Alan C Pollak, MD

Fabulous! Was in a car accident and fractured my nose. After seeing my primary doctor I was instructed to contact ENT Dr pollak. He actually answered the phone personally! Saw me next day and scheduled closed reduction of my nose for a few days later! Very pleased with the service I received and so friendly and professional. Highly recommended! Saw Dr at his Weiss memorial location.

I was diagnosed with Tonsilitis by my primary care physician, Dr. Kew Jung Lee. After a few days, a complication occurred where an abcess formed in my throat and I was at a stage where I was no longer able to speak. Dr. Lee called Dr. Alan Pollak and let him know that I had a throat complication, where antibiotics were not working.
I drove over to Dr. Pollak’s office, filled out some forms, and he sat me down. He looked into my throat, quickly diagnosed that I had an abcess that needed to be drained, took a syringe, and drained the abcess. In and out in 10 minutes, upon leaving he mentioned to return for a follow-​up if the complication occurred again.
I’ve now received my explanation of charges, and there are three line items totaling $ 800; one for a consultation ($ 300), one for a surgical procedure ($ 200), and a duplicate line item for the same surgical procedure, only labeled with ‘larynx’ ($ 300). I asked Dr. Pollak what the difference was, and he said that one was for the actual procedure, and the other was an assessment of the complication. I then proceeded to ask, how is that different from the ‘Consultation’ line item charge. He then said that was a charge for having an issue with my throat, didn’t really get a good answer from him except that this is how the charge items work.
He was very rude in the short time I was in his office, which gave me a lot of anxiety. I like to feel comfortable when I’m in a physician’s office, as it’s already stressful when you have a medical issue and are about to experience some kind of painful procedure. I will certainly not be returning any time soon.
Best,
Charlie

Want to be sure? See Dr. Pollack
Start with the fact that he listens. Sounds simple, but its not. You know he ‘s listening on a world class level by the way he pulls every single detail of your case/​condition out of you and takes detailed notes. Straight to the point.
Then go to the fact that he knows who to inspire trust. This isn’t something they teach in medical school. You have it or you don’t. He has it. No pretension or spin. Straight to the point again.
I saw Dr. Pollak because my GP accidently punctured my eardrum. Intense pain and an infection. Dr. Pollack’s office got me in right away – the office operation is fantastic. And instead of starting with a hearing test, as was suggested by another specialist — -Dr. Pollak started with an examination! He thinks of healing first.
If your issue is eye, ear, nose or throat – call Dr. Pollack. Health care at its best. Simple as that.

Dr. Pollak’s receptionist, Nancy is the WORST. She is rude, pushy and not compassionate. She should NOT be working with the public, especially dealing with people who have just had surgery. I highly recommend that Dr. Pollak re-​consider if this is the type of representation he wants for himself and his practice.

I have been to see Dr. Pollak at his office four or five times. He was referred to me by another local doctor who is a family friend. He seems to have a very busy practice and be quite competent.
I think most people will have a much better experience with Dr, Pollak if they do not expect great customer service. There is usually a wait to see him, and his office manager/​receptionist has an interpersonal style most people will find offensive. If it is any consolation, she seems equally brusque with every patient
But I think he is a good doctor, and I would see him again.

Following up on my other review, i went to a different E.N.T and she said everything was good. old pollack wanted me to get a mri before i seen
him again. well one without insurance which is me them mri’s aren’t
cheap​.it wooda cost me about 1500 for a mri, glad i got a second
opinion.
It’s been almost 4 months now and my hearing hasn’t gotten any worse. but it hasn’t improved either but i’m happy anyway. i will be going in again for a second hearing test in september. then my new doc will evaluate how i’m
doing.if anyones interested in getting a real doctor who knows what there doing here’s her profile.
Laura M. Cozzi M. D
675 w North ave
Suite 301
Gottlieb professional building
Melrose pk il
708 450‑5748
First office visit is 95 bucks following ones are 65, lot cheaper than you no who. specially when you got to pay outa your own pocket but she accepts insurance too.
THIS DOCTOR GETS A 10 STAR RATING IN MY BOOK…

He helped me with a middle ear infection and diagnosed it very quickly. I got instant relief when I saw him. He also did sinus surgery on my father and the results were great. I really don’t care about the «bedside» manner of the doctor as long as he is competent and Dr. Pollack is. I would highly recommend him.

I’ve been Dr. Pollaks patience for years, but his quality of treatment, rudeness and questionable behavior has made me consider consulting another ENT. After receiving two epiderals in one month, I went to have wax removed from my ear. He felt my thyroid and stated they were enlarged, and I was get an ultrasound. There were some small nodules that had to be watched, so I returned in 6 mos. Clearly, the thyroids have become smaller, as the nurse of the pain management doctor told me that thyroids often enlarge after steriods. Dr. P. wasn’t aware of it. How come? He then ordered another ultrasound, and when I asked why, he said,” You may have cancer.” Even Oncologists try not to say the word too often. I found his response rude, alarming and unecessary. My friend also went to him to for wax removal, and he woke up with blood on his pillow. Alarmed, he called Dr. P., and he said that was typical. His rushed and rude approach is causing me to look elsewhere.

I’ve been reading through all these reviews and find them appalling in the sense that only one person can actually speak to his medical skills (well one person did in the filtered reviews but it was more about his attitude). My PCP referred me to Dr. Pollak and after reading these reviews I had rock bottom expectations. Yes, his secretary is rude, but this is not HER Unilocal page, it’s his.
Again w/​the filtered reviews — there was mention of the waiting room being crammed in his office (not the case at all with me, I went first thing in the morning so I wouldn’t miss work and he saw me at my exact appt time) and having to take a number at St. Joe’s (this is the hospital’s policy to keep outpatient surgery confidential — not to literally have you take a number).
Basically my overall experience was positive — he diagnosed me and was able to get me in quickly for surgery. He was open to me calling him with any questions (which I had but didn’t ask b/​c again, yes, his secretary is the rudest person alive), etc etc. My surgery went well and he showed up exactly on time to meet me at the ER to take out my packing — okay it only took five minutes but he told me to stay an extra 10 – 15 before I went home to make sure I was feeling okay. No, he’s not a hand holder, but I was pleased overall as he was never rude to me and was clear about the risks and outcome of my surgery. I would not let one rude person deter you from seeing a good doctor.

This is my first visit and so far OK. I called today to tell that I will be running late and the receptionist said that it was fine and hung up. Wow

I don’t feel like I received the worst service possible, however, I do not feel I received the best service possible. I completely understand that Dr. Pollak is a very busy man, with many different offices throughout Chicago and possibly the Chicagoland area, however, I do not believe that gives him the right to be scatter brained and rude to any patient. If you can not keep up with multiple offices you should not keep multiple offices.
I was referred to Dr. Pollak via my HMO. I set up a visit expecting the run around because no one had figured out what was wrong with me in about a year. However, upon looking in my nose Dr. Pollak found the answer right away. His directions were a little unclear as was the diagnosis. I found that this would only get worse throughout this process. We settled on surgery for two weeks. This would give me enough time to get my mom up here and be prepared.
I called on Monday afternoon as requested to set up an appointment and was told that my surgery had been scheduled for this coming Friday! WTF?! What happened to two weeks? Needless to say there wasn’t much I could do at this point. The nurse on the line seemed a bit busy and even a bit rude. She couldn’t answer my questions and put me on hold one too many times.
When I called back the next day for some clarification I received a different nurse and had better luck with her. The doctor was even there when I called but he wouldn’t talk to me. The told me that the hospital would call and let me know the details of my surgery for Friday and Dr. Pollak would meet me there.
On Friday I showed up and received a brief rundown on what to expect. He was just a flighty as ever. Also in passing he mentioned I would need to meet him in the ER on Sunday morning to get the packing taken out of my nose. That was it and then I was out. I didn’t see him after surgery either and saw him for 10 minutes on Sunday when he ripped the packing from my nose.
He’s a good doctor and knows what he’s doing he just doesn’t have that great of a bed side manner. If you are like me and need detailed answers and service then I would suggest finding someone new.