Chicagoland patient guide · LiveWell, immediate care, bills and records
Connect Every Part of Your Advocate Medical Group Care
Advocate Medical Group includes more than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice clinicians at more than 350 Chicagoland locations. Patients can use the network for primary care, specialty services, imaging, outpatient treatment, immediate care and virtual visits.
This guide explains the complete patient process in plain English: finding the correct doctor, selecting the right level of care, using LiveWell, preparing for appointments, checking insurance and costs, paying the correct bill and requesting medical records.
LIVEWELL
FIND A
DOCTOR
IMMEDIATE
CARE
RECORDS
Emergency warning: Call 911 for chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden stroke symptoms, uncontrolled bleeding, loss of consciousness, a major injury or another condition that could threaten life or permanent function. Do not wait for a LiveWell message or virtual appointment.
Clinical network
More than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice clinicians.
Care footprint
More than 350 Advocate Medical Group locations across Chicagoland.
Start with the right destination
Which Advocate Medical Group care option should you use?
PRIMARY OR SPECIALTY CARE
Routine, preventive or ongoing care
Start with your regular Advocate physician for annual care, chronic conditions, medication management, referrals, planned procedures and symptoms that can safely wait.
Best for: preventive exams, diabetes, blood pressure, long-term symptoms, specialist follow-up and treatment planning.
IMMEDIATE OR VIRTUAL CARE
Non-emergency problem needing faster care
Use immediate care or an eligible virtual visit when a minor illness or injury needs attention and your usual provider is unavailable.
Best for: common respiratory symptoms, minor injuries, uncomplicated infections, rashes and other concerns suitable for outpatient care.
911 OR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
Potentially life-threatening symptoms
Emergency treatment is required when delay could threaten life, breathing, circulation, brain function or permanent use of a body part.
Use immediately for: chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing trouble, major trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or unconsciousness.
Practical rule: Use primary care when the concern can wait, immediate or virtual care for an appropriate same-day outpatient problem, and 911 or the emergency department for serious warning signs.
Large Chicagoland outpatient network
What Advocate Medical Group provides
Advocate Medical Group is the outpatient physician network of Advocate Health Care. It connects primary-care clinicians, specialists, imaging and other outpatient services across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
Primary care
Family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, preventive visits, chronic-condition management and referrals.
Specialty services
Heart, cancer, orthopedics, women’s health, digestive care, neuroscience and many other medical and surgical specialties.
Connected digital care
LiveWell supports appointments, results, messages, family access, virtual visits and bill payment.
Do not confuse Advocate Medical Group with the entire hospital system. A doctor, hospital, laboratory, imaging center, home-care service or equipment supplier may create a separate account and statement.
Provider-search workflow
How to find the right Advocate Medical Group doctor
Choose primary care when you are unsure
A family medicine, internal medicine or pediatric clinician can assess the concern, start testing and decide whether specialty care is needed.
Select the correct specialty
Use a referral, diagnosis or discharge instruction when available. Similar symptoms may be treated by different departments.
Search near a realistic travel point
Use your home, work or school address and consider repeat visits, parking, public transit and winter travel.
Review the provider profile
Check clinical interests, languages, age groups, hospital affiliations and appointment locations.
Confirm new-patient availability
A profile may remain visible even when the provider has limited or delayed new-patient appointments.
Verify the exact insurance product
Give the office the insurer, plan type, network and member information printed on the card.
Ask whether a referral is required
The provider may be in network while the insurance plan still requires a referral from the assigned primary-care clinician.
Save the direct office number
Use it later for preparation instructions, results, refills and appointment-specific questions.
New-patient call script
“I would like to schedule with [provider or specialty]. My insurance is [complete product and network]. Is this provider accepting new patients at this location? Do I need a referral or authorization, what records should I send, and what amount may be due at check-in?”
More than 350 outpatient sites
How to choose the correct Advocate Medical Group location
Advocate Medical Group serves Chicago and a wide suburban area. The location finder may show physician offices, immediate-care clinics, laboratories, imaging centers, rehabilitation sites and hospital-connected outpatient departments.
Chicago
Multiple north, west and south side primary and specialty locations.
North and northwest suburbs
Care connected with areas such as Park Ridge, Barrington, Libertyville and surrounding communities.
West and southwest suburbs
Locations around Downers Grove, Oak Brook, Oak Lawn and nearby communities.
South suburbs
Outpatient care serving communities connected with Hazel Crest and Advocate’s south-region facilities.
Check these details before travelling
Complete street address and suite number
Correct physician and department
Appointment is office-based or hospital-based
Laboratory or imaging order was received
Insurance treats the exact site as in network
Parking, entrance and check-in instructions
Current hours and holiday schedule
Weather or operational closure is not active
Chicago-area shortcut: The doctor’s name and hospital affiliation do not always identify the appointment building. Save the exact outpatient address shown in LiveWell or the confirmation message.
Booking and rescheduling
How to schedule an Advocate Medical Group appointment
State the reason for the visit
Explain whether the appointment is preventive, a new symptom, follow-up, hospital follow-up, procedure, medication issue or specialist consultation.
Explain urgency clearly
Give the symptom, start date, whether it is worsening and any warning signs. This helps staff select an appropriate timeframe.
Choose phone or LiveWell scheduling
Some visits can be booked online. Other specialties and complex concerns require direct office scheduling.
Verify the visit format
Confirm whether the appointment is in person, a scheduled video visit, an e-visit or another virtual service.
Confirm insurance requirements
Ask about referral, authorization, provider network and location-specific coverage.
Save preparation instructions
Record fasting, medication, transportation, imaging and document requirements.
Review the appointment in LiveWell
Confirm the date, arrival time, provider, address and cancellation options before travel.
Faster scheduling tip: Have two or three acceptable dates, preferred locations and the full insurance plan name ready before calling.
Prevent check-in delays
What to bring to an Advocate Medical Group visit
Government-issued photo identification
Current primary and secondary insurance cards
Referral or authorization information
Medication list with dose and frequency
Allergies and serious medication reactions
Outside laboratory and imaging reports
Actual image files when the specialist requested them
Hospital discharge or operative documents
Preferred pharmacy name and location
Expected copay or deductible payment
Interpreter or accessibility confirmation
Written questions in priority order
Medication safety: Do not stop a prescribed medicine before a test or procedure unless the ordering clinician gives clear instructions. Ask which medicines to take, hold or adjust and for how long.
Secure portal and wellness app
What patients can do in Advocate LiveWell
M
Message the care team
Send routine, non-emergency questions to participating physicians and departments.
A
Manage appointments
Make eligible appointments, cancel visits and review past or upcoming appointment details.
R
Review results
View released laboratory, imaging and other test results when available.
V
Get virtual care
Join eligible video visits and use other offered online-care options.
$
Pay bills
Review available statements and pay by credit card, electronic check or another offered method.
P
Use family access
Manage approved health information for children or other people who depend on you.
Q
Take health quizzes
Review risk factors for selected conditions and discuss concerning results with a clinician.
B
Review bill notices
Receive notifications when an eligible bill is available and review the account before payment.
W
Use wellness tools
Access guided meditation and other wellness features in English or Spanish.
Do not use LiveWell for an emergency. Messages may not be read immediately during evenings, weekends, holidays or clinician absences.
LiveWell troubleshooting
LiveWell not working? Check these causes in order
You forgot the username
Use the official username-recovery option rather than creating a second account.
You forgot the password
Use the secure reset process and avoid repeated guesses that may lock the account.
A result is missing
The test may still be processing, awaiting clinical review or stored in a separate hospital or outside-laboratory system.
An appointment cannot be booked online
Not every department, doctor or visit reason supports self-scheduling. Call the physician office.
The bill is not visible
The account may belong to a separate organization, an older billing platform or a service not yet processed.
You need another person’s chart
Request approved proxy access instead of sharing usernames and passwords.
A video visit will not launch
Update the app or browser, allow camera and microphone access and test the internet connection.
The concern is medically urgent
Call the treating office or appropriate urgent service. Call 911 for emergency warning signs.
Support shortcut: Before calling
855-624-9366, write down the device type, browser or app version, exact error message and the step where the problem occurs.
Care from home
Advocate video visits and online care
Scheduled video visit
A planned appointment with an Advocate clinician through the secure LiveWell system.
On-demand virtual care
Available options may connect an eligible patient with a provider for a suitable same-day concern.
Electronic visit
An online clinical questionnaire may be used for selected conditions when a live video conversation is unnecessary.
Prepare before the virtual appointment
Charge the device
Use reliable private internet
Allow camera and microphone access
Choose a quiet, well-lit space
Have medications and allergies ready
Prepare temperature or home readings
Keep the preferred pharmacy information nearby
Know the address where you are physically located
A virtual visit may still lead to in-person care. The provider may recommend a physical examination, laboratory test, imaging study, immediate-care visit or emergency evaluation.
Primary and specialty network
Advocate Medical Group services explained simply
Major Advocate services and what to confirm before booking
| Care area |
Common services |
What to confirm |
| Primary care |
Family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, preventive care and chronic-condition management. |
New-patient status, age range, location and insurance. |
| Heart and vascular |
Cardiology, testing, vascular care and treatment for heart or circulation conditions. |
Referral, recent testing, medication instructions and hospital affiliation. |
| Cancer care |
Medical, surgical and radiation oncology with diagnostic and supportive care. |
Pathology, actual images, treatment location and insurance authorization. |
| Orthopedics |
Bone, joint, spine, sports injury, surgical and rehabilitation services. |
Existing imaging, therapy authorization and surgical versus nonsurgical visit. |
| Women’s health |
Gynecology, pregnancy care, breast health and other women’s services. |
Pregnancy timing, previous records, hospital plans and insurance. |
| Digestive care |
Gastroenterology, endoscopy, digestive testing and colorectal or surgical care. |
Preparation, medication changes, transportation and facility billing. |
| Neuroscience |
Neurology, neurosurgery and related diagnostic or rehabilitation care. |
Referral, outside imaging, symptom history and urgency. |
| Outpatient diagnostics |
Imaging, laboratory testing and other diagnostic procedures at selected sites. |
Order received, location, fasting, contrast and authorization. |
Coverage-verification workflow
How to check Advocate Medical Group insurance
Advocate works with many insurance plans, but participation can vary by the individual doctor, location, hospital affiliation, service and exact insurance product.
Read the complete plan name
Include the insurer, employer or marketplace product, PPO or HMO designation and network.
Call the individual Advocate office
Ask whether the physician and exact location participate in that product.
Call the insurer
Use the member-services number printed on the insurance card.
Ask about referral requirements
A specialist may be in network while the claim still requires a referral.
Ask about prior authorization
Imaging, therapy, surgery, procedures and selected medications may require approval.
Check every billing component
Confirm the physician, facility, laboratory, imaging, anesthesia and pathology networks when applicable.
Request the expected patient amount
Ask about copay, deductible, coinsurance and possible separate charges.
Save the reference number
Record the date, representative and confirmation number from the insurer.
Insurance-verification script
“My plan is [complete product and network], member ID [number]. I am seeing [provider] at [exact location] for [visit, test or procedure]. Is the provider and location in network? Do I need a referral or authorization, and should I expect separate facility, laboratory, imaging, anesthesia or pathology charges?”
Network listing is not a payment guarantee. The insurance company makes the final claim decision based on benefits, eligibility, medical necessity, authorization and remaining deductible.
Estimate before treatment
How to request an Advocate cost-of-care estimate
Identify the exact service
Ask the ordering office for the procedure or test name and billing code when available.
Confirm the treating location
An office-based service and hospital outpatient service can have different charges.
Provide current insurance information
The estimate depends on network status, deductible, coinsurance and benefit limits.
Ask about professional and facility fees
Determine whether the estimate includes the doctor, hospital, imaging, laboratory, anesthesia and pathology.
Save the estimate
Keep the date, service, provider, facility and assumptions used.
Compare the final explanation of benefits
The final amount may differ if the actual service, treatment, coding or insurance status changes.
An estimate is not a guarantee. Unexpected clinical findings, additional treatment, insurer decisions and separate providers can change the final amount.
Statements and payments
How to review and pay an Advocate Medical Group bill
Identify the billing organization
Confirm whether the statement is from Advocate Medical Group, a hospital, laboratory, home-care service or another provider.
Check the patient and service date
Make sure the account belongs to the correct person and visit.
Compare the insurance explanation
Review the submitted charge, allowed amount, insurance payment, adjustment and patient responsibility.
Check for a referral or authorization denial
An in-network claim may still be denied when required approval is missing.
Question mismatched details before paying
Call billing when the service, amount or insurance processing does not match your records.
Use LiveWell for the final payment
Verify the account and amount, then pay through the secure portal.
Published Advocate billing numbers by service period
| Facility group |
Older service dates |
Newer service dates |
| Good Shepherd or Condell |
Before October 2019: 630-645-2400 |
October 2019 or later: 847-795-2300 |
| Good Samaritan or Lutheran General |
Before February 2020: 630-645-2400 |
February 2020 or later: 847-795-2300 |
| Christ, Illinois Masonic, Trinity or South Suburban |
Before October 2020: 630-645-2400 |
October 2020 or later: 847-795-2300 |
Billing-question script
“I am calling about the statement for service date [date]. The bill shows [amount], while my insurance explanation shows [amount or denial]. Please explain the charge, insurance payment, adjustment and patient responsibility, and tell me whether a corrected claim, referral or authorization review is needed.”
Help with unaffordable bills
Advocate financial assistance and payment-help steps
Contact Advocate early
Do not wait until the account reaches collections before asking about assistance.
Request the correct application
Ask whether the account may qualify for financial assistance, a payment arrangement or another adjustment.
Collect the required documents
Common requests can include household, income, insurance, address and account information.
Submit a complete package
Missing signatures or documents can delay review.
Keep proof of submission
Save the application, upload confirmation, fax record or mailing receipt.
Continue reading account notices
Confirm whether collection activity is paused while the application is under review.
Ask for the decision in writing
Review which accounts and dates of service were included.
Financial-help tip: A hospital financial-assistance approval may not automatically cover every independent doctor, ambulance, laboratory or outside supplier involved in the same episode of care.
Protected health information
How to request Advocate Medical Group medical records
Advocate allows patients to request records through LiveWell, an official form or a written letter. Records can be sent to the patient, another healthcare provider, an employer or another authorized organization.
Check LiveWell first
The portal may already contain the result, visit note or document you need.
Choose the correct request type
Use a patient access request for your own information or an authorization form when records should be released to another person or organization.
Identify the patient completely
Include first name, last name, date of birth and other requested identifying information.
Describe the specific records
State the physician, condition, date of service, record category or date range.
Choose paper or electronic format
Advocate states that records are available in the patient’s preferred format when possible.
Name the recipient and destination
Include the receiving person or organization and a complete address, secure fax or approved electronic destination.
Sign with proper authority
The patient or authorized legal representative must sign the request.
Submit it to the correct records department
Advocate Medical Group uses its own group records contact, while hospital records use the individual hospital’s Health Information Management department.
Keep a copy and follow up
Save the request, submission date and destination until the recipient confirms delivery.
Provider-to-provider transfer: Advocate states that there is no cost when medical records are sent directly to another doctor or healthcare provider. Other request types may have a reasonable fee.
Imaging tip: A written imaging report and the actual CT, MRI or X-ray files are different. Ask the receiving specialist which one is required.
Free communication assistance
Interpreter, language and accessibility support
Advocate states that language-assistance services are available free of charge during care. Its published patient information includes support for many languages.
Spoken-language interpreter
Request the specific language while scheduling and confirm the arrangement before the appointment.
American Sign Language
State that ASL is required and ask whether an in-person or video interpreter will be arranged.
Accessibility needs
Explain mobility, sensory, communication or equipment needs before arrival.
Access-request script
“I have an appointment on [date and time] with [provider] at [location]. I need [language, ASL or accessibility support]. Please confirm what will be arranged and whether I should arrive early.”
Do not rely on a child to interpret medical information. Request Advocate’s professional language-assistance service.
After the appointment
Results, refills, referrals and follow-up
You are waiting for a result
Check LiveWell, then call the ordering office when the expected timeframe has passed.
A result is marked abnormal
Do not diagnose yourself from a portal flag. Ask the ordering clinician what it means in your clinical context.
You need a refill
Request it before the medicine runs out and confirm the drug, strength, instructions and pharmacy.
A refill is denied
Ask whether monitoring, an appointment, authorization or a new prescription is required.
A specialist has not called
Confirm that the referral was sent, received and approved by insurance.
An imaging center has no order
Contact the ordering office and verify the exact destination rather than calling unrelated Advocate locations.
Your symptoms are worsening
Contact the treating office. Seek emergency care immediately for serious warning signs.
You received several bills
Separate physician, hospital, laboratory, imaging, anesthesia and home-care statements before questioning the balance.
Result follow-up script
“I completed [test] on [date], ordered by [provider]. I was told to expect the result by [timeframe]. Can you confirm whether it is complete, whether the provider reviewed it and how I will receive the interpretation and next-step instructions?”
Chicagoland patient shortcuts
Local tips that can prevent a wasted trip or repeat call
01
Save the exact building
A hospital campus can contain several outpatient entrances, clinics and parking areas.
02
Keep the direct office number
It is usually faster for preparation, results and refills than the general system number.
03
Check immediate-care services
Hours, reservations, X-ray and laboratory availability differ by location.
04
Update LiveWell contact details
Appointment notices and account communication depend on accurate phone and email information.
05
Verify every insurance component
The doctor and hospital may be in network while a separate laboratory or anesthesia provider is not.
06
Ask whether the site is hospital-based
A hospital outpatient department may create a facility charge in addition to the clinician’s charge.
07
Plan winter travel
Check current hours and leave time for traffic, weather, parking and campus navigation.
08
Request records from the correct entity
Advocate Medical Group and individual Advocate hospitals use different records contacts.
09
Ask who owns the follow-up
Confirm whether primary care, the specialist or the hospital team will explain results and arrange next steps.
Important contact guide
Advocate Medical Group phone numbers
Use the contact most likely to solve the patient problem
| Need |
Contact |
Prepare before calling |
| General doctor or location help |
800-323-8622 |
Specialty, city or ZIP code, insurance and preferred appointment timeframe. |
| Appointment-specific question |
Treating physician office directly |
Patient name, birth date, provider, date and reason for calling. |
| LiveWell support |
855-624-9366 |
Device, browser or app, username and exact error message. Never share the password. |
| Newer billing accounts |
847-795-2300 |
Account, facility, service date, statement and insurance explanation. |
| Older billing accounts |
630-645-2400 |
Facility and service date so staff can confirm the correct system. |
| Advocate Medical Group records |
224-225-0888 |
Patient identity, date range, record type and recipient. |
| Medical-record fax |
224-225-0850 |
Signed request and supporting legal-authority documents. |
| Emergency |
911 |
Current location and immediate emergency details. |
Administrative map
Advocate Medical Group records and administrative address
Advocate Medical Group
2025 Windsor Drive
Oak Brook, IL 60523
This is not automatically your appointment location. Advocate Medical Group operates hundreds of clinical sites. Use the address shown in LiveWell or the appointment confirmation for patient care.
Patient questions answered
Advocate Medical Group frequently asked questions
What is Advocate Medical Group?
It is Advocate Health Care’s outpatient physician network, with more than 1,500 clinicians at more than 350 Chicagoland locations.
What is the main Advocate phone number?
Call 800-323-8622 for general doctor, location and department assistance.
How do I find a doctor?
Use Advocate’s official doctor finder, then confirm new-patient availability, insurance, location and referral rules with the office.
What can I do in LiveWell?
You can message your care team, manage eligible appointments, review released results, use proxy access, receive virtual care and pay available bills.
What is the LiveWell support number?
Call 855-624-9366 for account, app and virtual-visit help.
Does Advocate have immediate care?
Yes. Current hours, reservation options and available testing differ by location, so check the live finder before travel.
When should I use the emergency room?
Call 911 for chest pain, severe breathing trouble, stroke signs, uncontrolled bleeding, unconsciousness or a serious injury.
Can I have a video visit?
Advocate offers scheduled and other eligible virtual-care options through LiveWell. Some problems still require in-person examination or testing.
How do I pay a bill?
Review and pay available accounts securely through LiveWell or Advocate’s official billing page.
Which billing number should I use?
Many newer accounts use 847-795-2300, while older service dates may use 630-645-2400. The correct number depends on the Advocate facility and service date.
Does Advocate offer financial assistance?
Yes. Request the application and required-document list early and confirm which accounts are covered during review.
How do I get a cost estimate?
Use Advocate’s official cost estimate tools and provide the exact service, provider, location and insurance information.
How do I request medical records?
Use LiveWell, an official request form or a written request. Advocate Medical Group’s records phone is 224-225-0888.
Does Advocate charge for records?
Advocate says records sent directly to another healthcare provider are free. Other request types may have a reasonable fee.
Does Advocate provide interpreters?
Yes. Language-assistance services are available free of charge. Request the specific language or ASL support when scheduling.
Is the Oak Brook address my appointment location?
Not necessarily. It is an administrative and records address. Use the exact clinical address from the appointment confirmation.
Final live patient actions
Official Advocate Medical Group tools
The main rules and workflows are explained above. Use these official systems when you are ready to complete a live doctor search, location lookup, portal login, payment, estimate or records request.
