The University of Chicago Medicine

The ER staff was incredible, very helpful and understanding. I will always go here when the matter is urgent.

If I could give a negative star I would. I was trying to get in for a pelvic ultrasound. I called and they said they needed the referral first. Called again and was given a different story. Doctor sent referral, never hear from them. 2 weeks went by, I called, they claim they never received the order. Customer service was horrible each time I called. No one ever returned my call to schedule an appointment.

The care is generally good but the billing is archaic, not patient friendly, and more expensive than if you went to a private office.
The billing systems do not talk to each other. As a result, a visit for one procedure gets you bills from multiple groups. As a patient, you never know when the billing is done. If you write a check to University of Chicago, they won’t know what to do with it, even if it has an account number on the payment.
They charge you more for services because they are a teaching hospital. The fees, we were told, are even higher than Northwestern. Even if you see a doctor in a satellite office, not at the hospital, you still receive charges as if you were at thehospital.

The Wild Wild West
There are some top gunslingers there if you can survive the chaos. I waited three months for an appointment. At the appointment, I was informed that the surgeon wasn’t available for surgery for 5 months. He referred me to another surgeon at UCMC, so I went back several weeks later for another rushed appointment with the new surgeon and eventually got the call for a surgery date. Pre-​op issues were extremely chaotic and confusing to sort out — instructions unclear, lab orders written that labs couldn’t complete due to missing information, and more. My surgery ended up being cancelled by UCMC a few weeks before my surgery date, in part due to not having some documentation that I was never told I needed in the first place.
The bill for these two rushed visits was huge, and I was billed for the «facility (or clinic) fee» that my insurance didn’t cover. It seems that what UCMC is doing is called balance billing, where they charge you the difference between what the insurance contracted rate pays and what they charge. I called their billing department when I got the bill and was told that this is balance billing. Typically that isn’t allowed if the patient is using an in-​network provider for their health care. But UCMC is calling it a clinic fee, so that’s different, right? Disappointing, because I had heard really good things about the first surgeon.

My mother had a 3:00p appointment in the Neurology dept. & was not seen until 4:48p. She is recovering from a stroke. You would think a Dr would be more considerate of a patient’s time.

Being that this is the hospital I was born in, I felt pretty good about deciding to go here. I was a pretty cute newborn and I was delivered free of any complications, I figured why not. I turned out ok. I wanted to make an appointment with their endocrinologist since I had a horrid experience at Northwestern with one of theirs.
I called to make an appointment with a highly recommended doctor. The earliest available appointment? 3 months! 1 month was reasonable but 3 is nuts. They asked 50 questions about my insurance over the phone. My insurance company address? Who knows that offhand?
3 months later. I immediately get chills as I walk in because again, this is the hospital I was born at. I get there early and check in. Nurse called me to take my vitals pretty quickly. Actually waiting for the doctor though? I waited for almost 45 minutes before the doctor came in to see me. He suggested I have blood work taken to rule out any other issues involving hormonal imbalances along with a 24 hour urine test. Outpatient staff? Cold and brusque. I know people are unaware of resting bitch face but it couldn’t have killed them to be a little pleasant.
Billing is horrifying. Those 50 questions they asked me over the phone while I was making my appointment was pointless! They sent me a bill of $ 2,044 dollars from collections. Insurance company wasn’t contacted at all. I guess they were just playing mental Candyland when they asked me 5000 questions about my health insurance over the phone. Not only are the bills outrageous, but they charge you a «clinic visit» fee. Breathing the air inside the clinic is apparently very expensive. After doing the work for them and sending back the bill with my insurance info, which they should’ve had all along, my insurance tells me I may owe the full total for lab work I had done 3 months prior at Northwestern and only paid $ 30 out of pocket. I am canceling my follow up appointment and never coming here again.

Had an organ transplant here two years ago — every aspect of my care was top notch. Since that time, it was necessary for me to consult with specialists in nephrology and infectious diseases and remain highly satisfied. Have also had cataract surgery performed elsewhere by an ophthalmologist on staff here — very satisfied. Recently visited a gastroenterologist for a test done every decade and learned he spent 9 years here prior to setting up his private practice.
Across the years caring for aging parents, myself, and raising several children, I’ve interacted with nearly a dozen hospitals in and around Chicago and many different doctors — some astounding — some incompetent. This place is THE best and that includes the doctors and most of the techs and staff.
Although I’ve never frequented the ER here, I’ve been in quite a few and would like to address all the whiners and complainers about having to wait. I have never anywhere ever not waited a long time in an ER. I’d guess most trips have taken 5 – 9 hours of my time from entering that department until whomever I was with was admitted or released. Bring a book or an iPad or iPod. Even celebrities and royalty have to wait. Other people are have emergencies too. Breathe — realize the world doesn’t revolve around you and wait your turn. Trust that they will take care of your neglected infected finger after the guy in cardiac or respiratory distress.

The Dr’s here are too notch… the best of the best. I’m thrilled about all the med students poking around all the time but let’s be honest — they’ve gotta learn somehow! Food is ok for a hospital & the nurses are amazing.

My daughter was diagnosed with pseudo tumor cerebri and her treatment was Horrible at lurie children’s hospital by the neurologic team. Dr. T Alden was the worst! Never took her seriously
Nurses were great! Too bad they didn’t put in her shunt which had to be replaced by Dr david Frim. What an expert in his field and a wonderful beside man unlike Dr Alden and his team which is the reason caitlan had to have a shunt revision. I could go on and on, do not let lurie or the Dr. Alden touch you. Thank you Dr Frim, you are our hero! Don’t ever change. You are awesome and listen to your patients.

I’m very happy with the neurology department, and the doctors at this hospital. I haven’t been feeling well for the past year or so, and upon making an appointment with a neurologist he was very meticulous in his exam, and when he decided to order an MRI he made sure that they squeezed me in as soon as they possibly could. I really appreciate his concern for my wellbeing.

For outpatient visits, this is the worst place ever in terms of wait time. My wait for any appointment, on average, is 45 minutes to an hour. I routinely complain, but nothing helps.

Very nice place they have been takin care of Javi for about 6months now… The ICU level is fantastic nurses r great well sum of them r… Lol

I’m writing about the outpatient center only on 58^th and Maryland. What can I say. HORRIBLE!
I hate coming here. I brought one daughter here to get a shot only which shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes at 8:30 AM when they open, and why was I still waiting in the waiting room for 45 minutes??? Then when I finally get in there, the nurse said I should have told them I was just there for a shot and came through the back door. How the hell should I know. I just come to the location it says on the appointment.
As I type this, my other daughter has an appointment for a physical and while I did arrive at 2:28pm for my 2:30 appointment, it makes no sense why I am waiting almost an hour so far. At least they have wi-​fi so I can do my work while I wait with her. And luckily I have a job where I work from home, otherwise, it’d be me taking an entire day off for a damn doctor’s appointment.
And since both of my daughter’s are covered under both my insurance and my wife’s medical insurance, I will be looking to switch both of them to someplace else since I can go wherever the hell I want to for medical care. This kinda of service is atrocious.
I have worked in health care for almost a decade, and I know how it works. When people arrive late, they still let them stay on the schedule and thus penalize everyone else who is on time. Anyways, this is for the birds!

This is where most of the Physicians are located that practice at the University of Chicago Hospital. The building is huge and house a cafeteria, ATM, valet parking and over 90 examining rooms. I have been a patient here since the age of seventeen and wouldn’t go anywhere else.

If you’re serious and checking Unilocal for the UChicago Hospitals, I can only assume that you’re looking for the Sky Lobby food court, which remained an elusive hidden gem to me until this past week, when I had some more time to explore to find the place.
Located on the 7^th floor of the Med Center just East of the Starbucks, Wolfgang Puck, and the Gordon Center for Integrated Sciences (GCIS) building, you enter and are prompted for your student ID or proof of being a hospital visitor.
After taking the elevator up, you’ll come across an expansive lounge-​area with many chairs, tables, outlets, and even a grand piano (but I am told you are not allowed to play it). Everything is, as you’d expect of in a hospital, sterile-​clean, with hand-​sanitizer dispensers and single-​user restrooms all over.
The Food Court houses a Jamba Juice, Mr. Pak’s Sushi, and a Grill. From my limited time here, I’ve observed that the Polish hot dog is usually a popular choice. The combo consisting of burgers, fries, and a 16oz. drink usually comes out to just below $ 10, and you wouldn’t be able to tell it’s «hospital food».
Perhaps the most stunning aspect worth mentioning is the view – look out ¾ of the Cardinal-​direction facing full-​length windows and you will be able to get a glimpse of Hyde Park and beyond. On a clear day, you’ll also be able to see the skyline, Lake Michigan, or the South Side.
They even have an in-​house chapel to hold Catholic Mass on Sunday afternoons. There usually isn’t much hustle and bustle, so I would say this is a pretty peaceful area that’s also very high up, as its name might suggest – Sky Lobby.
Did I mention it’s open 24 hours? It is.

This is a new 10 story building with all the bells and whistles. The 7^th floor lobby/​waiting area/​check-​in/​chapel/​dining area is floor to ceiling windows. It has a wonderful view and a piano player.
The top 3 floors are all private patient rooms. There are East and West wings. Each wing has a large nurses’ station when you enter. Every room has a wonderful view, a couch that can open to a bed, a table and an extra chair hanging in the corner. The patient bathrooms reminded me of a cruise ship, very compact. Unfortunately, the patient experience is not one of cruising.
The care provided was top notch. No matter the department, the employees were very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful.
Like the rest of the medical centers in the Chicago area, parking is expensive but if you have your ticket validated, you get a discount.

I’m not sure if the star rating is useful in my situation, because I was not able to participate in treatment and therefore can’t rate medical care.
I have a rare skin disorder that was not improving under doctors at Northwestern and I went to the dermatology dept at U of C Medical Center. Dr Sitha was knowledgeable and the residents assisting her were thorough and courteous. While waiting for blood work results I received a bill from my Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO that included a separate $ 370 «clinic visit» fee in addition to the «medical visit» fee. The medical portion was covered less my normal copay. The clinic portion was not covered and is subject to a $ 2,500 deductible. After research I discovered the clinic portion is a fee just for using the facility.
I’m dumbfounded! I’ve never experienced this at Northwestern, nor heard of any other place that charges a fee for using the facility. This fee means my out of pocket would be $ 400 per visit so I have to look to another solution. Very disappointing.
They do offer affordable valet parking: $ 12 for 6 hrs, $ 10 with validation, the office and waiting area were lovely, I was seen at my scheduled time, and I was happy with the doctors and support staff. I just can’t afford them:(

I was admitted on Thursday afternoon for Friday morning gut surgery I’m afraid my restaurant days will be limited for a while while I recover. It’s Saturday evening and I’m laying in bed relaxing and taking morphine.
My diet will be fairly limited over the next few weeks

Dr Arthur Haney from UCMS is amazing — one of the most talented surgeons in the USA as far as I am concerned. j just want to put that out there first. He is just a stellar human being and is incredibly patient, and loves his patients.
The new building is fantastic — the 22 bucks a day for valet parking is expected I guess. It’s a new building to pay for.
Getting from the city to UCMC isn’t terrible but its scary — especially at night. No one could have prepared me for Hyde Park after dark, the Southside of Chicago not a place to be walking around.
So here is my complaint — Checking in is great, the patient care rep’s are wonderful. It’s the nursing staff and care that have something to be desired.
No one after surgery should have to wait for pain medication — pain meds should be delivered on time per the doctors orders. Not when they nurses get around to it. Things like compression machines for those who have abdominal surgery should be planned for, ordered, and ready for the patients to be connected to – it should be a seamless procedure. A patient should have to wait over 5 hours to receive machinery that should have already been there.
The communication leaves a lot to be desired. I am thankful that we had an ICU nurse with us who knew the lay of the land, the terminology and knew nurse-​speak, so she could rattle a few cages and make sure things happened.
In the end we spoke to administration and had the issues resolved but not without a lot of gnashing of the teeth.
So think — brand new bridge of the USS Enterprise — out for it’s maiden voyage (this area of the hospital is less than 6 months old), and you have Starfleet students running the bridge — not Starfleet officers.
Keep on top of communication and prepare to wait — nothing happens quickly here.

If you have an appointment scheduled come a half hour early. They have such long waits to see the doctor.
Con: The waiting room is kind of small, it takes so long to see the doctor.
Pro: offers valet, discounted parking garage, people are very nice, clean and big hospital