Callen-Lorde Community Health Center

this place is great! Free, not much of a wait time, make sure to make an appointment though

Dr. Rona Vail saved my life over 13 years ago. The care I received helped me to change my life in every way. As life progressed I could have left Callen to go to another place but I will follow Rona Vail wherever she is. Is it a perfect place? No. But think of how many people they serve on a sliding scale and free workshops they offer. When I began going I was «in the system» and had Medicaid/​Medicare. Today because of the care I got I am able to work and pay for health insurance. I could have left for another place but I chose to stay with my doctor. I don’t think there’s a better more thorough one out there. Thank you for being there Callen Lorde when everyone else had given up on me.

For those who are especially dental-​phobic, I strongly recommend the Dental Clinic. From the coolest music to the most hip staff, this is a briliant team. Their patient care is very forward focused. It is clear they are saving the government a great deal of future insurance costs via their methods of patient care in the present.
Fluctuating health insurance means nothing to this mighty institution. Both medical and dental clinics have continued providing fantastic, comprehensive coverage as a battalion of Healthcare Navigators interfaced on my behalf to re-​establish insurance that I was supposed to have since April!
The benelovent spirits of both Audre and Michael are powerfully present.

#letmypeoplepee
Yes!
All-​gender bathroom with a sign of a of a toilet, which lets face it is the reason most people enter a room like this… Not because of what they are wearing. Each room is fitted with 2 stalls or one has a urinal if u prefer a urinal. There’s no confusion about where to go. More places should adopt this way of going #1 or #2 in a TOILET.
I used to frequent the now labeled «staff and handicap bathroom as it was the only one I felt was genderless. Thx Callen Lorde. If you need good healthcare or MH or hormones or assistance with Trans stuff. This is the place to go
I’m Trans and I’ve decided that I will start a campaign to rate the gendered bathroom access that is safe versus those that could use a little more effort making the experience of the most basic need where we are most vulnerable safe for people of all gender expressions, identities, and presentations.

I have been a patient at Callen-​Lorde for some 10 years now. My doctors have been professional and decent. However, I wish I could same the same for the patient care associates (or whatever other euphemism is used for them). They spend all day socializing with their co-​workers and patients. They’re incredibly lazy with no problem solving skills and would never be able to obtain employment outside the gay sector.
A special mention needs to be made of the Pharmacy at Callen-​Lorde which opened a couple of years ago. The absolute worst service I have EVER received in my entire 52 years. They request and discuss personal information within earshot of every other patient in the pharmacy lab area. If you phone the pharmacy they rarely answer the phone. They don’t deliver medications when the request is made via their app. I can just goes on and on. Walgreens charges me a co-​payment of $ 1 for 60, 2mg estradiol tablets: at Callen-​Lorde they told me something like $ 40 because they insist that NYS Medicaid does not cover transgender hormone therapy. Duh, the governor changed the policy sometime last year; yet, Callen Lorde — which should be uniquely knowledgable about this subject — keeps telling it’s transgender patients that the treatment is NOT covered. Moreover, Emblem Health’s website acknowledges that it’s insurance covers every aspect of gender transition as well.

As a trans woman this seemed the place to go for health care. After going here for many years (just for the transition, I continued to see my primary care physician) I can say I cannot recommend Callen any longer. The first doctor I saw there continually got my prescriptions wrong, I needed to double check them every single time I left and almost always there was a mistake. The second doctor was much better with that but I felt I was always being rushed. I’m not the type of person to gripe that much, but when I’m expressing a health concern at least acknowledge it. My biggest complaint is the long wait times. Call for an appointment, on hold at least 10 minutes, too many times the wait to see my doctor would be 3 weeks or longer, and always would have to wait at least a half hour to an hour past my appointment time to get in. I am sorry to leave as I had private insurance and I know it benefited the community, but I can no longer risk my health at this facility.

I would give them 4 stars accept when I called today to refill my thyroid medication (as Ive done so for the past year) they said it will take 3 days to be filled. WHAT?! I explained I cannot function without it and she said theres nothing she can do accept if Id like I can come in each day to pick 1 pill… I live an hour away. Totally unacceptable. Its always been ready the same day I needed it. They don’t understand I have to take it every morning while my stomach is empty. Bad form! On the bright side my doctor is awesome, although hard to get a hold of. If she makes it come through today I will update. Otherwise my 1 star will stay. I hope the admin reads this and deals with the minions accordingly.

I too have a love/​hate relationship with Callen-​Lorde. I have been with them since 2002.
Pro: The doctors and nurses are phenomenally good. There is no judgement here. And they know our community needs.
Con: Not enough services are available in house. I have to be referred out for x-​rays and such at places that are NOT of our community and it is uncomfortable and intimidating. Not to mention the wait times at these appointments are ridiculous.
Pro: I love getting my blood pressure checked by a raging queen or a transgender person.
Con: Thousands of dollars to renew and remodel the place just a couple of years ago, and it already looks likes One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest again. Should have invested in a better architect, the pharmacy and labs design is a complete shit show.
Pro: Once a patient, accessibility is high. Always helpful staff with questions and concerns. Everyone is super friendly.
Con: the average wait for the pharmacy is 20 minutes. The line wraps around corners into a heavy traffic area with blind fire doors that slam open on unwitting patients waiting for their refill. Again, who was the architect that designed the remodel? no floor planning at all.
Pro: Easy fix… have a machine that gives out numbers. no more waiting in line. take a seat, get up when number is called.
Con: the lab staff is unprofessional. Generally friendly, but cracking too many jokes while patients are waiting for up to an hour in the waiting room. From our perspective, it sounds like they are goofing off and making us wait. Not saying they shouldn’t enjoy their job, but maybe a radio and some air conditioning would suffice. I get blood drawn a lot, and they alway do a good job. no pain, no muss.
Pro: sliding scale medical care and excellent help with getting insurance. Saved my butt more than a few times.
Con: Pharmacy is a shit show in general. The staff is over worked. They’re all friendly, but there are too many things that go wrong, all the time. So many technicalities, that I don’t experience at Care Plus. It’s wonderful that the pharmacy is in house, but it is half the size and shape that it needs to be. With the overwhelming demand, there should be four, not two to one people manning the register. Architect! Hi! It’s me again. I hope you did your work for free. Here’s another suggestion. Expand the pharmacy into the front desk area. those desks and fax machine could easily be reduced in size, and create a more upfront and friendly reception desk.
Pro: Cutting edge experience and techniques to combatting HPV and anal cancer in men. (Thank you Doctor Hewitt for you tireless efforts in this arena.)
Con: When they call and leave a message about a referral or upcoming appointment, the message is either cut off because the person started speaking too soon or inaudible because they are speaking too quickly and inarticulately.
I love you Callen-​Lorde, you have saved my life again and again, and I don’t know where I would be without you. Our community needs you. And we are lucky to have you.

I absolutely love this place! I have been coming and seeing Eddie for the past 6 years. Eddie is the best I absolutely love him! The staff is amazing and the center has a great pharmacy! I would highly recommend Callen Lorde to any one Gay, Straight or Trans. This place is a safe haven for people in our community! You will never be treated like a freak here. The staff treats you amazingly and so does the health care providers!!!

After my visit to the pharmacy today, I’m raising my previous rating. The people who work here are not only caring, but patient and helpful. My past three visits to the pharmacy have been exceptional: fast service provided by warm, kind, hard working people. I will continue to go out of my way for this great service.

Callen-​Lorde is a great place for people to visit when they are ill. They respected me with respect and dignity regardless of background, origin, and disability. They don’t keep you waiting for a long period of time and always acknowledge you at the front desk. They have Saturday appointments from the morning to early afternoon, and they have a nursing hotline number to call if you need anything. If you need PREP right now, they will always have it handy for you, regardless of where you live.

* * Guide to TRAVEL VACCINATIONS at Callen Lorde: * *
Travel vaccinations are usually not covered by your insurance so you have to pay out of pocket. I called up a few travel vaccination places in the city, and some of them have horrible reviews. Of the ones that have good reviews, they still charge a consultation fee and not the cheapest for the shots.
Ex pricing:
Traveler’s Medical: $ 60 – 90 visit, Typhoid $ 105, Malaria pills (prescription) varies by pharmacy you go to.
Passport Health: $ 75 visit, $ 95 Typhoid, Malaria pills (prescription) varies by pharmacy.
Callen Lorde: $ 0 visit when you see a nurse, only pay when you see your provider. Typhoid shot $ 85, Malaria pills $ 12. (pay out of pocket, not covered by insurance. However CL pharmacy is subsidized, hence the lower rates).
Plus, the staff at Callen Lorde is the most amazing and sweet people you will deal with, even over the phone. Hope you benefit from sharing this information with you as well!
Only caveat is: Callen Lorde is usually super busy. Depends but travel clinics may have sooner availability.
Safe Travels!

I have been a patient at this clinic for over a year now. I can honestly say that the staff is unbelievably caring, the nurse practitioner was very considerat of my mental and physical needs. Every person from the front desk to the doctors upstairs are well spoken considerate and empethatic.
The screening nurses follow up immediately.
It’s a 4 star from me.

I have a love/​hate relationship with Callen-​Lorde. This place never fails to leave me frustrated with the support staff and pharmacy yet completely and utterly well cared for by the awesome medical staff.
Each doctor and nurse I’ve ever seen here have been caring, friendly, good at their job and really supportive. I like coming here and I always know I’m in good hands. Who can say that about their doctors?
Whenever I go in for appointments, the people are the front desk are friendly and polite but so often, my encounters with any the administrative staff (especially by phone) are awful. Let me give you some examples:
— I’m on a permanent medication regimen. I was almost out and needed a refill that the doc said he’d give but forgot to enter. The pharmacy staff sent the refill request to a doctor who was on a long vacation until after I ran out. Thank God it’s not a life saving medication huh?
— I called to make an urgent care appointment. The receptionist couldn’t fathom why two and a half months away was insufficient.
— They billed my insurance for something that my ins. co requested more info for. They then denied they billed it and would only offer me an appointment to discuss it a month away after on a date after my insurance threatened to cut off coverage.
— The pharmacy is disorganized, has system problems and can’t tell you when things are going to be ready.
If you don’t need anything out of the ordinary, Callen-​Lorde is awesome. If you ever have an emergency or a problem though, I feel like the staff don’t take you seriously unless you stress out and persist because the whole Health Center is vastly in demand and they’re trying to act as gatekeepers.

This place is run by the most gracious, kindest, and coolest group of doctors, nurses, and staff. I started coming here when I didn’t have insurance because they one of their missions is to help people who do not have insurance.
even when I became insured, I continued coming here because I love the people. It feels like a true community clinic. The population that is mostly served here are lesbian Gay bisexual and transgendered people, and they have a great support system for those living with HIV and AIDS. There is a pharmacy on site, and they also do dental work I believe. The people here are kind, compassionate, and efficient. My primary care doctor is Eunmee and I freaking love her.

I’ve been a patient at Callen Lorde for over 6 years and I’m very happy with their services. I love the fact that they’re open late and I can schedule evening appointments. It’s also less crowded with a laid back feel during the evening hours. They’re very flexible with rescheduling and do not charge for last minute cancellations.
My only issue is with the location of the pharmacy, it’s not very discreet and anyone passing by or waiting for an elevator can easily overhear your transaction. Alternatively, you can use the delivery service — It’s fast, free, discreet and saves you waiting time.
Bottom Line — This is a convenient all-​in-​one medical facility. Go here if you want good low cost medical, dental, mental health and pharmacy services. The staff is nice (90%) and the quality of service is 100%.

I absolutely love this place. As a gay man, they are really knowledgeable about my specific health needs without my being heavy handed in insisting on getting certain tests done routinely. Also, I haven’t had any bad experiences with my doc or her nurse returning my calls in a timely manner, or getting an appointment in a timely manner for that matter.
My biggest gripe is with how slow their pharmacy, which is located on the ground level, takes to fill a prescription. Other than that it’s a wonderful comprehensive clinic with lots of diversity in their staff and I think a high quality of care. I will continue to come here to see my primary care physician so long as they continue being consistent in their good service.

When I was looking for healthcare in NYC, I gave Callen-​Lorde a try. I had heard about it for a while and known it catered to the gay community.
Whether I was a walk-​in or a patient with an appointment, it was always a negative experience for me that I choose not to endure again. I have had a few varied trials here, but in all instances the care providers were a bit creepy, the lab techs weren’t too friendly or on time, or available for that matter — and the wait time for a walk-​in to even get seen was upwards of 3 hours.
The ONLY upside is that they offer a sliding scale for paying for services.
Long story short: really not worth the time. Go elsewhere.

You know what? I genuinely love the staff here. But this place is disorganized and somehow I feel like it’s been getting worse. My last appointment was canceled over the phone less than an hour before I was supposed to be there. Guess what? That means I was already on the subway, and I emerged above ground only to receive a message informing me I had shuffled my schedule around weeks in advance for absolutely nothing. Gee, thanks! If I can do you the courtesy of canceling 24 hours in advance, you could maybe try to do the same for me. This appointment was for a medical procedure that was kind of important, and I had to wait several weeks to be fit back into the schedule.
It took 3 tries to get them to change my insurance information — which is to say 3 separate incidences of me saying «my insurance has changed,» (twice mentioning «and you’re still billing my old insurance even though I told you my insurance has changed»), filling out a form, and handing over my new insurance card. 3 times for one change of insurance. That’s not a great average.
I had to get a series of vaccinations to volunteer in a hospital environment and was asked «so when do you need to have the next vaccination?» Well, I don’t know, because I’m pretty much not a health care worker. Isn’t this on YOUR computer? Am I the doctor now? Can I have a copy of my medical records to refer to, since you can’t be bothered to check into this? The result was that my appointment was scheduled too early and I wound up at Callen Lorde, waiting about an hour, only to be told I had no reason to be there. No one could have caught this, say, when I made the appointment? There’s no one looking at my chart at any point in this process? Awesome. Thanks.
The staff here has always been patient, friendly, and kind, but the lack of organization is getting really tiresome — as is the cavalier attitude toward appointment-​canceling and the clusterfuck that is the pharmacy. The people down there are extremely nice and personable but I’m pretty sure their computer is actually just a cardboard box with a piece of shiny paper taped to the front — I can’t even tell begin to count how many times I’ve been told to «wait a sec, because it takes a minute for our computer to register a prescription from the doctors upstairs» and then sat there like a stack of pancakes for upwards of 20 minutes while exactly nothing happened until someone asked me «wait, what’s your name again?» and then told me to, um, wait a few minutes because sometimes it takes our computers a minute to register a prescription from the doctors upstairs.
I wish I had less health problems or a billion dollars — or knew someplace that was more organized and equally friendly because I would go to that place instead. Having your appointments canceled and then waiting weeks to be fit back in like you’d just made your original appointment for fun and laughs gets really offensive when it happens repeatedly. My quest for decent health care continues.

Big thumbs up here. Extremely helpful staff at the desk and the pharmacy. Getting an appointment requires a bit of a wait, but they are accepting of all, which makes for a comfortable doctor experience. Right now they are only accepting patients for HIV or transgender care, but when they are done remodeling, they’ll be back to the full range of folks.
Many insurances accepted, and sliding scale for those without.
This is a great, safe place for health care.