Sinus and Allergy Center of Northwestern University

I am a Pediatrician and was on the phone trying to make a new patient appointment and was told not to tie up the scheduling line while I was gathering my insurance info. Not a great first impression. Don’t think I will be calling back.

Dr Bruce Tan is great. He took his time and listened to all my symptoms, was thorough in his examination, and did an excellent job explaning to me what he was doing and what it all meant. I feel satisfied with my diagnosis and hope for positive results.
The staff (intake, nurses, etc) were all very professional and helpful as well. As someone who has had negative experiences with doctors before, I can say that my experience at the Sinus and Allergy Center was as positive a medical experience as one can hope for.

It’s hard to make an appointment because you have to talk to a nurse (not really sure why because the first guy gave me more info than the nurse). It’s hard to go, because you have to give up 4 hours for the appointment. My visit was 4.5 hours and could easily have been half that if they valued my time. I brought a book but finished it and still had to wait and wait and wait (of course the tests take time, but I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about just waiting for the doctor.) At the end of everything, I was given a rude consult and a nasal inhaler which «You won’t notice it working before at least 2 weeks, and it won’t ever work 100%.» If Dr. Saltoun had been nicer, I wouldn’t have minded because I don’t think the answer is always more drugs. But she doesn’t make eye contact (so weird for a doctor to avoid looking at you) and she was really short when I’m the one who had been waiting all afternoon. UGGG Northwestern, I expect more!

I have terrible allergies and came to Northwestern’s sinus center hoping to get some answers. To begin with, the doctors office was way too concerned with paying for the visit, prior to the appointment. The office called me 3x, asking me for my insurance info, and wanted me to fax a copy of my insurance card. After faxing the info, I was finally ready for my appointment.
I entered the Sinus and Allergy center on St. Claire downtown, and had no problem finding the location. Once inside, it was all about the money. The lady working the reception desk was nice enough, but she handed me at least 15 pages of paperwork to fill out. After about 30 min of fllling out info, I met with the Doctor. I explained to him that I have many allergies, and have lost hearing out of my left ear, due to sinus problems. With out doing any real testing, (Other than a catscan) he suggested that I have some sort of perm hearing loss, due to hereditary problems. To be honest, he did not even allow me to talk much about my own medical history. The doctor said he would like to refer me to a hearing specialist. Next thing I know he tells me my insurance would not cover allergy testing, and that it would cost $ 540.00 to be tested. He left the room, and a few min later another receptionist came into the room I was in and said I needed to pay the $ 540.00 up front. As I said above, the doctor never returned and did not even bother to give me the refferal to the hearing specialist. He gave me an Rx for allegra and flonase and that was that. I had really hoped at a hosptial as prestegious as Northwestern, I would have received better treatment.
If anyone has read any of my other reviews, I was always try to write something positive about a business. In the case of Northwestern University Sinus and Allergy, I have to say I had a really bad experience.