Frequently Asked Questions FAQs

Self-pay patients will be billed based on the following rate schedule:

Virtual Medical Urgent Care:
$125 per visit

Virtual Sexual Health Urgent Care:
$125 per visit

Virtual Behavioral Health Urgent Care:
Psychiatrist: $175 per visit
Clinical Social Worker: $125 per visit
Addiction Counselor: $125 per visit

Virtual Abortion Care & Options Counseling: $266 per visit

Yes. NYC Health + Hospitals will not be denied health care services at ExpressCare if you do not have health insurance.

• We can help you enroll in health insurance
• If you do not qualify or cannot afford health insurance, we can help you sign up for NYC Care, our health care access program.

Once you sign up for NYC Care, you can use ExpressCare and you will pay for the service based on reduced rates determined by your family size and income.

Virtual ExpressCare provides COVID-19 assessments and therapeutic treatment options for COVID-19. Patients may reach ExpressCare services through 212-COVID-19 (option 9), 311, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene nurse line referrals, and NYC Health + Hospitals’ website.

Virtual ExpressCare provider assessments are billed at our Virtual Medical Urgent Care rates. COVID-19 therapeutic medications and delivery service are provided at no cost to you.

If you have additional questions or would like to update your insurance information, call 844-692-4692 (844-NYC-4NYC). Our agents are available at that number Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. You may also receive a call from our billing team.

Out-of-network service and benefit coverage can vary based on contract status, geographic location, or the type of care visit. While we are contracted with most insurance plans, we always recommend giving your health insurance plan provider a call to confirm your coverage and benefits. The number can be found on your plan card.

Patients can also utilize MyChart to make a payment, set up a payment plan or communicate with a Billing Inquiry Advisor for questions or disputes about their bills.

When you come in for your visit, our ExpressCare support hero will take your insurance information and quickly check the status of your coverage with your insurance provider. There may be times when an insurance plan can’t be verified. For example, your insurance information may be inaccurate or out of date, or the insurance company’s eligibility system may not respond.

In cases where we are unable to verify your insurance at the time of your visit, we will send you a bill for this service.

If you have additional questions or would like to update your insurance information, call 844-692-4692 (844-NYC-4NYC). Our agents are available at that number Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. You may also receive a call from our billing team.

A co-pay, short for copayment, is a fixed amount that your insurance requires you to pay for medical services. The remaining balance is covered by your insurance company. Co-pays vary for different services. Co-pays for standard doctor visits are typically lower than those for specialists. Note that copays for emergency room visits tend to be the highest.

If patients cannot afford to pay or are uninsured, Virtual ExpressCare will provide care and connect patients to trained financial counselors who can help them enroll in health insurance coverage or financial assistance through NYC Care, Medicaid, and Medicare, with per visit fees as low as $0, depending on patients’ income and family size.

ExpressCare accepts most insurance plans. Patients with insurance may need to pay a copay depending on their insurance coverage. Without insurance, you may qualify for an insurance option or NYC Care. For a list of accepted insurance plans, please see Available Insurance plans at expresscare.nyc. This information is updated periodically and is subject to change; please check with your health plan to verify coverage.

NYC Health + Hospital’s providers and hospitals are contracted with the health plans listed in this website, which means that they are in-network and participating with these plans. Your benefit coverage for care provided by NYC Health + Hospitals is determined solely by your insurance company and is based on the provisions of your specific medical benefit plan.

NYC Health + Hospital’s providers and hospitals are contracted with the health plans listed in this website, which means that they are in-network and participating with these plans.

Your benefit coverage for care provided by NYC Health + Hospitals is determined solely by your insurance company and is based on the provisions of your specific medical benefit plan.

Care provided by NYC Health + Hospitals may not be covered by your health plan at the highest available benefit level, nor may NYC Health + Hospitals participate in every product offering from the health plans listed in this website. Please contact the customer service department or the benefits administrator listed on the back of your member identification card to confirm that you have in-network access to NYC Health + Hospitals and that the specific health care service you are seeking at NYC Health + Hospitals is covered by your health plan.

ExpressCare Urgent Care is a service that allows you to speak with a provider about common health issues that are not emergencies from the comfort of your own home.

• With Virtual ExpressCare you can expect to wait 5 minutes to see a provider and a typical visit is between 8-12 minutes long.  
• The provider will assess you and advise you on what to do next to get healthy.

We treat common health issues that are not emergencies. Examples include:

You should NOT use ExpressCare if you are experiencing a medical emergency. In the event of a medical emergency, please call 911.

Yes. Current ExpressCare sites are listed on the Our Locations.  You can always walk in for care at ExpressCare and our sites can offer on-site laboratory, radiology and imaging services.

Yes. We need your parent to start the visit with ExpressCare.  You can help them and they can ask us to invite you to the visit as needed.

Yes. We treat all ages. We ask that the child’s parent or guardian is with them.

ExpressCare providers can prescribe medications. ExpressCare providers do not issue prescriptions for substances controlled by the DEA, non-therapeutic, and/or certain other drugs that may be harmful because of their potential for abuse. Also, non-therapeutic drugs such as Viagra and Cialis are not prescribed by ExpressCare providers.

Yes, however, any prescription of antibiotics must be accurate and professional. We understand the negative consequences that may result from over-prescribing, and thus our providers will only write prescriptions based on their best clinical judgement.

ExpressCare does not dispense prescription drugs. If ExpressCare provider prescribes medication, it is submitted electronically or by phone to the pharmacy of your choice.

ExpressCare Behavioral Health is a service that allows you to speak to a provider about common mental, emotional and behavioral health issues from the comfort of your own home.

A typical ExpressCare Behavioral Health visit is 45 minutes long.

The provider will evaluate you and decide with you the best treatment for your needs. After completing treatment, the provider will offer follow-up services as needed, which could include medication management and other ongoing services to support your overall wellness and quality of life.

Patients can expect to have 6-7 visits, however your provider may recommend more or fewer visit depending on your specific needs

• Substance Use Disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Burnout
• Withdrawal
• Other emotional distress

• Medication abortion is available to eligible patients in NYC at the time of visit who are up to around 10 weeks into their pregnancy.
• In addition, patients must attest to being in New York City at the time of the visit and must attest that they will be in New York City when they take the medication. We do not require proof of New York residency.

You are not eligible. Providers will not be prescribing medications to patients outside New York City.

Telehealth medication abortion services are available to eligible, consenting patients who are 15 years of age or older through Virtual ExpressCare . Parental consent is not required. If in-person care is more appropriate, the patient will be referred.

NYC Health + Hospitals offers procedural and medication abortions at all 11 of our acute care hospitals.

NYC Health + Hospitals offers a wide range of obstetric and gynecologic services including primary care, family planning, abortion care, prenatal through delivery care, midwifery and doula services, postpartum care, breastfeeding/lactation services, breast exams, nutrition, behavioral health referrals, preventative care, and vaccinations. Gynecology services include menopause and fibroid treatments, as well as specialty practices for gynecologic cancers, pelvic pain and endometriosis.

• Abortion medication can only be shipped and delivered to a New York City residential address.
• In addition, patients must attest to being in New York City at the time of the visit and must attest that they will be in New York City when they take the medication. We do not require proof of New York residency.

We’re working with Honeybee pharmacy, which has extensive experience mailing abortion medication nationally.

Patients who are identified as needing immediate in-person care will be directed to their nearest Emergency Department.