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Eligibility

Insurance Information and Fees

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Optometry
Download the full list of accepted health insurance plans here

Payment Information

  • IWS is dedicated to providing high-quality health care for all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. We will never decline service to a registered patient on the basis of ability to pay. We will work with you.
  • IWS accepts Medicaid (including many Medicaid managed care plans) and many private insurance plans. The operator will tell you if we accept your plan when you call to make your appointment.
  • If you do not have insurance, you may qualify for the following reduced fees based on your income. Please ask at the time of registration if you qualify.

Already a patient?

Click below to access the Patient Portal: a secure, online web site where you can access your health information electronically 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Access the Portal

Documentation to bring:

If you are insured, please be sure to bring the following information on the day of your appointment:

  • Picture ID
  • Proof of current address
  • Current phone number
  • Medical card or insurance cards
  • Matriculas

If you are not currently insured, please bring:

  • Picture ID
  • Social security card (if available)
  • Birth certificate
  • Any immigration documentation proving residency (if applicable)
  • Proof of current address
  • Current phone number
  • The most recent paycheck stub or a notarized letter verifying income
  • Previous year’s tax return (if applicable)

Note: For those who are uninsured, this information will need to be provided every 12 months.

Prepare for your visit:

  • Bring a list of questions and/or symptoms
  • Bring a list of medications you are currently taking including the strength and dosage, or just bring the bottles with you (or take clear pictures of the entire label with your cell phone and bring your phone)
  • Also bring a list of over the counter medicines, vitamins and supplements and/or home remedies you are using
  • Bring a list of known drug allergies
  • Know the name, address, and telephone number of the pharmacy you prefer
  • Be sure to ask questions if you don’t understand something. Be honest with your provider—even about sensitive subjects. Write down instructions given to you by your provider.

Need to cancel your appointment?

If you are unable to keep your appointment, please call us at 773.782.2800 at least 24 hours before your visit so your appointment slot can be given to another patient.

IPHCA Medicaid Renewal

IPHCA Medicaid Renewal

Medicaid Renovar, presentado por IPHCA(masculine)Sea

About Us

IWS Family Health provides healthcare services, education, and support to children and families in the Chicagoland area.

Call us +1 (773) 782-2800

IWS Family Health provides healthcare services, education, and support to children and families in the Chicagoland area.

Call us +1 (773) 782-2800

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Join The Team

IWS Family Health is a 501(c)3 Charitable Organization (Tax ID #: 36-2167752). IWS Family Health is a Federally-Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike and a member of the Illinois Primary Healthcare Association (IPHCA) and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC).

Cathy Alvarez, MSN, CPNP-PC

Family Practice

Cathy Alvarez, MSN, CPNP-PC, is a board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with over two decades of experience dedicated to nurturing the health and well-being of children from birth through adolescence. Known for her warm, individualized approach to care, Cathy is passionate about building lasting relationships with her patients and their families—many of whom she’s supported through every milestone of childhood.

Cathy began her nursing career after earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1999. She gained valuable experience working on the inpatient pediatric unit at Advocate Lutheran Children’s Hospital in Aurora. Driven to deepen her impact, she returned to UIC to complete the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program, earning her Master of Science in Nursing in 2005. She is certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) and has since devoted her career to providing expert care to diverse pediatric populations.

She is an active member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, always staying at the forefront of pediatric healthcare.
Fluent in English and Polish, with conversational Spanish skills, Cathy connects seamlessly with families from many cultural backgrounds.

Outside of work, you can find her cheering on her son at soccer games, exploring new destinations, and enjoying quality time with her family. Her caring spirit and clinical excellence make her a trusted partner in every child’s healthcare journey.” 

Marixa Alvarez, ARN, MSN, FNP-BC

Family Practice

Marixa Alvarez, ARN, MSN, FNP-BC, is a dedicated and compassionate Family Nurse Practitioner, board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Lewis University, where she cultivated her passion for holistic, patient-centered care.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Marixa connects deeply with diverse communities, ensuring every patient feels heard and supported. Outside of the clinic, you’ll likely find her in the kitchen—cooking, baking, and bringing people together over a homemade meal. A fun fact? Marixa has a knack for solving puzzles and putting things together—whether it’s a 1,000-piece jigsaw or helping patients piece together their path to better health.

Carlos Sian, PA

Physician Assistant

Carlos is a board-certified Physician Assistant who joined the IWS Family Health team in January 2024. He was born and raised in Antigua, Guatemala and is fluent in both English and Spanish.

His academic journey began at Saint Michael’s College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology alongside minors in Chemistry and Religious Studies. Driven by a commitment to service, he devoted a year to volunteering as a medical assistant at a health clinic in Albuquerque, NM, through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. This experience solidified his interest in medicine, inspiring him to delve deeper into healthcare and ultimately leading Carlos to pursue a Master of Public Health in Community Health Sciences and Infectious Diseases from Boston University School of Public Health.

Following his MPH, Carlos dedicated several years to the public health sector, primarily serving as a linkage to care coordinator,  clinical research coordinator, and COVID-19 contact tracer. Moved by a need to help his community during the 2020 pandemic, he secured admission to and completed the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine PA program, earning his Master of Medical Science degree.

Carlos aims to integrate his public health training with his medical practice to bring culturally competent and inclusive medical services to all his patients, but specially the Hispanic/Latino and LGTBQ+ communities he serves. In his downtime, Carlos enjoys cooking, collecting plants, fostering dogs, playing video games, watching reality TV shows, and adding more stamps to his passport!

Dr. Tara Ioffe

Family Practice

Dr. Tara Ioffe is a dedicated and compassionate Board-Certified Family Medicine physician with a strong commitment to providing excellent care to her patients. She obtained her medical degree from Avalon University in Curacao and went on to complete her Family Medicine Residency at the University of Oklahoma. She has worked at the University of Chicago and most recently NorthShore University. She has since returned to Chicago and is thrilled to join the IWS Family Health team in 2023, where she will continue to provide excellent care to her patients.

Throughout her career, Dr. Ioffe has gained experience in diverse medical fields, such as immediate and urgent care medicine while working at NorthShore Immediate Care. She did clinical research at the University of Chicago. Dr. Ioffe strives to foster a secure and inclusive environment for all her patients. She believes in an integrated approach to medicine, dedicating her time to understand each patient’s unique needs.

During her leisure time, Dr. Ioffe indulges in reading a variety of books for pleasure, plays boardgames, and loves to explore Chicago with her spouse and young child.