Advocate Health Care
reviews and complaints

I have being this office Advocate medical group located on 4600 N . Ravenswood Chicago, IL 60640 in addition, I have being not satisfied with the lack of service . The staff are rude and I called yesterday and the young lady smart with me in addition, Hung the phone up on me. I have being receiving poor service from this new doctor and this is with a new healthcare plan

I have been experiencing musculoskeletal and superficial (skin pain -- like -- stabbing) since I was a teen. After detailing my struggles Dr. Jason Hennes informed me that some people talk about fibromyalgia but essentially it isn't real. "Some people are just more sensitive." He talked about changing the antidepressant I've been on for years yet never reached out to my primary like he said he would. I was already irked. That's when I got the visit summary. There were a bunch of questions answered for me stating symptoms I wasn't experiencing. Two problems: 1) I wasn't even asked those questions. 2) Some of them were incorrect because I AM experiencing those symptoms. I feel invalidated and disgusted by the "care" I received. And bonus points: A few years ago Lutheran General Hospital overdosed my grandma on morphine and killed her the day after Thanksgiving. 0/5 stars.

My wife went to the doctor to have her rt. breast looked at. She told the doctor that she was having pain in the breast, and felt something in it also The doctor said that she needed a Mammogram. So the doctor put the order in, and then my wife called to schedule the test. The person at the scheduling ask my wife if it was a routine mammogram or did my wife tell the doctor that it was for a problem condition. My wife said I told the doctor that I felt something, and had been having pain. The person st the testing place said they cant set up the appointment because she needs a DIAGNOSTIC MAMMOGRAM, The doctor has to rewrite a new order. OK so we get the new order, and my wife schedules the test, and then gets a call a few days later that they cannot do the test due to that they don't do that test on Aug, 15th. I have never seen a bigger more unorganized, and totally screwed up doctors office, and testing facility

I was in the ED tonight to make sure my older brother was ok and I had walked in after my nephew and his wife were with my older brother who passed out and fell in my driveway. We were not causing any problems in the ED waiting area and we were all a little upset because my mother was there a few weeks ago who passed away at your hospital! Long story short this older man in a pink shirt walked up to me and my family and said rudely "There can only be one person in the waiting room with the patient!" This a**hole employee is the worst I've dealt with at any Advocate I worked for Advocate and never had any issues until tonight with this elderly skinny very inappropriate unprofessional employee who made remarks to me that I was a racist and I am white. He was white as well unless he has dementia and he sure acted like he was lost! Now, I do not want to go to Advbocate because, if these are the types of people you hire you must be really hard up for help! He is damn lucky he was not at the local bar in Oak Lawn because, he would have been sent to your ED! This very rude individual needs to be talked to by his supervisor and not judge people on how they look. This is going to be handled in a timely manner or I will contact the government and report this Advocate location.

I went to Advocate Health Care due to a hand injury I got at work. I paid the bill in full ($147.89) on 12/1/22 before tis was a workers comp claim. When I spoke to the insurance company handling the claim I was told to send them the bill and legally Advocate had to refund me the amount I paid. I reached back out to Advocate on 12/30/22 and was told the refund would take 7-9 days.

Ever since then it has been nothing but a nightmare trying to get my money back. I was then told they could not issue the refund until the balance of $84 was paid.1. Nobody will tell me what that $84 is for. 2. I don't know what that has to do with me because the entire bill that I got and paid was $147.89, 3. The insurance company paid whatever the $84 is/was on 1/10/23 and the person handling the claim has tried herself to understand what Advocate is talking about with no luck.

The original guarantor account number was [protected], when I spoke to them on 1/30 they gave me this number- [protected]

The worst doctor and the office, disrespectful, money minded and inconsiderate. My 83 year old mom had an appointment today , when she got to the office medical staff told us that the doctor is on vacation and will call her back with test results, because she couldn't see her. Seriously? Medical office called day before an appointment and ask my mom to come earlier but they didn't even have courtesy to inform her so that she wouldn't travel all the way to let her know that doctor will not be at the appointment. This is so ridiculous and infuriating as the office not informing their patients that doctor is out of country and will not be able to see patients but they call to remind not to be late for the appointment. This sort of people should not be allowed to practice medicine. Stay away from the practitioner and her incompetent office. BTW, I was forced to select a star so I had to pick one, I give them -1 star.

I had a mammogram on 1/14/23. I was asked who I wanted the results sent to. I told them my PCP.

1/16/23 the results were sent to another Dr (whom I have never seen before and did not know who she was). I did NOT authorize the release of information to this person. This violated my HIPAA rights. I talked to Holly later in the day on 1/16/23. I informed her that the results were sent to the wrong person. She asked if the wrong Dr is in the same office as my Dr. No she is not (she is in Naperville and mine is in Yorkville). She asked whom I wanted the results sent to that I have seen in the last two years, and I told her again. She said that the system was fixing itself and was waiting on Danielle to approve the paperwork. Then she asked me when I wanted to come in for the additional imaging. I said I am not doing anything until I talk to my Dr. On 1/17 I received the paperwork released to me showing that the Dr. had put a message on the paperwork the morning of 1/16 stating she never saw me and they needed to rectify the situation.

I did notify my PCP office and they said that they escalated the situation to their leadership.
Today, 1/17/23 I received a notification via notes from the wrong Dr office that Holly now has called her to verify who my PCP is.
First off, I get to chose who the results are sent to, not Holly. Secondly, more than one staff member was told that Danielle is the one to send them to. It is not the responsibility of Holly to call people and ask if they are my PCP, especially when they were already told no. While I never saw Katarzyna G Scigacz, it is possible that someone may see a Dr and then decide to change drs. By trying to circumvent a patient, you are creating additional issues.
This woman needs to stop harassing people and just deal with the Dr she was told to deal with. Because of the continued harassment of Holly, I don’t trust your imaging department.

I was walking around last night in backyard had a large thorn go into my ankle over 2 hours I could see the red infection circling. Slight pain went to Lutheran general there was 3 hours wait a lot of ambulance they said. They said go to a urgent care what I need is 10 minutes. I waited till today went to Advocate Urgent Care at the Walgreens at Gold Rd and Arlington Heights Rd. The lights were off the sign said closed pharmacy said they were there I knocked on the door a Indian woman popped up and say having a meeting come back at 930

After waiting she now is bright to say do I have a appointment I said I was just injured ER Ssaid go to Urgent Care. She said I have to make a appointment so of course I said so let the infection spread what if that resulted in a death from blood poising her reply we dent do emergency. mt first - and last-time refusal of medical help. In her pea brain no one ever has to run in for something like mine as well as ER said to go

I have had a continual cough after an illness 8 weeks ago, for which I have been seen at an urgent care clinic twice already. On my second visit at urgent care, the physician there said that I should make an appointment with a regular doctor if the condition did not improve in 10 days since they had done all they could with their limited resources. I did not improve, so I followed their instructions and contacted Advocate in Libertyville, IL to schedule with my regular doctor. It turned out she had left the practice so I told the scheduler that I would gladly see any available provider. She said at first that since I had not been there for 3 years that I would need to make a New Patient appointment to establish care, and they were scheduling 4-5 weeks out. I was concerned because I am actually sick and need an acute care visit, not a full physical or anything. The walk-in clinic cannot provide ongoing care. I asked the scheduler what I should do in this situation. She asked if she could call me back, which she did about 10 minutes later. She said that she had good news and that it had been just barely under 3 years so they could get me in to see a nurse practitioner in a few days, for which I was very grateful. On the morning of my appointment (8/3/22), I received a call 50 minutes beforehand and was told that the nurse practitioner would not see me and they were canceling my appointment and must schedule a longer New Patient appointment because I had not been there in 3 years. I do not understand why I received conflicting information from the scheduler and the staff at the nurse practitioner's office. I also do not understand what Advocate Health does for people who are actually sick but not in an emergent situation. Do they only see well people at their primary care clinics?

Took a home test and was positive for Covid yesterday. I'm 75 so went to Immediate Care for a prescription for Paxlovid. Unfortunately, I was there for hours and I was seen by Dr Mohd Noman Mohiuddin. I had many of the symptoms: fever, headaches, chills, congestion, diarrhea, muscle aches, stomach aches. They said they would give me Tylenol which I never got. Their first test came back negative. They took a second test (which takes 15 mins for results) and didn't come back. I was feeling horrible and after another 45 mins I opened the door and asked if they forgot about me. After a few minutes the Dr returned and said it was immediately positive and began asking me questions about issues like my kidney functions, if I took certain categories of medication, yet this info is all in my chart! He did prescribe Paxlovid but said he would also prescribe Zofran for stomach upset, but he did not.

I searched the Advocate Aurora site for a place to lodge a visit complaint but they do not have one! Clearly the worst care I have ever received at this facility!

If more info is needed please let me know. Thank you for your time.

FORMAL COMPLAINT LETTER

Patient Name/Address/Phone #:

Aisa Keay

265 Cannon Road

Volo

IL, 60073

[protected]

aisa.l.[protected]@gmail.com

Date/Location of Incident and Phone #:

Date of visit: 03/23/2022; 2:00 pm

Nurse Practitioner: Pamela Maloney, CNP

Location: Walgreens, 910 N RAND RD, Lake Zurich 60047

Company: Advocate Clinic at Walgreens

[protected]

Dear Sir/Madam,

Please treat this as a letter of complaint regarding falsification of medical records made on an after-visit-summary (AVS) at Advocate Clinic at Walgreens in Lake Zurich, IL. The comments made within the AVS contained multiple lies made by the nurse practitioner. A copy of the AVS written by the certified nurse practitioner (CNP) can be viewed on page 3 and following is a summary of events that took place on 23-March, 2022.

On the morning of March 23, 2022, I made a same day appointment at the Advocate Clinic at Walgreens for 2:00pm on the Live Well website. I arrived at approximately 1:50 pm for my appointment and my vitals and chief complaint were checked by what appeared to be an assistant to the certified nurse practitioner (CNP). At this time only the assistant was in the room. My chief complaint included a hacking/nagging cough which was worse at night as well as a sore throat. After the assessment of the chief complaint, the nurse practitioner proceeded to do a rapid swab strep test (POCT Rapid Strep A). They then informed me that the inside of my mouth looked raw/red.

While waiting for results for the rapid strep test, the nurse practitioner walked in and introduced herself. She then also asked for the reason for my visit. I explained again that “I’ve had a hacking/nagging cough which is worse at night, along with a sore throat that keeps me up at night. I have four children including a baby to care for in the morning and needed to rest at night.” She proceeded to start the physical assessment which included checking the inside of my mouth, nostrils, and ears. She then listened to my lungs, and I coughed for her once while taking a deep breath. During the assessment, the assistant showed the CNP the rapid strep results which were positive.

The CNP explained to me that I had strep throat and that she would prescribe amoxicillin 500 mg twice a day for 10 days and Tessalon Perles 100 mg (two tablets) three times a day as needed for the cough. I politely said to her “I’ve taken the Tessalon Perles before and from experience this hadn’t helped me with the cough”. I then asked one time if it would be possible for her to prescribe Guaifenesin AC codeine syrup instead which would help with relieving the coughing at night allowing me to get rest.” She responded, “I am a new nurse practitioner at this facility and not yet licensed to give out controlled substance prescription per DEA regulations.” The CNP and her assistant advised me to take OTC Tylenol, melatonin, and ZzzQuil to help with sleep. I was then told by the CNP that the exam was done, to grab my jacket, and wait outside for her to finish her AVS notes. She also said she would send my prescription for an antibiotic to the pharmacy.

After returning home I checked the AVS notes to confirm they were accurate as I am also a nurse, and I am aware that mistakes in charting sometimes occur. I was surprised to learn that numerous lies had been made on the AVS report which the CNP had written.

The following lies were made by the nurse practitioner on the AVS report:

- The CNP stated, “Patient request Guanfacine with codeine (by name) multiple times during visit.” This was a lie. I requested Guiafanessin AC codeine syrup one time. This was after she mentioned she was a new nurse practitioner at that facility and waiting to obtain her license from the DEA to prescribe controlled substances.

- The CNP stated, “The Informed patient that I would be happy to prescribe her Tessalon pearls for her cough. She told me they were useless and not worth the money.” This is a lie. At no time during the visit did I raise the point regarding something being useless or not worth the money. The only point I raised regarding Tessalon Perles was that, from experience they did not help with coughing at night. I based this point on my medical knowledge and from my own nursing experience.

- The CNP stated, “Attempted to argue with me that other Nps have given her this medicine before and there is no reason I shouldn’t with the severity of her cough.” This is a lie. I politely asked one time as mentioned above and nothing about the severity of my cough. Also, I mentioned to her that several years ago a nurse practitioner at a different Walgreens had prescribed me a controlled substance for a bad cough.

- The CNP stated, “Patient also stated that she has 4 kids at home, one of which is a baby and she has not been able to sleep well.” This is a lie. I said, I have four children including a baby to care for in the morning and needed to rest at night. I had not slept well the prior 3 days as I was up all night coughing.

- The CNP stated, “I informed the patient that based on her symptoms and current physical exam this medication is not warranted.” This is a lie. The CNP never stated this.

- The CNP stated, “Also, recommended OTC treatment for cough, use of a humidifier, and increased fluid intake.” This is a lie. She did not mention to use a humidifier or increase fluid intake.

- The CNP stated, “While handing AVS to patient she then asked for me to prescribe the tessalon pearls.” This is a lie. I asked her for a recommendation for an over the counter (OTC) cough relief medicine when she was handing the AVS. She then informed me to try the Tessalon Perles as this is what she typically prescribed to patients and I agreed to try it again.

- The CNP stated, “Patient proceeded to pick up prescriptions from pharmacy and leave a note on our counter saying, “thanks for nothing” This is a lie. I picked up my prescription from the senior pharmacy technician and left. At no point during the visit did I write or leave a note at either the clinic counter or pharmacy counter. We are in the process of obtaining security footage from this Walgreens location to confirm this.

It is extremely unsettling that a health care profession would engage in negligent behavior to this extent. Their lack of attention, reckless actions, and dishonesty in reporting is in direct violation of the ethical code of conduct expected of health professionals and nurses in the state of Illinois.

Hence, I am expecting an investigation be made into this matter so that such negligence is not repeated with other patients. I also am expecting that an amendment be made to the AVS notes which were made on 23-March 2022 with omissions to the lies that the CNP made. This amendment should be made in timely fashion. If no changes are made, we will proceed with taking legal action. Thank you for your time and cooperation.

Aisa Keay

On 9/25 epatch for heart monitor placed to be worn 7 days. 10/2 mailed. 10/4 tracking shows epatch monitor received. 10/16 or 17 called Lutheran General Heart monitoring station to find out how long it takes for results. Woman says 10-14 days but they only have one cardiologist who reviews reports and doesn't come in every day. Should a payient be told this? Several messages to provider office looking for results. They have been trying to obtain with apparently no such luck. Last message 10/27 claims a specialist was going to read. Almost 4 wks no results. This is not patient advocacy nor patient care and is unacceptable. I will make it perfectly clear this is not my provider's fault. The fault lies within the heart monitoring dept for not producing results. On top of it, I've been billed for a monitor that results haven't even been obtained yet!

Dr. Diana Marie Bibbs office does not get things being requested to her attention in a timely fashion. I had to complain to the Office manager previously. Now a new issue has caused a delay. All Dr Hobbs has to do is sign a request to get batteries for my electric wheelchair. It has not been done. This puts me at risk when I am out and about
I am having issues with my foot on the only healthy leg. I need my electric wheelchair.

I had a chest x-ray done at Northwestern hospital and asked them to fax the results to Dr Alissa Roberts, the attending doctor that I visited on 10/2/20 at Advocate Healthcare Aurora. I confirmed with Northwestern that the results were faxed over, so I called Dr. Roberts' office for my results. I was told she was out of the office and I would need to wait for her return. My symptoms were getting worse, so I asked if another doctor could read my results to me. Jackie, the office manager, said she would need to reach out to Dr. Roberts to get her permission to have another doctor read me my results. I never heard back from her. I was in extreme pain and called numerous times throughout the day and never got a call from anyone with my results. This is day 2 and I'm still waiting! The office had no compassion and was aware of the amount of pain I was in and totally disregarded my need to get my results in order for me to know how to proceed with my treatment. I will never go back to this hospital! My next complaint will be with the State Licensing Board. This was unprofessional, unethical, and unbelievable!

Yesterday I went to see a doctor I wasn't feeling good at all I had chills and bodyache and also sore throat he said I have pharyngitis and didn't prescribe any antibiotics today I feel worse my throat is hurting more even when I pass saliva I cant talk much is hard for me to talk because the pain and I notice I have white tonsils and my throat has some red spots I call the office if they could prescribe something and they said if I follow what the doctor told me to do I try but I think I need antibiotics

My name is Robert Corley. I am 66 years old. I am writing to you to make you aware of the most incompetent doctor I have ever had the misfortune of having treated me.

In October 2018 my life insurance carrier called me to tell me that I couldn't get my insurance renewed because I had a PSA level of 7.6 when they did their exam. They checked my background and found that I had a PSA level of over 5 in July 2015. I did not know anything about PSA or levels, etc. I didn't even know what it was.

I contacted my doctor, Dr. Allison Martin at the Advocate Olympia Fields, IL office and she said to come in and get the test run. When I was there, she said that she had a note on my records from 2015 to refer me to a Urologist, but I was always so "problematic" that it slipped her mind (for over 3 years).

I saw her on a regular basis, every 3 - 6 months because she was treating me for diabetes, and had to check my blood levels. Never did she mention anything to me regarding PSA.

By the time I saw the Urologist in October, my PSA level was at 10. I had a biopsy done and found that I had cancer in 8 out of the 12 samples. Some were at Gleason 7, some at 8 and some at 9.

I saw another Doctor at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He recommended a radical prostatectomy. I had the surgery on December 11, 2018. He removed my prostate, nerve and some lymph nodes. I still have PSA levels and am now facing radiation treatment and hormone injections.

Due to this Doctor's negligence, I feel that this doctor has violated me and caused me to lose the life I expected to have at this age. I was diabetic but it was controlled with medication. I was always very athletic, physical and in great shape otherwise. I feel that being uninformed for 3-1/2 years took away many of the options that I could have had. I know that being diagnosed at a level 5 would have given me a better outcome.

Besides the obvious physical difference, there is also the mental anguish I have endured due to her negligence. Her attitude towards me as a person was abominable. She was rude when I was in her office. She would sit and look at her laptop and not at me. She told me my wife wasn't my mother and I should not expect her to take care of me. She didn't talk that way in front of my wife, only when she wasn't in the room.

I also had insurance (both medical and life) at that time that would have helped me financially to handle the costs involved. When this was finally diagnosed in 2018, my wife had lost her job, and along with it the medical insurance we had. Back then we would not have had to incur the thousands of dollars in medical bills that we have piled up.

Her incompetence is not just related to my care. My wife went to her first. She had a different doctor at Advocate and when that doctor left, Dr. Martin became her doctor. When you are healthy and just need regular check-ups, you don't realize the mistake you are making when you stay with someone that incompetent. My wife realized she had a lump on her throat and told Dr. Martin she needed a referral to see an endocrinologist. She sent her to one that she came up with because "she could understand his reports". What does that mean? Then the endocrinologist was so rude insinuating that she was just there to get drugs for weight loss. She had a biopsy done and NO ONE CALLED WITH THE RESULTS. She had to track down the doctor at the hospital to find out the results (they were benign) and the doctor said: "oops, I went on vacation and thought that Dr. Martin would tell you the results."

I could go on and on about the different experiences we had with Dr. Martin. We tried to change doctors, but you can only do it at certain times of the year and my wife's company would change their insurance also. We researched others but couldn't find one nearby. Hindsight is 20/20. Who knew what a mistake it would be!

I don't think Dr. Martin should be practicing medicine. She does more harm than good.

As I said to my attorney, I was never looking to make millions by suing Dr. Martin. But she should be held accountable for her careless and negligent attitude with me and for that matter any patients she encounters.

Because of her lack of care 4 years ago (when my insurance would have covered most of it) I have many medical bills for the biopsy, surgery, medication, besides the radiation treatments that are scheduled. I feel it is only fair that she should be responsible for these expenses. I am still talking to attorneys. I am sure I will be filing a case soon. I know there is a two-year limit that will expire at the end of 2020.

I have moved to a smaller house since July 2019. I have a disabled daughter and her daughter that live with us also. I feel that I have been savagely victimized by this doctor.

I already had a very reputable law firm in Chicago looking into this. I have all the records that they had requested from my doctors. While there isn't ANYONE that does not agree that this is a clear-cut case of negligent malpractice, there isn't enough of a monetary reward for them unless I die to make my case a good investment. They have given me referrals to other firms, and I am looking into them.

I would like someone to investigate this matter and get back with me as soon as possible. I am determined to take this matter as far as I can. I feel this doctor took my masculinity from me in such a careless and destructive manner. I will do whatever I can to make everyone aware of her ineptitude.

Regards,

Robert Corley

[protected]@aol.com

[protected]

I requested an appt. with Richard Royal Leitzen, D.P.M. at 705 Warrenville Rd, Wheaton thru AMG online today 8/26/19. Someome called me from Park Ridge(847-384-3700) and I was transferred to the MD's office and talked to Bonnie. From the start, she was very rude and with no customer service at all. Her first question with the operator was, "does he speak English". She started asking me my personal information such as my name, DOB, race, PCP, etc. I started answering her questions but I informed her that I already answered those questions online but she told me that she can not pull those informations in a rude tone/manner. And she asked me for my Insurance information. I started giving the the Ins. ID and group number but she did not get it correctly and she got annoyed. Since I have a poor eye sight I handed the phone to my wife, the more she got annoyed/irritated and loud with my wife.
I am hoping someone educate this Bonnie on phone etiquette, customer service and multi cultural awareness/discrimination.
Hopefully, someone will answer me back re. this matter.

Lamberto Billote
[protected]
[protected]@comcast.net

I was scheduled by Dr Weinstein's office on Aug 17th for an Angiogram.
The refferal was supposedly approved on Aug 20th.
My Angiogram was was to be done today at 7:30 am
My wife works foe Advocate and I am covered under her policy.
On Aug 29th at 3:30 pm I received a call that my procedure was being cancelled yet I did not receive an explanation.
Dr Weinstein's office staff was less than helpful as to why this was cancelled for today Aug 30th.
I just got off the phone with office and now they are saying Humana Ins is the problem. Dr Weinstein has already had a peer to peer call with Humana. He has yet to receive an approval or disapproval.
So here I sit NPO waiting to find out what the hold up is on someone's end.
If Humana is the Insurance Provider that Advocate has chosen for their Employees and their Families I highly suggest this get reviewed.
I have also contacted a Malpractice/Ins Fraud group of attorneys willing to take my case.
My next step if I don't receive approval to have my Angiogram is to let them run with a lawsuit. You do not cancel a Major Procedure late in the afternoon the day before.
I also have calls into all the Chicago Investigative reporters to see if they are interested in running with this issue. I am guessing I am not the only patient to have received such poor treatment after paying hefty premiums for coverage.

My name is
Keith Holub
7/29/1963

[protected]

If I do not hear back from Advocate I will assume you would prefer I take the Litigeous/Media Investigation route.

Regards,
Keith Holub