Become a Patient

Comprehensive vision and health care, including primary care, endocrinology, podiatry, and occupational therapy.

Step 1: Request an appointment

To schedule a visit, call 212-769-6300 or request an appointment online, and a member of our staff will follow up with you.

Step 2: Check your insurance

Make sure your insurance plan provides coverage at Lighthouse Guild. Coverage does vary depending on the individual plan. Medicaid and New York State Medicare also provide benefits for care here.

If you have any questions, we recommend that you speak with your insurance company or call us at 212-769-6300.

If you don’t have health insurance or you’re worried that your insurance may not cover your entire bill, we may be able to help.

Important Notice for Patients Requesting a Vision Appointment: Refraction Test

Many examinations and tests performed at Lighthouse Guild evaluate your eyes for possible disease. Once a disease is detected, examinations and tests allow us to manage your eyes appropriately (in conjunction with your ophthalmologist) and prescribe low vision devices and referrals for appropriate services. However, there is one test called refraction that is typically not covered by insurance and needs to be performed at least once a year. Refraction is not an optional test and is essential to fully evaluate your eyes appropriately. 

Federal guidelines state that the office visit and the refraction are to be reported as (two) separate charges when submitting your services to Medicare and other insurance. Most medical insurance carriers do not cover costs for the refraction, and there is a separate charge for this service. It is Lighthouse Guild policy that the payment for the refraction must be made at the time of service, along with your copay and any deductible amounts for the covered charges for your visit.

Step 3: Prepare for your first visit

The staff member who schedules your appointment will let you know about any referral requirements and other information we may need before your first visit. We will send you registration materials by email and mail, along with any forms or releases needed to provide care.

It’s helpful to complete as much of this information as possible in advance. If you’re not able to do so, that’s okay — please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment.

If you have questions or need assistance completing the documentation, please let our staff know and we will be happy to help.

Please bring the following to your first appointment:

• Your current insurance card(s)
• State identification
• A list of your current medications
• Any referrals you have received from your doctors

We also recommend bringing a list of questions for your care team. If possible, consider having a family member or friend come with you to participate in the discussion, take notes, or simply provide support.

Step 4: Map our Location

Our Health Center at Lighthouse Guild is located:

• Manhattan

Step 5: Meet your doctor

At your first visit, you’ll meet your doctor as well as members of the care team who support them, including nurses and medical assistants.

If appropriate — and always with your agreement — your doctor may recommend consultation with other specialists on our team, including low vision optometrists, primary care physicians, endocrinologists, podiatrists, occupational therapists, social workers/therapists, and nutritionists.

Each member of this team specializes in caring for people with vision loss and related health conditions. By working together, they bring expertise from different areas to support your care.

This coordinated approach helps ensure you receive the best possible treatment, tailored to your needs.

Step 6: Let us support you

It’s important to everyone at Lighthouse Guild that we care for your total health in addition to treating your vision loss. We offer support groups and a number of other services to support you in every way we can.

We also offer resources especially for caregivers, including online support groups and in-person counseling sessions.