We want to make your experience at Illinois Allergy and Asthma Specialists a pleasant one.
To facilitate your visit with the allergist, please take the time to review the information below.
1) What should I bring to my first visit?
2) What medications, if any, do I need to stop prior to my visit?
3) What forms do I need for my first visit?
4) Will my visit be covered by my insurance?
Your Visit
Please expect a new visit to take up to two hours, and a return visit to take about an hour.
Please plan accordingly.What should you bring to your appointment?
- Driver’s license or identification card
- Current insurance card
- List of current medications with dosing and frequency
- List of medications needing to be refilled
- Relevant medical records (lab testing, x-rays, etc.)
- Written referral from your primary care physician (HMO or POS)
- New Patient Registration Form
- New Patient History Form
- HIPAA Form
- Co-payment
- Co-payment is due at the time of service.
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time in order to properly check in and prepare for your visit.
- If you cannot make your scheduled appointment, please call our office at least 24 hours before to notify us.
- If the HMO or POS requires a written referral, you must have it faxed to us or bring it to your appointment.
- We do not refill medications routinely by phone or fax.
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, except for diphenhydramine (benadryl)
should be held for one week prior to your initial appointment or your testing appointment.
Benadryl should be discontinued at least 48 hours prior to your visit. We ask that you please hold the
antihistamines (listed below) as they may interfere with your testing.
-
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 anithistamines that should be discontinued prior to your visit.
-
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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fexofenadine (Allegra)
-
hydroxyzine (Atarax)
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carbinoxamine (Clistin, Palgic)
-
cetrizine (Zyrtec)
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chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Piriton, Chlor-Tripolon, HISTA-12)
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clemastine (Meclastine)
-
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)
-
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)
-
pheniramine (Avil)
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promethazine (Phenergan, Promethegan, Romergan, Fargan, Farganesse, Prothiazine, Avomine, Atosil, Receptozine, Lergigan)
-
pyrilamine (Mepyramine)
-
tripelennamine (Pyribenzamine)
-
triprolidine (Actidil, Myidil)
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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.
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