Hard to Breathe All the Time? A Guide to Your Next Healthcare Steps in Chicago, IL
Hard to Breathe All the Time? A Guide to Your Next Healthcare Steps in Chicago, IL
Lately, you’ve been feeling out of breath even just walking around your apartment. You’ve also noticed a persistent cough and a tight feeling in your chest. It’s completely understandable to feel worried because this isn’t normal for you, and it seems to be getting worse. You’re not alone—many people notice these symptoms and want to get answers quickly.
This post is here to help guide you on what steps you can take next. We’ll discuss who you might consider seeing in Chicago, IL, and what kinds of tests and office visits you might expect. We’ll also share estimated costs for these visits so you feel more prepared. You’re in the right place to find clear, compassionate guidance toward getting the care you need.
Who to See for Your Symptoms in Chicago, IL
With symptoms like constant shortness of breath, chest tightness, and a lingering cough, there are several types of healthcare providers who could help diagnose and treat what’s going on. Here are some options based on your symptoms:
- Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who can evaluate your breathing issues, run initial tests, and refer you to specialists if needed. They’re a great first step.
- Pulmonary Disease Specialist (Pulmonologist): These doctors specialize in lung health and breathing problems. They perform tests to measure lung function and treat conditions like asthma or COPD.
- Internal Medicine Doctor: Similar to family practice but focused on adults and managing complex medical conditions, including respiratory issues.
- Cardiologist: Since the heart and lungs work closely together, a cardiologist can check if your heart is contributing to your breathing difficulty.
- Emergency Medicine Provider: If symptoms become severe or sudden, emergency care is important to rule out urgent causes.
What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs
Here’s a look at the common procedures and visits you might have with each provider type in Chicago, along with estimated self-pay costs (if you don’t have insurance or to estimate your out-of-pocket costs). These are based on local data and should give you an idea of what to expect.
Visit with a Family Practice Doctor
-
Procedure: Established patient visit, office or outpatient (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose:
This is a typical visit lasting 30-39 minutes to discuss your breathing issues and overall health. Your doctor will listen to your lungs and may decide on further tests.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $202.91 (typically ranges from $152.18 to $253.64)
Provider Availability: Based on 854 providers in Chicago. -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) with interpretation (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose:
A simple heart test checks if your breathing troubles could be linked to heart issues. It records your heart’s electrical activity.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $32.01 (range: $18.16 to $45.86)
Provider Availability: 160 providers. -
Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Purpose:
An X-ray helps visualize your lungs and chest to spot infections, fluid, or other problems affecting breathing.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $46.96 (range: $31.93 to $61.98)
Provider Availability: 34 providers.
Visit with a Pulmonary Disease Specialist
-
Procedure: Established patient visit, office or outpatient (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose:
A focused visit to evaluate lung-specific issues and plan testing or treatment for breathing problems.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $186.22 (range: $139.67 to $232.78)
Provider Availability: 144 providers. -
Procedure: Test measuring airflow and lung volume (CPT Code: 94010)
Purpose:
Measures how much air you can breathe in and out, identifying lung function problems.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $31.60 (range: $16.06 to $47.14)
Provider Availability: 52 providers. -
Procedure: Test examining lung gas exchange (CPT Code: 94729)
Purpose:
Checks how well your lungs move oxygen into your blood and remove carbon dioxide.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $33.27 (range: $17.38 to $49.17)
Provider Availability: 101 providers. -
Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Purpose:
Used to see lung structure and identify causes of breathing difficulty.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $57.47 (range: $42.34 to $72.60)
Provider Availability: 1 provider. -
Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway issues (CPT Code: 94640)
Purpose:
A treatment involving inhaled medication to open airways and reduce mucus if needed.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $19.13 (range: $11.52 to $26.74)
Provider Availability: 1 provider.
Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor
-
Procedure: Established patient visit, office or outpatient (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose:
Comprehensive adult care visit to assess your respiratory symptoms and overall health.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $199.68 (range: $149.76 to $249.60)
Provider Availability: 1099 providers. -
Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Purpose:
Helps detect lung or chest problems contributing to breathing issues.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $49.82 (range: $37.37 to $62.28)
Provider Availability: 17 providers. -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) with interpretation (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose:
Heart monitoring to check if cardiac issues are related to your symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $34.46 (range: $18.30 to $50.62)
Provider Availability: 339 providers. -
Procedure: Test examining lung gas exchange (CPT Code: 94729)
Purpose:
Assesses how well your lungs transfer oxygen to your blood.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $28.16 (range: $18.14 to $38.17)
Provider Availability: 8 providers. -
Procedure: Test measuring lung volumes (CPT Code: 94727)
Purpose:
Measures total air your lungs can hold to check for restrictions or obstructions.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $43.65 (range: $26.70 to $60.60)
Provider Availability: 3 providers.
Visit with a Cardiologist
-
Procedure: Established patient visit, office or outpatient (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose:
Specialist visit focusing on heart-related causes of breathing difficulty or chest tightness.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $192.02 (range: $144.01 to $240.02)
Provider Availability: 260 providers. -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) with interpretation only (CPT Code: 93010)
Purpose:
Heart rhythm and electrical activity monitoring to check for abnormalities.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $18.06 (range: $10.06 to $26.06)
Provider Availability: 204 providers. -
Procedure: Heart ultrasound with blood flow and valve check (CPT Code: 93306)
Purpose:
Ultrasound exam showing how well your heart pumps and functions.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $152.63 (range: $93.91 to $211.35)
Provider Availability: 224 providers. -
Procedure: Exercise or drug-induced heart stress test with ECG (CPT Code: 93018)
Purpose:
Tests heart function under stress conditions to spot issues with blood flow.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $37.78 (range: $16.92 to $58.64)
Provider Availability: 153 providers. -
Procedure: Nuclear medicine studies of heart muscle at rest and stress (CPT Code: 78452)
Purpose:
Advanced imaging to evaluate heart muscle health and blood supply.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $291.80 (range: $183.66 to $399.94)
Provider Availability: 99 providers.
Visit with Emergency Medicine
-
Procedure: Established patient visit, office or outpatient (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose:
Urgent care visit for acute symptoms that need immediate evaluation.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $189.81 (range: $142.36 to $237.26)
Provider Availability: 55 providers. -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) with interpretation only (CPT Code: 93010)
Purpose:
Heart monitoring to quickly assess cardiac function during an emergency.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $23.24 (range: $9.92 to $36.56)
Provider Availability: 384 providers. -
Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Purpose:
Immediate imaging to check lungs and chest in urgent settings.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $45.80 (range: $30.58 to $61.03)
Provider Availability: 18 providers. -
Procedure: Ultrasound of the heart (CPT Code: 93306)
Purpose:
Assessment of heart function in urgent care.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $110.94 (range: $83.21 to $138.68)
Provider Availability: 1 provider. -
Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction or sputum (CPT Code: 94640)
Purpose:
Quick relief treatment to open airways if breathing is severely restricted.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $17.29 (range: $10.97 to $23.62)
Provider Availability: 2 providers.
Your Recommended Next Steps
It’s important to prioritize getting a professional evaluation to find out why you’re having trouble breathing. Here are some steps to help you take control:
- Schedule an Appointment: Reach out to a Family Practice doctor or Pulmonologist in Chicago to start your evaluation. They can coordinate additional tests or referrals if needed.
- Prepare for Your Visit: Write down your symptoms, including when they started, how they’ve changed, and any other health concerns or questions you want to ask.
- Discuss Costs: When booking, confirm with the provider’s office about the expected costs. The estimates above can help you ask informed questions.
- Final Reassurance: Remember, seeking care early is the right thing to do. You’re taking a brave and important step toward protecting your health and breathing easier again.
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 provides general information based on data from Chicago, IL for educational purposes. It does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.