Physicians Immediate Care – Edgewater

I was really glad to have them in the neighborhood. I sprained my ankle exercising and I couldn’t determine the severity of the sprain myself. I was seen pretty much immediately and everyone was really friendly, from the front desk through to the doctor. They took X-​rays and let me know it was a simple sprain. They even gave me some info on how to get started exercising once the swelling was gone.
The only thing that would have been better is if I could have not hurt myself and avoided the trip altogether :)

This was my second time visiting this location. Both times, the front desk staff was courteous and understanding, and the wait time was wonderfully short.
On my first visit, the doctor I saw (can’t remember his name!) felt a little bothered by my presence and wasn’t particularly understanding of my needs. I had some persistent, lingering illness and his primary concern was merely throwing solutions at the symptoms and not really seeking out the cause; something like a cold but less than a flu that was well past its expiration date. I didn’t feel like my concerns were being heard or understood.
My second visit, I ended up with the same physician. This time I was much more prepared to advocate for myself – strongly. The doctor still approached my ailments in the same manner: he was closed off, arms crossed, leaning back against the wall away from me. This time, he did seem to hear everything I had to say and addressed every issue, but I did feel the need to assert myself quite a bit and had to reiterate a few key points in order for him to fully digest and find solutions to what I was suffering with. Not all patients are prepared to be as assertive and confident with what they have to say.
Overall, not bad, but a little room for improvement where it really counts – bedside manner.

Can’t say enough about Physicians Immediate Care! They are friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. My boyfriend broke his hand, and by 8:30 the next morning we had an appointment (which isn’t actually needed) and were seen by a PA. He had 3 rounds of x-​rays, they had to numb his hand to reset the break, and they splinted it up. All for less than $ 250! If you need an affordable care option, with friendly, helpful staff, this is the place to go.

I visited for a miserable suspected strep throat the day before Thanksgiving. Really appreciated being able to make an appointment online. The physician’s assistant asked some questions, examined my throat, and did a culture. Yep – strep. I met with the doctor and got a prescription for antibiotics. He took time to answer a few questions I had, and when I thought of one after I got home, I called the facility and was actually able to speak with him directly.
I was in and out in less than 30 minutes, and well on the mend the following day. The receptionist was friendly, the facility was spotless – all in all an excellent experience. I’m glad to have this place in my neighborhood.

After I burnt my hand with scorching hot oil I needed a place to go to fast and treat my wound. Physicians Immediate Care was there and open to help me out. Located on a busy stretch on Broadway in Edgewater this little clinic is a great place to get treated.
After I signed in and filled out a few forms I was in the examination room with a nurse. She took my vitals and had the physicians assistant come in and look at my burn.
«Yep, that’s a nice 2^nd degree burn you have there,» she stated. She examined it more under the light and said I needed antibiotics and topical ointment.
The nurse came back in and treated my wound and stuck a needle in my butt cheek, a antibiotic shot.
I felt safe the whole time there, although a bit nervous. They treated me with care and were really fast. I know next time if I need immediate care, Physicians Immediate Care is the place for me.

When I had an urgent medical problem but could not get in to see any of my Northwestern physicians for several days, this place was very convenient and cost me no more than the price of an office visit under my insurance plan. The person at the front desk was very nice, and the message board showed clearly my turn and approximate wait time. I saw that they accepted online check-​ins. I waited less than 15 minutes to see the doctor. Dr. Hughes showed himself to be as pompous as the average ER doctor, but he did take immediate action, prescribing both an antibiotic and an anti-​fungal. The premises could have been cleaner and more inviting.

Physicians Immediate Care is a scam, do yourself a favor and stay away. I gave this place a shot because of their convenient location and because I thought I needed antibiotics and didn’t want to wait until the next day to book an appointment with my regular doctor. BIG MISTAKE! The doctor at PIC didn’t even perform a full physical exam to diagnose me properly. Instead she just agreed with my self diagnosis and gave me a script for antibiotics. To make matters worse my symptoms never went away so I went back after a couple of days. I was given another script for antibiotics and no full physical exam this time either. It wasn’t until I actually went to my doctor at Northwestern Hospital who said I had a virus that could not be treated with antibiotics. To make matters worse the front desk rep ensured me that they were in my network but in the end I got stuck with a $ 275 bill. I tried disputing this with their office but gave up after numerous attempts.

Finally getting around to writing a review. I’ve been here 3 times between Dec 2014 and Sept 2015 for various reasons and each time I had a good experience with the staff. The first time I went was for an ear ache and Dr Hughes walked into the room with a smile and made eye contact with me as he introduce himself. He allowed me to tell my story of what was wrong before examining my ear. I felt like he was actually listening and it made me feel more comfortable. Going to the doctors is always a nervous thing for me no matter what my reason for going. My past experiences were never like this when I lived in the suburbs. So often my physician would walk into the room with his head in the chart, talking to me, and made no eye contact until it was necessary. There was rarely a friendly smile or how are you today.
Other Reasons why I like this place is it’s only a 10 min commute for me, I’m able to check the wait time online, and can schedule a time. 2 out of the 3 times I never had to wait and the 1 time I did there was only 2 people in front of me and it was no more than a 15 min wait.
First impressions go a long way and obviously it was a good one.

My visit was absolutely HORRIBLE!!!
I went in due to Abdominal pain/​Nausea/​Vomiting. As I waited in the room for Dr. Brian Hughes to see me, I could hear him ask the assistant what was wrong before entering the room she responded abdominal pain and he responded with «UGH» and proceeded to enter the room. From the moment he walked in there was no formal greeting, as he seemed irritated and bothered with having to diagnose me, My visit was about 7 min long and all he did was check my breathing, I proceeded to tell him I think may have had food poisoning but it was concerning as these symptoms occurred on Friday for 24 hours, went away and came back Tuesday morning which led me to believe something may be seriously wrong with my stomach. He then agreed that it was food poisoning without much more than my word or taking further tests, so I began to ask questions regarding my symptoms. Since I was fine for a few days and then it returned out of nowhere, I asked if we could check my vitals and/​or run a few lab tests to be sure nothing was overlooked. After he continued to push for the prescription and an additional visit if he was wrong, I stated for the amount of money I am paying, I would like further test. He then argued with me comparing doctors seeing patients as a mechanic checking a car, by hostility stating that «for $ 150, a mechanic wouldn’t even touch a car»
It is absolutely ridiculous for me to have to pay $ 150 for him to simply check my breathing and just write me a prescription. It is completely unprofessional for a doctor to not express compassion for a patients symptoms and well being. He should be willing to listen and answer the questions his patients are asking with out getting hostile.
I am suppose to return for a follow up visit in a few days, seeing as he is the only Doctor at the location, I do not feel comfortable returning.

There are times when you just need to see a doctor and don’t want to go through the hassle of trying to schedule a time to see your primary care doctor, especially if the matter is urgent. I had a severe stye in my right eye that was extremely painful and caused me to look like Igor from Frankenstein. I walked into the clinic at 8:45 am and was able to see a physician within 20 mins. He was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. He prescribed some anti-​biotic drops and pills and the stye went away within 48 hours.
The staff was extremely helpful and polite. I would recommend this to anybody that has an urgent issue that is maybe not serious enough for an emergency room, but urgent enough to not wait for care.

So I went here today.
I LOVE that you can make an appt online, even though upon arrival nobody was there. I didn’t have to wait long but w/​this being my first time there I did have to complete some paper work.
I only paid my 30 $ office visit since I have insurance.
I went in w. an eye irritation, hoping it wasnt pink eye. Was told it was clogged tear duct. Was given script for antibiotics and told to use warm compress multiple times per day.
Facility was clean but didnt feel like I was seeing real doctors. Felt like students? Friendly and nice but I just didnt get the confident vibe I like to feel when talking health and medicine.
Very convenient. Free parking lot in back, 3 –4 spaces only. I got one on a thurs at 1215p.
Would return but only if I was in a bind. Which I was today because I dont have a regular primary physician.

Let me preface this by saying I’m the wife of a doctor (cardiologist) whose practice is located on the SW side and ‘burbs even though we live in Edgewater. We do have a FP in Lakeview (my husband’s chief resident from back in the day, in fact), but for urgent but not life-​threatening matters we were pretty much up a creek until this center opened.
Last Fri. about 5pm I had a «kitchen accident.» (Advice: never try to cut an old rock-​hard lime with any knife, much less an 8″ sharpened chef’s knife – sometimes it’s okay to throw away food instead). Immediately washed my fingers and applied direct pressure before bandaging them. Dilemma – nobody else was around to drive me to an ER and I was sure I’d need stitches. Remembered Phys. Immediate Care – but since I was still bleeding I didn’t think I could walk there fast enough, so I drove the couple of blocks (with one hand). There was a guy ahead of me paying his bill – but as soon as I said «Excuse me, but I’m bleeding» and saw me holding my hand up high, wrapped in a towel, they ushered me right back to an exam room.
The RN who admitted and examined me was reassuring and professional – he lavaged the wounds and confirmed I’d need sutures. Dr. Epner then came in to examine me and do the suturing – he was apologetic about the anesthetic injections that needed to be done first and offered me the long or short-​acting shots (I chose the former); but he did them quickly and properly. With my fingers numbed, I didn’t even feel the stitching. He and the RN worked as a team, and dressed the surgical wounds. They sent me home with enough gauze and stretch tape to get me through the next week, and were able to sell me the antibiotic I needed to take – saving me a trip to CVS. Instructed to come back Sun. morning to get the dressing changed, I was able to walk there this time, still no wait. Different RN (who gave me guidance as to efficient pain mgmt.), and the provider was a PA, but just as courteous and professional – he instructed me on how to change the dressings once or twice daily. Going back Fri. for suture removal.
My insurance covered everything but the $ 70 co-​pay and $ 20 antibiotic (might get reimbursed for the latter), which was a fraction of what I’d have had to pay at an ER; and got in and out far faster. (An ER might have required me to pay for parking, as well as wait in triage so long that sutures might not have been possible).
This clinic is definitely an asset to the neighborhood!

Updating to 2 stars for reaching out to address our poor experience. Leaving the decision to contact them up to my husband. Depending on how it goes — I’m more than willing to give kudos where they are due. Good first step, PIC.

OK…
If you have insurance. Just go to the hospital. I know, I know! I’m usually against wasting hospital resources… But, i’ve been here three times and I have experienced better in third world counties. I have.
Not only is it expensive, they don’t have proper treatment for eczema. Which is what I’ve been in to their office twice for. They only provide pills and scripts. I asked for medications that I’ve ran out of and I got the wrong one, size or dosage.
They run you through the office so quickly that they don’t pay attention to what you ask, say or require.
They lack the ability to listen to the patient and attention to details of the problem.
It’s not worth the 125.00 if you can just pay the same at another place or the hospital which also may run you through quickly, but, at least I’ve been sorted.
Also, their billing is a bit off. I paid my bills and got a past due bill which I am now working out. I needed a refill on an important medication before my European tour and I was denied until this was resolved.
You have choices. Research them
best of luck/​
angel alanis

After two days of being siiiiiick with some stomach infection, I did a search for the closest urgent care facilities and found this place.
Sunday morning around 10:15am I get there, I’m checked in immediately, and by 10:20 I’m already with a nurse. By like, 10:25 I’m seeing the doctor (Dr. Hughes) and after an exam (and reassurance that I probably wasn’t dying) I was sent on my way with a script that I filled right next door at the CVS.
I was back home and in bed by 11am! I’ve *NEVER* had any clinic experience go that smooth and quick. This will absolutely be my «go to» place when I get sick on a Saturday or Sunday (as it usually seems to go), or if I can’t get in with my primary care doctor as soon as needed.
I was very happy with my experience.

This place was terrible. Doctor Pilch went straight to antibiotics for a sore throat.
Thank goodness I didn’t take them as it turned out not to be strep. Which she would have known if she would have done a strep test, which she chose not to do.
I went in with a very sore throat; inflamed, pus-​y tonsils. The doctor’s assistant (assuming that’s what he was, a short fellow) was short (no pun intended) and then send Dr Pilch in. She was an extremely loud talker who went straight to the antibiotics, without any hesitation. She said it was early strep. No strep test. The little short fellow comes in then with a bit of paper stating a diagnosis of pharyngitis. You can imagine this was confusing — is it strep or just a sore throat? You’re giving me antibiotics.
I also was concerned about HFMD (which was a stretch but nonetheless, I told him of my concern and it was not clear he mentioned it to the doctor), so I asked for the doctor to come back. And she did, and talked at me loudly to a point where she said I could wait until Sunday to fill the script if I wanted to.
I just… antibiotics are for bacterial infections. They don’t treat viral things. That is bad medicine to go straight to prescribing a week-​long course (4x a day) of antibiotics for a sore throat. Had she bothered to asked me, I would have told her that it was worse the day before. I don’t know who trained this doctor but stay away!

Great service! clean!
Friendly and professional staff.
Efficient and thorough doctors.

I wanted to like this place so badly. I read reviews, was excited to be looked at and hopefully find some relief, but unfortunately my experience wasn’t very good at all.
The lobby is very clean and inviting. I’m guessing this is just because the space is brand new, but maybe the upkeep is just better than most other prime care spots I’ve been to. It felt like a hospital. I was checked in immediately, filled out a little paperwork, and only had to wait about 5 minutes to get in (at 5pm).
The triage nurse was really nice. However, then a PA came in to see me and basically looked at me and said there was nothing she could do to help me there. I would have to see a specialist the next day. This would have been nice to know before I even checked in for a $ 135 appointment.
She was also sick as a dog. Her eyes were completely bloodshot and her lashes had crusties on them. DISGUSTING. I’m sorry, but I just work in an office and when I am that sick I am remanded to stay home. Showing up that way to an URGENT CARE facility? Irresponsible medical practice no matter how much hand sanitizer you use.
They ended up checking my insurance to see if I could afford x-​Rays (you know, so they could still send me to a specialist… racket.), and that experience was fine as the original nurse helped me.
We will see how the billing process goes, as I just walked out without giving any sort of consent or co-​pay.
Based on this experience, I’d rather go to an ER. Which I will probably have to whenever I get that sickness the PA had.

What another great addition to my neighborhood!
I had a gash in the back of my head from a fall and went there to have it checked out.
I was in there less than an hour, the staff was professional and friendly, Alex was great, and the PA and the trainee were exceptionally helpful and informative.
I had to have 2 staples and a tetanus shot, so the time was quite impressive. I am sure if I went to the emergency room I would have been there for hours.
Thank you Physicians Immediate Care & welcome to the neighborhood!

This place is great! I came in for treatment for a laceration to my ankle from a bike wreck and could not be more impressed.
I was greeted warmly by a lovely receptionist named Rachel. She immediately brought me back to the room where I eventually received treatment and she was then even was gracious enough to offer me a glass of cold refreshing water while I was being treated. Marisol, the doctor’s assistant, did an outstanding job cleaning my wound and was very personable and thorough. I didn’t even know you could clean a wound so well! Dr. Pilch is down-​to-​business and treated me with respect and friendliness. She made me feel comfortable as she numbed my wound and gave me 5 stitches, as comfortable as that can be. She obviously «knows her stuff» and I felt at ease because of the confidence she had about the work she was doing on my ankle.
The ladies even recommended a great taco shack for lunch in the area after my treatment.
After my experience here, I have a higher opinion of the medical profession as a whole. The world needs more medical care professionals like Rachel, Marisol, and Dr. Pilch. What wonderful people!