Medicare-focused endocrine care
Board-Certified Endocrinology Care for Adults with Medicare Coverage
Care Endocrinology is now open full-time and accepting appointments for adults seeking expert endocrine care. Led by Victoria Trendafilova, MD—a board-certified endocrinologist with extensive academic and clinical training—our practice offers thoughtful, personalized care for diabetes, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, and other hormone-related conditions.
Meet your endocrinologist
Victoria Trendafilova, MD
Board-certified in Internal Medicine and in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Dr. Victoria Trendafilova brings a strong academic foundation and substantial clinical experience to the care of adults with diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, calcium and parathyroid problems, and other endocrine conditions.
Her training includes a degree in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard University, a Master of Science in Nutrition Sciences from Columbia University, and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She completed Internal Medicine Residency at George Washington University and returned to the University of Illinois at Chicago for Fellowship training in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism.
Dr. Trendafilova has served as an Attending Endocrinologist at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, a Staff Endocrinologist at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science.
- Biochemical Sciences, Harvard University
- MS in Nutrition Sciences, Columbia University
- MD, University of Illinois at Chicago
- Internal Medicine Residency, George Washington University
- Fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, University of Illinois at Chicago
- Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
- Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
- Internal Medicine
- Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
Why adults sometimes benefit from endocrine specialty care
Endocrine conditions are often intertwined with other medical issues—kidney function, heart disease, medication interactions, fall risk, cognition, and frailty. That can make “simple” lab abnormalities harder to correct safely.
Endocrinology care is often built around:
- Pattern recognition across labs, symptoms, imaging, and medication effects
- Medication optimization (dosing, timing, interactions, side effect mitigation)
- Risk reduction (preventing lows, fractures, arrhythmias, and complications)
- Longitudinal monitoring with clear targets and follow-up plans
How this complements—not replaces—your primary care physician
Primary care physicians remain the quarterback for overall health. Endocrinology is typically brought in to:
- Evaluate persistent out-of-range labs despite appropriate primary care management
- Clarify mixed or confusing results (for example, thyroid labs affected by medications or illness)
- Adjust complex regimens (insulin, multiple diabetes agents, osteoporosis injections/infusions)
- Create a plan that’s realistic for daily routine, vision, dexterity, and caregiver support
Typical endocrinology services for adults with Medicare coverage
- Personalized A1c goals based on safety, comorbidities, and hypoglycemia risk
- Insulin titration and simplification when appropriate
- Medication selection mindful of kidneys, heart disease, and side effects
- Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) data review and practical coaching
- Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism evaluation and treatment
- Goiter and thyroid nodules: risk stratification and monitoring
- Dose adjustments with attention to heart rhythm and bone health
- Interpreting “borderline” labs in the context of illness and medications
- Fracture-risk assessment and treatment planning
- DEXA review and labs for secondary causes of bone loss
- Medication options (including injections/infusions) with safety monitoring
- Calcium and vitamin D optimization tailored to your history
- High or low calcium evaluation
- Parathyroid hormone disorders
- Vitamin D deficiency or excess monitoring
- Kidney stone risk considerations when relevant
- Evaluation of abnormal cortisol, sodium/potassium, or unexplained fatigue/weight changes
- Targeted testing to avoid unnecessary or misleading panels
- Coordination for imaging results and follow-up
- Evaluation of metabolic contributors to weight change
- Medication review for weight-related side effects
- Evidence-based options, with realistic goals for older adults
What to expect at a first endocrinology visit
Endocrinology visits tend to be detail-heavy. A typical first visit includes:
- A review of prior labs, imaging, and specialist notes (when available)
- A medication and supplement reconciliation (including timing and adherence barriers)
- Clarifying goals: symptom relief, safety, long-term risk reduction, and quality of life
- A written plan with next steps and follow-up intervals
Helpful items to bring
- Your medication list (or pill bottles), including vitamins and supplements
- Recent lab results and imaging reports (if you have them)
- Glucometer/CGM downloads or logs if you have diabetes
- Questions you want answered—bring a list
Medicare coverage
Care Endocrinology accepts Original Medicare. We also see patients with certain Medicare Advantage PPO plans, including plans offered by UnitedHealthcare (UHC), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL), Humana, Aetna Medicare, Cigna Healthcare, Devoted Health, Essence Healthcare, and Wellcare.
Please note that we are out of network with these Medicare Advantage PPO plans. Many Medicare Advantage PPO plans allow members to see out-of-network specialists, but your costs and coverage rules may be different than they would be with an in-network physician. For example, your plan may apply higher out-of-pocket costs, referral requirements, prior authorization requirements, or other plan-specific rules.
To avoid unexpected bills or delays, please contact your insurance plan before booking and ask about your out-of-network endocrinology benefits, whether approval or a referral is needed, and what your expected financial responsibility will be.
We are glad to provide any office information your insurer may need. However, it is the patient’s responsibility to verify coverage and benefits directly with the insurance plan before scheduling.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to see an endocrinologist?
Patients with Original Medicare can generally schedule directly without a referral. Patients with a Medicare Advantage PPO plan should contact their insurance plan before scheduling to confirm whether any referral, prior authorization, or other plan-specific requirement applies.
Can you work with my primary care doctor?
Yes. Endocrinology care is usually most effective when coordinated with your PCP and other specialists. We can share recommendations and follow-up plans so your overall care stays aligned.
Will an endocrinologist “fix” my numbers?
No clinician can promise outcomes. What we can do is apply specialist-level evaluation and treatment to improve the chances of achieving safer, steadier control—especially when the situation is complex.
What if my labs are only slightly abnormal?
Mild abnormalities can still matter—especially in older adults—depending on symptoms, medications, bone and heart risk, and overall health. Sometimes the right plan is careful monitoring; other times targeted treatment is appropriate.
Does Care Endocrinology see patients with Medicare Advantage plans?
We see patients with certain Medicare Advantage PPO plans, but we are out of network with those plans. Before scheduling, please contact your insurance plan to confirm your out-of-network endocrinology benefits, whether any referral or prior authorization is required, and what your expected out-of-pocket costs will be.