South End Community Health Center: Services & Hours

South End Community Health Center’s Current Name

If you are searching for South End Community Health Center or SECHC, the organization is now called NeighborHealth.

NeighborHealth’s published rebranding announcement states that the name change did not itself require patients to re-register with MyChart or change insurance plans.

South End Clinic Hours

The official NeighborHealth South End location page gives the following hours for 1601 Washington Street.

Department Hours Can Be Different

Dental and vision phone: call 617-425-2000 for dental or the main clinic; the vision appointment line is 617-425-2020.

Two South End Locations: Choose the Right Address

NeighborHealth operates more than one South End care location. Before traveling, check the address in your appointment reminder.

Medical, Dental & Support Services

South End Community Health Center’s care model combines medical treatment with prevention, mental healthcare and patient support. The 2025 NeighborHealth South End services guide identifies the following offerings.

For another Massachusetts federally qualified health center with multiple locations, pharmacy guidance and patient-portal steps, see our Manet Community Health Center patient guide. Manet operates separately from NeighborHealth.

How to Make a Medical Appointment

For a first appointment, call the South End main number and explain whether you need primary care, pediatrics, dental, behavioral health or another department.

Same-Day Care, After-Hours Help & Emergencies

If you need care sooner than a routine appointment, the right action depends on the concern and the availability of the clinical team.

A community health center and a hospital emergency department serve different purposes. For a separate example of hospital services and emergency-care access, see our Community Medical Center hospital visitor guide. That hospital is in New Jersey, not Boston.

Dental Appointments

NeighborHealth South End provides dental services at 1601 Washington Street. Its official service page lists the clinic on the third floor.

Before Booking Dental Treatment

• Explain whether your visit is preventive, restorative or related to an urgent dental concern.
• Ask whether the dental clinic is accepting new patients.
• Confirm the dental insurance network and expected out-of-pocket costs.
• Ask whether an examination is required before treatment can be scheduled.
• For treatment involving a specialist, ask about referrals and available appointments.
• Tell the team about relevant medications, allergies and medical conditions.

The service page says NeighborHealth dental care is provided to adults and children who receive primary care at the health center. Ask about eligibility if you are not already a NeighborHealth primary-care patient.

Vision & Optical Services

The South End vision department is located at 1601 Washington Street. The vision clinic and optical shop follow different schedules.

Vision services include eye examinations, diabetic eye assessments, contact lens fittings and related care as appropriate. The optical shop can help patients select frames and lenses.

What to Confirm Before Visiting

1. Decide whether you need an eye examination or optical-shop assistance.
2. Check whether your insurance includes vision benefits.
3. Ask if your preferred provider is available.
4. Bring existing glasses, contact lenses or a prescription if applicable.
5. Remember that the optical shop is closed for lunch.

Insurance, Uninsured Patients & Sliding-Fee Help

NeighborHealth operates as a community-based health system focused on access to care. Its patient financial-assistance program can help eligible patients understand available coverage, discounts and other payment assistance.

How to Ask for Sliding-Fee Assistance

For a comparison of how another federally qualified health center organizes insurance assistance, pharmacy access and patient financial support, read our Community Health Alliance Wells Avenue patient guide. That health center serves Nevada, not Massachusetts.

MyChart: Appointments, Results & Messages

NeighborHealth uses MyChart as its patient portal. Existing patients can use eligible portal features to manage parts of their care.

First-Time MyChart Login

1. Open the official NeighborHealth MyChart login page.
2. Select the sign-up option if you do not already have an account.
3. Follow the requested patient-verification process.
4. Create your secure login credentials.
5. Use the appointment, results or messaging area needed for your task.
6. For account-access problems, follow the portal’s official support instructions.

What to Bring to Your First Appointment

• Photo identification if available.
• Health insurance, MassHealth or other coverage information.
• Medication list, including prescription and nonprescription medicines.
• Allergy information.
• Relevant medical records, referrals or test results, if requested.
• Previous provider’s contact information if records need transferring.
• For children, guardian information and immunization records when needed.
• Income or household documents if applying for financial assistance.
• A written list of questions and your main health concerns.
• Any appointment confirmation and the exact clinic address.

For an additional example of preparing for a community clinic appointment, understanding sliding-fee eligibility and confirming medical versus dental hours, see our San Fernando Community Health Center appointment guide. It covers a separate California provider.

Directions, Public Transit & Accessibility

The main South End location is at 1601 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118, opposite the South End Burying Ground.

Public Transportation to 1601 Washington Street

The official South End location page provides these route instructions:

• SL4, SL5 or Route 8 inbound: use Washington Street at Worcester Street, then walk toward West Concord Street.
• Route 10 inbound: use East Newton Street at Washington Street, then walk toward the South End neighborhood garden area.
• SL4 or SL5 outbound: use Washington Street at West Newton Street, then continue toward the clinic.
• Route 8 outbound: use East Newton Street at Washington Street and walk toward the Washington Street clinic.

Driving Directions

1. Enter 1601 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118 into your navigation app.
2. Check the appointment reminder for the correct building and floor.
3. Allow additional time for Boston traffic and parking.
4. If your appointment is at 400 Shawmut Avenue, navigate to that address instead.
5. For accessibility or language support, contact the clinic in advance.

Before You Visit: Patient Checklist

Official Sources & Patient Actions

Use NeighborHealth’s official resources for current appointment availability, service hours, financial assistance and secure patient-account activities.

• Official South End Locations & Main Hours
• Department Services, Phone Numbers & Hours
• NeighborHealth Rebranding Information
• 2020 South End Community Health Center Merger Announcement
• Official South End Services & Walking Map PDF
• Financial Assistance & Sliding Fee Information
• Financial Assistance Policy PDF
• NeighborHealth MyChart Patient Portal

Independent patient-information guide. Community-center.org is not operated by NeighborHealth and cannot schedule appointments, access medical records or provide medical advice. Verify appointment, coverage and treatment details directly with the healthcare provider. For emergencies, call 911.