specialist. Before you leave, you will know the plan, when to come back and how to reach the care team with questions. City Prime Care sees adults only. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing or another emergency, call 911 instead of waiting for an appointment.

We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare. Because networks and plan rules change from year to year, we recommend calling the clinic before your first visit to confirm that we are in network for your specific plan. You can also review our insurance and payment information for a general overview of how billing works at City Prime Care.

When you call, have your member ID ready and ask whether your plan requires you to choose a primary care provider in advance. Some managed care plans assign you to a specific doctor, and changing that assignment before your appointment can prevent a denied claim. Your insurance card or the member portal will usually list any copay for a primary care visit.

Copays and any amount your plan does not cover are collected at the time of your visit. If you do not have insurance or are between plans, let us know when you book. Our front desk can explain self-pay options before your appointment so there are no surprises, and they can answer questions about a bill after your visit as well.

New patients need to fill out a few forms before they are seen: a registration form with your contact and insurance details, a health history questionnaire, a consent to treatment, and an acknowledgment of our privacy practices. You can download and fill them out at home from our new patient forms page, then bring the completed copies with you or hand them in at the front desk.

Filling out forms ahead of time has real benefits. You can look up dates of past surgeries, check your vaccination records and ask relatives about family history without feeling rushed in the waiting room. Your answers also give your provider a head start, so more of the appointment is spent talking with you.

If you would rather complete the paperwork in person, that is fine too — just plan to arrive a few extra minutes early. Staff can help if a question is unclear, and interpreter support is available on request. If you want past records sent to us from another practice, ask about a records release form so we can request them for you.

City Prime Care has two clinics, and both welcome new adult patients. Pick the one closest to your home or work — your records are available to the care team at either location. Both clinics are open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, and hold back same-day appointments each weekday for urgent but non-emergency needs.

For primary care in Elmhurst, our Queens office on 75th Street is a short walk from the 74 St–Broadway and Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Av stations. The team there speaks English and Spanish, and we are accepting new patients in Elmhurst as well as from Jackson Heights, Sunnyside, Astoria, Long Island City and Maspeth. Visit the Elmhurst, Queens clinic page for directions.

For primary care in Chinatown, our Manhattan office on Catherine Street is near the East Broadway F station and Chatham Square. That team speaks English, Chinese and Spanish, and we are accepting new patients in Chinatown, Two Bridges, the Lower East Side and the Financial District. See the Chinatown, Manhattan clinic page for details, or book your first appointment online.