Welcome back
We have resumed elective procedures, services and appointments following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health authorities, using the best practices for hygiene, infection control and social distancing. Our hospital, emergency department and outpatient and immediate care centers are fully prepared and ready to safely welcome you back to get the care you need. Don’t wait to be well.
Join us in this charge
The health and safety of our patients and those who serve them is our highest priority. NCH and our caregivers are responding to this unprecedented pandemic with unwavering dedication. We need your support.
Reopening
Medical Services Reopening, Appointments Available
We have begun to resume elective procedures and services in strict adherence to guidelines set by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority. All of our facilities utilize infection control practices and evidence-based protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, IDPH and the Cook County Public Health Department to keep all patients, visitors and staff safe.
If you have a health need that you have been waiting to address, please call your provider’s office directly to learn more about the availability of appointments and services. NCH Medical Group is offering virtual visits or can see you in-person for regular appointments, and we are rescheduling some procedures that have been delayed.
We are here for you and your family and encourage you to maintain your health through regular appointments and screenings.
Restrictions
The following restrictions have been put into place until further notice:
Visitors will not be permitted at any of our facilities, with the following exceptions:
- For critically ill/end-of-life patients—the number of visitors will be managed by the care team.
- Our pediatric population may have one visitor. Our NICU population may have two parent visitors. While in Labor and Delivery, patients can have one partner and one doula, if needed. Patients in the Mother Baby Unit may have one partner.
- Essential caregiver support for procedures and services—to be approved by the care team.
Visitors transporting patients to and from their appointments are asked to wait in their cars. Staff will communicate with the patient’s companion via a call or text during the procedure and to notify them when to pick up the patient.
Universal Masking Requirement
To keep our employees, patients and community safe, we have implemented universal masking on the hospital campus and all outpatient care centers until further notice.
All are required to wear a mask when entering the hospital and outpatient care facilities and throughout their stay.
Screening
All patients and visitors will be temperature checked and asked screening questions upon entering the hospital and outpatient care centers.
COVID-19 Testing
Patients that are scheduled to undergo certain elective procedures in an operational or procedure area may require a COVID-19 negative test per the requirements from the IDPH. If indicated, you will be informed at the time of scheduling and it will need to be performed within three days of your procedure. Those patients will be directed to a facility parking lot and wait in the queue to drive through and receive a test. After the test, you will be required to self-isolate at home until the time of your procedure.
Hospital Entrance Hours:
- Main Entrance #4 – Weekdays: 7:00 am–8:00 pm, Weekends: 8:00 am–8:00 pm
- North Entrance #2 – Closed
- Busse Entrance #1 – Weekdays: 5:00 am–8:00 pm, Weekends: 5:30 am–5:00 pm
- Valet parking is temporarily unavailable
Please use the Emergency Entrance after hours.
Closures
In the interest of public safety, we have temporarily closed or suspended the following:
- The offices of the Medical Group at 500 N. Hicks Road in Palatine
- The Gift Shop is reopening on Monday, June 1st with revised hours. Store hours will be 9:00 am–5:00 pm on weekdays, closed on Saturday and Sunday. You may still fill out a free virtual greeting card)
- Kids Club at the NCH Wellness Center remains closed. The Wellness Center facility is now open with restrictions. The Wellness Center also offers virtual training sessions on its Facebook page and NCHFit @ Home, a virtual exercise program.
- Cardiac Rehab Phase II programs are now open. Pulmonary Rehab and Phase III/maintenance programs remain closed.
- All student clinical rotations
- NCH’s Volunteer Program is currently not processing any new volunteer applications.
- All Labor and Delivery tours
- Many classes and support groups.
- Cancer classes and support groups are being held virtually.
- All Heartsaver, Healthcare Provider, ACLS and PALS education courses; if an AHA certification is due to expire between now and the dates that courses can be reinstated, a 60-day extension will be granted. For CPR, extensions have been given until September 30. All courses have now been transitioned to a 2 part online format with short in-person skills testing sessions.
- NCH Wig Boutique
- NCH Health Connection
Telehealth
Due to COVID-19, all NCH Medical Group offices now close at 5 pm Monday through Friday, until further notice. Patients are encouraged to call prior to a walk-in visit. To minimize unnecessary exposure—and follow the guidelines of social distancing—most existing appointments can be converted to virtual visits. We encourage you to call your provider’s office to schedule a virtual visit, if appropriate, instead of an in-person visit.
Resources
This section provides links to information on various sites regarding COVID-19, more commonly referred to as the coronavirus. For any questions regarding COVID-19, please contact the IDPH hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email: DPH.sick@illinois.gov.
CDC Pages
Billing
Please note that at this time there is no standardization for how insurance companies pay for COVID-19 testing.
Some insurance plans will cover this testing at 100 percent while others may not. This may impact your billing if you have been tested for COVID-19. If you have been tested and receive a bill from NCH, we recommend that you please contact your insurance company to inquire if your benefits should cover this test as soon as you receive an explanation of benefits from your insurance plan. Thank you for your patience as we work through the many challenges we are all experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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