Use the Right Entrance, Phone Number, Service Page and Visiting Rule Before You Go
Most people searching for Community First Medical Center need an action answer, not a long hospital description. You may need emergency care, a department phone number, visitor hours, medical records, parking, shuttle help, cafeteria hours, or financial assistance.
This guide gives you a simple path: first decide whether it is an emergency, appointment, visitor trip, records request, or billing/assistance question. Then click the official page placed inside that section.
Quick Answer: Address, Phone, Emergency, Visitor Hours and Parking
Use this box if you are on a mobile phone and need the basics fast. Community First Medical Center is at 5645 West Addison Street, Chicago, IL 60634. The main phone number is 773-282-7000. The Emergency Department never closes, but visitors, cafeteria, shuttle, medical records, clinics and financial-assistance offices follow different rules or hours.
5645 W. Addison Street
Use this for the main hospital map. The Emergency Department entrance is on Central Avenue, just south of the Addison Street address.
773-282-7000
Use the main number for routing, general questions, patient/visitor help, or when you do not know the correct department.
Emergency: always open
For immediate medical attention, call 911. The official ED page says the department never closes and is always open to the public.
Visitors: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
General visiting hours are listed from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Unit restrictions, screening and visitor limits may still apply.
Emergency Care: What to Do Before Looking at Any Other Section
If symptoms are severe, sudden, life-threatening, or you are unsure, do not spend time comparing service pages. Community First Medical Center’s emergency page says to call 911 for immediate medical attention. It also says the ED entrance is on Central Avenue, just south of 5645 W. Addison Street.
Call 911 for immediate medical attention
Use emergency services for chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing trouble, major injury, severe allergic reaction, overdose, loss of consciousness, severe bleeding, or any situation that feels unsafe to transport yourself.
Use Central Avenue for the emergency entrance
The ED entrance is not simply “somewhere inside the hospital.” The official page points patients to Central Avenue, just south of 5645 W. Addison Street. Put this in your map notes if someone else is driving.
Bring only what helps care move faster
If you can safely do so, bring photo ID, insurance card, medication list, allergy list, recent discharge papers, and emergency contact. Do not delay emergency care to search for paperwork.
For non-emergency care, schedule instead
The official ED page says CFMC medical professionals are available by appointment for non-emergency care and points users toward outpatient clinic services. Call first when the need is not urgent.
ED designations worth knowing
The official ED page describes CFMC as an accredited stroke center and chest pain center, and says Illinois has designated it Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics.
Open Official Emergency Department PageCrisis-worker support
The ED page also says in-house crisis workers help during health crises, including situations involving drug or alcohol rehabilitation, temporary accommodations, abuse or neglect, and coordination with law enforcement when needed.
Service Finder: Which Department Should You Start With?
This is the section most competing pages miss. A user does not only need a list of services; they need to know which service fits the problem and which phone number or official page comes next.
| Need | Start here | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate emergency, injury or severe symptoms | Emergency Department | Call 911 for immediate attention. ED entrance is on Central Avenue. |
| Outpatient clinic appointment | Outpatient / 2nd-floor clinics | Call 773-527-5071 or stop by the front desk to schedule, according to the official clinic page. |
| Rheumatology, arthritis, gout, lupus, osteoporosis | Rheumatology Clinic | Call 773-527-5071 and ask whether you need a referral or records. |
| Bone, joint, spine, sports injury, fracture or replacement question | Orthopedic Surgery and Treatment | Call 773-794-4640 for appointment information. |
| X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, mammography or imaging | Radiology | Call 773-794-7678 and ask about order/referral, prep, arrival time and prior images. |
| Blood work or lab-related service | Pathology and Laboratory Services | Call 773-282-7000 ext. 3343. Ask whether your order is already in the system and whether fasting is needed. |
| Physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy | Rehabilitation Services | The official page says physician referral is required before starting rehab; call 773-794-7690. |
| Acute or chronic pain treatment | Pain Center | Call 773-794-8314. Ask whether self-referral is accepted for your situation or whether your primary physician should refer you. |
| Transitional support before going home | Extended Care Services | Call 773-282-7000 ext. 3310 for information. |
| Nutrition counseling or food-service question | Nutrition / Dining Services | For outpatient nutrition counseling, the dining page lists 773-282-7000 ext. 3898. |
Hours Are Not One Thing: Check the Correct Type of Hour
A common search problem is typing “Community First Medical Center hours” and expecting one answer. The useful answer depends on whether you mean emergency care, visiting a patient, cafeteria, vending, shuttle, outpatient clinic scheduling, or business/financial help.
| What you need | Hours or rule | What this means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Department | Never closes; always open to the public. | Use for emergencies. Call 911 for immediate medical attention. |
| General visiting | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Confirm the patient can receive visitors and follow screening, badge and mask rules. |
| Visitor questions | Visitor page lists 773-794-7675 for questions/concerns. | Use this if you are unsure whether you can visit, bring food, or enter a unit. |
| Outpatient clinics | Appointment-based; clinics are on the 2nd floor. | Call 773-527-5071 before arriving unless the front desk specifically told you to walk in. |
| Port Café breakfast | Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–10 a.m.; Saturday–Sunday 8:30 a.m.–10 a.m. | Useful for morning appointments or family waiting time. |
| Port Café lunch | Monday–Sunday 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Fits the start of general visiting hours. |
| Port Café dinner | Monday–Sunday 4:30 p.m.–6 p.m. | Plan early because general visiting hours end at 7 p.m. |
| Vending machines | Available 24/7; cash or coins; no credit cards. | Bring small cash/coins if you may need food after café hours. |
| Shuttle service | Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. | Call 773-794-5088 and schedule ahead. It is for non-emergency medical appointments. |
| Financial counselors | Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. | Call 773-794-7626 for assistance-program questions. |
Appointment Steps: What to Do Before You Arrive
For non-emergency services, a user-friendly page should not simply say “call for an appointment.” It should tell you what to ask, what to bring, and how to avoid being sent to the wrong desk.
Call the correct service first
Use the service-finder table above. If unsure, call the main hospital number at 773-282-7000 or the outpatient clinic number at 773-527-5071.
Ask whether you need a referral or order
Rehabilitation services specifically mention a physician referral before starting care. Imaging, lab and specialty visits may also require orders, insurance authorization or outside records.
Ask which entrance and floor to use
The outpatient clinic page says clinics are on the 2nd floor. Emergency care uses the Central Avenue ED entrance. Do not assume every service starts at the same desk.
Bring the practical items
Bring photo ID, insurance card, referral/order if required, list of medications, allergies, prior imaging or reports if relevant, and any paperwork the department told you to complete.
Check transportation before the appointment date
If you may need the hospital shuttle, call 773-794-5088 in advance and have the patient’s name, address, phone number, appointment date, appointment time and location ready.
Directions, Parking, CTA Bus and Shuttle Service
Community First Medical Center is at Addison Street and Central Avenue in Chicago. The directions page says visitor parking is on the north side of Addison Street and that free spaces are available across from the hospital building, with a sky bridge to cross safely into the hospital.
Driving from downtown
The official directions page says to take I-90 West to exit 45A for Addison Street, then travel west 2.6 miles to the hospital at Addison Street and Central Avenue.
Driving from O’Hare
The official directions page says to take I-90 East to exit 82C for Austin Avenue, travel south to Addison Street, then east to the hospital.
CTA bus routes
The directions page lists CTA bus routes #152 Addison and #85 Central as routes with stops at or near the hospital.
Shuttle Service: exact scheduling checklist
The shuttle is for day-to-day, non-emergency medical appointments within a 7-mile radius. It operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The official page lists a $5.00 patient round-trip rate and $4.00 companion rate. Call 773-794-5088 and be ready with the patient’s name, address, phone number, appointment date, time and location. Drivers carry no cash, so ask how to purchase ride cards if needed.
Visitor Rules: Do This Before You Walk In
A visitor page is useful only if it prevents failed visits. CFMC’s visitor page lists 11 a.m.–7 p.m. visiting hours, a maximum of 2 visitors per patient per day, age 18+ visitor requirement, front-desk health screening, temperature check, badge and hospital-issued surgical mask rules.
Before leaving home
- Confirm the patient can receive visitors today.
- Make sure you are one of the allowed visitors for that patient.
- Do not visit if you have fever, new cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, or new loss of taste/smell.
- Bring photo ID if requested by front desk/security.
- Plan enough time for screening, badge and mask.
Inside the hospital
- Wear the hospital-issued surgical mask as instructed.
- Keep the badge visible during the visit.
- Do not interfere with patient care.
- Use the cafeteria only as permitted by visitor rules.
- Ask the clinical team before bringing food for the patient.
Medical Records and MyChart: Choose the Right Path
Records and portal access are different tasks. If you need a copy of records, use the Release of Information process. If you need online access, use MyChart.
Request a copy of medical records
The official records page says to call 773-282-7000 ext. 3221 or stop by the Release of Information Department when visiting the hospital.
- Ask whether you need a signed authorization form.
- Ask what ID is required.
- Ask whether records can be sent to another provider.
- Ask about turnaround time and any fee.
Access MyChart
The official MyChart page links to the online medical record portal and says logon issues can be sent to mychart@cfmedicalcenter.com.
- Use MyChart for online record access.
- Use the email only for logon issues, not emergencies.
- For full copies or release requests, use medical records instead.
- Keep login credentials private.
Financial Assistance: What the Official Page and PDF Actually Say
This section converts the official financial-assistance page and application PDF into practical steps. It is especially important because hospital bills may include more than one type of charge.
Step 1: Understand what the assistance can cover
The official PDF says CFMC assistance programs apply only to Community First Medical Center hospital charges. It also warns that you may receive separate bills from independent practitioners or groups, and the Financial Assistance Program does not apply to those separate practitioner charges.
| Program or issue | Official detail | What the user should do |
|---|---|---|
| Charity care / financial assistance | Hospital bill can be discounted up to 75–100% if income is 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines or less, family-size adjusted. | Download the application and gather income and residency documents before calling. |
| Uninsured patient discount | CFMC offers Illinois residents a 50% discount to all uninsured patients. | Ask financial counseling how to document Illinois residency and uninsured status. |
| Social Security number | The PDF says uninsured patients do not need a Social Security number to qualify for free or discounted care, though it may help with public-program screening. | Do not avoid applying only because you lack an SSN; call and ask what other information is accepted. |
| Catastrophic discount | CFMC limits out-of-pocket costs when medical debts specific to care at the hospital exceed 15% of family gross income. | Ask what bill and income documents prove the 15% threshold. |
| Payment plan | CFMC assists with interest-free monthly payment arrangements based on financial situation. | Call before ignoring a bill or missing a payment. |
| Application timing | The PDF says to submit within 60 days after discharge or receipt of outpatient care, with possible extensions when more time is needed. | Apply early and ask for help if you need more time to gather documents. |
| Residency verification | The PDF lists examples such as state ID, utility bill, lease, vehicle registration, voter registration, government mail, shelter letter or other acceptable information. | Collect one strong proof of current address before submitting. |
| Income verification | The PDF says the application will not be approved without proof of income and supporting documentation. | Prepare tax return, W-2/1099, recent pay stubs, employer letter if paid in cash, or other acceptable income proof. |
Who to call
Financial counselors: 773-794-7626, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Customer service representatives: 877-497-0594, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where to mail the completed application
Community First Medical Center
Customer Service
5645 W. Addison
Chicago, IL 60634
Dining, Vending and Food Help for Visitors
Dining matters during long waits, patient visits and family support. The official dining page says Port Café is located in the main building on the ground floor and that vending machines are located throughout the medical center.
| Option | Hours or detail | Helpful note |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–10 a.m.; Saturday–Sunday 8:30 a.m.–10 a.m. | Best for morning appointments or early family arrival. |
| Lunch | Monday–Sunday 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Matches the beginning of general visiting hours. |
| Afternoon break | Monday–Sunday 2:45 p.m.–4 p.m. | Use for snacks/light options if available that day. |
| Dinner | Monday–Sunday 4:30 p.m.–6 p.m. | Arrive early because general visiting hours end at 7 p.m. |
| Vending machines | Available 24/7; accept cash or coins; no credit cards. | Bring small cash/coins if you may need food outside café hours. |
| Patient food from visitors | Allowed only if dietary restrictions are maintained and food is in disposable containers for immediate consumption. | Ask the nurse/care team before bringing outside food for the patient. |
Before-You-Go Checklist for Patients, Visitors and Families
If you are the patient
- For emergency symptoms, call 911.
- For appointments, call the correct department first.
- Bring ID, insurance card, referral/order and medication list.
- Ask about fasting, prep, previous records and arrival time.
- Check the entrance: ED, clinic, main visitor route or radiology/lab direction.
If you are visiting a patient
- Confirm the patient can receive visitors.
- Use general visiting hours: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Bring ID and allow time for screening.
- Do not visit with listed symptoms.
- Ask before bringing food for the patient.
If you need documents or money help
- For records, call 773-282-7000 ext. 3221.
- For MyChart login issues, use mychart@cfmedicalcenter.com.
- For financial help, call 773-794-7626.
- Gather income and residency documents.
- Use the official PDF, not a copied form from another site.
Common Mistakes That Waste Time
Searching “hours” but not choosing the department
The ED, visiting, cafeteria, shuttle, clinics, records and financial counselors all work differently.
Going to the wrong entrance for emergency care
The ED entrance is on Central Avenue, just south of the main Addison Street address.
Showing up for specialty care without calling
Many departments are appointment-based and may require referrals, orders or insurance authorization.
Bringing food without checking restrictions
Patient food must follow dietary restrictions, be disposable and be consumed during the visit.
Missing the financial-assistance PDF details
The PDF explains hospital charges only, independent practitioner bills, SSN note, 60-day timing and proof documents.
Not bringing cash/coins for vending
Vending is available 24/7, but the official dining page says vending machines accept cash or coins, not credit cards.
Call Script: Ask the Right Question in Under 30 Seconds
Use this if you are unsure which department, entrance, hour or document applies.
Copy this script
“Hi, I’m planning to visit Community First Medical Center for [emergency / outpatient appointment / radiology / lab / rehab / visitor / medical records / financial assistance]. Can you confirm the correct entrance, department phone number, hours, documents to bring, and whether I need an appointment, referral or order?”
Official Links to Verify Current Details
Use these official links after reading the guide. Each link is placed here because it supports a practical user task, not just because it is an external source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Community First Medical Center located?
Community First Medical Center is located at 5645 West Addison Street, Chicago, IL 60634.
What is the main phone number?
The main hospital phone number is 773-282-7000.
Is the Emergency Department open 24 hours?
The official Emergency Department page says the ED never closes and is always open to the public.
Where is the Emergency Department entrance?
The ED entrance is on Central Avenue, just south of 5645 W. Addison Street.
What are the visitor hours?
General visiting hours are listed as 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visitors should still confirm patient-specific restrictions before arriving.
How many visitors are allowed?
The visitor page says visitation is limited to a maximum of 2 visitors per patient per day, preferably the same 2 visitors during the hospitalization.
Can visitors bring food for a patient?
Visitors may bring food only if dietary restrictions are maintained and food is delivered in disposable containers for consumption at the time of the visit. Leftovers may not be stored on the unit.
How do I schedule an outpatient clinic appointment?
The official outpatient services page says all clinics are on the 2nd floor and to call 773-527-5071 or stop by the front desk to schedule.
How do I request medical records?
Call 773-282-7000 ext. 3221 or stop by the Release of Information Department when visiting the hospital.
Does Community First Medical Center have visitor parking?
The official directions page says free parking spaces are available across from the hospital building along Addison Street, and visitors can use the sky bridge to cross safely into the hospital.
Which CTA bus routes stop near Community First Medical Center?
The official directions page lists CTA bus routes #152 Addison and #85 Central as routes with stops at or near the hospital.
Does the hospital offer shuttle service?
Yes. The shuttle is for non-emergency medical appointments within a 7-mile radius, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule, call 773-794-5088.
What are the cafeteria hours?
Breakfast is Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–10 a.m. and Saturday–Sunday 8:30 a.m.–10 a.m.; lunch is Monday–Sunday 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; afternoon break is 2:45 p.m.–4 p.m.; dinner is 4:30 p.m.–6 p.m.
Does Community First Medical Center offer financial assistance?
Yes. The official page lists financial assistance, uninsured patient discount, catastrophic discount, payment plans and presumptive charity care. Financial counselors can be reached at 773-794-7626 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Does the financial assistance application cover all bills?
No. The official PDF says the program applies only to Community First Medical Center hospital charges and does not apply to separate bills from independent practitioners or practitioner groups.