Please read this notice regarding COVID-19 and our office operations / telemedicine.
Your Visit
We want to make your experience at Illinois Allergy and Asthma Specialists a pleasant one. To facilitate your telemedicine or office visit with the allergist, please take the time to review the information below.
PLEASE NOTE: In order to best serve our sick patients who need urgent appointments, there will be a $50 charge for all appointments that are canceled less than 24 hours prior to the date of your visit. This includes no shows. Additionally, if you are more than 15 minutes late, you may be asked to reschedule your appointment.
Your Visit
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Please expect a new visit to take up to an hour, and a return visit to take about half an hour. Please plan accordingly.
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What should you bring to your appointment?
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Driver’s license or identification card
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Current insurance card
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List of current medications with dosing and frequency
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List of medications needing to be refilled
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Relevant medical records (lab testing, x-rays, etc.)
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Written referral from your primary care physician (HMO or POS)
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New Patient Registration Form
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New Patient History Form
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HIPAA Form
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Co-payment
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Co-payment is due at the time of service.
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Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time in order to properly check in and prepare for your visit.
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If you cannot make your scheduled appointment, please call our office at least 24 hours before to notify us.
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If the HMO or POS requires a written referral, you must have it faxed to us or bring it to your appointment.
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We do not refill medications routinely by phone or fax.​
Forms
Patient Registration
Please download the forms below, and bring the completed forms to your appointment with us.
Health Records Release Authorization
Download, complete and submit to us (in person or by fax or mail) if you wish for us to transfer any part of your medical records from our office. We want to honor your privacy by adhering to standard medical office guidelines.
Health Records Release Authorization
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Allergy Shot Consent Forms
For patients interested in allergy shots, download, complete, and submit to us (in person, by fax or mail) these two consent forms.
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HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
For information on the HIPAA notice: HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
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Forms
Patient Registration
Please download the forms below, and bring the completed forms to your appointment with us.
New Patient Medical History
Health Records Release Authorization
Download, complete and submit to us (in person or by fax or mail) if you wish for us to transfer any part of your medical records from our office. We want to honor your privacy by adhering to standard medical office guidelines.
Health Records Release Authorization
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Allergy Shot Consent Forms
For patients interested in allergy shots, download, complete, and submit to us (in person, by fax or mail) these two consent forms.
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HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
For information on the HIPAA notice: HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
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Allergy Skin Testing
Chicago Allergy Skin Testing
Allergy skin testing is a method used to determine the cause of your allergic symptoms. In order for your allergy skin testing to be as accurate as possible, all antihistamines should be held for one week prior to your initial appointment or your testing appointment. We ask that you please hold the antihistamines (listed below) as they may interfere with your testing.
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Please call our office if you have concerns about temporarily discontinuing your medications, or if you have questions about a particular drug.
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Not all allergy medications need to be held prior to testing. You may continue your asthma inhalers or nebulizer treatments (controller and rescue), montelukast (Singulair), zileuton (Zyflo), and theophylline.
The following is a list of antihistamines that should be discontinued prior to your visit.
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acrivastine (Benadryl Allergy Relief)
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azelastine (Astelin, Astepro, Optivar)
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brompheniramine (Bromfed, Dimetapp, Bromfenex, Dimetane, BPN)
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diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
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fexofenadine (Allegra)
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hydroxyzine (Atarax)
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carbinoxamine (Clistin, Palgic)
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cetrizine (Zyrtec)
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chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Piriton, Chlor-Tripolon, HISTA-12)
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clemastine (Meclastine)
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cyproheptadine (Periactin)
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desloratidine (Clarinex)
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dexchlorpheniramine (Polaramine)
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doxylamine (Unisom)
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levocabastine (Livostin)
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levocetirizine (Xyzal)
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loratidine (Claritin)
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ketotifen (zatidor)
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meclizine (Bonine, Bonamine, Antivert, Postafen, and Dramamine (Less Drowsy Formulation)
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olopatadine (Pataday, Patanase, Patanol)
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pheniramine (Avil)
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promethazine (Phenergan, Promethegan, Romergan, Fargan, Farganesse, Prothiazine, Avomine, Atosil, Receptozine, Lergigan)
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pyrilamine (Mepyramine)
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tripelennamine (Pyribenzamine)
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triprolidine (Actidil, Myidil)
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Food Challenges
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Please stop antihistamines 7 days beforehand.
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Bring your Epipen or AuviQ to the appointment.
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You must be well (ie, no fever, no vomiting, no cough) for the visit, and asthma under control.
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Prepare to spend 3-4 hours at the visit.
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Do not come with a full stomach to the appointment (eat partial breakfast). Toddlers should not have a completely empty stomach, either as they may refuse all food.
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We do not schedule food challenges in the afternoon.
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No other food or drink during the visit, besides water. Any other crackers, bread or supplemental items you bring must be foods you child has consumed in the past.
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**You must prepare/bring the food for the challenge. We recommend several options especially for toddlers/younger kids. Some suggestions of what to bring are as follows, though please confirm this with your allergist beforehand (call):
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MILK: 8 oz milk, cheese stick, yogurt (must be plain, can bring fruit separately to mix in the yogurt).
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EGG: Bring BOTH: 1) One scrambled egg and 2) one piece of french toast (homemade) with one egg soaked into it, maple syrup on the side.
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BAKED EGG/MILK: Per recipe that is sent to you from the office.
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NUTS: 8 oz of the nut, please crush them. The butter form of the nut is acceptable, please bring crackers to spread on. Please read labels.
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SESAME: sesame crackers (Trader Joe's), or hummus (if they are not allergic to chickpea).
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OTHER FOODS: fish, shellfish- bring a serving (not canned).
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**If you have any questions, please call our office PRIOR to the appointment.
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Drug/Medication Challenges
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Please stop antihistamines 7 days beforehand.
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Please bring the medication you are being challenged to. Your doctor will write you for your antibiotic prescription to bring to the visit. DO NOT DRINK IT, but bring it to the visit.
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For penicillin and other drug testing, prepare to spend 1.5 hours at the office
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Insurance
Billing has become more and more complex due to changes in health care. If we have signed a participating agreement with your insurer, we will bill the insurer. You are responsible for your co-pay at the time of service, and any remaining balance from services rendered. If we do not participate in your insurance plan, payment is expected at the time of your visit. It is ultimately your responsibility to understand your insurance benefits with your insurance carrier.
Please check with your insurance carrier regarding your deductible for office visits (consultations with the Allergy Specialist) as well as a deductible for testing (Allergy Testing). These are often separate and you may be subject to a charge if you have not met your deductible for the year.
Some insurance policies have complex rules about what is and is not covered. Illinois Allergy and Asthma Specialists is always subject to the final determination of coverage by your insurance plan.