FREQUENTLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS
Q: How do I schedule an appointment?
A: Call our administrative assistants at (847) 832-6677 to schedule an appointment.
Q: What are Dr. Nicolay’s clinic locations and hours?
A: There are some variations week to week, but in general, Dr. Nicolay’s schedule is as follows:
Monday: Surgery
Tuesday: Glenview office
Wednesday: Surgery
Thursday: Morton Grove office
Friday: Bannockburn office
Q: After your appointment what is the best way to communicate with Dr. Nicolay's team?
A: We recommend that you set up MyChart to utilize our Patient Portal for communication. This can be used to directly communicate with our staff. Please utilize this service as the primary form of communication. For surgery scheduling and questions regarding an operation, you may use the clinical phone line: (847) 832-6678.
Q: How do I schedule a surgery?
A: If you are evaluated by Dr. Nicolay, and surgery is recommended, you will coordinate surgery with his clinical assistant. The scheduling can be done either in person or over the phone. The time of your surgery will be provided by the facility 1 business day prior to surgery. No operation can be scheduled without a thorough evaluation and workup by Dr. Nicolay.
Q: What time will my surgery be scheduled?
A: Please understand that the order of surgery on any particular day is determined and prioritized based on a complex analysis of each patient’s health, urgency of the operation, surgical equipment and staffing. Patient requests for case order are welcome, but we cannot guarantee that requests will be granted due to the previous mentioned factors. We will be unable to change the case order the day before surgery. You will be contacted by the facility 1 business day before your surgery to notify you of your surgery time, requested arrival time, review specific instructions and answer any remaining questions.
Q: Will my insurance cover the recommended operation?
A: Pre-authorization for your surgery is initiated by the IBJI insurance verification department. Coverage approval for services is obtained for your surgery along with any approved night stay (when applicable). This is a service IBJI provides and we will only contact you if coverage concerns arise. However, it is not IBJI’s responsibility to notify patients of their coverage benefits.
Q: What preoperative testing is required?
A: If instructed by Dr. Nicolay’s team, please arrange for a "Pre-operative Medical Clearance” appointment with your Internist. Preoperative testing is required for all patients 30 years of age and older. Younger patients who have pre-existing medication conditions may require further evaluation before surgery. This evaluation must be completed within 30 days prior to your surgery date. Common Pre-Operative Requirements include a history and physical examination, labs (blood work), nasal swab for bacteria testing, 3D imaging for preoperative planning (CT or MRI), and electrocardiogram (for patients 60 years of age and older). Some patients will require clearance through their cardiologist, pulmonologist, neurologist, urologist or other specialist.
Q: What if I develop an illness or infection before surgery?
A: A new onset of symptoms may warrant additional medical attention or clearance. During your surgical preparation it may be necessary to contact our office and your primary care physician if you are experiencing one of more of the following related signs or symptoms within 30 days of surgery: productive cough, fever and/or chills, dental infection or required procedure, medical infection or required procedure, symptomatic urinary tract infection, or other concerning condition.
Q: How do I arrange physical therapy?
A: An order for physical therapy will be provided by Dr. Nicolay. You may use this to begin physical therapy at any therapy location. If you would like a recommendation for a specific location or therapist, Dr. Nicolay’s office can give you a list of recommended locations. Please call to arrange therapy as soon as you receive the order, even if you are not instructed to start therapy until after surgery, you should call as soon as possible to get on their schedule.
Q: What do I need on the day of surgery?
A: We recommended to label all personal items and leave any valuables at home. Ensure that you have arranged for a ride home, you will not be permitted to drive yourself home from surgery. Here is a list of items that are recommended to bring with you.
Surgery Center:
o Photo ID and medical insurance cards (HSA account card if needed)
o Loose and comfortable clothing
o Easy to put on, supportive and slip resistant shoes
o Personal items: cell phone, glasses, hearing aids
o Walker or crutches
o Filled bottles of post-operative prescriptions and OTC medications
Hospital:
o Photo ID and medical insurance cards (HSA account card if needed)
o Power of Attorney paperwork
o C-Pap machine for patients with sleep apnea
o Loose and comfortable clothing
o Easy to put on, supportive and slip resistant shoes
o Personal care items: glasses, hearing aids, dentures, etc.
About the Author
Dr. Richard Nicolay is an orthopedic surgeon at the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, the largest orthopedic group practice in Illinois. Dr. Nicolay completed his fellowship training in sports medicine and shoulder surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, the nation’s #1 hospital for orthopedics. While in New York, he also served as a fellow team physician for the New York Rangers and New York Liberty. Following fellowship, he traveled abroad for a 6-week traveling fellowship and worked with world leaders in shoulder arthroplasty in both Switzerland and France. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency training at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Anne and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and John H. Stroger Cook County Hospital of Chicago. Currently, Dr. Nicolay sees patients in his Glenview, Bannockburn and Morton Grove offices.
Disclaimer: All materials presented on this website are the opinions of Dr. Richard Nicolay and any guest writers, and should not be construed as medical advice. Each patient’s specific condition is different, and a comprehensive medical assessment requires a full medical history, physical exam, and review of diagnostic imaging. If you would like to seek the opinion of Dr. Nicolay for your specific case, we recommend contacting our office to make an appointment.