Trouble Breathing in Chicago? Steps to Take When You Need Help

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Trouble Breathing in Chicago? Steps to Take When You Need Help

Suddenly feeling short of breath can be very frightening. If you are struggling to take a full breath, experiencing chest tightness, wheezing, and increased anxiety because it’s harder to breathe, you are not alone — many people find these symptoms worrying and don’t know what to do next. It’s perfectly natural to look for answers and to want to understand if your situation requires urgent medical attention.

This post is here to help guide you through the next steps if you experience trouble breathing in Chicago. We’ll explain which healthcare providers you might consider seeing based on your symptoms, what typical procedures you may undergo, and what estimated costs to expect when paying out of pocket in your area. Our goal is to give you clear, reassuring, and practical information so you can confidently move toward getting the care you need.

Who to See for Your Symptoms in Chicago

When you have sudden difficulty breathing, a few types of healthcare providers are often good first steps for evaluation and treatment:

  • Family Practice Doctor: A generalist doctor who treats a wide range of health issues. They can evaluate your breathing, prescribe treatments, and decide if you need specialized care.
  • Internal Medicine Doctor: Specialized in adult health, they focus on diagnosing and managing chronic and acute illnesses, including respiratory problems.
  • Allergy/Immunology Specialist: These doctors diagnose and treat allergies, asthma, and immune system conditions, which can cause breathing difficulties.
  • Pulmonary Disease Specialist: A lung specialist who can provide in-depth testing and treatment for breathing and lung problems.
  • Emergency Medicine Provider: Available in emergency rooms for urgent, high-acuity conditions requiring immediate intervention.

Each of these providers may be involved depending on how severe or sudden your symptoms are. Starting with a family practice or internal medicine doctor is often a good choice if the situation doesn’t feel life-threatening. If your breathing difficulty worsens quickly or you feel extreme distress, seek emergency care immediately.

What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs

Visit with a Family Practice Doctor

  • Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: This is a standard visit where your doctor will discuss your symptoms, do a physical exam, and decide the next steps.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $202.91 (typically ranges from $152.18 to $253.64)
    This estimate is based on 854 providers in the Chicago area.

  • Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction or sputum production (CPT Code: 94640)
    Purpose: This treatment helps open your airways if you are wheezing or having trouble breathing.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $19.01 (typically ranges from $11.06 to $26.95)
    This estimate is based on 6 providers.

  • Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) using at least 12 leads with interpretation and report (CPT Code: 93000)
    Purpose: An ECG checks your heart’s rhythm and function, important since chest tightness can relate to heart issues.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $32.01 (typically ranges from $18.16 to $45.86)
    This estimate is based on 160 providers.

Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor

  • Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: Similar to family practice, an internal medicine doctor will evaluate your symptoms and plan a treatment or referral.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $199.68 (typically ranges from $149.76 to $249.60)
    This estimate is based on 1099 providers.

  • Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction or sputum production (CPT Code: 94640)
    Purpose: Helps you breathe easier by opening airways during an episode of wheezing or airway constriction.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $23.39 (typically ranges from $11.56 to $35.23)
    This estimate is based on 7 providers.

  • Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) using at least 12 leads with interpretation and report (CPT Code: 93000)
    Purpose: Used to detect any heart-related causes of your symptoms.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $34.46 (typically ranges from $18.30 to $50.62)
    This estimate is based on 339 providers.

Visit with an Allergy/Immunology Specialist

  • Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: Specialists evaluate and manage allergies or asthma that may be causing your breathing issues.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $198.35 (ranges $148.76 to $247.94)
    Based on 53 providers.

  • Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction (CPT Code: 94640)
    Purpose: Helps relieve airway narrowing triggered by allergies or asthma.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $19.27 (ranges $11.54 to $27.00)
    Based on 2 providers.

  • Procedure: Test to measure airflow and lung function (CPT Code: 94010)
    Purpose: This test checks how well your lungs are working, helpful for asthma evaluation.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $41.39 (ranges $27.43 to $55.34)
    Based on 27 providers.

  • Procedure: Test of airflow before and after medication (CPT Code: 94060)
    Purpose: Assesses if medication improves your breathing.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $71.49 (ranges $47.99 to $95.00)
    Based on 3 providers.

  • Procedure: Test to measure lung sensitivity (CPT Code: 94070)
    Purpose: Measures how reactive your lungs are, often used in asthma diagnosis.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $101.71 (ranges $76.28 to $127.14)
    Based on 1 provider.

Visit with a Pulmonary Disease Specialist

  • Procedure: Emergency department visit with high level of medical decision making (CPT Code: 99285)
    Purpose: For severe cases needing urgent assessment and treatment.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $408.86 (ranges $227.93 to $589.80)
    Based on 1 provider.

  • Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction (CPT Code: 94640)
    Purpose: Provides quick relief for obstructed airways.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $19.13 (ranges $11.52 to $26.74)
    Based on 1 provider.

  • Procedure: Test to examine lung gas exchange (CPT Code: 94729)
    Purpose: Checks how well your lungs transfer oxygen into your blood.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $33.27 (ranges $17.38 to $49.17)
    Based on 101 providers.

  • Procedure: Test to measure expiratory airflow and volume (CPT Code: 94010)
    Purpose: Assesses airway function to diagnose or monitor lung conditions.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $31.60 (ranges $16.06 to $47.14)
    Based on 52 providers.

  • Procedure: Critical care for seriously ill patients (CPT Code: 99291)
    Purpose: Intensive care for life-threatening breathing problems.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $358.98 (ranges $269.23 to $448.72)
    Based on 158 providers.

Emergency Medicine Visit

  • Procedure: Emergency department visit with high level of medical decision making (CPT Code: 99285)
    Purpose: Immediate evaluation and treatment for serious or worsening symptoms.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $408.87 (ranges $220.02 to $597.73)
    Based on 1068 providers.

  • Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction (CPT Code: 94640)
    Purpose: Urgent treatment to open breathing passages.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $17.29 (ranges $10.97 to $23.62)
    Based on 2 providers.

  • Procedure: Routine ECG (CPT Code: 93010)
    Purpose: Quick heart function assessment in emergencies.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $23.24 (ranges $9.92 to $36.56)
    Based on 384 providers.

  • Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
    Purpose: Imaging to check for lung infections or other causes of breathing trouble.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $45.80 (ranges $30.58 to $61.03)
    Based on 18 providers.

If you are experiencing trouble breathing, here’s what you should do next:

  1. Schedule an Appointment: Contact a family practice or internal medicine doctor as your first step. If symptoms suddenly become severe — like intense shortness of breath, chest pain, or confusion — go to the emergency room without delay.
  2. Prepare for Your Visit: Write down your symptoms, when they started, how they change, and any questions you want to ask your provider.
  3. Discuss Costs: When booking your appointment, ask about expected charges and payment options. The costs listed here are estimates for self-pay patients in Chicago and might vary.
  4. Stay Calm and Act Promptly: Breathing difficulty can be distressing, but prompt care helps. Seeking professional advice is the best way to ensure your health and peace of mind.

Need Help Navigating Your Options?

Finding affordable, trustworthy care can be confusing, especially if you’re uninsured or new to the system. That’s why we built Transparent Health: a tool to help you understand your options and find the right provider for your needs.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you experience severe or worsening symptoms, please seek emergency medical care immediately.