Comprehensive Center For Women’s Medicine

I’ve read all the reviews here and feel compelled to leave my own. I have been through several doctors before I found Dr. Skul. I did a lot of research to find a holistic primary care physician. I also saw the negative reviews on Unilocal.I was very desperate to find a good doctor that understood the holistic model of medicine and treating the body, mind and spirit. That kind of doctor is hard to find and I feel blessed to have found Dr. Skul. I will say that Dr. Skul was very thorough during our initial meeting and she spent well over an hour with me. She took a lot of notes, and asked a lot of questions. She reviewed all of the medical records, and supplements that I was on from my nutritionist and approved all of them, but recommended I switch to a pharmaceutical filled bio-​identical hormone, as the one I was using was just in small container with a lid and was susceptible to contamination. I also went to her for weight loss advice and she did sell me on the Orenda products. I do believe the products are of excellent quality and a good product. I have great results with these products and I am happy to say I have lost a lot of weight and my test scores have gone down quite a bit. I have been to doctor after doctor who is rushed to see you and has about 5 minutes to spend with you. I have seen many doctors who were quick to put you on whatever medication was going to earn them a free vacation to a beautiful island get away. I have been told to cut my calories and exercise more. If you understand how messed up the health insurance industry is, how very expensive the medical malpractice insurance is, and how little the doctors are getting paid from the health insurance companies, you would understand why Dr. Skul is involved in Orenda. Not only is it a good product that is helping her patients, it also is helping her be able to continue to practice medicine and maintain the lifestyle she wants and deserves. I am never rushed when I am in her office and I have found her to be thorough, professional and very competent. She ordered many tests that none of the doctors I went to even considered ordering. They all said I was fine, the tests she ordered indicated I had some serious healing to do. It caused me a lot of anxiety and I really dread going to the doctor. However, Dr. Skul has been a very compassionate and thorough doctor and I really appreciate that I have her as my primary care physician. My insurance is BC/​BS PPO and it generally covers all of the tests and office visits. I have not received any bills over $ 50. The supplements can be costly, but taking care of myself and my health is my priority and if I need to buy supplements that are going to help me on my path to health, then I am willing to do so. I was certainly not forced to buy any supplements but I also understand that the supplements help pay for the time that Dr. Skul spends with me during each visit. Dr. Skul is extremely intelligent and thorough and will support you on your path to health. I have also found her to be on time or no more than 15 minutes behind. If you are looking for a primary care physician that is going to write you prescription after prescription and send you on your way in a timely manner then those doctors are a dime a dozen. If you are willing to take an active role in your own health, if you realize the importance and financial necessity of high quality supplements and healthy eating, and can appreciate just how hard it is to find a doctor like Dr. Skul then I urge you to give her a try. Dr. Skul has been a blessing in my life, and I highly recommend her as a compassionate and competent holistic primary care physician. Lastly, I have found all of my interactions with her staff to be pleasant and professional as well. I have been to this office on at least 6 separate occasions over the past 15 months. I am healthier than I have been in 25 years and I attribute much of my successful progress to the help of her care.

I agree with several other reviews I have seen on this site.
I’ll mention the worst part first and get to the rest. Total scammers… tried to sell me a $ 3,000 machine! Her explanation…“well we just spent all this money on a new machine”. My response was NO, I’m not buying a machine from you, is this what my DR appointment today was for… for you to try and sell me something again? That was really the only time I saw the DR. when she was trying to sell me the $ 3,000 machine or insisting I buy vitamins off of HER SITE!
The Dr. I was seeing kept telling me to schedule with her massage therapist, who would cancel and then their office would still charge me. Then they asked me to try a new machine they bought. I said only if my insurance covers it as it’s a machine with blinking lights that I have no knowledge or confirmation it works on people. They were using me as a guinea pig. They said yes, it won’t cost you anything don’t worry. Well after I wouldn’t «buy» a smaller version of their machine from them they charged me for the 2 times «they wanted me to do the procedure» so they could verify if it works on people.
Another red flag!!! The DR I saw, will assign you to buy a ton of vitamins (not opposed to vitamins) BUT YOU HAVE TO BUY THEM OFF «HER» SITE!!!
I guess she’s running out of money to pay for her 4 ct stud diamond earrings.

BEWARE of medical fraud by this office… I had almost the exact same experience as some of the reviews below and wish I would have read them.
I needed a new doctor for the routine physical and biometric screening that is preferred by my insurance. I randomly chose the Comprehensive Center for Women’s Medicine and called and said that I wished to schedule a routine physical. No one ever told me that new patients at this practice cannot have routine physicals.
I went in and the nurse performed what looked to be a routine physical. they did all the usual checks, questions, and drew some blood for tests. I told them several times I just wanted the routine and standard physical blood tests. The nurse practitioner asked during the routine (or what appeared to be routine) visit how my energy levels were and I said sometimes I am fatigued due to my strenuous work environment and I got charged even more money for more tests that I didn’t ask for or need and they told my insurance that the reason for the visit was fatigue. that’s a TOTAL LIE!
I then later received a bill that was originally $ 1300 but insurance paid $ 500 so I am now left with over $ 700 out of pocket expenses for what should have been a free routine physical. I called the office and they said that because I was a new patient it couldn’t be a routine physical but that is what I asked for and that is what I thought I was getting. They never once told me this wasn’t a physical and that I would be charged extra. I NEVER would have paid $ 750 for a physical that I could have had for free.
This is completely shady and feels like medical fraud. I don’t understand how the patient asks for a routine physical and then the doctor goes and sends off a bunch of labs and codes the visit in a way that costs the patient $ 700. I didn’t ask for these tests, just wanted a simple and routine physical as I had stated several times.
I have filed a complaint against the practice and this bill with both my insurance, my work’s medical advocacy group, and the IL Attorney General.
Please go anywhere else for your medical needs but not here!

Unfortunately my beloved Dr. Walker passed away over a year ago and I know all of her patients miss her so much. I’m actually seeing a doctor at Rush that was her Attending doctor and still one of her closest friends. Check my reviews for his name (I won’t advertise his business out of respect for Comprehensive Medical)

I don’t like writing negative reviews, because I know that it’s easy to criticize. But I have been treated so rudely by this practice that I feel it’s my duty to share my experiences with anyone considering seeing Dr. Skul. Keep in mind that I’ve been going to CCWM for over 15 years, and was very satisfied with them in the beginning. The culture of the practice has gradually deteriorated, and my dealings with them end today, after Chris (I’m not sure what her role is in the office) implied that I am a liar.
I won’t bore you with the details of what happened, but suffice it to say even if Dr. Skul was not willing to supply the documentation I requested, there was no need for Chris to be curt and nasty with me. She seemed very annoyed that I’d called multiple times, but what am I supposed to do when my calls are not returned in a timely manner? I’m truly perplexed as to why anyone in healthcare would be as punitive and rude as this office is towards patients. You are dealing with people who have health problems, for God’s sake. The least you can do is be civil!!! I can honestly say I’ve NEVER received such hostile customer service.
Here are some things that make dealing with CCWM unpleasant. The phone tree automatically tells you to leave a message for the nurse, so reaching a nurse or the doctors is very difficult and takes persistence. Confirming whether a prescription was refilled or a form was filled out also takes multiple phone calls. In two instances, I was told after days of leaving messages and making follow-​up phone calls that the doctor did not want to provide me with what I requested. I should have been told this as soon as Dr. Skul (according to the staff) made the decision. Why make me waste my time and their time?
I was also not told the entire truth by Dr. Skul in regards to receiving Botox injections for migraines. She told me that they do not have adequate staff to deal with billing insurance companies for this procedure, and that I needed to pay for the treatments up front. I understand that dealing with insurance companies can be time-​consuming, so I did not question this process. What Dr. Skul did tell me is that she would provide any documentation regarding the procedure that I needed in order to get reimbursed by my insurance. When the insurance company told me that they needed details such as the exact number of injections provided, the quantity of Botox used per injection, etc, I was told by Chris that they WOULD NOT provide this information, as it would imply that the practice was making, «side deals,» with patients for the cost of treatment. I do believe that ethically, Dr. Skul should have told me these details, so I could have made an informed decision as to whether I could pay for the entire series of treatments out-​of-​pocket. Once again, I was only given this information after leaving SEVERAL phone messages over the course of over a week.
Another practice of CCWM’s also makes me uneasy. I have a weight problem, and for the last few years, both Dr. Hoyer and Dr. Skul have enthusiastically suggested using products from Orenda. Before the Orenda prodcuts, they enthusiastically suggested a program called FLT. Both programs involve the purchase of a combination of pills, powders, bars, and/​or shakes. Recently, I received a call from CCWM’s business office, telling me how much I’d spent on Orenda products in the previous month, and advising me that if I spent another $ 400 in the next 24 hours, I would get a percentage discount on future products. I was also told that selling these products to friends could be a great business opportunity for me, and that the doctor would go in on the order with me if I didn’t have the entire $ 400. I don’t this is illegal, but involving me in what seems to be a multi level marketing plan is not what I go to my doctor for. (FYI, the Orenda products gave me diarrhea and I couldn’t use them. When I told Dr. Skul this, she told me to keep on using them.)
I“m walking away from CCWM because it feels like they don’t like helping sick people anymore. Sad.
8÷12÷15
Just wanted to update this review. I am happy with the new practice I’m seeing at Northwestern. Their staff is friendly, and don’t treat me like my medical needs are a nuisance. My primary care physician changed some of my meds, and my health has improved. Most importantly for me, the neurologist in the practice and the billing office worked with my insurance to cover the cost of the Botox I desperately need for migraines. I wish I had made the change sooner. I would be healthier. And thousands of dollars richer.

Only if you’re wealthy and have high-​end PPO insurance will these women (I won’t call them ladies due to their lack of compassion) deign to see you. So don’t believe the Rush University Medical Center website of acceptable insurance plans and don’t believe whatever your insurance company might tell you. This office needs to change its name to Comprehensive Center for Wealthy Women’s Medicine.
Makes me sick.

a friend of mine liked this place but I will never ever go just by speaking on the phone today with 2 people. totally incorrect when it comes to insurance coverage.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Walker. She was a gifted doctor and a beautiful and loving person. I will miss her. My most sincere condolences go out to her family, loved ones and coworkers.

I just have to say first. I was very sad at the passing of Dr. Walker. She was compassionate, caring and in general a very good person besides being an excellent doctor. I decided to stay with CCWH because of the care and compassion that I felt with Dr. Walker. First I have only seen the NP Helen who is excellent… if you can get her to be on time. I have seen her twice and both times I had to wait at least an hour past my appointment time which is totally unacceptable. The last straw for me with this office is the way things are handled as a whole. I am in the medical field and I know the business. But I also know that people NO MATTER WHAT NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF!!! When did we become a society that you could only get cared for if you have money!!! I have insurance but because of some of my health problems I have huge bills even after insurance pays. Yes, I do pay on agreements sometimes but I have always gotten my bills paid in full. Kris the office manager is an out right B@$!ch! I have a deductible that is huge and have not been able to pay it in full… but I have been paying on it. The last time I got a call about my bill I let them know that I was going to make an appointment and I would make a payment at that time. Ok. I have been waiting for this appointment for a month! I get there after rearranging my whole schedule and taking off work during a very busy time… only for that B@$!ch Kris to tell me that I had to reshedule because they wanted half the deductible I owe. She didnt have the professionalism to introduce herself before speaking to me. First, I didnt have that kind of money to give up like that. Second, why in the h@$l didnt the person making my appointment tell me that this was required for me to be seen so I could at least make plans to pay out that kind of money. Third, I took off work, paid for parking, wasted gas and my time which is most important… just to get turned away when Igot to my appointment. And I have to say… even though I have not met Dr. Hoyer I’m glad that I won’t be back. She obviously condones the practices Kris has in place for bill collecting which is totally unprofessional. They won’t get anymore money out of me! Save your time and money. Don’t get caught up with the huge bill and poor care. We all deserve to be treated with respect and get the care we deserve.

I went one time to test it as my new physician. Never went back. Front desk attendant was very nice but unprofessional, and not so smart. Intake was done by a tech who asked questions for full personal medical history — uh, no, I’d rather do that with the physician. BTW, they do the personal intake at a computer in an alcove off the hallway outside of another office with no door to keep privacy. Everyone can hear everything. Dumb receptionist stood behind me waiting to speak with medical tech as I gave personal medical history, I hadn’t realized it until I turned around and noticed her standing there, I was not happy! Tech laughed and said something like, «oh, we all know everything here.» HIPPA actually prohibits everything you are doing. Dr Hoyer was nice and seemed to be an active listener. Her nurse who called with lab results was curt at best, when I asked for her to mail lab results, nurse said there is only one of her there so she can’t promise it, they get lost in the mail. That is a regular problem for your practice? So sorry I went and I won’t be back.

5 Stars to Dr. Jean Walker, my condolences to this uniquely positive doctor. She
was one of a kind and will be missed.
Dr. Hoyer is a nice lady but she wasn’t very helpful she underdiagnosed me and
misdiagnosed me.

On the plus side, Dr. Skul discovered deficiencies in my health via blood work that my regular internist had not investigated, and recommended useful supplements. She also spent a lot of time explaining what was going on and why she was recommending what she was.
BUT, three other strikes were too big to ignore.
1. Make sure you have a half-​day of vacation in order to have an appointment. You can’t be sure if the validated parking garage will be full and you might have to find street parking. Then, be prepared to wait at least an hour past your appointment time to see anyone. At my last-​ever appointment there, I had 10 minutes left on my two-​hour meter when the doctor appeared.
2. I smell pyramid scheme in the touting and pushing of programs that cost several hundred dollars a month.
3. I have been billed for a co-​pay that I paid at time of service… and rebilled even when I sent back a copy of my receipt to say the charge had been paid.
And strike four… relying on a machine to take blood pressure rather than teach the assistant how to do it. Easily overestimated my blood pressure by 50 points and about squeezed my arm to death four times.
And strike five… making me leave my seat to go to the blood pressure torture room, only to be returned to the waiting room, where now someone else is in the comfy chair.
Stay away. Stay away.

Talk about an inspiration to women. Thank you Dr. Walker for being so amazing. Rest in peace and may your family and friends find comfort in knowing you made a difference. You will be missed.

A friend of mine goes here for their lady needs so I called and made an appointment because I was in the market for a new gyno. She actually goes to the APN here, which I didnt know when I made my appointment with Dr Skul.
It took over a month to get an appointment and I have almost full availability during days. Kind of sad, but hey, what are you going to do. Such is life in the the female world.
You have to call their «hotline» so they can verify your insurance. Gosh, I hate healthcare… and I work in the field!
When I checked in, the front desk girl was nice, but kind of distracted. Her pop and chips sitting right out, eating and drinking at the desk. I mean, whatever, but personally I would like some sort of professionalism, especially being a new patient and this is the first thing I see. And I had to repeat things at least three times.
I sit and wait and wait and wait. My apptmt was for 1230. I showed up at 1215 because I am a good patient and figured I would have to fill out some paperwork. At 1PM they took me to get my height and weight and health history. The woman, who never introduced herself to me (not sure if she was a nurse, tech or what) told me they were running behind and it would be another 15 – 20 mins before Dr Skul would see me.
So I head BACK out to the waiting area. After 10 mins she comes and gets me and puts me in a room and says Dr Skul will be coming in any minute. I then wait for another 25 mins back here. At this point, I really cant contain my impatience anymore. I get up and head out. I ask the girl sitting at the desk how much longer it will be. She of course, cant tell me. I walk to the front and just say forget it.
I have little patience for a practice that runs over an hour behind schedule with nothing to be said. When I was walking out there was no one that tried to stop me. No Dr Skul in site. Forget this, I would rather give my co pay to someone else! WHAT A JOKE. So after 1.5 hours… I didnt even get to see anyone at this practice.
Also, a few other complaints. I really wish I would have seen the APN there, however her «office» is right off the lobby and you can hear EVERYTHING. I mean, I heard her talking in a normal voice to several patients. This is a serious HIPAA violation.
I was really looking forward to going to a center that focused on the whole body, mind and spirit but this just isnt it. While waiting, I saw several ads for diet and weight loss, acne products and vitamins.

I have to say I am severely disappointed with the care and service by Dr. Skul. Almost every time I see her I feel the visit is rushed, and this is after a very long wait, well past the appointment time made, and it’s like this every time. Dealing with Chris in the billing office (I also understand she is the office manager) was even worse. Recently she even tried to tell me I could not get a prescription refill order from my doctor until I paid off a 60 dollar balance.
I am a student and work a low paying job, but I have NEVER had a doctor or billing person tell me they would not give me a prescription refill until I paid off a balance with them, especially after I had been going there for several years, and I had always paid my patient responsibility portion, even it it took me a while. I could not believe she was withholding medical care for sixty dollar balance.
When I told Dr. Skul what Chris told me, she told me, of course, that was not how they operate, but she changed the subject so quickly she clearly was not interested in hearing about the practices Chris employs to collect unpaid money, and she did not seem surprised. If anything, she simply seemed to have been uncomfortable at having been «found out.» This was when I decided it was time to find another doctor. Enough is enough. I had felt her consultations weren’t as thorough as they could be, and it seemed like Dr. Skul was just going through the motions, but Dr. Skul’s reaction to hearing about Chris withholding a prescription to collect sixty dollars from me was, for me, was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

I am very displeased with how business is conducted at this center. I recently moved to Chicago and was in need of a primary physician and an annual check up. I called and made an appointment specially requesting an annual. I waited over an hour to be seen by Dr. Hoyer. I left the center thinking she was pleasant and thorough and that I would not mind coming back again. During the visit, I told her I was getting migraines due to mystery foods. I had inquired about going to an allergist. She gave me migraine samples and recommended someone.
Since then, I received a bill that was not an annual check up and not fully covered by my insurance. When I called the billing department, they then informed me that a new patient’s first visit is not billed as an annual check up. This would have been great to know prior to booking the appointment. Furthermore, during an annual check telling the doctor that you have migraines incurs more charges than just an annual. This is per the office manager, Chris. I have never been told that I have to be careful what I discuss during a routine check up because I may get billed for it… until now. She said rather bluntly, that was the center’s policy and if I did not like it I did not have to come back. It is unfortunate to receive such poor customer service. It baffles me how they could not offer any resolution other than «If you don’t like it, leave.» I am still in search of a primary physician and they are foregoing future business from me due to their inability to compromise and short-​shortsightedness.

Dr. Skul and staff @ CCWM are beyond horrible — and I only am putting this review together to save another sucker time, effort and $$$. From my first visit there I was waiting, waiting and waiting. You even have to wait a long time on the phone bc they use a automated vm service that leads u around and around. No one ever smiles, and they act as if you are a total inconvenience to them. I had a few deeply personal issues I tried discussing with Dr. Skul and when I raised them she was dismissive and cold. Nice. The final straw was when I had changed insurance carriers and they told me I was no longer covered. I had to do all the leg work — and as suspected, they were wrong. A few days later they sent me a certified letter telling me I was fired.
If you’re smart, you will stay away from this practice. They give women a bad name.

I’m not a good medical person. I tend to want to vomit and faint when my pulse is taken. I pass out when I get a shot or when they take blood. And, being a woman, I hate going to get my annual exam. I hate needles and anything that has to do with medical things. Which is why I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Dr. Walker. I cannot express how much I love her. She is hands down the best OBGYN I’ve ever been to. And I’ve had about 6.
I tell all of my friends that they’re dumb if they don’t call her. She listens, she cares, she talks about things with ease that are sometimes embarrassing, she’s patient, understanding, and very knowledgable.
If you need a new OBGYN, do yourself a huge favor and call Dr. Walker’s office immediately. If I could Unilocal 10,000 stars I would — This is how great she is.

I wrote a review for Dr. Hoyer separately, but the center needs one on it’s own. They focus on the WHOLE body– not just obstetrics and gynecology. I use them as my primary care doctors!
I have been with this practice for years– and I owe them a HUGE hug of thanks– at the very least. You see, when I got ill, we could not figure out what was causing it. Dr. Hoyer, Helen, and Mary worked to get appointments for me, took tons of blood tests, got me into see specialists quickly and have followed my progress. When the final and quite frightening diagnosis came– they urged me, and helped me to find options. When unexpected complications arose with treatments, they were there to offer MORE guidance and help. What is more– Dr. Hoyer has called to check on me while I was in the hospital (even though it was not Rush) followed up with my doctors– and worked to coordinate my care across multiple specialists.
Now that I am on the healing side of my illness, I realize how lucky I am to have had this practice behind me! If I call, I can get in. I know I will be taken care of. Peace of mind is a wonderful thing. The Comprehensive Center focuses on providing it– PLUS top notch medical care!

(This office has actually moved to the Loop)
I work for a doctors office and for the past 3 years have been recommending Dr. Jean Walker to our patients. My husband and I decided we were going to try and have another baby, so I made an appointment with Dr. Walker to establish myself as a patient. I went there with such high expectations because of all the rave reviews everyone in my field had given her. To no surprise she was great! Because I work in the medical field and do billing, I knew to make sure when I left that I knew what exactly I was being billed for and when I asked I agreed with the coding of my visit. To my surprise a few weeks later I got a bill for $ 150…not for my exam/​office visit, but for «Additional 15 minutes for patient education on contraception» WHAT?! I was face to face with Dr. Walker for a total of maybe 30 mins if that (keep in mind I am also a new patient) and not to mention we didn’t talk about contraception. I… working in this field know all too well about this kinda stuff («up coding») doctors do this stuff all the time to make more money anyway they can. I am in the process of fighting this with state of Illinois and will NEVER go back to her and highly recommend you not go to her either!!!