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Hospitals in New York

To see a doctor in an emergency, you can go to the emergency room at the hospital included in your insurance company and they will assess how serious your injury or illness is and admit you as time allows. In case of a true emergency, call 911 and an ambulance and paramedics will arrive as soon as possible to take care of the injured person and transport them to the nearest hospital – regardless of insurance.

If you have a doctor you see regularly you might be able to be seen on short notice. This is preferable to going to the emergency room as that usually involves a long wait.

Always have your insurance card with you to fill out the paperwork. When you have established yourself in a neighborhood, research what hospital is nearest and in your network. 

Major NYC Hospitals:

• New York Presbyterian Hospital (622 West 168th Street Phone: (212) 305 2500)
• Mount Sinai Hospital (100th Street and Madison Avenue Phone: (212) 241 7171)
• Saint Luke's Hospital (Amsterdam Avenue and 114th Street Phone: (212) 523 4000)
• Lenox Hill Hospital (100 East 77th Street Phone: (212) 439 2345)
• Saint Vincent's Hospital (153 West 11th Street (7th Avenue) Phone: (212) 604 7000)

In addition to these hospitals, there are free clinics for clients with no insurance or low-income, but there is usually a long wait tobe seen and extra paperwork to be filled out. The New York Free Clinic is an excellent facility that provides no cost health care services including specialty referrals, counselling, patient education, social services, and screening and registration for public health insurance.

Pharmacies in New York

In the US, drugs are offered more easily than in Europe. Most pharmaceutical drugs are divided into two categories, over-the-counter and with prescription. Both are available at pharmacies; the difference is that over-the-counter can also be purchased at regular grocery stores. This commonly includes cold medicine, basic pain meds, antihistamines, etc.

Only prescription drugs require a written note to be faxed from the doctor's office or be brought upon pick-up. A co-pay is usually required with your insurance. Many prescribed drugs are covered by the medical insurance but may charge substantial co-pays. You can always ask for generic brands to diminish the cost.
Pharmacies are open long hours and you can find basic meds at grocery stores 24-hours a day. Hospital pharmacies are another option in you need an emergency prescription medicine. You can find the closest pharmacy to you on Google maps, adding your postcode in the search bar.