Patients

Your Visit

What happens at my first appointment?

Everyone’s experience in treatment is different depending on their needs, the counselor or physician they’re seeing and the individual’s insurance coverage.  However, you can typically expect to meet with one counselor or physician in a private room.  He or she will ask you what has been bothering you, when your problems started and what you hope to have happen as a result of talking to a counselor.  The counselor may ask you to fill out some questionnaires to have an understanding of your symptoms. A physician may prescribe medication over several months that will help your depression. A counselor may work with you in several visits over months to address key issues keeping you from being well and healthy.

Remember: it’s your appointment and your treatment.  Ask any questions you may have.

How long will I be in treatment?

Again, this answer is not the same for everyone.  Based on your needs and wishes you and your mental health provider will create a personalized treatment plan.  This plan will list your goals and usually includes a timeline for checking in on your progress and how to determine when you’re ‘done with treatment.’  Most treatments last at least 8 weeks. Sometimes treatment can take many months. Stick with it. You deserve to get better

Will my insurance cover these visits? 

When you call for your first appointment a receptionist will ask for some of your insurance policy details and confirm your coverage before your first visit.  

However, it is suggested that you call your insurance company to fully understand what benefits you have.  Also, this allows you to know what your options are so that you can make informed decisions about your treatment plan.

How to contact your insurance company
On your insurance card there should be a Customer Service phone number for you to call for information.  Keep an eye out, as sometimes there is a different number for customer service when dealing with “Behavioral health” 

What should I ask? 
While you know what your particular concerns are for payment and coverage here are some questions to that can help you understand your benefits
1. What is my coverage for outpatient mental health treatment?
2. s there a deductible for this treatment? How much? 
3. What is the calendar for my deductible?  (Some insurance deductibles cover your treatment for one calendar year (January to December).  For some your deductible may be one year from the date of your first payment)
4. What is the co-pay for outpatient mental health treatment appointments?  A co-pay is the amount that YOU will have to pay to the clinic for each of your appointments/visits. 

Will you take my medical card?

Both our Adult Outpatient Clinic and the Colbeth Clinic accept Medicaid / Medicare.  Have your medical card on hand when you call.  A receptionist will ask you for various details from that card in order to verify your insurance and save you time at your first appointment.

Directions

Directions to the UIC-Department of Psychiatry

1. Ambulatory Clinic:
      Neuropsychiatric Insitute
      912 S. Wood Steet, Chicago, IL 60612
2. UIC Hospital
       1740 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60612
3. Institute for Juvenile Research
       1747 W. Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60608
4. Psychiatric Institute
      1601 W. Taylor St.Chicago, IL 60612

Driving

From the North, take I-90/94 (Kennedy Expressway) to I-290 West (Eisenhower Expressway).

From the South, take I-90/94 (Dan Ryan Expressway) to I-290 West (Eisenhower Expressway).

From the West, From the West, take I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway) eastbound.

• Exit the Eisenhower Expy at Ashland/Paulina.
• Turn south onto Ashland Avenue. Continue south on Ashland to Taylor Street.
• Turn west (right) onto Taylor. Continue west on Taylor to Wood Street.
• We are located just north of Taylor, on Wood Street.
• The nearest Parking is on Wood Street, just south of Taylor. An additional Parking structure is located on the corner of Taylor and Paulina (one block east of Wood).

Directions (Google Maps): To this Site | From this Site

Via CTA subway or Elevated Train

• Take any subway train to either the Randolph & Dearborn (Blue line) or the State & Randolph (Red Line) station OR any elevated train line (Green or Brown Lines) to the Lake & Clark station.
• Transfer to the Pink Line train which runs on the elevated Loop tracks. If you are in the Subway, leave the station and exit either at Randolph Street (Blue line) or at Lake Street (Brown or Green line).
• From the Brown or Green line, transfer to the Pink Line at the Lake & Clark Station.
• From either subway train, walk to the intersection of Lake and State street and take the stairs up to elevated Loop trains.
• Take the Pink Line 54/Cermak train to the Polk Street (Medical Center) stop.
• Walk west (turn left) on Street to Wood Street 500 feet, cross the street.
• Walk south (turn left) on Wood Street one block.

Via CTA bus
Take the #37 Sedgwick Bus (from the North Side) or the #9 Ashland Bus (from the South Side) to Taylor Street.
Walk west on Taylor Street to Wood Street.
Walk north on Wood Street

Via CTA train and bus from Midway Airport
Take the Orange Line train from Midway Airport to the Ashland stop.
On Ashland Avenue take the northbound #9 Ashland bus to Taylor Street.
Walk west on Taylor to Wood Street.
Walk north on Wood Street.

CTA Trip Planner

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Other Resources

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline
  1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

• Mental Health America of Illinois
  MHAI is dedicated to promoting mental health, working for the prevention of mental illness, and improving care and treatment for persons suffering from mental and emotional disorders.
  http://www.mhai.org/

• Metropolitan Family Services
  Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, Metropolitan provides a wide variety of programs and services designed to strengthen families and help them realize their full potential.
  http://www.metrofamily.org/

• National Alliance on Mental Illness
  NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, support, and research, and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need.
  http://www.nami.org/