Chicagoland primary care guide · Updated for 2026
Your Route to an Advocate Doctor, LiveWell and Same-Day Care
Advocate Medical Group Primary Care connects patients with family medicine, internal medicine, pediatric care, preventive services and chronic-condition management across Chicagoland.
This guide explains how to choose a doctor, schedule an appointment, use LiveWell, find faster care, prepare for a visit, verify insurance, follow test results, pay a bill and request medical records.
LIVEWELL
PRIMARY
DOCTOR
IMMEDIATE
CARE
VIRTUAL
CARE
Call 911 for a medical emergency. Do not wait for a LiveWell reply, routine appointment or immediate-care reservation when someone has chest pain, severe breathing trouble, sudden stroke symptoms, uncontrolled bleeding, loss of consciousness or another potentially life-threatening condition.
Provider network
More than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice clinicians.
Chicagoland access
More than 350 Advocate Medical Group locations.
Patient portal
LiveWell for appointments, messages, results and bills.
Virtual urgent care
On-demand video care is available 24/7.
Start with the right destination
Primary care, immediate care or emergency care?
PRIMARY CARE
Routine, preventive or ongoing needs
Contact your regular primary care office for annual exams, vaccinations, screenings, medication management, chronic conditions and symptoms that can safely wait.
Best for diabetes, blood pressure, preventive care, referrals, recurring symptoms and long-term treatment planning.
IMMEDIATE OR VIRTUAL CARE
Minor problem needing faster attention
Use immediate care, an Advocate Clinic at Walgreens, an urgent video visit or an eligible e-visit when the regular office is unavailable.
Best for flu, sore throat, minor infection, rash, sprain, small cut, minor burn and other non-emergency concerns.
911 OR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
Serious or life-threatening symptoms
Emergency services are necessary when delay could threaten 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.
Simple decision rule: Start with your primary care team when the issue can wait, use immediate or virtual care for a minor problem needing prompt help, and call 911 for possible emergencies.
Large Chicagoland physician network
What Advocate Medical Group Primary Care provides
Advocate Medical Group reports more than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice clinicians at over 350 locations. The network provides primary care, specialty treatment, imaging and other outpatient services.
Preventive health
Annual examinations, vaccinations, screenings, risk assessments and health counseling.
Illness and injury care
Evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of new symptoms, infections and minor injuries.
Long-term health management
Ongoing care for diabetes, heart disease, asthma, thyroid disease and other chronic conditions.
Minor office procedures
Selected providers perform services such as joint injections, skin biopsies and other small procedures.
Testing and diagnosis
Primary care clinicians may order laboratory work, imaging and other tests when medically appropriate.
Specialist coordination
Your primary care clinician can refer you and follow progress through Advocate’s shared electronic health record.
Select the right primary care specialty
Family medicine, internal medicine or pediatrics?
Primary care specialties explained in plain English
| Provider type |
Who they treat |
Best fit |
| Family medicine |
Patients of different ages, potentially from childhood through older adulthood. |
Families wanting one broad medical specialty for preventive care, sudden illness and chronic conditions. |
| Internal medicine |
Adults only, from young adulthood through senior years. |
Adults with complex health histories, several medicines or multiple chronic conditions. |
| Pediatrics |
Infants, children and adolescents. |
Childhood wellness visits, development, vaccines, illness treatment and pediatric specialty coordination. |
| Virtual primary care |
All ages through Advocate’s virtual primary care program. |
Patients who prefer an ongoing primary care relationship delivered through scheduled video appointments. |
Choosing tip: Select a provider based on age, medical complexity, location, appointment availability, language, insurance and whether you prefer office or virtual care.
Doctor-search workflow
How to find an Advocate Medical Group primary care doctor
Choose the correct specialty
Select family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics or virtual primary care.
Search near home, work or school
Advocate has hundreds of Chicagoland locations. Use a realistic travel radius for routine and follow-up appointments.
Review appointment availability
Some providers offer same-day, next-day, online or video appointments.
Check age and patient restrictions
Confirm whether the clinician sees children, adults, seniors or a narrower patient group.
Verify language and accessibility needs
Ask about interpretation, hearing assistance, mobility access and other accommodations before arrival.
Confirm new-patient availability
A doctor may appear in the directory but have limited openings or a future start date.
Verify the exact insurance product
Provide the insurer, plan name, network and product type shown on the card.
Save the direct office information
Record the office name, complete address, suite, telephone number and appointment time.
New-patient call script
“I am looking for an Advocate primary care doctor. I need [family medicine/internal medicine/pediatrics]. My insurance is [complete plan and network]. Is this provider accepting new patients, and what is the earliest office or video appointment?”
Office and video scheduling
How to schedule an Advocate primary care appointment
Existing patient: start in LiveWell
Review your established provider’s available appointment types and dates.
New patient: use Find a Doctor
Search by specialty, location and availability, then follow the booking instructions.
State the reason for care
Clarify whether you need an annual exam, Medicare wellness visit, new-symptom evaluation, hospital follow-up or chronic-care visit.
Ask about same-day or next-day care
Some providers offer faster appointments, but availability varies.
Confirm office versus video
A physical examination, procedure, vaccination or certain testing may require an in-person appointment.
Verify insurance and referral requirements
Confirm the provider, location and visit type before the appointment.
Save preparation and arrival instructions
Record any fasting, medication, form, testing or early-arrival directions.
Do not use routine online scheduling for an emergency. Call the office for time-sensitive guidance and call 911 for potentially life-threatening symptoms.
Prevent check-in and treatment delays
What to bring to your primary care visit
Government-issued photo identification
Current primary and secondary insurance cards
Referral or authorization when required
Medication names, doses and schedules
Over-the-counter medicine and supplement list
Allergies and serious reactions
Recent hospital, urgent care or specialist records
Home blood-pressure or glucose readings
Immunization history when not in LiveWell
Preferred pharmacy name and location
Health-care proxy documents when applicable
Written questions in priority order
Annual exam tip: Ask whether the appointment is coded as a preventive physical, Medicare wellness visit or problem-focused visit. Discussing a new or uncontrolled condition may create additional cost sharing.
Advocate’s digital patient system
What patients can do in LiveWell
A
Manage appointments
Make eligible appointments, cancel visits and review past or upcoming appointment details.
M
Message your doctor
Send appropriate non-emergency questions to your established care team.
R
Review test results
See laboratory and other results released to your account.
$
Pay eligible bills
Receive bill notifications and make secure payments by card, electronic check and other supported methods.
V
Start virtual care
Use scheduled video appointments, urgent video visits, e-visits and Symptom Checker.
P
Manage family care
Use approved proxy access to help manage a child or dependent’s health information.
Portal messages are not emergency communication. A message may not be read immediately. Call the office when the concern cannot safely wait.
LiveWell troubleshooting
What to check when LiveWell is not solving the problem
You cannot create an account
Confirm that the legal name, birth date, email and mobile number match the information in Advocate’s record.
A doctor does not appear
The provider may not be connected to your account yet or may not offer the requested online appointment type.
A test result is missing
It may still be processing, waiting for release or stored with an outside laboratory or facility.
A refill cannot be requested
The prescription may be expired, require monitoring or need an appointment before renewal.
You need another person’s record
Use approved proxy or dependent access instead of sharing passwords.
The bill is not visible
Confirm that the billing organization and account are connected to LiveWell.
You need care today
Call the primary care office, use immediate care or start an appropriate virtual visit.
The condition may be an emergency
Call 911 instead of sending another message.
Faster in-person care options
Same-day, immediate care and Walgreens clinics
Primary care same-day appointment
Contact your established office first. Some primary care providers offer same-day or next-day openings.
Advocate immediate care
Use for minor health problems needing prompt attention when the primary care provider is unavailable.
Advocate Clinic at Walgreens
Selected Walgreens locations provide convenient treatment for minor illnesses, including evening and weekend access.
What Advocate immediate care can provide
Evaluation of minor illnesses and injuries
Walk-in care without a reservation
Option to select an arrival time
Extended evening and weekend hours
X-rays at participating centers
Laboratory tests when needed
Virtually assisted examinations at selected centers
Referral to emergency or specialty care when needed
Published operating pattern: Most immediate care locations open as early as 7 a.m., close around 8 p.m. and provide care seven days a week. Exact hours vary by center.
Wait-time warning: A displayed wait time is an estimate. Patients with more serious conditions may be treated first.
Care without travelling
Advocate virtual primary and urgent care options
Choose the virtual visit that matches your need
| Virtual option |
Availability |
Best use |
| Virtual primary care |
Daily, 6 a.m.-11 p.m.; all ages. |
Ongoing preventive care, chronic-condition management, sick visits and establishing a virtual primary care relationship. |
| Urgent care video visit |
24 hours a day; all ages. |
Minor illnesses or injuries needing on-demand diagnosis and treatment. |
| E-visit |
24/7 for eligible adults and children ages 2-11. |
A symptom-based electronic questionnaire that can be safely handled without live video. |
| Video visit with established provider |
By appointment during the care team’s office hours. |
Follow-up with a clinician who already knows your health history. |
E-visit response: Advocate states that the next available telehealth provider generally responds within four hours or less. A patient’s own primary care provider may respond within 24 hours on weekdays during office hours, excluding holidays.
Start in LiveWell
Sign in and choose the available virtual-care option.
Complete Symptom Checker when prompted
Accurate answers help identify whether an e-visit, video visit, office visit or emergency care is appropriate.
Prepare your device
Charge the phone, tablet or computer and test the camera, microphone and internet connection.
Gather home measurements
Have temperature, blood pressure, pulse, glucose or weight available when relevant.
Use a private and well-lit space
The clinician may need to observe breathing, movement, swelling, rash or another visible symptom.
Expect in-person referral when necessary
Physical examination, imaging, laboratory work or emergency treatment cannot always be completed remotely.
Stay ahead of health problems
Preventive care through your primary care provider
Annual examination
Review health history, medicines, vital signs, current symptoms and prevention needs.
Vaccinations
Update recommended vaccines based on age, medical conditions, occupation and travel.
Screening tests
Discuss blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis and other age-appropriate screening.
Health counseling
Address nutrition, exercise, sleep, tobacco, alcohol, stress and injury prevention.
Insurance question to ask: “Is this service preventive with no cost sharing under my plan, or could the visit include a separate problem-focused charge?”
Long-term care coordination
How primary care manages chronic conditions
Common long-term conditions and primary care tasks
| Condition |
Primary care support |
Useful information to bring |
| Diabetes |
Medication review, A1C monitoring, kidney checks, foot care, nutrition and specialist coordination. |
Glucose meter or sensor reports, medication list and low-blood-sugar history. |
| High blood pressure |
Blood-pressure review, medicine adjustment, laboratory monitoring and cardiovascular-risk management. |
Home readings with dates, times and device information. |
| Heart disease |
Risk-factor management, medicine reconciliation and cardiology coordination. |
Hospital records, cardiology reports and current symptom changes. |
| Asthma or COPD |
Inhaler review, symptom control, action planning and pulmonary referral when needed. |
Inhalers, trigger history and recent breathing-test information. |
| Thyroid disease |
Symptoms, medicine dosing, laboratory monitoring and endocrinology referral. |
Previous thyroid results and medication timing. |
| Multiple conditions |
Medication reconciliation, specialist communication and prioritizing the overall care plan. |
Complete medicine and provider list, recent discharge records and top concerns. |
Orders, results and referrals
What happens after your primary care doctor orders a test
Confirm the exact test
Ask whether the order is for laboratory work, X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI or another study.
Confirm the location
Testing may occur in the primary care office, an Advocate outpatient center, a hospital or an outside facility.
Check authorization
Imaging and selected laboratory or diagnostic tests may require insurance approval.
Follow preparation instructions
Ask about fasting, hydration, medicine changes, contrast and transportation.
Ask where results will appear
Results may be released in LiveWell, discussed by telephone or reviewed during a follow-up visit.
Know who owns the follow-up
Confirm whether the primary care provider or a specialist will interpret the result and arrange treatment.
Result follow-up script
“I completed [test] on [date], ordered by [provider]. Can you confirm whether the result is final, whether the clinician reviewed it and what follow-up is recommended?”
The testing center has no order
Call the ordering office and verify the destination, fax or electronic order.
The result is not in LiveWell
It may still be processing, waiting for release or stored in an outside facility’s system.
The result is marked abnormal
Do not diagnose yourself from a flag. Ask the ordering clinician for interpretation.
A referral has stalled
Confirm that the specialist received it and that insurance authorization is complete.
Verify the exact product
Insurance accepted by Advocate Medical Group
Advocate’s current network list includes many commercial, marketplace, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and government products. Participation can vary by exact product, clinician, office, hospital affiliation and service.
Major plan families on Advocate’s current accepted-insurance list
| Plan category |
Examples listed |
What patients must verify |
| Commercial plans |
Aetna, BCBSIL, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, First Health, HealthLink, MultiPlan and PHCS products. |
Exact HMO, PPO, POS, EPO, employer or tiered network. |
| Marketplace plans |
Ambetter of Illinois, Molina Marketplace, Oscar and selected UnitedHealthcare individual or family products. |
Provider and hospital network can be narrower than a standard employer plan. |
| Medicare Advantage |
Aetna, BCBSIL, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, WellCare, Devoted and Zing products. |
HMO versus PPO rules, PCP assignment, referrals and facility participation. |
| Medicaid and dual plans |
Aetna Better Health, BCBSIL Community Health Plan, CountyCare, Meridian, Molina, YouthCare and selected FIDE dual plans. |
Managed-care assignment, PCP selection and service authorization. |
| Government and other networks |
VA Community Care Network, workers’ compensation and selected union or employer networks. |
Referral documents, claim authorization and provider eligibility. |
The insurer’s name alone is not enough. A company may sell several HMO, PPO, Medicare, Medicaid and marketplace products with different Advocate networks.
Read the full plan name from the card
Include network, product and employer or government-program wording.
Call the primary care office
Give the exact provider, office location and planned visit type.
Call the insurer
Verify that the clinician and location are in network on the appointment date.
Ask about PCP assignment
Some HMO and Medicaid products require the patient to formally select the Advocate doctor.
Check referral and authorization rules
Specialist visits, imaging, therapy and medicines may require approval.
Save the verification reference
Record the date, representative, telephone number and confirmation number.
Insurance verification script
“My plan is [complete product and network], member ID [number]. Is [provider] at [exact Advocate office] in network for a [new-patient/annual/problem-focused] primary care visit? Do I need PCP assignment, a referral or authorization?”
Bills, estimates and payment help
How to review and pay an Advocate Medical Group bill
Identify the billing organization
Confirm whether the statement is from Advocate Medical Group, an Advocate hospital, an immediate-care facility or another provider.
Check the service date and clinician
Match the statement to an appointment, virtual visit, test or procedure.
Compare the insurance explanation
Review the submitted charge, allowed amount, insurance payment, adjustment and patient responsibility.
Pay eligible bills in LiveWell
LiveWell supports secure bill review and payment.
Call before paying a disputed amount
Use the number printed on the statement or call 800-3-ADVOCATE for routing.
Ask for help early
Contact Advocate before an unaffordable balance becomes seriously past due.
Virtually assisted immediate-care billing: Advocate states that these visits may generate both a facility fee and a provider fee for the remote clinician. Insurance cost sharing can apply.
Advocate Medical Group financial assistance: Call
847-390-5900 for information about assistance related to care received in an Advocate Medical Group provider office.
Important assistance deadlines: Advocate’s general policy states that patients must apply for financial assistance within 240 days of the first billing statement. Eligible services and program rules have limitations.
Uninsured discount
Advocate states that uninsured patients receive an automatic 50% discount from gross charges on medically necessary eligible services.
Payment plans
Financial advocates may help arrange extended payment time for deductibles, coinsurance and other patient balances.
Government coverage help
Advocate can help identify possible Medicaid, Marketplace and other assistance programs.
Billing-question call script
“I am calling about the statement for service date [date]. The bill shows [amount], and my insurance explanation shows [amount or denial]. Please explain the charge, adjustment and patient balance and tell me whether financial assistance or a payment arrangement is available.”
Health-information request
How to request Advocate Medical Group medical records
Check LiveWell first
A visit summary, test result, medication list or other needed document may already be available.
Choose the correct request method
Advocate accepts requests through LiveWell, an official form or a written letter.
Identify the patient completely
Provide the patient’s first name, last name and date of birth.
Describe the records
Include the service date, date range, physician, condition or document type.
Select paper or electronic delivery
State the preferred record format.
Identify the recipient
Provide the person or organization and the exact delivery destination.
Sign with proper authority
The patient or authorized legal representative must sign the request.
Keep a copy and confirm receipt
Save the request, submission date and delivery information.
Direct provider transfer: Advocate states that there is no charge when records are sent directly to another doctor or health care provider. Other requests may have a reasonable fee.
Ask for the correct item: A written imaging report and the actual CT, MRI, ultrasound or X-ray image files are different records.
Prescription and follow-up workflow
Refills, referrals and common follow-up problems
You need a prescription refill
Submit the request before the final dose and confirm the medicine, strength, directions and pharmacy.
The refill was denied
Ask whether you need monitoring, an appointment, insurance authorization or a new prescription.
The pharmacy has no prescription
Confirm the selected pharmacy and ask whether the prescription was sent, approved or placed on hold.
The specialist has not contacted you
Confirm that the referral was sent, received and authorized.
Your symptoms are getting worse
Call the care team, use appropriate immediate care or call 911 for emergency warning signs.
You received separate bills
Identify whether they are physician, facility, laboratory, imaging or remote-clinician charges.
Chicagoland patient shortcuts
Tips that can prevent a wasted trip or repeat call
01
Search by appointment availability
A slightly farther office may have a much earlier new-patient opening.
02
Ask for same-day care first
Your established office may have an opening before you use immediate care.
03
Check immediate-care waits
Reserve a time when available, but remember that displayed waits can change.
04
Use the correct visit type
Annual physicals, Medicare wellness visits and problem visits are not identical.
05
Keep LiveWell updated
Accurate email, phone, insurance and pharmacy details reduce delays.
06
Take home readings
Blood-pressure and glucose logs make chronic-care visits more useful.
07
Verify the exact insurance product
Similar-looking plans from the same carrier may use different networks.
08
Ask who reviews the result
Know whether primary care or the specialist will provide interpretation.
09
Request payment help early
Financial assistance has deadlines and documentation requirements.
Chicagoland primary care map
Find Advocate Medical Group Primary Care near you
Advocate Medical Group operates hundreds of locations. Use the map as a regional starting point, then confirm the exact office, suite, doctor and appointment instructions in the official location finder.
Do not navigate to an Advocate hospital unless your appointment confirmation names that campus. Many primary care offices are in neighborhood medical buildings away from the hospital.
Patient questions answered
Advocate Medical Group Primary Care frequently asked questions
What is Advocate Medical Group Primary Care?
It is Advocate Health Care’s Chicagoland primary care network offering preventive, family, internal, pediatric, chronic-condition and outpatient care.
What is the main Advocate phone number?
Call 800-3-ADVOCATE, or 800-323-8622.
How large is Advocate Medical Group?
Advocate reports more than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice clinicians at more than 350 locations.
How do I find a primary care doctor?
Use the official Find a Doctor tool and filter by specialty, location, insurance, language and appointment availability.
What is the difference between family and internal medicine?
Family medicine can treat patients of different ages. Internal medicine provides comprehensive primary care for adults.
Does Advocate offer same-day appointments?
Some primary care providers offer same-day or next-day appointments. Call the office or check LiveWell.
Which portal does Advocate Medical Group use?
Advocate uses LiveWell for appointments, messages, results, bills, virtual care and family proxy access.
What is the LiveWell support number?
Call 855-624-9366.
Does Advocate offer virtual primary care?
Yes. Virtual primary care appointments are available daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. for patients of all ages.
Is virtual urgent care available overnight?
Yes. On-demand urgent care video visits are available 24 hours a day.
How quickly does an e-visit receive a response?
Advocate states that the next available telehealth provider generally responds within four hours or less.
Can I walk into immediate care?
Yes. You may walk in or choose an arrival time through the official immediate-care finder.
What time does immediate care close?
Most locations close around 8 p.m., but hours vary. Check the selected center before travel.
When should I call 911?
Call 911 for chest pain, severe breathing trouble, stroke symptoms, uncontrolled bleeding, unconsciousness or another potentially life-threatening condition.
Which insurance plans are accepted?
Advocate lists many Aetna, BCBSIL, Cigna, Humana, Meridian, Molina, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid products. Verify the exact plan.
How do I pay an Advocate bill?
Eligible bills can be reviewed and paid securely through LiveWell.
Does Advocate Medical Group offer financial assistance?
Yes. Call 847-390-5900 for assistance information related to care received at an Advocate Medical Group provider office.
How do I request medical records?
Use LiveWell, submit an official records form or send a written request. Call the Advocate Medical Group records department at 224-225-0888.
Final live patient actions
Official Advocate Medical Group tools
The main patient instructions are explained above. Use these official systems when you are ready to complete a live doctor search, appointment, portal login, immediate-care reservation, payment or records request.
