Overview

Prepare for Your First Visit

You might feel overwhelmed about getting ready for your first visit to the 华体会 Hair Loss Clinic. The information on this page will help guide you.

Log In to the MyNM Patient Portal

MyNM is a secure patient portal for 华体会. With MyNM, you can manage your health records and communicate with your physician’s office using your computer or a mobile device

There is no cost to use MyNM. You can sign up online.

Learn how to sign up.

Complete Your Paperwork in MyNM

You will complete at least 1 questionnaire related to your symptoms. You can fill this out in MyNM before your appointment.

Gather Medical Records

You will want us to have all of your medical records before you meet with a specialist. If you have had tests or imaging done outside of 华体会, please contact those organizations to arrange for them to send your records.

If you will pick up the records, you can:

  • Upload reports and images to MyNM. Learn how.
  • Drop them off at our office at least 3 business days before your appointment.

If you cannot do either of those, please bring the records with you to your appointment.

Check Your Insurance Coverage

华体会 accepts many types of insurance plans. Check to see if we accept your insurance.

If you do not have insurance or need help paying for your care, you may qualify for financial assistance.

For more information about medical bills, insurance forms and other related paperwork, see our Billing Questions page.

Travel and Lodging

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is located in downtown Chicago. We want your experience here to be exceptional. View the location page to learn more about:
  • Parking and valet service
  • Public transportation
  • Nearby hotels and lodging
  • Food and shopping options within the hospital
  • Visitor policies
  • Accessibility resources

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

At your first visit, you will register and then meet with your care team.

Registration

Remember to bring a valid photo ID and your insurance card. A patient service representative will help you:
  • Check in
  • Validate your parking ticket
  • Sign consent forms
  • Review your insurance

Meet With Your Care Team

Your care team will use your symptom information, previous medical records and results from the physical exam, trichoscopy, and, if needed, lab testing and biopsies, to give you the most accurate diagnosis. They will talk to you about the results and answer all of your questions. Together, you will create a treatment plan tailored to your goals and priorities.

If you have questions during your care journey, please call us at 312.695.8106 (TTY: 711).

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) from our Hair Loss Clinic patients.

  • How long before the visit should I avoid washing, styling or using products in my hair?
  • Do I need to fast before my visit?
  • Should I expect to have blood tests or biopsies at appointments?
  • What should I bring to the appointment? Do I need a family member or other companion to come with me?
  • How long until you can see me in the clinic (with or without a referral)?

You do not need to avoid washing or using specific products in your hair. We do not ask you to avoid any specific hairstyles, although some styles and products may require a second visit for a more detailed evaluation.

No. The only lab test that needs fasting is lipids, but we only check this occasionally.

Based on our evaluation and your overall health status, we will screen for relevant nutritional or hormonal abnormalities with lab testing. We routinely perform scalp biopsies when it improves the diagnostic accuracy and treatment plan, using local anesthesia (numbing medication) and 1 to 2 sutures. Our expert dermatopathologists and Victor Quan, MD, will review the results to make the diagnosis.

Please bring a list of your medications (current and past), diagnoses, biopsy reports and relevant lab results. Unless we tell you otherwise, you do not need to bring anyone else to the appointment with you.

For non-urgent issues, our soonest available appointment is typically within 2鈥�3 months. For more urgent issues (e.g., rapid hair loss due to alopecia areata or inflammatory alopecia), we will do our best to see you sooner.