Chicagoland walk-in care, live wait times, testing and virtual visits
Choose the Right Advocate Immediate Care Route Before You Leave Home
An Advocate Medical Group Immediate Care Center is designed for a health problem that needs prompt attention but does not appear life-threatening. Patients can walk in, compare current estimated waits or choose an available arrival time at participating Chicagoland locations.
This guide explains the complete process: when immediate care is appropriate, what centers treat, how hours and wait times work, which tests may be available, how LiveWell virtual care works, what insurance questions to ask and when to skip the clinic and call 911.
Call 911 for a medical emergency.
Do not wait for an immediate care arrival time when someone has severe chest pain, serious breathing difficulty, choking, seizures, severe burns, loss of consciousness, a serious head or neck injury, uncontrolled bleeding or another potentially life-threatening condition.
Walk-ins
Accepted for nonemergency illnesses and injuries.
Arrival times
Choose an available time online at participating centers.
Typical hours
Many locations open as early as 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
Virtual care
Urgent care video visits are available 24/7.
Information review
Official details checked July 23, 2026.
Start here
Should you use primary care, immediate care, virtual care or the ER?
PRIMARY CARE
The problem can safely wait
Contact your regular doctor for preventive care, routine medication management, long-term conditions, recurring symptoms and problems that do not require same-day evaluation.
Best for: physicals, vaccines, screening, chronic-care follow-up, routine refills and ongoing symptoms.
IMMEDIATE OR VIRTUAL CARE
You need prompt nonemergency help
Choose immediate care when an in-person examination, X-ray, laboratory test or hands-on treatment may be needed. Choose video or an e-visit when the issue can reasonably be evaluated remotely.
Best for: fever, flu, ear or eye problems, sinus symptoms, rashes, stomach concerns, sprains and minor injuries.
911 OR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
Symptoms may be life-threatening
Emergency departments have advanced imaging, resuscitation equipment, specialists and inpatient access that an immediate care clinic does not.
Use emergency care for: severe chest pressure, major breathing trouble, seizures, major trauma, severe burns or loss of consciousness.
Fast decision rule:
Choose immediate care when you would normally call your doctor but cannot be seen soon enough and the condition does not appear dangerous. Choose the emergency department when delaying advanced treatment could cause serious harm.
Services explained
What Advocate Medical Group Immediate Care Centers treat
Immediate care is intended for minor illnesses and injuries that require timely evaluation but are not expected to need emergency resuscitation, hospital admission or complex trauma treatment.
Cold, flu and fever
Cough, congestion, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, fever and related minor respiratory concerns.
Ear, eye and sinus concerns
Ear pain, minor eye concerns, nasal congestion, sinus pressure and related symptoms.
Skin problems
Rashes, insect bites, stings and other minor skin conditions that need prompt evaluation.
Stomach symptoms
Nonsevere nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other minor gastrointestinal concerns.
Joint and muscle injuries
Sprains, strains, joint injuries and pain that does not involve major trauma or obvious deformity.
Possible simple fractures
Minor injuries where a clinician may order an X-ray to check for a straightforward broken bone.
Asthma-related symptoms
Mild symptoms may be evaluated, but severe breathing difficulty requires emergency treatment.
COVID concerns
Symptomatic patients may be evaluated before testing at a walk-in center.
A service list is not a diagnosis.
The clinician may transfer or redirect a patient when symptoms, vital signs, age, medical history or examination findings suggest that emergency or specialist treatment is safer.
Do not delay emergency care
Symptoms that should bypass immediate care
Heart or breathing emergency
- Severe chest pain or pressure
- Serious difficulty breathing
- Choking
- Blue or gray lips
Neurologic or major injury
- Convulsions or seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Serious head, neck or back injury
- Sudden severe weakness or confusion
Major trauma or severe pain
- Loss of a limb
- Severe burns
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain
Insurance should not delay emergency treatment.
Advocate advises patients with a medical emergency to call 911 or go to an emergency department regardless of their insurance plan.
Live location workflow
How to find an Advocate Immediate Care Center near you
Open the immediate care finder
Use Advocate’s immediate care page rather than a general web-map listing. The official finder can display current center information and estimated waits.
Search from your actual starting point
Enter your current ZIP code, city or address. This matters when you are at work, school or another Chicagoland suburb rather than at home.
Compare travel time with estimated wait
The physically nearest center may not produce the fastest total trip. Compare the drive, parking, operating hours and displayed wait.
Open the individual location profile
Confirm the address, suite, entrance, telephone number, today’s hours and whether the location lists the service you expect.
Choose a time or remain a walk-in
Select an available arrival time when convenient. Walk-ins are also accepted, but the wait can be longer during busy periods.
Check the location again before leaving
Hours, capacity and estimated waits can change during the day. Refresh the location page rather than relying on an earlier screenshot.
Chicagoland shortcut:
Compare multiple centers before crossing a major expressway or traveling from the city to a distant suburb. A slightly farther clinic with a lower current wait may be faster overall.
Hours and estimated waits
How Advocate Immediate Care hours and wait times work
Extended hours
Advocate says most centers open as early as 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m., but exact hours vary.
Seven-day access
Most locations provide care seven days a week, including Sundays.
Estimated—not guaranteed
The displayed wait may change when patient volume or medical priority changes.
What each time shown online actually means
| Time information |
What it tells you |
What it does not guarantee |
Best action |
| Opening time |
The location’s listed start of patient-care hours. |
It does not confirm every test or service starts at the same time. |
Call when you need a specific diagnostic service early in the day. |
| Closing time |
The center’s published end of operating hours. |
Late arrival does not guarantee the center can complete a lengthy evaluation. |
Arrive early enough for registration, examination and testing. |
| Estimated wait |
The system’s current estimate of when you may be evaluated. |
More medically urgent patients may be treated first. |
Refresh the estimate shortly before leaving. |
| Chosen arrival time |
A planned time for you to arrive and check in. |
It is not a promise that a clinician will enter the room at that exact minute. |
Arrive by the instructed check-in time with documents ready. |
Busy-period tip:
After-work hours, weekends and respiratory-illness seasons can increase demand. The official current wait is more useful than a review describing what happened to another patient months ago.
Prevent registration delays
What to bring to an Advocate Immediate Care visit
Government-issued photo identification
Current insurance card
Secondary insurance card when applicable
Medication names, doses and schedules
Drug and food allergy information
Symptom start date and recent changes
Recent home temperature or other readings
Relevant test results or discharge papers
Preferred pharmacy name and location
Payment method for expected patient responsibility
Parent, guardian or proxy information for a minor
Work or school form when documentation is needed
Write down these symptom details before check-in
1
When it started
Give the approximate date and time rather than saying only “a while ago.”
2
How it changed
Explain whether symptoms are worsening, improving, spreading or returning.
3
What you already tried
List medicines, doses, home tests and treatments and whether they helped.
Inside the clinic
What usually happens during an immediate care visit
Arrival and registration
Staff confirm identity, contact information, insurance, reason for the visit and consent information.
Initial clinical assessment
A team member may check temperature, pulse, breathing rate, blood pressure, oxygen level or other relevant measurements.
Provider examination
The clinician reviews symptoms, medical history, medications and examination findings.
Testing when medically appropriate
The provider may order an available laboratory test or X-ray. Availability depends on the center and time of day.
Diagnosis and treatment plan
You may receive treatment instructions, a prescription, home-care guidance or a recommendation for another level of care.
Discharge and follow-up
Review the after-visit summary, warning signs, test-result process and follow-up plan before leaving.
Questions to ask before leaving
“What is the working diagnosis? Which symptoms mean I should go to the emergency department? When should I expect results? Where will the results appear? How long should I follow this treatment plan, and when should I contact my primary care provider?”
Diagnostic services
X-rays and laboratory tests at Advocate Immediate Care
Advocate states that immediate care providers in Chicagoland can use X-rays and laboratory tests as part of diagnosis and treatment. This does not mean every center offers every test during every operating hour.
X-ray evaluation
May help assess a possible simple fracture or certain other conditions when the center has appropriate equipment and staff.
Laboratory testing
May be used when a rapid or routine test can help the clinician determine diagnosis or treatment.
Referral to another facility
Complex imaging, advanced testing or serious findings may require an emergency department or separate diagnostic location.
Call before traveling when testing is the main reason for your visit
Ask whether the selected center performs the test
Ask whether testing is available at your arrival time
Confirm whether a provider examination is required first
Ask whether an outside order is accepted or needed
Verify insurance coverage for the center and test
Ask when and where results will be released
X-ray safety reminder:
Tell the clinical team if you are pregnant or could be pregnant. Follow staff instructions about removing jewelry or other metal that could interfere with an image.
COVID workflow
How COVID testing works at Advocate Immediate Care
You have symptoms
- Walk into an immediate care center or select an available arrival time.
- Tell staff about your symptoms when checking in.
- A provider must evaluate you before testing.
- Follow the treatment and isolation instructions provided.
- Review results in LiveWell.
You do not have symptoms
- Use LiveWell when testing is needed because of exposure, travel, work or school.
- Select the appropriate testing appointment.
- Use proxy access when scheduling for a child through your account.
- Follow the specific collection-location instructions.
- Review results in LiveWell.
Published result window:
Advocate states that COVID test results are generally available in LiveWell within 24 to 48 hours. Laboratory or reporting delays can still occur.
Difficulty breathing is an emergency warning sign.
Call 911 instead of waiting at a walk-in clinic when breathing difficulty is severe or rapidly worsening.
Care without driving
Advocate 24/7 urgent care video visits and e-visits
Compare in-person immediate care, video visits and e-visits
| Care option |
How it works |
Best when |
Important limitation |
| Immediate care |
Walk in or choose an arrival time for an in-person examination. |
You may need hands-on evaluation, an X-ray, laboratory test or physical treatment. |
Hours and services vary by location. |
| Urgent care video visit |
Start an on-demand visit in LiveWell and wait for the next available provider. |
A minor illness can reasonably be assessed through video. |
A provider may redirect you for in-person examination, lab work or imaging. |
| E-visit |
Use Symptom Checker and complete a questionnaire if the system offers an e-visit. |
The concern matches one of the supported nonurgent symptom categories. |
Not every symptom or patient is eligible. |
| Your established provider by video |
Schedule with your existing care team when video appointments are available. |
The provider knows your history or the issue needs continuity. |
Requires an appointment and some examinations must occur in person. |
Start an on-demand urgent care video visit
Open LiveWell
Sign in or use the available option to continue without an account when offered.
Request urgent care video care
Select the urgent care video option and answer the initial symptom questions.
Complete PreCheck-In
Confirm patient details, insurance and visit information.
Enter the virtual waiting room
Begin the visit and wait for the next available provider. Do not join while driving.
Complete the video evaluation
Have medication information, symptoms and recent home readings ready.
Review the after-visit summary
Find the treatment plan and instructions under Visits in LiveWell.
Availability
Urgent care video visits are offered 24/7 for children and adults.
E-visit response
The next available telehealth provider generally responds within four hours or less.
Possible next step
The virtual provider may direct you to an in-person center for examination, testing or imaging.
Different from a home video visit
What virtually assisted care means inside an immediate care center
Some Advocate immediate care locations use a hybrid model. You are physically present at the clinic with an in-person care team, while the treating clinician joins securely by video.
In-person support
Clinic staff help guide the examination and operate the diagnostic equipment.
Remote clinician
The clinician evaluates the findings, discusses symptoms and develops the treatment plan by video.
Digital examination tools
Equipment can help the clinician examine areas such as the ears, nose, throat, heart, lungs and skin.
Expect two charge categories.
Advocate states that a virtually assisted immediate care visit may generate a facility fee and a provider fee for the remote clinician. Both may be subject to your copay, deductible or coinsurance.
Ask before the hybrid visit begins
“Is this a virtually assisted visit? Will I receive both a facility charge and a remote-provider charge? Are both the location and remote provider in my insurance network, and can you give me the billing contact if I have questions?”
Virtually assisted billing questions:
Advocate directs patients to
847-795-2300.
Parents and guardians
Using Advocate immediate and virtual care for a child
Use the child’s legal name and date of birth
Bring the child’s current insurance card
Bring custody or guardianship documents when needed
List the child’s medicines and allergies
Know the child’s current weight when possible
Use the child’s LiveWell proxy account for virtual care
LiveWell proxy rule:
Advocate instructs parents or guardians requesting virtual care for a dependent to use the child’s proxy account rather than submitting the child’s visit through the adult’s own patient record. Proxy access is particularly important for minors ages 12 to 17.
Pediatric virtual availability:
Advocate offers pediatric urgent care video visits for ages 0 to 17. Age limits can apply to certain symptoms or e-visit categories.
Verify before treatment
Insurance accepted at Advocate Immediate Care
Advocate’s insurance directory includes many commercial, marketplace, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and other products. However, a company name alone does not prove that your exact plan covers the selected center, clinician or service.
Examples of plan families in Advocate’s current insurance directory
| Plan family |
Products shown in the Advocate directory |
What you must verify |
| Aetna |
HMO, EPO, POS, PPO, selected Medicaid and Medicare products. |
The exact immediate care location and treating provider. |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois |
PPO, HMO, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and selected network products. |
Network name, tier, referral rule and urgent-care copay. |
| Cigna |
PPO, POS and selected HMO products. |
Whether both the facility and clinician participate. |
| UnitedHealthcare |
Commercial HMO, POS and PPO, exchange and Medicare Advantage products. |
Product name, network, center and service. |
| Marketplace plans |
The directory includes selected Illinois exchange products such as Ambetter and other listed plans. |
The current plan year and exact network shown on your card. |
| Medicaid and Medicare |
Selected Medicaid, dual-eligible, Medicare Advantage and related plans. |
Assignment, referral, prior authorization and network restrictions. |
“Advocate accepts my insurer” is not enough.
Ask whether the exact Advocate Medical Group Immediate Care Center, clinician and planned test are in network under the full product name printed on your card.
Insurance verification call script
“My insurance is [full plan and network name]. I may visit the Advocate Immediate Care Center at [address]. Is that location in network? Are the immediate care clinician, laboratory and X-ray services billed in network? What urgent-care copay, deductible or coinsurance should I expect?”
Understand the statement
Advocate Immediate Care bills, copays and duplicate-looking charges
Pay the amount requested at check-in
Depending on your plan, this may be an urgent-care copay or another estimated patient amount.
Advocate submits the claim
The claim may include the provider examination, testing, imaging, treatment or other services.
Your insurer processes the services
Review the explanation of benefits for allowed amounts, payments, adjustments and patient responsibility.
Advocate sends the remaining balance
The statement may reflect deductible, coinsurance, noncovered services or another patient responsibility.
Compare before paying a disputed charge
Match the date, location, provider, service and insurer decision with the statement.
Advocate Medical Group bill
For AMG billing questions, call 847-390-5900.
Virtually assisted or facility bill
Advocate lists 847-795-2300 for immediate-care hybrid billing questions.
Secure online payment
Statements can be reviewed and paid through Advocate’s billing system or LiveWell.
Advocate Medical Group billing customer-service hours
Billing call script
“I am calling about a visit on [date] at [location]. My statement shows [amount and charge description], while my insurer’s explanation of benefits shows [status]. Please explain the provider, facility, testing and adjustment lines and tell me whether the claim needs correction or reprocessing.”
Help with unaffordable bills
Advocate financial assistance and uninsured discounts
Advocate offers financial-assistance options for qualifying patients. Eligibility depends on residency, household income, family size, service type and cooperation with available insurance or government-program screening.
100% financial assistance
The current summary states that qualifying patients with household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level may receive full assistance.
Automatic uninsured discount
Advocate states that uninsured patients receive an automatic 50% reduction from gross charges for medically necessary services.
Hardship review
A patient whose remaining balance is at least 10% of household income may qualify for a hardship discount.
Current income amounts shown for a potential 100% discount
| Family size |
Federal poverty level |
Income below this amount may qualify for 100% assistance |
| 1 |
$15,960 |
$47,880 |
| 2 |
$21,640 |
$64,920 |
| 3 |
$27,320 |
$81,960 |
| 4 |
$33,000 |
$99,000 |
| 5 |
$38,680 |
$116,040 |
| 6 |
$44,360 |
$133,080 |
| 7 |
$50,040 |
$150,120 |
| 8 |
$55,720 |
$167,160 |
Application deadline:
Advocate states that a financial-assistance application must generally be submitted within 240 days of the first billing statement.
What the application may require
Patient and household information
Family size
Insurance and Medicaid information
Recent pay stubs or employer statement
Recent tax return, W-2 or 1099 forms
Benefit or income award letters
Information about household expenses
Signed application certification
Advocate Medical Group financial help:
For care received in an AMG provider office, Advocate directs patients to AMG customer service at
847-390-5900.
After-visit documents
How to request Advocate Medical Group immediate care records
Check LiveWell first
Visit information, released results and downloadable health information may already be available in the patient account.
Choose the correct request type
Use a patient-access request for your own copy or an authorization form when records should be released to another person or organization.
Identify the visit precisely
Include the patient’s legal name, date of birth, visit date, location and specific information requested.
Choose paper or electronic delivery
State the preferred format and identify the person or organization that should receive the records.
Sign the request
The patient or authorized legal representative must sign. Include representative documentation when applicable.
Submit to Advocate Medical Group
Send the completed request using the current AMG fax, email or mailing information.
Advocate Medical Group Release of Information contact
| Method |
Current official information |
Best use |
| Telephone |
224-225-0888 |
Request status, form and record-release questions. |
| Fax |
224-225-0850 |
Completed patient-access or authorization forms. |
| Email |
AMG-ROI@aah.org |
Securely submitted request documents and questions. |
| Mail |
Advocate Medical Group, 2025 Windsor Drive, Oak Brook, IL 60523 |
Signed paper requests and supporting documents. |
Doctor-to-doctor transfer:
Advocate states that there is no charge when medical records are sent directly to another doctor or health care provider. Other requests may involve a reasonable copying fee.
Request only what you need.
A narrow request for the immediate care visit note, test results and X-ray report may be faster and less expensive than asking for the patient’s complete lifetime record.
Do not stop at discharge
What to do after an Advocate Immediate Care visit
Your symptoms are improving
Continue the written treatment plan and complete medicines exactly as instructed.
Your symptoms are not improving
Contact your primary care provider or the contact listed in the after-visit summary.
Your symptoms become severe
Follow the emergency warning instructions and call 911 when the situation may be life-threatening.
A test result is missing
Check LiveWell, then contact the location or ordering clinician when the stated result period has passed.
The pharmacy has no prescription
Confirm the pharmacy name, location and whether the prescription requires a clinical change or insurance authorization.
You need a work or school note
Ask before leaving when possible. Later documentation requests may require additional verification.
You were told to see a specialist
Confirm whether a referral was entered, which office should contact you and whether insurance authorization is needed.
You had a virtual urgent care visit
Advocate lists
844-284-0381 for additional clinical questions to a virtual health nurse after a recent urgent care video visit.
Continuity tip:
Advocate recommends contacting your regular doctor after an immediate care or emergency visit so the primary care team can coordinate follow-up and update ongoing treatment.
Troubleshooting
What to do when the immediate care process does not work as expected
No arrival times are available
Check other nearby centers, consider walking in or use a 24/7 urgent care video visit when the condition is suitable for virtual care.
The estimated wait increased
More patients or higher-priority medical needs may have arrived. Refresh the finder and compare other locations.
The center cannot perform the test
Ask whether another Advocate center, imaging facility or emergency department is the correct next destination.
LiveWell will not open the visit
Confirm the correct patient account, proxy access, device permissions, internet connection and PreCheck-In status.
The bill shows two provider-related charges
Determine whether the visit used the virtually assisted model with separate facility and remote-clinician fees.
The insurer says the center is out of network
Ask Advocate to verify the billing entity and request that the insurer identify the exact network exclusion.
The portal result is difficult to understand
Contact the treating clinician or primary care provider for interpretation rather than diagnosing yourself from an abnormal flag.
The condition becomes more serious while waiting
Tell clinic staff immediately. Call 911 when symptoms become life-threatening.
Chicagoland patient shortcuts
Practical local tips that can save a repeat trip
01
Compare total travel and wait
Do not choose only by mileage. A nearby center with a long current wait may take longer overall.
02
Refresh before crossing town
Hours and wait estimates can change while you are traveling through Chicago traffic.
03
Confirm diagnostics first
Call when an X-ray or specific test is the main reason for choosing the center.
04
Arrive before the final hour
A late arrival may not leave enough time for examination, testing and treatment before closing.
05
Save the location phone
Keep the direct number in case parking, entrance or testing instructions are unclear.
06
Ask for documentation before leaving
Work, school or sports notes are easier to address while the visit is still active.
07
Check LiveWell after discharge
The after-visit summary, results, billing and instructions may appear there.
08
Keep the insurer call reference
Write down the representative name and reference number after confirming network coverage.
09
Use video care strategically
Virtual care may be faster for a suitable minor illness but cannot replace an examination, X-ray or hands-on procedure.
Service-area map
Find Advocate Immediate Care Centers across Chicagoland
Advocate operates immediate care services in Chicago and surrounding Illinois suburbs. Because hours, services and wait times change by location, use the official finder before selecting a center from the map.
Do not travel to Advocate’s Oak Brook administrative address for treatment.
Your clinical visit takes place at the specific immediate care location shown in your confirmation or chosen in the official finder.
Frequently asked questions
Advocate Medical Group Immediate Care Center FAQs
Can I walk into an Advocate Immediate Care Center?
Yes. Walk-ins are accepted for nonemergency concerns. You may also choose an available arrival time online at participating centers.
What time does Advocate Immediate Care open and close?
Hours vary. Advocate states that many centers open as early as 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m., and most provide care seven days a week. Verify the selected location’s current hours.
Does choosing a time guarantee no wait?
No. It is an estimated arrival and care time. A patient with a more serious condition may need to be seen first.
What conditions can immediate care treat?
Common concerns include fever, flu, ear and eye issues, sinus symptoms, minor skin or stomach problems, insect bites, sprains, joint injuries and possible simple fractures.
Can Advocate Immediate Care take X-rays?
Advocate states that its Chicagoland immediate care centers can perform X-rays and laboratory tests. Confirm the specific service and operating time with the selected center.
Is Advocate virtual urgent care available all night?
Yes. On-demand urgent care video visits are available 24/7 for children and adults through LiveWell.
How long does an Advocate e-visit response take?
If Symptom Checker offers an e-visit and it is sent to the next available provider, Advocate states that a diagnosis and plan are generally returned within four hours or less.
Will my insurance cover Advocate Immediate Care?
Advocate accepts many insurance products, but coverage depends on the exact plan, network, center, provider and service. Verify with both Advocate and your insurer.
Can I get a COVID test at immediate care?
Symptomatic patients may walk in and see a provider before testing. Asymptomatic testing for exposure, travel, work or school should be scheduled through LiveWell.
When should I go to the emergency room?
Call 911 or use emergency care for severe chest pain, serious breathing difficulty, choking, seizures, severe burns, severe abdominal pain, major injury, uncontrolled bleeding or loss of consciousness.
Complete the live action
Official Advocate patient tools
The main rules, workflows, costs and troubleshooting steps are explained above. Use the official tools below when you are ready to perform the live action.
