CVS MinuteClinic

I came here because I had a wicked cough that was ongoing for over 3 weeks. This was my second trip to the Minute Clinic for this cough and they just told me to try an OTC medicine that I already tried before my first visit there (which didn’t help). I, then, went to an Immediate Care center and they gave me medicine that cured my cough and helped me feel better. It was basically a waste of my time and money coming here. :(

My job required me to have a physical and tb test done. This place is easy to find with ample parking. A nurse (Lauren I believe) made herself available for any questions I had regarding the kiosk. I went on a Wednesday before noon and was seen immediately. My appointment took about 15 minutes. The nurse was very personable and engaged my 2 year old in «conversation» when he started getting antsy. I would recommend this clinic!

Thank goodness for this place on a Sunday when all doc offices are closed. Just be sure to be the first one there, otherwise the wait can be extensive. There is a Nurse Practitioner there who can perform a variety of tests (strp, flu, etc) She was very knowledgeable and friendly. They also accept insurance or you can pay cash.

I stopped in to the minute clinic this evening and WOW, the nurse was so rude! I know it was late and there was a wait, but no need to storm out of your room and freak out that you’re closing soon. It’s not what you say, but how you say it. She acted like she was raised by wolves. Advocate should be embarrassed to have her as one of their nurses. She’s a horrible human being.

This is my go-​to drug store. Parking is easy, the store is spacious by Chicago standards, service is helpful, and I almost never have to wait to check-​out. When I first moved to Chicago and didn’t have a doctor, the Minute Clinic at this location was a Godsend.

I have been waiting for over an hour and there are still 5 people in front of me. Wait time can get a little long since it is first come first serve. Service is always AMAZING though!

The 4 stars are because the process was simple and the nurse I saw was polite and helpful.
The reason I’m writing this review, though, is to give a heads-​up to asthmatics: they do not have a nebulizer here. So if you’re having an asthma episode, try another urgent care center.
The CVS nurse sent me to the NU clinic at 1333 W Belmont, and the treatment there was excellent.

I had a HORRIBLE experience. I regret not going to Immediate Care on Lincoln & School. They have real physician’s that probably wouldn’t shrug when answering a medical question and tell you «I can’t really say» then «I can take your payment now». Not to mention, «Athletes foot isn’t really contagious so don’t worry about it». «We could tell you if there was a microscope but we don’t have those». Seriously?! After waiting two hours and wasting three hours of a workday, I felt totally robbed. This place is a racket that is leeching off of a major problem in this country. SAVE YOUR TIME AND MONEY!

I’ve been to this place twice and had very different results. The first time was two years ago on New Years’s Day. We got there before it opened and signed up very smoothly and place was packed. I had a throat issue that wouldn’t let me swallow and was very painful. After a couple hours of sitting on a metal folding chair (which later gave me a backache) I finally see the nurse. She takes a look at my throat and prescribes antibiotics. I ask for something for the pain and she gives me a lidocaine solution which didn’t do shit. I guess you have to be Rush Limbaugh to get some decent pain meds.
So that time was fine, now just a couple days ago I go back because my right nostril feels inflamed and looks swollen. We have eight animals in house so i’m guessing they have something to do with it. All I’m expecting is maybe she can tell me if it’s serious, is there any medication that would help, anything. I get there 2pm or so and there’s one guy in front of me so I see the Nurse in no time. So after entering some information into her computer, taking my vitals and a quick look up my right nostril she basically says, I got nothin’. She says it doesn’t look infected, it may or may not be a polyp but I can’t say (I found out later online that polyps are not painful) but that’ll be $ 79.
Now we don’t have insurance so eighty bucks is a lot of money. I could have taken that $ 80 to the race track, a casino or a strip joint and gotten much more for my money than I got that day. If you have great insurance and this costs less than your deductible then great, this place might be worth it. If money is an object in your healthcare you might want to investigate other options.

I visited the Minute Clinic today and was very impressed with the service and knowledge of Brigit, one of the nurse practitioners. I got there early, was first in line and was in and out in no time. It was nice to walk in, give my insurance and get seen right away– versus scheduling an appointment with my normal doctor. She diagnosed me with a sinus infection got medicine prescribed to CVS a few feet away and was in/​out in less than 45 minutes.
I’d go back in a heartbeat if I needed something not requiring a MD.

I had a mono test and flu test here. The nurse was very professional and helpful.
Caveats:
It should be called Hours Clinic. From check in, wait, exam, wait for prescription it was like an hour and a half or more.
The price was not that cheap.
Busy…
The kids toy section which was extensive surrounded the waiting area and kids kept fussing with play robots and noisemakers ect. Not practical, when a bunch of sick, cranky adults have to sit there for half an hour or longer. This is why Chucky Cheese or Dave and Busters doesn’t offer clinics. But then again it’s nice to see goofy junk that would cheer up a super ill person. Did you know magic 8 balls AND Lisa Frank made comebacks? If my limbs didn’t feel like spaghetti I’d have perused the Lisa Frank stuff cuz her styles are bitchin. Or asked a magic 8 ball when I’d feel better. But nurse said I would :)

So I plan on this being one of my last reviews that ends up as a personal story, but what else can you really say about a Minute Clinic without a story?
I was required to receive the Influenza vaccine as a Nursing grad student and searched Humana’s provider list for an in-​network convenient care center. I preferred not having to make a primary care doctor appointment and paying a copay for a simple vaccination. This CVS MinuteClinic location was the closest to my apartment and made the decision easy.
I stepped in to the back of the CVS store and right up to the touchscreen computer around 11:30 am. I filled out all my personal information in a matter of 3 minutes. When I clicked the last button, there appeared a nurse practitioner who greeted me with a smile. NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED! She sparked up a fun conversation with me while going over her medical protocol of checking on insurance coverage, certain allergies, cleaning and gloving her hands, or answering any other questions I had. Before I knew it, I was walking out there in a matter of 15 minutes without a sore arm. I am happy to say that I can worry a bit less now when someone coughs next to me on the El or bus.

Minute Clinic was great cause it was Sunday and I had a raging inner ear AND sinus infection in the middle of July… go figure! Despite that I was 6^th in line and had to wait about 45 minutes because they were taking turns going on lunch, I was in and out with the PA in under 15 minutes with a scrip right over at the pharmacy that was only another 10 minutes to fill. Not to mention, that I was also able to stock up on Kleenex, Epsom salts, Advil and a decongestant while I was waiting for my scrip to be filled. Plus they were able to virtually verify my insurance while I had my exam and tell me that I owed nothing (thanks again to my insurance) except for my scrip!
I wish there was a way to know what the wait is, though, before you get there… like being able to check that online before you head out would be great!

Minute Clinic is a great option when you need treatment for simple things faster than you can get an appointment with your regular physician.
The process is easy. Check in is automated system using a small terminal by the clinic doors. Fill out some basic info, it tells you what number you are in line and you have a seat and wait to be called. Make sure you have a photo ID and insurance card with you!
I saw Andrea who was friendly and efficient. She did a thorough job and reassured me that coming in was the right thing to do since I had an ear infection and a perforated ear drum. She told me what I needed to do, sent my prescriptions over to the pharmacy and sent me on my way feeling good about my choice to come in.
One warning; go as soon as they open if you can, maybe even a little beforehand. The day I went the clinic had opened at 10am. I arrived at 10:15 and there were already 5 people checked in ahead of me so I had to wait about 30 minutes. No big deal since it wasn’t a serious issue but by the time I left the waiting area was packed so I would imagine the wait gets a lot longer and they do stop taking patients at a certain time depending on how busy they get, even if it’s technically before the time that they close. So be forewarned and prepared.
All in all I was in and out with treatment and prescriptions in about an hour. I’d definitely recommend it and I’d do it again myself if the need arose.

The pits.
I should caveat that I came in the day after New Years and every sick person in Chicagoland needed assistance. That being said, I waited 3 hours to be told that, due to my symptoms, they couldn’t treat me and I needed to go elsewhere. The doctor was unfriendly and rejected the information that I repeated from an earlier conversation with a primary physician.
On the other hand, my A+ friend who endured 3+ hours with my obnoxiously sick self received both flu and pneumonia shots in the same day in a 10-​minute appointment. Come for shots, not violent illness.

I’m fairly new to Chicago and just getting settled in, starting at a new job and whatnot. So when I came down with an awful cough that would not go away even after a few weeks, my roomate suggested I try the Minute Clinic.
After a sleepless night, I went in at 10:45 on a Sunday morning (bonus points for weekend hours – I didn’t want to miss work!). You sign in electronically which is super simple, and the screen notified me that I was sixth in line to see the Nurse Practitioner. I expected to have to wait a long time but was pleasantly surprised that I only waited 30 minutes max (there were two NPs in that day).
After getting insurance information and vitals, Nurse Practitioner Stephen went over my symptoms and explained that my infection was viral and he was going to prescribe me a couple cough medicines. He also suggested other OTC treatments I could try (cough drops, Vick’s, etc). He was extremely pleasant and thorough in discussing my problems. On my way out I stopped at the pharmacy next door and got my prescription filled. Super convenient.
Overall, I was very impressed with Minute Clinic, and it exceeded my expectations. No one likes going to the doctor, especially clinics where you can be waiting for hours. This one was prompt, friendly, and thorough, and it’s good to know that it’s there in case I ever may need it in the future.

I needed my yearly TB test (those in education know what I’m talking about). I wanted this nagging to-​do done quickly and cheaply.
Problem solved: minuteclinic.
I debated Walgreens takecare, but their information listed on the website was not upfront and clear. Also, they had locations listed that I know for a fact didn’t exist.
Back to the minuteclinic-​I got there at 12:30 on a weekday and it was empty. You sign in on a computer by providing them with basic information. NOTE: They take a lunch daily from 1:30 — 2:30.
I was promptly helped and there were actually 2 practitioners who nicely answered my nit-​picky questions over the necessary TB. FYI– «TB is on the rise.» Greeaaaaaaaat.
I will keep this place in mind for future minor healthcare needs.

I am fairly new to the city (okay, so I’ve been here almost two years, let me procrastinate in peace!) and have not found a regular doctor yet.
Twice in the past year I came down with nasty colds. Each time I thought I would self medicate until the cold became so evil that I had to see someone. Being that I dont have doctor the Minute Clinic in the CVS seemed a convenient answer.
Each time I signed in and waited, and waited and waited. Okay, I understand this is bound to happen. There are some cons when you choose the easy route. The kicker is that the first time I waited and waited only to have the «Doctor» come out of her little room to say to the people waiting that she would be going to lunch for an hour and we will have to wait until she comes back! UGH! I understand that they will never eat if they dont just go but the least they could do is post a sign or something. Which leads me to my next visit where there was a sign now posted and when the lady came out to say she was going to lunch there was at least two of them working.
Each time I was basically told there was nothing wrong with me and to buy some Sudafed and go home. That would be fine except that I have a history of misdiagnosed sinus infections that resulted in a surgery to remove stuff from my head that nobody here wants to read about. After explaining this to the «Doctor» each time she told me that my sinuses looked pink and healthy and that my ears were clear. HELLO! I have green snot coming out of my head and I feel like I got run over by a truck.
The first time this happened I paid my $ 30 (wasted) copay and went home. The second time I put up more of a protest, insisted that I had an infection (I should know considering my history), gave her a complete run down of my past problems and insisted on an antibiotic. She refused to prescribe it to me. This isn’t Oxycontin lady!
Meanwhile, the guy I’m seeing catches this cold from me, becomes miserable for weeks (same as me), goes to a real doctor, is diagnosed with a serious sinus infection, is prescribed antibiotics and gets well right away.
Time for the slacker to find a real doctor who knows what she is doing. Dont waste your time.

You have to love a day when things are going right and then the universe throws you a curve ball. Or perhaps a sinker. Maybe even a fastball right down the center of the plate when you least expect it and catches you looking on strike three. (Cracks bat over knee in frustration)
So imagine my glee when I sliced my hand on some dirty metal last Sunday. Oh joy! I looked at it, looked at my friend and said, «We’ve got a bleeder!!» Well, knowing I would probably be okay, I still figured, (okay convinced by several friends), to go and get a tetanus shot just to be on the safe side. No one likes lock jaw.
Since it was Sunday I was weighing my options. Wait until tomorrow and try and see my doctor? A trip to the emergency room? (Both probably would mean several hours of my life lost for a four minute procedure). One of my friends suggested I head over to a CVS Minute Clinic, they should have all the shot. Quickly looking on the internet, I found a few and all of them had shots for me. Oh joy!
I came to this one because I knew they had parking, I knew the area and I had to be up on the north side anyway for other errands. I came in, signed up on the computer and waited. I wasn’t the first in line, I was fourth. Ergh. However to my pleasant surprise the women in front of me didn’t see the large sign above the sign in area that said that they were out of the flu shots which bumped me up to next. Sadly, the one woman was leaving to go on lunch break and said the other attending would help me shortly but happily deferred her lunch break when she found out all I needed was a tetanus booster. I got my health insurance card out and we began.
She was super pleasant, friendly, warm and went through thoroughly all the information I needed. When she found out that it had been quite some time since I last had a booster she let me know that the CDC was asking people to get a vaccination of TDP, (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, aka. the whooping cough), since whooping cough was making a come back. We shared some chit chat, we exchanged some tips about avoiding the flu and before you knew it I was out of there with a sore left shoulder and a clearer mind.
Hopefully I won’t need to come back to a minute clinic and keep myself fairly healthy, but if I have some minor issues that I don’t need to see my doctor about, I am headed back here in a heartbeat.

Do you have insurance? I sure don’t. Free clinics in Chicago totally suck (they never have room for anyone) and they can’t actually treat anyone. So what was I to do? A friend suggested the Minute Clinic in lieu of an urgent care facility and I’m so glad he did!
First off, this location is prime. Take the L, buses or your car right to Addison and Southport and walk right in. The CVS is nice and the pharmacy/​Minute Clinic area is very nice right in the back of the store. No appointment necessary, so walk on up and sign yourself in.
Step 1: Sign up to see the nurse practitioner. There’s a computer where you give your info and your name pops up on the waiting list.
Step 2: Wait. The NP said that it’s about 20 minutes per person, so you can guess how long you may have to wait.
Step 3: Visit with the nurse practitioner. She’ll take your vitals, get your history and check your symptoms to see what is going on. I went in with a sinus infection and she did the standard checks, explained her diagnosis and prescribed my antibiotics.
Step 4: Let her know where you’d like to have your prescriptions sent (they’ll electronically send them to ANY pharmacy) or pick them up right in the store.
Step 5: Leave!
That’s it, friends. It’s awesomely quick (I only waited about an hour) and the NP was really nice and caring. I’m sure some of you are uninsured and it is a very terrifying thing. Urgent care clinics make you pay out of pocket and they charge over $ 100 just for the visit — that doesn’t include potential tests they may have to do (strep test, blood draw, urinalysis, etc). They can get super expensive. Hospitals cost even more (unless you go to Stroger and wait for hours for your free service) and no one wants to go to a hospital if it’s not really a true emergency. I will say that I really felt hopeless in this situation since I don’t really have a ton of money and the CVS Minute Clinic saved the day. My total visit cost $ 62 and my prescription was $ 21. That’s it! That’s soooo much less than an urgent care facility or a full-​priced trip to your regular primary care physician.
Oh, and they take insurance too, so all you have to pay is your normal copay. It’s a great place to go if your doctor always seems booked up — you can come in for a physical, acute illness and vaccinations. Awesome. Thanks, Dr. Knight. You saved my day.