Downtown Primary Care

I have been a patient of Dr. Pearlstein’s for the past 5 years. This winter I came down with asthmatic bronchitis and Dr. Pearlstein, Kalene Millard, and the rest of the staff have been really wonderful and accommodating. They have fit me in last minute 3 times in the past month, and have called me at home multiple times to check on me and make sure that I was getting the right treatment. They even worked with me to find the medicines that my insurance would cover. I am extremely grateful for their excellent care. I can’t recommend them enough!

I have seen Kaylene Millard since moving to back to the city and now never want to move because this has been the best medical office I have been to in m years. I haven’t wait long at all, the office has appointments available & Kaylene has made me the most comfortable I can be at a doctors office (I’m far from the biggest fan of them). Smart pleasant & knowledgeable — great find.

I saw Dr. Kaylene Millard; let me tell you — she was so thorough. I booked it on ZocDoc but she’s not listed there (I assume she was subbing the original doctor). I went for my annual physical exam and every complaint and history I wrote on my appointment, she reviewed one by one with me and re-​evaluated her exam based on what I needed. I told her my concern of my insurance changing in the coming year so she explained what she would do and if it would affect my insurance cost. Then she did a very thorough exam of me. The blood technician, Ashley, was also stellar. I have very thin, slippery veins and I tell this to every blood tech. Every blood tech gives me the same amused look like, «sure, sure.» Then they proceed to do it and by four or five holes later, I am in pain and staring at them in a manner that states «I told you, why don’t you believe me.» Not Ashley — she examined both arms like protocol, then found three veins on my left arm. She marked the vein she would go for — then went in and hit gold in two seconds, which almost never happens. I was seen on time at 9AM on a Tuesday morning. I really, really was appreciative of the doctor and her blood tech.

I didn’t think they could get any worse, but they did and I feel like I need to update this.
So a couple weeks ago some other Unilocaler sent me a message saying «oh they aren’t so bad, and you can check your test results online.» So I did, and apparently she didn’t feel the need to tell me that (1) I do not have hep b immunity and need the vaccines, and (2) I have vitamin d deficiency. What is the matter with these people? Vitamin d deficiency can be extremely bad for one’s health people. So I got my own vitamins, after looking up my own test results. Why am I doing all of this work? I’m not the medical professional here… but clearly they are not either.
AND they sent me to the hospital for a UTI! They couldn’t diagnose a UTI! So crazy.

Ever since I left my pediatrician I’ve been switching primary care doctors (which I know is not good) because none of them was very helpful and it was hard getting an appointment even if you’re sick. But ever since I found out about downtown primary care, it’s like jackpot!
Let me start with the appointments. Obviously if you’re making one for a general check up, there may be a wait. I though it would take me a month before I can get an appointment but I got one in two weeks which was not bad at all. When I got sick, the were able to take me right away. They also have a patient portal on the web where you can get access to all your stuff such as vitals and even your lab results. If you need to communicate with your doctor, shoot them an email through the portal and you’ll get a response within 24 hrs.
My doctor is Dr. Binsol and she is just such a sweetheart. She’s very professional and will help you with your concerns. She doesn’t rush you. I’m happy I finally found a great doctor!!!

Caring doctors and kind receptionists. I’ve been primarily seeing Dr. Janicek for many years, and she listens intently and doesn’t rush through appointments. I’ve also seen Drs. Pearlstein and Binsol and found them kind and competent as well. Highly recommended.

Yes they will see you on short notice — awesome. Super convenient location, too. However, I’m really not happy that every single physical leads to more blood work that turns up nothing. (For the record, I“m young, fit, and have zero illnesses.) Found out they’re running extra blood work that isn’t necessary for me, and when one result is eve slightly off, more blood work is ordered. Then I get saddled with a ridiculous bill. The bill to have a nurse draw my blood? $ 200. The amount Quest Diagnostics charged? $ 800. On top of that, I ALWAYS ask if I need to sign/​pay for anything before I leave. They wave me on by. Now I’ve got a late fee for the visit!!! Conveniently, I can’t pay online or mail a check in because my bill doesn’t come with instructions. Just a late notice.

Words cannot describe what a relief it is to have a doctor’s office who accepts appts and refill and requests online and via EMAIL! On numerous occasions I had emergency refill requests and shot an email to the office and within 24 hours I received a response. All the receptionists are very competent and Dr. Binsol is sweet, caring and takes time to ask you the questions she needs to help.

My husband and I have been going to Downtown Primary Care for 5 years and we are extremely happy with the experience. Both Janicik and Perlstein (our doctors) are friendly, caring, and competent; they seem genuinely concerned about our welfare. Not only do they invariably fit us in for same-​day appointments when something is amiss, but we’ve also had an easy time communicating with them by phone and email when all that was needed was to check on dosages, or ask minor questions.
Also, minor point: their phlebotomist is very efficient and competent; I’ve never had any pain or bleeding after having my blood drawn.
There is usually a wait of about 30 — 40 minutes in the office, if you get there on time for an appointment. Yet, as this is virtually standard practice in medicine today, it is not much to complain about…

I have been going to this practice for several years and I have been very satisfied with my care here. Dr. Janicik has a calm, pleasant manner, and I believe she genuinely cares about her patients’ health and well being. She never rushes through exams, questions or explanations, and I have developed great trust in her skills and diagnostic ability. Over the years there have been a few occasions when I have been treated by the other doctors in the office as well and they also seemed quite good.
The office is run smoothly and efficiently; I have never had a problem with scheduling, wait time or response time which is quite remarkable compared to my experiences at other medical practices.
I am very particular about my health care, so I’m so happy that I found Downtown Primary Care after some not so pleasant experiences at other practices.

I am at a complete loss as to how there could be so many negative comments about this practice and glad I didn’t give in to the concern they raised for me when I needed to choose a new physician. I have never written a Unilocal review, but feel compelled to offer something in response to some of what I am reading here.
I have been Dr. Perlstein’s patient since August 2012 and have had contact with each of the three physicians, as well as the office staff, of course. I’ve also had blood draws. They are very smart, caring, proactive doctors. The office staff are pleasant and efficient. I get return calls or emails. The blood draws are almost painless. I have several chronic conditions and was not happy when I moved here to have to leave behind my exceptionally good doctors — all attendings and residents at one of the top research hospitals in the country, but I am more than satisfied and am delighted I found Dr. Perlstein and Downtown Primary Care.
I am a well-​informed and picky patient. I have had treatment from outstanding physicians, with terrific bedside manner. And I love this practice. Do not let negative comments here dissuade you.

Update — It had been a year since my last post, a year later and I hadn’t found another doctor. I needed a prescription for my inhaler — my apartment gets awfully dry in the winter. And so I called good ol’ Downtown Primary on Friday January 11^th to make an appointment. Wow, I thought, they have an opening on Monday, the 14^th at 11:30. Perfect! Maybe I was wrong about DPC.
I was not.
Monday morning, upon getting out of the subway, I had a voice mail, «your appointment has been cancelled as it was made in error. You had indicated you would be finding another doctor so you are no longer welcome here.»
I’ve since calmed down about the ordeal and realize that if they don’t want me as a customer (clearly don’t see their guests as patients, but customers) I don’t want to purchase services from them. Still, to find out the day of that my appointment had been cancelled is just rude and illustrates a complete lack of care.
This, on top of all the previous happenings — the extended waits, the asinine policies, the lack of any real care — has led me to give my only update on Unilocal ever.
UPDATE: There are hundreds of doctors in NYC. I’m sure you can find a better one than those at Downtown Primary Care.

Trying to find a new doctor can be challenging. I did some research and found the Downtown Primary Care website because I wanted a doctor in the Soho area. I saw good ratings for Dr. Binsol online and was happy to see that she was accepting new patients. I hadn’t been to the doctor in a long time and Dr. Binsol was awesome. She was so friendly, a consummate professional, and did an amazing job. I would definitely recommend her to anyone in the area looking for a doctor.

I may have finally found my new doctor’s office. Nice, clean, institutional setup in a big, university-​hospital setting. Things seem well funded by NYU around here. Be prepared for a mountain of paperwork when you arrive. But after 15 minutes or so of that, my actual wait after my appt time was about 5 minutes, and the office had about half a dozen people waiting – but wasn’t crowded by any means. Dr. Pearlstein was kind, attentive, and really took her time with me to figure things out on my first visit. She may be a bit over-​aggressive on the testing (a few extra blood tests for me), but that’s a small price to pay for a nice facility that doesn’t feel like a cheap, tattered clinic. Enjoying my health insurance while I got it!

Don’t ever go there. They are absolutely not professional.
I called the practice because I was sick with a 2 weeks old baby. The answer of the practice was :” the best I can do… for you… because you have a baby is… end of February” my answer was…“we are the 20 of January, I can’t stay sick during one month with a 2 weeks baby” the the receptionist answer: «So, Bye bye» and she hang out on me !!!
Great, great, not professional, I am not even sure that those doctors are here to cure patients.

It’s sort of weird telling the world who you go see as your primary care provider, but I guess it is okay considering it’s Unilocal!
I have been a patient of Dr. Janicik for many years. I do not think she is taking new patients. Although the other two newer docs are taking new patients. It’s an all female practice, which I prefer. Dr. Janicik and her staff are at the top of their game. I am usually seen within 10 minutes of my appointment time. I have been to other practices where you wait for at least 30 minutes after your scheduled appointment time.
The front desk asks for any changes to your personal and insurance info. They also take your co-​pay ahead of time. The office is conveniently located off of Astor Place.
Don’t get overwhelmed with all the NYU signage. The building is open to the public provided that you show a government-​issued ID to a uniformed NYU security guard. If you are coming from the Broadway entrance, walk through the NYU Student Health Center until you get to the very back of the building. Ask any of the employees for assistance if you get lost in the maze of medical and dental offices.

I have seen both Drs. Pearlstein and Binsol and they are both thorough and extremely nice. The front desk tends to work with your schedule (although they are sometimes disorganized in returning phone calls), despite them being a busy practice, and I usually don’t have to wait all that long in the waiting room.

It’s all about getting the newest doctor. Dr. Binsol is fast, efficient, has a nice bedside manner and actually wants to prevent issues rather than just drug me up! (Some of you may prefer to just be drugged up, so I’m not going to judge here) Although I’ve seen her a whole lot due to having the sinus infection from hell this past winter, I was comfortable with my visits every time. And that’s saying something!
They are making some changes with how to contact them via phone and email, but even with kinks in communication, I still got help quickly when I needed it and appointments were easy to get as well.
So far, so good! Looking forward to being healthy and not having to see her all that much if possible!

I absolutely love these doctors! I was first a patient of Dr. Walker, but she moved out of state. Now I’m a patient of Dr. Janicik and she’s fantastic.
I think these doctors (I’ve seen all of them for random things) are great women who actually want to PREVENT diseases, not just treat them. They have alerted me to vitamin D deficiency, given me some great referrals, and always ask me questions during check-​ups, and answer mine when I call them. They’re very available and reliable.

Went here for the first time based on a Unilocal!recommendation. I just wanted a baseline physical examination since it had been over 5 years since I had one.
It took me almost a month to get an appointment, but when I did… it was great. I saw Dr. Walker, and she was thorough, efficient, and relatively personable. She didn’t have the warmest bedside manner, but that’s also not my style, so I appreciated it.
My appointment was one of the first of the day at 9:15am. I wasn’t seen until 9:30am, but even with some extra testing and having my blood drawn, I was out the door by 10:10. That is quick!
I also like that they have a website, which is really helpful.
The star I deducted was because I had called a few times before my appointment to verify the time and date, or to see if any earlier appointments were available… and no one returned by calls.
But: I’m satisfied, and I feel healthy! :)