Compare 665 cardiologists in Chicago, IL. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
665
Cardiologists
100%
Accepting patients
78%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Chicago is one of the great American medical cities. The Illinois Medical District on the Near West Side is one of the largest urban medical campuses in the country, and the competition between Northwestern, UChicago Medicine, Rush, and Advocate keeps driving specialization deeper. The challenge is that access depends heavily on which side of the city you live on, and the South and West sides have far fewer options than the North Side and downtown.
Chicago has 665 cardiologists. The most common credential is MD (78%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
The CTA L train connects many neighborhoods to the major hospital campuses. Northwestern and Lurie Children's sit in Streeterville off the Red Line. Rush and the Illinois Medical District are accessible via the Blue and Pink Lines. UChicago Medicine in Hyde Park is reachable by the 6 bus or Metra Electric. North Side residents have easy access to Advocate Illinois Masonic and Swedish Covenant. South Side access gaps are real, and residents in Englewood and Back of the Yards face longer trips for specialty care.
Providers practice throughout Chicago. Lincoln Park is a popular North Side neighborhood near Northwestern's Prentice Women's Hospital and Lurie Children's. Wicker Park is a trendy neighborhood with growing healthcare options and proximity to the Illinois Medical District. Hyde Park is home to the University of Chicago Medical Center, a Level I trauma center and nationally ranked hospital. Gold Coast is an affluent lakefront neighborhood with concierge practices and proximity to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Nearby hospitals include Northwestern Memorial Hospital, University of Chicago Medical Center, and Rush University Medical Center. Local training programs run through Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Chicago's Illinois Medical District is one of the largest urban medical districts in the US, spanning 560 acres.
A first cardiology visit involves a detailed medical history, physical exam (including listening to your heart and checking your blood pressure in both arms), and an electrocardiogram (EKG). Depending on your symptoms, the cardiologist may order an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart), stress test, or blood work. They will explain their findings and outline a treatment plan.
If you are new to Chicago, pick your health system based on geography. Northwestern for the North Side and downtown, Rush for the West Side, UChicago for the South Side. Advocate Aurora is the largest system in the suburbs and has a growing city presence.
See a cardiologist if you have chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath with exertion, heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat, a family history of early heart disease, high blood pressure that is hard to control, high cholesterol not responding to lifestyle changes, dizziness or fainting episodes, or if your PCP detects a heart murmur or abnormal EKG.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · EKG: $200-500 · Echocardiogram: $1,000-3,000 · Stress test: $500-2,000
Chicago's harsh winters mean respiratory infections, frostbite, and falls on icy sidewalks are predictable seasonal patterns. Asthma rates are elevated on the South and West sides, where environmental factors play a role.
Chest pain has many causes, from muscle strain to heart disease. A cardiologist performs the testing needed to determine whether your heart is the source and develops a treatment plan if it is.
A heart that beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly may need treatment. Cardiologists use EKGs, Holter monitors, and other tools to diagnose the rhythm problem and determine the best approach.
Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped. It means it is not pumping as efficiently as it should. Cardiologists manage this condition with medications, lifestyle changes, and monitoring to keep you stable.
When blood pressure is resistant to standard treatment or is causing organ damage, a cardiologist provides advanced evaluation and treatment strategies beyond what primary care typically offers.
Recovering from a cardiac event requires close monitoring, medication optimization, and cardiac rehabilitation. Your cardiologist guides the recovery process and works to prevent future events.
Chicago, IL has 665 licensed cardiologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of cardiologists in Chicago, IL are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is the dominant carrier in the Chicago market for both employer and individual plans. On the ACA marketplace, Ambetter, Molina, and Oscar compete on price. Medicaid enrollment is high, and CountyCare (Cook County's managed care plan) is a major Medicaid provider.
Office visit copays range from $30 to $75. An EKG costs $200 to $500. Echocardiograms run $1,000 to $3,000. Stress tests range from $500 to $2,000. Actual costs in Chicago, IL depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Cardiology tests often require prior authorization from your insurer. Cardiac rehabilitation is covered by most plans after qualifying events like a heart attack or heart surgery.
Chicago's healthcare market is dominated by four academic systems (Northwestern, UChicago, Rush, Loyola) and two large community systems (Advocate Aurora, Ascension). Most physicians are affiliated with one system, and referrals stay in-network. Access varies by neighborhood: the North Side and downtown have excellent coverage, while the South and West sides have documented provider shortages.
70% of cardiologists in Chicago, IL accept Medicare. Medicare covers cardiology visits, diagnostic tests, and cardiac rehabilitation. Most cardiovascular procedures are covered under Part B or Part A (inpatient). Prior authorization may be needed for some tests. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some cardiologists in Chicago, IL accept Illinois Medicaid, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers cardiology services in all states. Coverage for specific tests, procedures, and cardiac rehabilitation varies. Prior authorization is common for advanced imaging. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Illinois Medicaid participation before scheduling.
The Illinois Medical District is a 560-acre campus on Chicago's Near West Side. It includes Rush University Medical Center, the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, UIC Hospital, and several research institutions. It is one of the largest concentrations of healthcare facilities in any American city.
Hospital closures over the past two decades have reduced inpatient capacity on the South Side. UChicago Medicine expanded its trauma center in 2018 to help address the gap, but many South Side residents still travel 30 minutes or more for specialty care. Community health centers like Friend Health and PCC Community Wellness fill some of the primary care gaps.
Top accepted carriers in Chicago, IL include unitedhealthcare, medicare, centene, qhp-44228, and qhp-54192.
Cardiology visits are covered under medical insurance as specialist visits. You may need a referral from your PCP depending on your plan type (HMO vs. PPO). Tests like echocardiograms and stress tests are generally covered when ordered for medical reasons but may require prior authorization. Cardiac rehabilitation after a heart event is covered by most plans.