Complete Visitor Guide for General New York City Specialty Hospital

Updated 2026 NYC public hospital and specialty care guide

Metropolitan Hospital Center Departments, NYC Care, Public Hospitals, Queens Hospital and Visitor Help

Use this guide to choose the right NYC public hospital, confirm Metropolitan Hospital Center phone number, understand services offered by Metropolitan Hospital Center, compare NYC Care hospitals, verify Queens Hospital Jamaica, and plan emergency care, appointments, transit, parking, billing and financial assistance.

🏥 Metropolitan: East Harlem ☎️ 212-423-6262 📅 Appointments: 844-692-4692 🤝 NYC Care help 🚑 Emergency: 911
★ Quick answer

General New York City Specialty Hospital: What You Should Do First

General New York City Specialty Hospital searches usually mean one of four things: you need NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan in East Harlem, you are trying to find a public NYC hospital, you need low-cost care through NYC Care, or you are comparing a different NYC Health + Hospitals location such as Queens Hospital Jamaica.

If this is a medical emergency, call 911. If you need a routine NYC Health + Hospitals appointment, call 1-844-692-4692. If you are trying to reach Metropolitan Hospital Center directly, call 1-212-423-6262.

Metropolitan Hospital Center is located at 1901 First Avenue, New York, NY 10029. Queens Hospital Jamaica, often searched as 82-68 164th Street Queens Hospital, is NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens at 82-68 164th Street, Queens, NY 11432.

🏥 Need Metropolitan?

Use this for East Harlem public hospital care, emergency care, medical specialties, primary care, women’s health and behavioral health.

🤝 No insurance?

Check NYC Care if you live in NYC and cannot get or afford health insurance.

📍 Need Queens?

Use NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens for Jamaica address searches and Queens public hospital care.

🚑 Emergency?

Call 911 first. Do not delay care while comparing departments, hospital pages, parking or directions.

Fast facts

Metropolitan Hospital Center Phone Number, Address and Core Details

Metropolitan Hospital Center is officially NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan. It is a full-service public hospital in East Harlem and part of NYC Health + Hospitals, the city’s public health system.

Use the hospital phone number for routing, the appointment line for scheduling, NYC Care for low-cost care access, and 911 for emergencies.

📍Address1901 First AveNew York, NY 10029
☎️Hospital phone212-423-6262General routing
📅Appointments844-692-4692NYC H+H scheduling
🛏️Beds419Official listing
🚑EmergencyCall 911Life-threatening care
Important: “Metropolitan hospital departments” is a broad search. For the fastest help, ask for the specific service desk: emergency medicine, primary care, behavioral health, women’s health, medical specialties, financial counseling, medical records or patient information.
Page guide

What This Improved NYC Hospital Guide Covers

Services

Services Offered by Metropolitan Hospital Center

Metropolitan Hospital Center provides public hospital care for East Harlem and New Yorkers across the city. Official service categories include emergency care, primary care, medical specialties, women’s health, behavioral and mental health, pediatrics, radiology, surgery, rehabilitation, WIC and more.

The right next step depends on your need. Emergency symptoms need 911. Routine care usually starts with an appointment. Specialty care may require a referral, outside records, imaging reports or a care-team handoff.

🚑 Emergency Medicine

Use emergency care for urgent symptoms, injuries, psychiatric emergencies or problems that cannot wait for a clinic appointment.

🩺 Primary & Specialty Care

Use primary care for checkups and chronic conditions. Use medical specialties when your care team says a specialist is needed.

👩 Women’s Health & Pediatrics

Use women’s health, OB/GYN, pediatric and adolescent health services based on age, symptoms, pregnancy status and care needs.

Service area Best for What to do before going
Medical specialties Complex, chronic or specialist-managed conditions. Ask whether you need a referral, lab results, imaging reports or medication list.
Behavioral & mental health Mental health support, psychiatric emergencies and ongoing behavioral care. Call 911 for immediate danger. For non-emergency care, call for appointment routing.
Radiology and imaging X-rays, scans or imaging requested by a clinician. Confirm whether your order, referral, prior authorization or appointment is required.
Surgery and robotic surgery Procedure planning, surgical consults and follow-up care. Ask about arrival time, fasting instructions, escort rules and pre-op documents.
WIC and community support Nutrition and support programs for eligible families. Ask what proof of identity, residency, income or appointment documents are needed.
Departments

Metropolitan Hospital Departments: How to Ask for the Right Desk

When people search for Metropolitan hospital departments, they often need a phone route, not a long directory. The fastest method is to call the main number and ask for the department by purpose.

Use clear wording. For example, say “I need to schedule adult primary care,” “I need medical records,” “I need financial counseling,” “I need behavioral health,” or “I need the emergency department entrance.”

Your need Ask for this route Helpful wording
New appointment Appointments / scheduling “I need an appointment at Metropolitan. Which clinic or specialty should I schedule?”
Specialty condition Medical specialties “Do I need a referral, records, labs or imaging before the specialty visit?”
Mental health support Behavioral & mental health “This is not an immediate emergency, but I need behavioral health care routing.”
No insurance or low income Financial counseling / NYC Care “Can you help me with NYC Care, Medicaid, insurance screening or financial assistance?”
Records or test results Medical records / release of information “I need records for specific dates of service. What ID or form is required?”
Immediate danger 911 / emergency services “This may be life-threatening. I am calling 911 now.”
Phone tip: If you are unsure, call 1-212-423-6262 and describe what you need in plain language. Do not guess the department name if symptoms are urgent.
Emergency first

Emergency Care at Metropolitan Hospital Center and NYC Public Hospitals

Metropolitan’s emergency care route is for urgent medical and psychiatric needs. However, a true emergency should begin with 911, not an online hospital search.

Call 911 for chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing trouble, major injury, overdose, severe bleeding, seizure, loss of consciousness, sudden weakness, severe allergic reaction or immediate psychiatric danger.

🚨 Do not delay emergency care

If the patient may be unstable, call 911. Emergency responders can help route the patient based on symptoms, location and urgent medical need.

Safety warning: This article is hospital navigation help only. It is not medical advice and does not replace emergency services, diagnosis or treatment.
NYC Care

NYC Care Hospitals: Low-Cost Care for New Yorkers Without Insurance

NYC Care hospitals are not a separate private hospital chain. NYC Care is a no-cost or low-cost health care access program connected to NYC Health + Hospitals for New Yorkers who live in NYC and do not have affordable insurance.

Call 646-NYC-CARE / 646-692-2273 if you need help finding out whether you qualify. NYC Care can connect members with a regular doctor and services through NYC Health + Hospitals locations citywide.

🤝 Best for uninsured patients

Use NYC Care if you live in New York City and cannot get or afford health insurance.

🩺 Best for ongoing care

Ask about primary care, specialty referrals, mental health, substance-use care, preventive screenings and prescriptions.

📞 Best first step

Call NYC Care before delaying needed routine care because you are worried about cost.

Important: NYC Care is not the same thing as private insurance. Ask what services are included, what you may pay, whether fees are sliding-scale, and whether the service must be inside NYC Health + Hospitals.
Public system

What Are the 11 Public Hospitals in NYC?

Users asking “What are the 11 public hospitals in NYC?” usually want to know which acute care hospitals are part of NYC Health + Hospitals. These are the city-run public hospital campuses that provide emergency, inpatient, outpatient and specialty care across boroughs.

NYC public hospital Borough / area Useful search note
NYC Health + Hospitals/BellevueManhattanMajor Manhattan public hospital on First Avenue.
NYC Health + Hospitals/ElmhurstQueensQueens public hospital in Elmhurst.
NYC Health + Hospitals/HarlemManhattanHarlem public hospital on Lenox Avenue.
NYC Health + Hospitals/JacobiBronxBronx public hospital campus.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings CountyBrooklynBrooklyn public hospital on Clarkson Avenue.
NYC Health + Hospitals/LincolnBronxSouth Bronx public hospital.
NYC Health + Hospitals/MetropolitanManhattan / East HarlemMain focus of this guide.
NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central BronxBronxBronx public hospital campus.
NYC Health + Hospitals/QueensQueens / JamaicaQueens Hospital Jamaica at 82-68 164th Street.
NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn HealthBrooklynSouth Brooklyn public hospital campus.
NYC Health + Hospitals/WoodhullBrooklynBrooklyn public hospital on Broadway.
Search tip: If your paperwork says NYC Health + Hospitals, match the exact facility name and borough before travelling. Some hospitals, clinics and Gotham Health centers have similar names or nearby addresses.
Queens keyword intent

Queens Hospital Jamaica: 82-68 164th Street Queens Hospital

Queens Hospital Jamaica usually refers to NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. The official NYC Health + Hospitals location listing shows 82-68 164th Street, Queens, NY 11432.

The main phone number listed for NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens is 1-718-883-3000, and the NYC Health + Hospitals appointment line is 1-844-692-4692.

📍 Address

82-68 164th Street, Queens, NY 11432.

☎️ Phone

1-718-883-3000 for general hospital routing.

📅 Appointments

1-844-692-4692 for NYC Health + Hospitals appointments.

Do not mix campuses: Metropolitan Hospital Center is in East Harlem, Manhattan. Queens Hospital is in Jamaica, Queens. Confirm which facility appears on your appointment message before travelling.
Directions

Metropolitan Hospital Directions, Parking, Subway and Bus Help

Metropolitan Hospital Center is located at 1901 First Avenue, between East 97th and East 99th Streets in Manhattan. The official directions page lists subway, bus and driving access.

For many NYC visitors, public transit is easier than driving. If you drive, expect limited metered street parking around the hospital and nearby lots along First, Second and Third Avenues.

Travel method Official route detail Practical user tip
Subway Q train to 96th Street; 6 train to 96th Street. Save walking directions from the station before you lose signal or battery.
Bus M96, M15 and M15-SBS serve nearby First Avenue / 97th Street areas. Check service alerts and return route, especially for evening appointments.
Car From FDR Drive, take the 96th Street exit and proceed to 97th Street and First Avenue. Drop off the patient first if walking from parking will be difficult.
Parking Limited metered parking surrounds the hospital; lots are along First, Second and Third Avenues. Do not assume a spot will be available. Build in extra time.
🚇 Transit first

For routine appointments, subway or bus may be simpler than Manhattan parking.

♿ Mobility needs

Use drop-off first if the patient has pain, weakness, mobility limits or wheelchair needs.

📞 Department check

Call before leaving if your appointment does not show clinic floor, suite or entrance.

Appointment prep

What to Bring for Metropolitan Hospital Center Appointments

For a smoother Metropolitan Hospital Center appointment, prepare your documents before arriving. This matters most for first-time visits, specialty care, imaging, financial counseling and NYC Care questions.

🪪 Photo ID

Bring a government-issued or accepted ID when available.

💳 Insurance or NYC Care details

Bring insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, NYC Care or financial counseling documents.

💊 Medication list

Bring medicine names, doses, allergies, vitamins and supplements.

🏥 Pharmacy details

Bring pharmacy name, address and phone number for prescriptions.

📄 Medical records

Bring outside labs, imaging reports, discharge papers or referral documents.

❓ Questions

Write down symptoms, timeline, pain level and your top three questions.

Appointment script: “I have an appointment at Metropolitan. Can you confirm the clinic name, floor, entrance, documents needed, and whether I should bring outside records?”
Cost help

Billing, Insurance, NYC Care and Financial Assistance

NYC Health + Hospitals says it provides care regardless of immigration status or ability to pay, and that a discounted/sliding fee schedule may be available based on family size and income.

If you do not qualify for free or low-cost insurance, ask about NYC Care or Options. If you have a bill, ask whether it is a facility bill, physician bill, lab bill, imaging bill, medication charge or another provider charge.

Your situation Best next step What to ask
No insurance Call NYC Care or financial counseling. “Can I qualify for NYC Care, Medicaid, financial assistance or low-cost care?”
Received a bill Call billing/insurance support. “Is this a facility bill, physician bill, lab bill, medication bill or another provider charge?”
Need prescription help Ask financial counseling and care team. “Are prescriptions covered through NYC Care, Options or another assistance route?”
Insurance changed Update registration before the visit. “Do you have my latest insurance, address and contact information?”
Billing safety: Do not send medical, insurance or payment information through random third-party forms. Use official NYC Health + Hospitals, NYC Care, MyChart or hospital billing contact routes.
Official source/PDF audit

Official PDF and Source Details: NYC Care, Options and Financial Help

Official financial-help sources show that patients should not skip needed care only because they lack insurance. NYC Health + Hospitals financial assistance materials point users toward insurance screening, NYC Care, Options, financial counseling and sliding-scale help.

The NYC Health + Hospitals Options PDF includes examples of income-based costs and notes that patients needing frequent services or many prescriptions can ask a financial counselor about a waiver or fee reduction. Treat PDF dollar examples as program guidance, not a final personal quote.

📄 What the PDF means

It gives program examples and cost tiers, but your exact cost depends on screening, family size, income, service type and current policy.

🧾 What to bring

Bring ID, NYC residency proof, household income proof, household size information and insurance-screening documents if you have them.

🗣️ What to ask

Ask for a financial counselor, NYC Care screening, Options, prescription help, sliding-scale fees and language assistance.

Practical script: “I do not have affordable insurance. Can a financial counselor screen me for NYC Care, Options, Medicaid, sliding-scale fees, prescription help and any current financial-assistance documents in my language?”
Visitors

Visitor and Patient Support at NYC Public Hospitals

Hospital visits are easier when you confirm the patient’s unit, visitor rules, entrance and phone routing before leaving. Large NYC public hospitals may have multiple desks, clinics and inpatient areas.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family visitor

Confirm room, unit and visitor rules before travelling. Patients may move after tests or procedures.

🌐 Language support

Ask about language assistance or interpreter support during scheduling and check-in.

♿ Accessibility

Ask for accessible entrances, wheelchair support and drop-off guidance if needed.

📱 Bring charger

Hospital visits and emergency waits can take longer than expected.

🍽️ Food restrictions

Do not bring outside food for a patient without asking the care team.

🧼 Stay home if sick

Do not visit if you have contagious symptoms such as fever, flu, vomiting or diarrhea.

Infection prevention: Hospital patients may be vulnerable. Follow posted signs, hand hygiene instructions, masking rules if posted, and staff directions.
Map

Metropolitan Hospital Center Map and Directions

Use this map for orientation. Before travelling, confirm your department, clinic, entrance and appointment time.

FAQs

General New York City Specialty Hospital FAQs

What is Metropolitan Hospital Center?

Metropolitan Hospital Center is NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, a full-service public hospital in East Harlem and one of the 11 acute care hospitals in the NYC Health + Hospitals system.

What is the Metropolitan Hospital phone number?

The official phone number listed for NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan is 1-212-423-6262. For NYC Health + Hospitals appointments, call 1-844-692-4692.

What services are offered by Metropolitan Hospital Center?

Metropolitan offers emergency care, primary care, women’s health, behavioral and mental health, medical specialties, pediatrics, radiology, rehabilitation, surgery, WIC and other public hospital services.

What are Metropolitan hospital departments?

Common department routes include emergency medicine, primary care, women’s health, behavioral health, medical specialties, radiology, surgery, rehabilitation, financial counseling, patient information and medical records. Call the main number and describe what you need.

What are NYC Care hospitals?

NYC Care is a no-cost or low-cost health care access program connected to NYC Health + Hospitals. It is for New Yorkers who do not have health insurance and cannot afford private insurance. Call 646-692-2273 for help.

What are the 11 public hospitals in NYC?

The 11 NYC Health + Hospitals acute care hospitals are Bellevue, Elmhurst, Harlem, Jacobi, Kings County, Lincoln, Metropolitan, North Central Bronx, Queens, South Brooklyn Health and Woodhull.

Where is Queens Hospital Jamaica?

NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens is listed at 82-68 164th Street, Queens, NY 11432. Its listed phone number is 1-718-883-3000.

Is 82-68 164th Street Queens Hospital the same as Metropolitan?

No. 82-68 164th Street is NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens in Jamaica, Queens. Metropolitan Hospital Center is at 1901 First Avenue in East Harlem, Manhattan.

How do I schedule an NYC Health + Hospitals appointment?

Use the NYC Health + Hospitals appointment line at 1-844-692-4692. Have the hospital name, clinic type, insurance or NYC Care details, and your contact information ready.

What if I do not have insurance?

Ask about NYC Care, Options, Medicaid screening, financial counseling and sliding-scale help. Bring ID, NYC residency proof, income information and household-size details if available.

How do I get to Metropolitan Hospital Center by subway or bus?

The official directions page lists the Q train to 96th Street, the 6 train to 96th Street, and nearby M96, M15 and M15-SBS bus routes. Confirm the latest route before travelling.

What should I do in a medical emergency in NYC?

Call 911 immediately for life-threatening symptoms. Do not delay emergency care while comparing hospitals, parking, directions or department lists.

Medical and accuracy disclaimer: This article is an informational hospital navigation guide only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, insurance advice, billing advice or emergency care replacement. Hospital departments, hours, phone routing, accepted insurance, financial-assistance rules and visitor policies can change. Always verify details with official NYC Health + Hospitals, NYC Care, ACCESS NYC or hospital sources before travelling. For emergencies in the United States, call 911.