Medical, Dental, Urgent Care & Family Health Services
Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, now commonly called New Bedford Community Health (NBCH), provides primary care, pediatrics, women’s health, urgent care, dental treatment, behavioral health, addiction treatment, WIC, HIV care and other health services.
The main medical location is 874 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. Some services operate from nearby buildings with separate entrances, telephone numbers and schedules.
Information reviewed October 29, 2026. Confirm appointment availability, department hours and insurance coverage directly before visiting.
Healthcare Services Available
Adult Primary Care
Routine physical examinations, preventive screening, evaluation of illnesses, ongoing care for diabetes and high blood pressure, and referrals when necessary.
Pediatric Medicine
Well-child visits, vaccinations, development and growth assessments, routine physicals, childhood illness care and adolescent health services.
Women’s Health
Gynecological care, reproductive health counseling, preventive screening and pregnancy-related services depending on clinical availability.
Urgent Care
Timely assessment of appropriate non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Walk-in access is subject to capacity and clinical assessment.
Dental Health
Dental examinations, cleanings, fillings, dentures, periodontal treatment, pediatric dentistry and appropriate minor extractions.
Behavioral Health
Integrated mental health treatment, counseling and other behavioral health support coordinated with clinical care.
Addiction Treatment
Clinical assessment, counseling and office-based treatment for substance use concerns. Ask about eligibility and intake appointments.
Ryan White & HIV Services
HIV-related medical care, treatment coordination, case management and additional support for eligible patients.
Laboratory & Imaging
Clinically ordered tests and diagnostic services, including available laboratory, radiology, ultrasound and mammography services.
WIC & Nutrition
Nutrition assistance, breastfeeding support, food benefits and health education for eligible pregnant or postpartum individuals, infants and young children.
Insurance Counseling
Help understanding MassHealth, insurance coverage, eligibility and sliding-fee discounts for eligible patients.
Interpreter Services
Language assistance for patients who need help communicating with health professionals. Request your preferred language when scheduling.
For a detailed directory of the same organization’s entrances, departments and practical visit procedures, use our New Bedford Community Health Center hours and patient guide.
Department Addresses, Phone Numbers & Hours
| Department | Where to Go / Contact |
|---|---|
| Medical & Primary Care | 874 Purchase Street 508-992-6553 |
| Urgent Care | 874 Purchase Street 508-992-6553 |
| Dental Clinic | 848 Purchase Street 508-984-7031 |
| WIC Program | 838 Purchase Street (Massachusetts WIC listing; verify check-in address) 508-997-1500 |
| Walgreens Pharmacy | 854 Purchase Street 508-992-3209 |
| Radiology / Imaging | 872 Purchase Street 508-992-6553 |
| Administrative Offices & Medical Records | 384 Acushnet Avenue Call main number for department routing |
Regular Hours by Service
| Service | Published Hours |
|---|---|
| Primary Care | Monday–Thursday 8 AM–6 PM; Friday 8 AM–5:30 PM. Confirm weekend appointments separately. |
| Urgent Care | Monday–Friday 8 AM–6 PM; Saturday 8 AM–4:30 PM; Sunday closed. |
| Dental | Monday–Thursday 8 AM–6 PM; Friday 8 AM–5:30 PM. Selected second-Saturday appointments may be available. |
| WIC | Monday–Wednesday 8:30 AM–5 PM; Thursday 9:30 AM–6 PM; Friday 8:30 AM–5 PM; first and third Saturdays 8 AM–noon. |
| Benefits Counseling | Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM. |
| Walgreens Pharmacy | Monday–Thursday 8 AM–6 PM; Friday 8 AM–5:30 PM; Saturday 8 AM–1:30 PM and 2–4:30 PM. |
Urgent Care: When to Visit
New Bedford Community Health provides urgent care for appropriate medical concerns that need timely attention but are not life-threatening.
Examples of symptoms to discuss with urgent care staff include minor injuries, non-severe infections, worsening but non-emergency illnesses and other short-term concerns.
Before a Walk-In Visit
- Call 508-992-6553 to check current walk-in availability.
- Confirm urgent care is accepting patients at 874 Purchase Street.
- Bring your medications, allergy details and insurance information if available.
- Tell the intake team when symptoms began and whether they are worsening.
- Ask about follow-up appointments, medication instructions and testing before leaving.
Dental Services for Adults & Children
The dental clinic at 848 Purchase Street provides preventive and restorative care for children and adults who receive primary care through NBCH.
- Dental examinations and X-rays.
- Routine and preventive cleanings.
- Tooth fillings and restorative work.
- Dentures and partial dentures.
- Gum and periodontal treatment.
- Fluoride treatments and sealants.
- Minor oral surgery and simple extractions.
- Pediatric dental evaluations and education.
- Evaluation of urgent dental concerns.
Dental phone: 508-984-7031.
The clinic accepts various insurance plans, including eligible MassHealth dental coverage, and offers sliding-fee assistance for qualifying patients. Confirm the specific procedure’s coverage.
How to Become a New Patient
- Identify the care you need. Select adult medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, dental or another service.
- Review providers. Use the official new-patient page to explore available clinicians.
- Call 508-992-6553. Ask whether your chosen provider is accepting new patients and request alternatives if unavailable.
- Confirm insurance. If necessary, contact your insurer to update your designated primary care provider.
- Prepare records. Gather current prescriptions, immunizations, previous test results and relevant medical history.
- Arrive prepared. The 2025 patient handbook recommends arriving approximately 15 minutes before the appointment.
- Save follow-up instructions. Ask about test results, referrals, prescriptions and the patient portal before leaving.
Official New Patient Information & Handbook.
Insurance, Sliding-Fee Discounts & Payment
NBCH accepts MassHealth, Medicare and many private insurance plans. The exact accepted insurance product can depend on the provider and service.
Uninsured patients can request a sliding-fee discount based on household income and family size. The center states that inability to pay will not prevent access to services.
Published Medical & Behavioral Health Discount Examples
The center’s publicly available medical and behavioral health discount schedule, effective April 23, 2025, lists these income-based payment categories:
| Household Income Level | Published Payment Category |
|---|---|
| 0–100% of Federal Poverty Level | Up to $10 nominal fixed fee |
| 101–125% | Up to $20 fixed payment |
| 126–150% | Up to $25 fixed payment |
| 151–175% | Up to $30 fixed payment |
| Above 175% through 200% | Up to $35 fixed payment |
| Above 200% | No discount under that published schedule |
Apply for Financial Assistance
- Call 508-992-6553 and ask for a Health Benefits Counselor.
- Explain whether you have MassHealth, other coverage or no insurance.
- Prepare household-size and income information.
- Bring available proof such as pay stubs, tax documents or benefit records.
- Ask the counselor to review insurance enrollment and sliding-fee eligibility.
- Confirm the expected charge before your appointment or procedure.
Official Insurance & Sliding-Fee Information.
For another Massachusetts example of community health services and sliding-fee access, see our Manet Community Health Center patient access guide.
Behavioral Health, Addiction Care & HIV Services
Patients needing behavioral health, addiction treatment or HIV-related services can contact the main center and ask for the appropriate clinical team.
| Service | What to Request |
|---|---|
| Behavioral Health | Intake assessment, counseling availability, medication-related support and clinical follow-up. |
| Addiction Treatment | Assessment and available office-based treatment or counseling options. |
| Ryan White / HIV Care | Eligibility screening, HIV clinical care, case management and related referrals. |
Call 508-992-6553, explain which service you need and ask whether a separate referral or intake appointment is required.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For an urgent mental health or suicide crisis in the United States, call or text 988.
WIC Nutrition Program
The WIC program provides eligible families with nutrition support, breastfeeding guidance, food benefits and related health referrals.
WIC telephone: 508-997-1500.
The Massachusetts WIC directory lists the main WIC clinic at 838 Purchase Street. Some NBCH materials use 848 Purchase Street, so confirm the current check-in entrance when scheduling.
- Call the WIC office and explain whether you are applying for yourself or a child.
- Ask about Massachusetts residency, income and participant eligibility.
- Prepare any identity and income documentation requested.
- Schedule the eligibility assessment.
- Follow the WIC team’s instructions for nutrition benefits and future visits.
Pharmacy, Imaging & Patient Records
Several services are located on the same downtown Purchase Street corridor.
- Walgreens Pharmacy: 854 Purchase Street, phone 508-992-3209.
- Imaging Services: 872 Purchase Street; confirm test scheduling and whether a clinical order is required.
- Medical Records & Referrals: Administrative offices at 384 Acushnet Avenue; contact the main number for the correct department.
- Patient Portal: Follow the Patient Portal link from gnbchc.org to access the authorized patient system.
Do not submit private medical details or login credentials through an independent directory website.
Parking & Public Transportation
Main address: 874 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740.
The center is approximately one block from the New Bedford Bus Terminal, which is served by Southeastern Regional Transit Authority routes.
Elm Street Parking Garage: 51 Elm Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. The center advertises validated free patient parking between 7 AM and 5 PM. Ask reception how to validate your parking ticket.
Related Community Health Guides
For location-by-location scheduling, pharmacy and WIC entrance details at this same organization, consult our New Bedford Community Health Center visitor and hours guide.
Readers comparing access to primary care and financial assistance can also review our Will County Community Health Center services and insurance guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Greater New Bedford Community Health Center located?
The main medical center is at 874 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. Dental, WIC, pharmacy and imaging services have separate nearby service locations.
2. What is the main phone number?
Call 508-992-6553 for medical appointments, provider availability and general healthcare questions.
3. Does the health center offer urgent care?
Yes. Urgent care evaluates appropriate non-life-threatening medical concerns at the main Purchase Street location. Call to check current walk-in availability.
4. Is urgent care open on Saturday?
The published schedule lists Saturday urgent care from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Confirm current check-in and holiday schedules before visiting.
5. Does NBCH offer dental treatment?
Yes. Dental services include preventive care, pediatric dentistry, fillings, dentures, gum treatment and certain extractions. Call 508-984-7031.
6. Can uninsured patients receive healthcare?
Yes. The health center offers income-based sliding-fee discounts and assistance with insurance eligibility. Ask for a Health Benefits Counselor.
7. Is MassHealth accepted?
Yes. NBCH accepts MassHealth and several other types of insurance. Confirm your specific health plan and provider network before an appointment.
8. Is behavioral health treatment available?
Yes. NBCH provides behavioral health services, including counseling and coordinated clinical support. Call the main number to request an intake.
9. Does the health center offer WIC services?
Yes. Its WIC program provides eligible nutrition support and related assistance. Call 508-997-1500 and confirm your appointment location.
10. Where can patients park?
The center lists Elm Street Parking Garage at 51 Elm Street. Validated free patient parking is advertised from 7 AM to 5 PM; ask the center for the current validation procedure.
Official Sources & Contact
New Bedford Community Health
874 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Main phone: 508-992-6553
Dental: 508-984-7031
WIC: 508-997-1500
- New Bedford Community Health Official Website
- Official Department Hours
- New Patient Guide & Forms
- 2025 Patient Handbook PDF
- Insurance & Sliding Fee
- Published Medical Discount Schedule PDF
Independent patient-information article, not the official health center website. Confirm medical decisions, appointment availability, fees and insurance directly with qualified NBCH staff.