Your Questions, Answered Honestly.

Yes — we are actively welcoming new patients. As a practice deeply rooted in the Chinatown and Lower Manhattan community, we keep openings available for new families and individuals seeking a primary care home they can count on long-term.

To secure your first appointment, we recommend booking ahead — availability fills quickly, especially for morning slots and Saturday hours. You can schedule by phone, online via our contact form, or via WhatsApp for convenience.

To make your first visit as efficient and thorough as possible, please bring:

• A valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
• Your insurance card(s) — primary and secondary if applicable
• A list of current medications, including dosages and frequency
• Records from previous providers (labs, imaging, specialist notes from the past 2 years)
• Any known allergies — medications, environmental, or food
• A summary of your medical, surgical, and family health history if you have one

Don't worry if you don't have everything — our physicians are skilled at building a comprehensive picture from scratch.

New patient appointments typically run 45 to 60 minutes. Unlike many NYC practices where first visits are rushed through in 15 minutes, we believe your initial visit should be thorough — a proper review of your history, a physical examination, a conversation about your health goals, and any necessary lab orders.

We ask that you arrive 10–15 minutes early to complete intake paperwork. Follow-up visits are generally 20 to 30 minutes.

No referral is needed. You can contact us directly to schedule your first visit by phone, online, or via WhatsApp.

If your insurance plan requires you to designate a Primary Care Physician (PCP) — common with HMO-style plans like Healthfirst, MetroPlus, or WellCare — you will need to update your PCP designation with your insurer after your first visit. Our front desk team will guide you through this process.

Yes, absolutely. When booking, you're welcome to request a specific physician. Many patients choose based on language preference — Cantonese speakers often request Dr. Cynthia Tam or Dr. Anthony Tam, while Mandarin-speaking patients often prefer Dr. Zhang.

If you'd prefer to switch physicians at any time, simply let our front desk know. We'll facilitate the transition smoothly with full records transfer within the practice.

Pre-existing conditions are not a barrier to care — they are, in many ways, the reason a strong primary care relationship matters most. Our physicians are experienced managing diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, asthma, COPD, thyroid disorders, and more.

During your first visit, your physician will conduct a thorough review of your diagnoses, medications, and recent results. From there, we build a personalized, proactive care plan — not a reactive one. For complex conditions, we coordinate with specialists through the Rendr Care network.

We accept a wide range of plans, including:

• Government Programs: Medicare (Parts A & B), Medicaid (NY)
• Commercial Plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna
• NY-Based Plans: EmblemHealth (GHI/HIP), MetroPlus, Oscar Health, Healthfirst, WellCare

If you don't see your insurer listed, call us at (212) 965-0496 — we verify benefits quickly and our list is always evolving.

Absolutely, without exception. Every patient receives the same high standard of attentive, board-certified primary care regardless of insurance type. We have extensive experience with Medicare and Medicaid benefits, including annual wellness visits, chronic care management, and coordinated specialist referrals.

Two easy steps:

1. Call us: (212) 965-0496 with your insurance card and member ID. We'll verify your coverage and co-pay before you arrive.

2. Call your insurer: Confirm that Metro True Care Medical, P.C. (NPI: 1528115698) is in-network for your specific plan using the member services number on the back of your card.

• Annual Wellness Visits (Medicare/ACA): Often $0 — frequently fully covered
• Sick/Problem Visits (commercial plans): Co-pays typically $20–$50 depending on your plan
• Lab Work: Often covered, but some tests may have a separate cost — we'll always tell you upfront

Call your insurer ahead of your visit to confirm your specific amounts. Our front desk is also happy to walk you through what to expect.

Yes — please call us to discuss your situation. We can discuss self-pay rates and, importantly, help connect you with coverage you may be eligible for — including NY Medicaid, the Essential Plan, or Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health. Many uninsured patients discover they qualify for low-cost or no-cost coverage.

Call (212) 965-0496 to explore your options before your visit.

• Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Sunday: Closed

Saturday morning appointments fill up early — we recommend booking by Wednesday or Thursday for a Saturday slot. Telehealth appointments can often be accommodated more flexibly within office hours.

Existing patients: Follow-ups are typically available within 2–5 business days. Urgent same-day slots are often available — call early in the morning for the best chance.

New patients: Initial intake appointments are generally available within 1–2 weeks. If you have a time-sensitive concern, let our front desk know and we'll prioritize accordingly.

For non-emergency urgent concerns after hours, as part of the Rendr Care network, our patients have access to extended resources and telehealth options to bridge the gap until we're open.

For true emergencies — chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe injury, or stroke symptoms — please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Contact us at least 3–5 business days before your medication runs out. You can request refills by:

• Calling (212) 965-0496
• Asking your pharmacy to send a refill request to our office
• Requesting during a telehealth or in-office visit

Note: Controlled substances require a recent in-person visit and cannot be refilled remotely by law.

We ask for at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule so we can offer the slot to another patient. You can reach us by phone at (212) 965-0496 or via WhatsApp. We understand that life in New York is unpredictable and don't penalize patients for occasional last-minute changes.

Telehealth visits are fully available via secure video or phone call — no travel required. Works well for: follow-up consultations, lab result reviews, chronic condition check-ins, mild symptoms, medication management, and referral coordination.

Insurance: Most major insurers — including Medicare, Medicaid, and our commercial plans — cover telehealth at the same co-pay rate as in-person visits. Contact your insurer or our office for specifics.

You'll need to come in person for:

• Annual physicals (require full physical examination)
• Lab draws and bloodwork
• EKG, spirometry, or other diagnostic procedures
• Well-woman exams (Pap smear, pelvic examination)
• Vaccinations and immunizations
• Wound care and skin assessments requiring palpation
• Controlled substance prescriptions

If you're unsure, call us first and we'll advise on the most appropriate visit type.

No special downloads or technical expertise required. You'll need:

• A smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone
• A stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or 4G/5G)
• A private, quiet space

You'll receive a secure link before your appointment — just click it at your appointment time. Phone-only visits (no video) are also available for most visit types.

Our physicians are licensed in New York State, so telehealth visits work from anywhere within New York. If you're physically outside of NY at the time of the visit, cross-state licensing requirements may apply — our physicians typically cannot prescribe for patients located outside NY. Let us know your situation when booking and we'll advise on the best approach.

Yes — all telehealth visits use HIPAA-compliant video platforms. Your conversation is private, encrypted, and protected under the same patient confidentiality rules as any in-person visit. We do not record sessions without explicit consent, and your visit notes are stored in your secure medical record.

We strongly recommend conducting your telehealth visit from a private location where others cannot overhear sensitive health information.

Yes — this is one of the core reasons Main Street Medical exists. Our physician team is fluent in:

• Dr. Jian Wei Zhang — English, Mandarin, Cantonese
• Dr. Cynthia Tam — English, Cantonese
• Dr. Anthony Tam — English, Cantonese
• Dr. Kuan H. Shen — English

If you have a language preference, let us know when booking and we'll match you with the most appropriate physician.

Absolutely and without reservation. While our practice was founded with the Asian-American community in mind, we proudly serve patients of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and languages. Chinatown and Lower Manhattan are among the most diverse communities in the world, and our patient base reflects that.

What every patient receives, regardless of background, is the same attentive, board-certified care and a physician who takes your concerns seriously.

Cultural competence goes beyond language. It means our physicians understand how cultural context shapes health behaviors, treatment preferences, and responses to diagnosis. In practice:

• Understanding that some patients may underreport symptoms due to cultural norms around stoicism
• Recognizing how family dynamics influence health decisions
• Being sensitive to traditional medicine practices and discussing them openly
• Knowing that mental health stigma varies by cultural background and adjusting the conversation accordingly

Our physicians have decades of combined experience serving multicultural communities in New York. This isn't a training module — it's how they practice every day.

For English, Mandarin, and Cantonese speakers, direct physician communication is available without any interpreter. For other languages, please contact us when booking to discuss accommodations.

Under federal law (Section 1557 of the ACA), patients with limited English proficiency are entitled to language assistance in healthcare settings. We never want language to be a reason anyone avoids care.

Yes, of course. You are always welcome to bring a trusted family member or friend for support, translation, or company. For appointments involving serious diagnoses or medication discussions, requesting a physician who speaks your language directly ensures the most precise and private communication possible.

Chronic condition management is one of our highest priorities. Our physicians build a longitudinal care plan considering your full clinical picture. Your care includes:

• Regular monitoring with appropriate lab panels (A1C, lipid panels, thyroid function, etc.)
• Proactive medication review and adjustment as your condition evolves
• Lifestyle counseling — nutrition, activity, and behavioral health
• Coordinated specialist referrals through Rendr Care for complications
• Telehealth check-ins between in-person visits

The Rendr Care network includes over 200 physicians across 20+ specialties serving all five boroughs. When we coordinate a referral:

• Faster appointments — Rendr providers prioritize referrals from within the network
• Seamless records transfer — your notes and results are shared proactively
• Closed-loop follow-up — specialist reports come back to us for integrated care planning
• Language continuity — we can refer you to multilingual specialists where possible

Yes — preventive care is a cornerstone of what we do. We offer a comprehensive range of adult vaccines including flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal, Shingrix, Hepatitis A & B, HPV, Tdap, and travel vaccines.

We also offer blood glucose, cholesterol, STI, colorectal cancer screening referrals, bone density (DEXA), and more. Our physicians proactively recommend the screenings appropriate for your age, gender, and history.

Mental health is an integral part of overall health. Our physicians screen for depression, anxiety, and stress during routine wellness visits. In primary care, we can:

• Screen using validated clinical tools
• Initiate or manage medications for mild-to-moderate depression or anxiety when appropriate
• Provide initial guidance and lifestyle recommendations
• Coordinate referrals to psychiatrists, psychologists, or therapists through the Rendr network

We approach mental health with the same care as any other medical concern — without judgment and with full confidentiality.

If you receive lab results or any test results that are confusing or alarming — please don't try to interpret them alone through a search engine. Call us.

After any test we order, your physician will review the results and reach out with a clear explanation. If results indicate something requiring prompt attention, we will contact you within 1–2 business days. If you've been waiting longer, call us directly at (212) 965-0496.

Yes — our facility is fully wheelchair accessible. 139 Centre Street has a wheelchair-accessible entrance at street level, elevator access to the 7th floor, and an accessible restroom within our suite. If you have specific mobility needs, please let us know when booking.

We accept all major credit cards and debit cards for co-pays and out-of-pocket fees. Personal checks and cash may also be accepted — call ahead to confirm. Our front desk can also help you understand your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) and identify any billing discrepancies after a visit.

139 Centre Street, Suite 709, New York, NY 10013 — heart of Chinatown, steps from Civic Center and Tribeca.

By Subway: J/Z (Chambers St, 4 min) · 4/5/6 (Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall, 6 min) · N/Q/R/W (Canal St, 8 min) · 1 (Canal St, 9 min)

By Bus: M22 on Canal Street; M103 and B51 serve the area.

By Car: Street parking is very limited. We recommend transit. Nearest garage: Baxter Street Parking (2-min walk).

Parking is limited in the Chinatown/Civic Center area. We strongly recommend arriving by subway or bus. Nearest parking: Baxter Street Parking Garage (2-min walk), plus limited metered spots on Centre and Worth Streets. For patients with mobility needs, call ahead for accessible drop-off advice.

Contact our front desk at (212) 965-0496 to request your records. You'll complete a records release authorization form in person or by mail. Records are typically processed within 5–10 business days.

For incoming records from a previous provider, provide us with their name, phone, and address and we'll coordinate the transfer as part of your new patient intake. All records handling complies with HIPAA privacy regulations.