I'm not entirely pleased with my son's pediatrician, and I'm considering a change. He charges $650 each time we go in for checkups and immunizations. We have blue cross/blue shield with a high deductible. Every time I call in for an appt., the receptionist curtly says "the doctor does not accept this insurance". I say it doesn't matter because our deductible is high ($2500 per individual) so we will be paying out of pocket just the same. The doctor is mostly friendly, and intelligent and affiliated with Northwestern. But I do feel something is missing.
His staff is not that great, and at times we've had to wait in the examination room for a nurse to come in to administer the shots as I hear laughing and talking of the staff outside the door (almost like there's a party or something). One time when this happened, I opened the door to the room and stearnly asked them how much longer it was going to take. This was after 45 minutes of waiting. And my son was 18 mos. and was so bored that he tore up that sheet on the examination table in shreds.
The other issue I have is when my son had speech delay at 18 mos., I got referred to two places that had a waiting list of six months. Also, one place cost $900/month for four 30minute long sessions a month and the other $1400/month. I called the doctors' office to let them know there was a huge wait and cost, and they did not give me any other options. Then, many months later, one of the lax employees from the doctor's office called on the phone because she misdialed and thought I was the mom of another child in their office - she started talking about an Early Learning Program. I didn't know what she was talking about. Then she said "oops I dialed the wrong number, I meant to call Mrs. _____. But in this way, I started asking her questions about it I found out my son had another option for getting speech therapy for $150/month & with no waiting. I was angry that the doctor or staff was not proactive - did not let me know about this Early Learning program for my son when I called them about the long wait. And, unfortunately I didn't find out about this program until we had been paying $900/month for six months and we were having to pull out money from the 401K to make it happen.
Sorry about the long email but I had to get that off my chest and give the history of why I want to change pediatricians. And thankfully my son is talking up a storm these days. So.... Any recommendations? Thanks,
D.
contact Child &Adolescent Health Associates
1030 N. Clark St. Suite 400
###-###-####
They are an excellent group of doctors, accepting PPO from all. My daughter's doctor is Dr. Karen Wilson.
Hi Diana,
How horrible!!! Taking your child to the doctor for shots is tough enough to have an insensitive doctor and staff who charge you too much to be jerks. You should really put the office and doctor down in the the MamaSource directory so no other mom uses them (was it Dr. Weissbluth? I hear his practice is awful!!!).
Anyway, I use Dr. Todd Ochs who is afflilated with Childrens, Swedish, and Ravenswood. We think he is fantastic and they accept all sorts of insurance!!!
I hit the wrong button to send you the info but I put it into the MamaSource Directory under his name, sorry to make you do the work.
Good luck,
L.
Hi. I am very happy with Town and Country Pediatrics in Lincoln Park (on Clybourn, south of Webster Ave.) The staff is very friendly and there are about 15 doctors to choose from in the practice. I never have problems with appts. and each doctor I've met is warm and very professional. Our primary doctor has been on leave, but i believe she's back. Her name is Irene Freeman.
All of the docs at this practice are on staff at Children's.
Good luck!
Glenbrook pediatrics in glenview is an excellent practice. They are on staff at Childrens and have a lot of experience with children with any kind of delays. We go to Lori Walsh but she only works part-time. But so far we have really liked the other doctors in the practice. They have a website on the internet.
I also use Town and Country Pediatrics and have loved them from day one. we go to their Lincoln Ave. office and rarely wait an inordinately long time to see the doctor or for shots. Many times were are out completely in 45 minutes. The staff is professional and attentive. Our doctor is also Dr. Holmes, she has the sweetest disposition and is really great with my daughter. I met other doctors in that practice while I was in the hospital and during the first few weeks of appointiments and I would HIGHLY recommend T&C peds.
I had problems with our first Pediatrician from a different hospital, but then found Dr. Audrey Chang and her group. Our Hospital is Northwestern, but you may want to call her office since I recall her group being affiliated w/a few Hospitals. The whole group is great, accomodating,professional, etc. And the office hours and wait time are good. The number is ###-###-####. It would be worth your while to see if they are affiliated.
HI,DIANA
I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DOCTORS OFFICE WHERE MY SON ATTENDED
WE SAW A DIFFERENT DOCTOR EACH TIME. THIS WAS HARD BECAUSE I HAD TO EXPLAIN MYSELF EVERY TIME I WENT BECAUSE IT WAS A DIFFERENT DOCTOR, SO GOING TO THE EMERGENY WAS HELL BECAUE HE HAD KNOW REGULAR DOCTOR. SORRY I'M SO LONG WINDED NEEDED TO VENT ALSO.I TOOK HIM TO CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL URGENT CARE AND WAS GIVEN A REFERRAL TO THERE CLINIC. WE JUST WENT TO OUR FIRST VISIT THERE WAS NOT A LONG WAIT AND THE DOCTOR AND NURSE WERE VERY GOOD. HERE IS TH INFO. CHILDREN MEM. PEDIATRICS ###-###-#### tHEY WILL ASSIGN YOU A DOCTOR K.
Diana,
I'm afraid I don't know any pediatricans in Chicago, but I did want to make sure that you're aware of the state sponsored immunization program for uninsured and underinsured kids. With my first baby, I had a similar policy to yours as mine only paid the first $500 in well visits. Of course we spent that much at the first visit and had no coverage for the rest of the year for her well visits. My pediatrician's office recommended the state sponsored immunization program. You still have to pay $10 per shot plus the pediatrician's "administration" cost (ours was $20 per shot), but that's a lot better than the cost without the program. I cannot remember the official name of the program, but if your pediatrician's office isn't aware of the program, let me know, and I'll ask mine for you.
I'm sorry you've gone through all this. Good luck to you!
D.
Hello! I am going through my old email and came across yours. It sounds like the doctor was not very resourceful. He may not have told you about chiropractic. It is important to make sure your son is examined by a chiropractor who is knowledgeable in pediatrics. There is a wonderful website www.icpa4kids.org. Email me if you need more help. Have a Happy and Healthy Day!!
Dr. K. - mom of two beautiful kids!!
Diana,
Have you looked at Childrens Health Care Associates on Sheffield in Lincoln Park ###-###-####. We have been really happy with them, they are affiliated with Northwestern, and they have free valet parking (you just have to tip the guys). I am not sure about insurance requirements.
Diana -
I take my two year old to Child and Adolescent Health Associates on Clark Street just south of Division. I don't have my address file with me right now, but I believe the phone is ###-###-####. We usually see Dr. Aleta Clark, but also like Dr. Mikhail, Dr. Wilson and Dr. Turnowski (sp?). For the most part they are usually on time and I have really liked all the doctors. We have not had to deal with speech or other issues like that, but they were very helpful with a cardiac issue we had with my daughter around 1 year. They are affiliated with Children's.
Dr. Clark is very no-nonsense, matter-of-fact - a style I like, and she is great with kids. The other docs I mention in this email are probably a little more nuturing toward the parents too.
Good luck - I hope you find someone you like better if you do switch.
--U.
I take my daughter to Town and Country on Clybourn. We see Dr. Holmes. She is great and I love the way she speaks to my daughter and answers all my quesiotns. No question is ever dumb to her. She has several kids so many times she will relate to your questions. The staff is very nice and they take BCBS, which we also have.
I have liked the doctors from Town and Country. My 2 favorties are Dianne Holmes and Ann Wyman. They are a very busy office, but I never felt the busyness. The one thing I don't appreciate is a $25 charge for after hour phone calls. If you need to speak w/ one of their docs when the office is closed, you pay $25
Good luck!
I have been very happy with the services at Town & Country Pediatrics. They have three different locations...we have been going to the Clybourn location. They are affiliated with children's memorial. They have very flexible hours, including saturday and sunday. You can get more info on their website www.townandcountrypeds.com. The Clybourn office ####-###-####, located at 2073 North Clybourn. They have several doctors to choose from. My daughter has been seeing Dr. Holmes. I am not sure about their cost for services versus other pediatricans. We have a PPO plan and our deductible is not as high as yours. Good Luck!
I am sorry you have had a frustrating experience Diana. I have always been pleased with my pediatrician group. We have seen all the doctors in the practice and I like them all enough that i dont care which one I see when I make appointments for my children.
The costs are average I think, thought hey do not accept HMOs.
It is the Lakeview Pediatrics Group (dr Janice Salem is the main physician for the group). They are on Belmont just east of Ashland. The phone number is ###-###-####. They are affiliated with Children's Memorial.
Good Luck!
C.
