NY girls: Apicha vs Callen-Lorde

[Abby S.]

Hi group!

So I am looking to start HRT. I called Callen Lorde about a month ago, and they gave me an appointment for September 14th, and to br frank, I have no patience to wait...
Last night two friends gold me about Apicha, called them up, and got an appointment for the next day.

Now both of them sound great, but Callen Lorde seems to be a bit more convenient, having everything in the same place, etc., however of I will have to wait so long for every appointment, it is not worth.

I am wondering what other girls' experience were. Also, if anyone can tell me if every appointment at CL takes.that long.

All the best, sisters!

[TDawesome]

Hi Abby!

I go to Callen Lorde. Yes it is convenient and yes the wait is long for the initial appointment. But once you're in their system, it'll be much quicker (not by a lot though simply because they have a ton of patients) and they usually try to find the earliest appointment available time for you. They're also usually pretty good with their appointment times, I've never had to wait over 10 mins to go in (even if there are people already waiting before me) after I show up on the dot at my appointment time. They're also very friendly!

Location is also key here. CL is located at a location where there's less traffic (besides school kids during the school year) and where people are used to seeing LGBTQ people on a daily basis. Apicha is located on the outskirts of Chinatown/Tribeca/Soho where there is a ton more traffic regardless of day and time and there's also a ton of people who are not used to seeing LGBTQ people on a daily basis. If you prefer a more semi-secluded location, I'd say CL would be best. If you DGAF, Apicha will be best simply because of shorter waiting time.

If you go CL and start your HRT, you will get your blood drawn during your initial appointment. Then you can set up an appointment ahead of time to view the results (CL sends the blood to Quest Diagnostics for testing). Go to that appointment, discuss with doctor about your blood and if you're ready or not to start HRT. If you're not ready to start, they'll just let you know to inform them ahead of time once you are ready so they can get another appointment in before starting HRT. Their pharmacy is also located on the first floor just next to the elevators (and they deliver!).

Hope this helps!

[Sydney_NYC]

I also go to Callen-Lorde and they are awesome. Just like TDawesome said, after the initial intake things go very quickly. I usually arrive at my appointments 10-15 min before the time and most of the time they take me in within 5-10 min of being there. Their pharmacy downstairs is super convenient and the prices are usually much cheaper (especially Delestrogen) than any pharmacy. They do take insurance, but since I live in NJ, that can be tricky. (My new insurance plan that starts next month will be easier to do that with.)

Even before my legal name change, they have in the system your preferred name and pronoun and they always used the correct name and pronoun every single time. My HRT doctor their is fantastic and she makes you feel incredibly comfortable with a lot of experience. Another nice thing is they have an online patient portal that you can view you chart anytime online.

[iKate]

I go to Beth Israel on 14th street which is another option. Initial appointment took about a month but a lot of NYC area clinics are overwhelmed in general, not just TS/TG.