Seeing your child get sick or injured is stressful enough without having to worry about medical bills on top of it At Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, we know that managing your child’s healthcare costs can feel overwhelming That’s why we’re committed to making our billing and payment process as simple and stress-free as possible for families. Read on to learn all about Cincinnati Childrens bill pay options and how to take control of your child’s medical expenses.
My daughter has been receiving treatment at Cincinnati Children’s for the past two years During that time, we’ve utilized several different payment methods offered by the hospital. Here, I’ll share my experiences with Cincinnati Childrens bill pay and tips for navigating the billing process.
Understand Your Insurance Coverage
The first step is understanding what medical costs your insurance plan will cover for your child. Make sure Cincinnati Children’s has your current insurance information so they can properly bill your provider. I recommend asking your insurer the following questions:
- What is my policy’s deductible and has it been met?
- Are there co-pays or co-insurance fees for doctor visits, hospital stays, labs, etc?
- Does my plan fully or partially cover services at Cincinnati Children’s?
- Are pre-authorizations needed for any services?
Knowing details like deductible amounts, co-pays, and pre-authorization requirements will help avoid surprise bills. Don’t hesitate to call your insurance company with questions on your child’s coverage.
Consider Pre-Payment and Estimates
If your child has a planned surgery, procedure, or other medical service coming up, ask Cincinnati Childrens billing department for a cost estimate. They can give you a reasonable estimate of what you can expect to owe.
You may also be able to pre-pay all or part of the estimated amount before receiving services. Pre-paying can help avoid large bills piling up later. Just call the billing department to discuss pre-payment options.
Pay Co-Pays at the Time of Service
When you bring your child to Cincinnati Children’s for an appointment, ER/Urgent Care visit, or other service, be prepared to pay any co-pay required by your insurance on the spot. Co-pay amounts are usually printed on your insurance card.
Paying co-pays promptly helps avoid getting bills for the co-pay amount later. You can pay by cash, check, or credit card when you arrive.
Set Up Recurring Payments
If your child has extensive ongoing care at Cincinnati Children’s, having a regular recurring payment set up can take the hassle out of manually paying bills each month. You can arrange for automatic payments from your bank account or credit card.
I did this for my daughter’s treatments and no longer worry about missing payments or remembering to pay each month. Automated payments provide peace of mind.
Use Online Bill Pay through MyChart
MyChart is Cincinnati Childrens’ online portal where you can view billing statements, make payments, and manage your child’s medical bills completely online. I prefer paying through MyChart instead of mailing payments.
You can opt for recurring payments or make one-time payments on your account. I like the convenience of paying bills online 24/7 through the portal. It saves time and gives instant payment confirmation when I pay my child’s medical bills.
Discuss Billing Errors with the Hospital
Occasionally billing mistakes happen. If you notice any discrepancies or errors on your child’s medical bills from Cincinnati Children’s, don’t hesitate to call the billing department.
For example, I was once billed for an ER visit that never occurred. The billing team was very helpful in resolving the issue – they cancelled the erroneous charges and ensured the mistake would not occur again. Be proactive about addressing billing errors.
Use Cashier’s Checks for Large Balances
At times, my child’s medical bills have accumulated a high balance exceeding $1,000. For large balances, I make payments by cashier’s check instead of personal check or credit card.
Cashier’s checks clear faster than personal checks. And with large balances, I don’t want to risk any delay in Cincinnati Childrens receiving and processing my payment. Using cashier’s checks gives me peace of mind that large payments go through quickly.
Request an Itemized Bill if Needed
Hospital bills can sometimes be vague, listing only general charges like “medical services.” If you need more details on what specific procedures and services you’re being billed for, request an itemized bill from Cincinnati Childrens.
The itemized version breaks down each individual charge line by line. I try to catch billing errors more easily with the added transparency of itemized bills. Don’t hesitate to ask for one if you need it.
Seek Financial Assistance if Necessary
Despite your best efforts at budgeting and bill management, your child’s medical costs may still become overwhelming. If bills start piling up beyond your means, know that Cincinnati Childrens offers financial assistance programs and resources.
Inquire about payment plans, discounts based on your income, and other financial assistance options if payments become unmanageable. They offer both short and long term help for families undergoing financial hardship.
Be Persistent Yet Patient
Finally, don’t hesitate to be politely persistent when addressing billing issues, but also practice patience. Medical billing involves many complex moving parts. Mistakes can happen or issues can fall through the cracks.
Calmly call or email Cincinnati Childrens billing department as needed to have confusing charges explained or errors resolved. But also allow time for billing processes to play out – don’t panic if your insurance has not paid their share one month after a service.
Staying on top of your child’s medical bills takes diligence, but Cincinnati Children’s offers bill pay options to make the process easier for families. Following the tips above can help you take control of payments successfully. Don’t hesitate to reach out to their billing team with any questions or concerns – they are there to help!
Sign Up for MyChart
If your child is 17 years old or younger or you are 13 years old or older, you may now go online to request a MyChart account. Simply select the form that best describes you. A valid photo ID is required to sign up online, so look for the secure upload to submit your proof of identification. Allow seven business days when requesting a MyChart account online.
You can ask a member of the registration staff at your clinic or neighborhood location or visit the Family Resource Center in person to register for an account. You do not need an appointment.
- At Cincinnati Childrens, MyChart is provided free to patients and their parents/primary caregivers.
- We take great care to ensure your health information is kept private and secure. Access to information is controlled through secure activation codes, personal usernames, and passwords. Unlike conventional email, all MyChart messaging is done while you are securely logged in to our website or mobile app.
- The information in MyChart comes directly from our electronic medical record, Epic. Its entered into our electronic medical record by your healthcare providers during your visits to Cincinnati Childrens.
- You need access to a computer or mobile device connected to the Internet and an up-to-date browser (such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari). Internet Explorer 11 is no longer supported. You can also use the MyChart mobile app on a mobile device.
Sign In With MyChart
MyChart can be accessed via:
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How do I contact Cincinnati Children’s billing?
Please contact Cincinnati Children’s Billing Customer Service, 513-636-4427, option 9, or toll-free at 1-800-344-2462, option 9, ext. 4427. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:30 am and 5:00 pm You can also request a payment plan using our Ask a Billing Question form in MyChart.
How do I pay my bill at Cincinnati Children’s?
You can pay your bill through the mail using a check, money order or major credit card. When mailing a payment, please include the statement voucher connected to the billing statement. When your child needs treatment at Cincinnati Children’s, your child’s wellbeing and comfort come first.
Who is responsible for my child’s medical expenses at Cincinnati Children’s?
As a parent or guardian of a patient at Cincinnati Children’s, you are considered the guarantor, or person held responsible for your child’s medical expenses. Make payment to Cincinnati Children’s for balance due. We ask that you pay your bill promptly, but we understand that medical expenses can quickly become overwhelming.
Does Cincinnati children’s submit bills to my insurance provider?
Cincinnati Children’s submits bills to your insurer. As your child receives treatment and services at Cincinnati Children’s, we submit bills to your insurance provider. If your insurance provider does not respond in a timely manner, we may contact them again directly. We may also contact you for help in processing your insurance claim.
Are you eligible for financial assistance beyond Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center?
Families may even be eligible for resources beyond Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center financial assistance. Our Financial Advocates can help you manage your child’s medical bills. I received a letter stating my account has been referred to a collection agency or collection attorney.
What services does Cincinnati Children’s provide?
Cincinnati Children’s provides a wide range of medically related services for independent clinics, area physicians and other hospitals. For example, a pediatrician or health center may refer lab work to Cincinnati Children’s for testing or analysis. When this occurs, the bill for the lab services will come from Cincinnati Children’s.