Frequently Asked Questions

Selecting a PCP is a very personal decision— it’s a relationship you’ll keep over a long period of time. We encourage you to explore the Our Providers section. You can find it by clicking on “Find a Doctor” immediately above this paragraph.  It is a great way to get to know our team and to find the best partner to help you manage your health. If you have any questions, please contact our office directly.

Yes, we provide both telehealth and in-person pre-natal interview time with our providers at no cost to you. You can schedule an appointment through Connect with a pediatrician or family medicine provider. You can also call our staff at the office you are selecting to set up an appointment based on your specific needs.

Columbia Primary Care accepts most commercial and government insurance plans. Each doctor lists the insurance plans they accept on their profile pages. You may also confirm coverage with our staff by phone by calling the practice phone number listed under Our Locations to confirm insurance coverage.

Yes! Columbia Primary Care offers Online scheduling and Virtual Visits for both adults and children using our secure patient portal. It’s a fast and convenient way to get the care you need and you’ll get the same quality service you would with an in-person visit.

Please complete check-in using Connect (My Chart app) up to 5 days before your visit to ensure we have your most up to date insurance and medical history. During check-in you will be able to update your medications, medical history, preferred pharmacy and complete health questionnaires. On the day of your appointment, please arrive on time and bring your insurance card and ID. If you miss your appointment, we may have to reschedule your visit.

No, we generally do not ask our patients to fast for appointments or blood tests unless you were instructed to do so by your PCP.

You can access and view all of your records including results on Connect (My Chart app).  Our patient portal releases most test results automatically once they are available so that they are visible to on the portal. You will often see your results even before your provider.  Please allow time for your provider to review and consider all of your results and to communicate with you on Connect. If you do not have a connect account, we will mail you a copy of your results.

The fastest way to reach your care team is through Connect (My Chart app). Our team will review and process your request or assist to schedule you for an appointment with your Primary Care Provider to discuss your request.

Most pharmacies send us electronic refill requests when you are due for a medication refill.  You can also contact us through Connect (My Chart app) to request a medication refill. Please choose just one method for requesting a refill.  Making requests in multiple ways may delay your refill.

The fastest way to reach your care team is through Connect (My Chart app). You can send us a message and attach your form. Depending on the form, our team will complete your form or assist to schedule you for an appointment with your Primary Care Provider to discuss your request.

Please allow up to 7 business days for your form to be completed and please let us know how you would like the form to be returned to you.

The fastest way to reach your care team is through Connect (My Chart app). Our provider and nurses are available during business hours to answer non-urgent medical questions. If you are sick and need to be seen, please schedule an appointment. If you would like to speak with the provider or nurse before scheduling, please send us a message or call the office directly. If you feel you are having a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the NewYork-Presbyterian Emergency Room at 622 West 168th Street, 525 E 68th Street, or another emergency room closest to you.  We partner with NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals and share a common medical record helping to make your care seamless across our two systems.

Routine preventive health care includes screenings, immunizations, check-ups, and patient counseling to prevent illnesses, disease, or other health problems. If you have an appointment for your physical and your provider identifies a specific medical issue, or if you ask the provider to address a specific medical issue, these topics are considered part of a follow-up or sick visit. Non-preventive components of your visit will be billed to your insurance and based on your policy, you may be responsible for copayments, coinsurance, or deductible payments. If you would like to address non-preventive concerns during your annual physical, please let us know at the time of scheduling your appointment. We will provide extra time to meet all of your needs.

All of our providers reserve time on their schedules for urgent or sick visits. If your Primary Provider is not available, one of their colleagues will almost always have availability. Even if you see a provider that is not your Primary Provider, rest assured that we have all of your medical records and history to provide you efficient and excellent care. If you feel you are having a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the NewYork-Presbyterian Emergency Room at 622 West 168th Street, 525 E 68th Street, or another emergency room closest to you.

For urgent needs related to a chronic illness that can’t wait until the next visit day, call the practice phone number. You’ll be connected to the PCP on call. To speak with a doctor about a newurgent issue from the comfort of your own home, please use the NewYork-Presbyterian Virtual Urgent Care. For life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or go to the NewYork-Presbyterian Emergency Room at 622 West 168th Street, 525 E 68th Street, or another emergency room closest to you.  We partner with NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals and urgent care and share a common medical record helping to make your care seamless across our two systems.

During the course of your visit, your office visit will generate a bill from our office for physician services, and may also generate additional bills from laboratories for necessary blood work and radiology facilities for any imaging studies ordered. These services may carry additional copays or deductibles depending on your specific insurance plan.  Inquiries about blood work or radiology bills should be directed to your insurance company and/or the service provider first.

• ColumbiaDoctors Radiology Midtown (212) 326-8500
• ColumbiaDoctors Radiology Tarrytown: (914) 366-0500
• ColumbiaDoctors Radiology CUIMC: 646-426-3876

ColumbiaDoctors offers two ways to pay your bill online. You can view and pay your bills for Columbia, NewYork-Presbyterian (NYP), or Weill Cornell Medicine through our Connect (My Chart app). To make a one-time payment, visit our Pay as Guest page.

If you have any questions or would like to pay by phone call: 212-305-8400, Mon - Fri 8:30am – 6:30pm

Your medical records are strictly confidential. The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) restricts us from releasing any information without your written permission. To obtain a copy of your record, a Medical Release Form must be completed.

Please complete a request online at: https://www.columbiadoctors.org/i-want/medical-records

If you have any questions, please contact our practice directly.