Welcome New Patients!

Why Patients Choose Us

"Finally, a provider who actually listens." Our most common compliment is that patients feel truly heard. With longer appointment times and a relaxed office environment, visits are an opportunity for honest conversation and shared decision making.

Accessible & Responsive Same-day appointments for urgent needs, online scheduling, and a patient portal for easy communication between visits.

Bilingual English & Spanish Communicate comfortably in your preferred language with no interpreters needed.

Expertise You Can Trust Board-certified with 10+ years of experience, Johns Hopkins education, and commitment to staying current with the latest evidence-based medicine.

Personalized Care Plans No one-size-fits-all approaches here. We create care plans tailored to your unique circumstances, goals, and preferences.

Getting Started Is Easy

Step 1: Check Insurance

We accept most major insurance plans. Call us at (224) 442-1230 to verify we accept your specific plan, or check our Insurance & Billing page for a complete list.

Step 2: Schedule Your Appointment

Book online 24/7: [BOOK NOW] Call us: (224) 442-1230 during office hours Typical availability: Most new patients can be seen within 5-7 days

Step 3: Complete New Patient Forms

To make your first visit efficient, please complete our new patient forms before your appointment:

[Download New Patient Forms PDF]
Or complete forms online through our patient portal: [PATIENT PORTAL]

Step 4: Gather Important Information

Please bring to your first appointment:

Insurance card(s)
Photo ID (driver's license or passport)
List of current medications (including vitamins and supplements)
List of medication allergies
Medical records from previous providers (if available)
List of current health concerns or questions

Step 5: Arrive 10 Minutes Early

This gives you time to check in, verify insurance, and settle in before your appointment begins.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your initial appointment will typically last 45-60 minutes. Here's what we'll cover:

Comprehensive Medical History

Past medical conditions and surgeries
Family health history
Current medications and supplements
Allergies
Lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, sleep, stress, tobacco/alcohol use)
Social and occupational health factors
Current health concerns and symptoms

Complete Physical Examination

Vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, weight, height)
Head to toe exam with additional focus on areas of concern
Blood testing if needed

Discussion & Care Planning (15-20 minutes)

Review of your overall health status
Discussion of any concerns or findings
Ordering of appropriate referrals or screenings
Creation of your personalized care plan
Medication prescriptions or refills if needed
Questions and answers
Scheduling of follow-up appointments

You'll leave your first visit with:

Clear understanding of your health status
Any necessary prescriptions
Orders for labs or imaging if needed
Follow-up appointment scheduled
Access to patient portal set up

Office Policies

Appointment Times: We respect your time and schedule appointments to minimize wait times. Sarah is often the only person in the office and may be with a patient when you arrive. We welcome you to relax in the waiting area, admire the plants, and have a snack. Wait times are short and any delays are communicated as soon as possible

Cancellations: Life happens! If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give us at least 24 hours notice by calling (224) 442-1230 or through the patient portal. This allows us to offer the time to another patient who needs care.

Late Arrivals We'll do our best to accommodate you if you're running late, but arriving more than 15 minutes late may require rescheduling to ensure quality care for all patients.

After-Hours Care For urgent medical needs after office hours, call our main number for instructions. For life-threatening emergencies, always call 911.

Prescription Refills Request refills through the patient portal or by calling the office. Prescriptions are usually refilled the same day as requested, but may take up to 48 hours on weekends or holidays. Be sure to request refills before you run out.

Test Results: We'll contact you with all test results through the phone or private messaging. You can also view results through the patient portal as soon as they're available.

Communication Between appointments: you can reach us through the patient portal's secure messaging feature, by phone, or by email. We typically respond within 1 business day.

Insurance & Payment

Insurance Plans We Accept:

Blue Cross Blue Shield
Aetna
United Healthcare / UMR
Cigna
Medicare

Not sure if we accept your plan? Call (224) 442-1230 and our staff will verify coverage.

What to bring: Please bring your insurance card to every appointment. We'll verify coverage and collect any applicable copay at check-in.

Self-Pay Patients: Don't have insurance? We offer self-pay rates for uninsured patients. $125 for new patients, $80 for follow up visits. Payment is due at the time of service.

Payment Methods: We accept cash, check, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express), and Zelle.

[View Complete Insurance Information]

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long will my first appointment take? A: Plan for about 60 minutes total, including check-in time. The visit itself typically takes 45 minutes.

Q: Do I need a referral? A:No, but if you have an HMO you will need to contact your plan before the visit for authorization.

Q: Can I bring someone with me? A: Absolutely! You're welcome to bring a family member or friend to your appointment if that would make you more comfortable.

Q: What if I don't have my medical records? A: That's okay! We'll request them from your previous providers with your permission. In the meantime, do your best to recall your medical history.

Q: Do you offer telehealth ? A: No, at this time only in-person visits are available.

Q: How often should I come in? A: Healthy adults should have an annual physical. If you have chronic conditions, you may need appointments every 3-6 months. We'll create a schedule that's right for your health needs.

Q: What if I need to see a specialist? A: We'll coordinate your care and provide referrals to excellent specialists in the area when needed.

Q: Do you speak Spanish? A: Yes! Sarah is fluent in Spanish and all services are available in Spanish without interpreters.

Q: Can you prescribe controlled substances? A: Yes, when medically appropriate. We follow all state and federal guidelines for controlled substance prescribing.

Q: What should I do if I get sick between appointments? A: Call our office for same-day sick visits. We reserve appointment slots specifically for urgent needs.