Children’s Hospital DC: Pediatric Care & Info

What happens with ER wait times?

Children’s National explains that patients with non-urgent conditions may wait longer. Emergency care is triaged according to medical urgency. A child facing an immediately life-threatening emergency is prioritized rather than placed into a normal first-come, first-served queue.

Emergency room fees

Children’s National does not publish one flat emergency-room fee that applies to every patient. Emergency costs depend on the evaluation, testing, imaging, medication, procedures and professional services required.

The hospital also bills hospital/facility and professional services. For emergency services covered by federal surprise-billing protections, an out-of-network provider generally may not charge more than the patient’s applicable in-network cost sharing when those protections apply.

How to find which doctor is available on a specific day

1. Open the Children’s National doctor search.
2. Search by specialty, condition or provider name.
3. Choose the correct location, especially “Main Hospital” when you need the Michigan Avenue campus.
4. Look for online-booking or availability options.
5. If no suitable appointment appears, call 888-884-2327.

General & Community Pediatrics can also be reached at 202-476-2123 for appointments and 202-476-2727 for administration.

The main campus also lists Child Life, outpatient chemotherapy, physical and occupational therapy, social work, WIC, therapy dogs, health educators and other family-support resources.

Why a clinic visit can include more than a doctor fee

Children’s National is a hospital-based service provider. Outpatient provider visits may include a separate facility fee in addition to professional/provider charges.

The hospital explains that the facility fee supports resources such as equipment, supplies, examination rooms, staff, counseling and educational resources. The exact facility fee depends on the visit and resources used and may not be calculable until the visit has finished.

Can I obtain an estimate before the visit?

Yes. The hospital provides an estimator for appointments and procedures. Uninsured/self-pay patients can also request a Good Faith Estimate for scheduled non-emergency services.

• Submit a Good Faith Estimate request in writing at least 3 days before the scheduled service when possible.
• The estimate may include expected testing, prescriptions, equipment and hospital charges associated with the planned service.
• If a final bill for the identified services is at least $400 above the Good Faith Estimate, federal dispute rights may apply.
• Good Faith Estimate assistance: 800-787-0021, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Why families may see separate types of charges

Children’s National explains that care can generate hospital charges for items such as laboratory, imaging and medication as well as professional physician charges. Families should review insurance explanations of benefits together with the hospital statement before assuming that every displayed charge is immediately due.

Major commercial plans listed by the hospital

Military / federal plans

Plans listed by the hospital include TRICARE Humana Military and several federal employee plans such as the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan, GEHA, APWU, Mail Handlers, NALC and Johns Hopkins USFHP.

Public / Medicaid plans

Children’s National lists multiple District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid managed-care plans. Because payer contracts can change, verify the exact plan name printed on the child’s insurance card before treatment.

Insurance/billing customer service is available at 301-572-3542 or 800-787-0021, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. ET.

Once a patient is approved under the stated policy, the hospital’s summary says eligible patients are not responsible for future eligible bills for six months from the approval date.

Where to get help

Applications require supporting financial information. Families can obtain the policy, plain-language summary and application in English and Spanish.

*The first 45 minutes require ticket validation to be free. The hospital states that an unvalidated ticket for this period costs $1.

Where can I validate parking?

• Main Welcome Desk
• East Welcome Desk
• Parking Office, 1st Floor, East Tower near the Emergency Department Welcome Desk, Suite E1.103

Parking Office hours

Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.–6 p.m.

Valet parking

Valet service is available Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. on the P1 main level of the garage. There is no separate valet fee; normal garage parking rates apply.

Valet keys remain at the P1 valet station until 9 p.m. After 9 p.m., keys are transferred to the hospital Security Office near the Emergency Department on the first floor.

Drop-off and rideshare

Car services can drop off and pick up on P1 near the elevator entrance. For a non-emergency patient drop-off, enter the garage, take a ticket and follow signs for patient drop-off.

Accessible parking

Accessible spaces are on P1. After entering through the garage gate, turn left and follow the accessible-parking signs. Elevators connect P1 to the hospital entrance. A tan phone on P1 can be used to request wheelchair or mobility assistance.

Important visitor rules

• People who are ill should avoid visiting unless they are a parent/guardian who must accompany a child receiving care.
• The hospital and specialty-care sites are smoke-free.
• Alcohol and drugs are not permitted.
• Cell phones and wireless devices can generally be used, but conversations should remain quiet.
• Photography inside the hospital is restricted to protect patient privacy.
• Latex balloons are not allowed; the hospital permits mylar balloons.
• Families are advised to leave unnecessary valuables at home.
• Unit-specific restrictions can override the general 9 a.m.–9 p.m. visiting schedule.

Important floors and areas

The hospital also provides a floor-by-floor wayfinding map and supports the RightHear audible-signage app for people who are blind, visually impaired or who benefit from audible navigation.

Who can request records online?

• Patients requesting their own records.
• Parents requesting records for a minor child.
• Authorized caregivers, including people acting under a Power of Attorney.
• Healthcare providers needing records for patient care.

The hospital’s electronic request process verifies identity and may request a photo of the requester’s driver’s license through a phone or webcam.

The hospital says there is no additional fee simply for using its online request service. State and federal law may permit fees for some record-copy requests when they are not direct patient requests or requests from a healthcare provider for continuing care.

Children’s National provides online patient-portal tools that allow parents and eligible patients to manage health information, access records and handle eligible appointment tasks.

Common portal uses

Children’s National Pharmacy Division

The hospital’s pediatric Pharmacy Division includes more than 150 pediatric pharmacy professionals who support medication preparation, distribution, education and medication safety.

A Walgreens pharmacy is located on the first floor of the main hospital for patients, families and employees.

Blood draw

The main hospital offers self-scheduling for blood-draw appointments. The campus map places blood draw and clinical laboratory services on the second-floor diagnostic/surgical level.

Imaging

Main-campus second-floor services include MRI, CT, X-ray/DEXA, radiology and other diagnostic areas. Confirm the specific check-in point on your appointment instructions because different imaging services may use different desks.

Dr. Bear Café — 2nd Floor

Other food options

• True Eats Deli, 2nd Floor: open 24/7.
• Express Market, 7th Floor East Inpatient Tower: 6:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m., seven days a week.
• Costco Wholesale Atrium Coffee Bar, 1st Floor: Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Vending: available 24/7 in several patient/family areas, including the Emergency Department waiting area.
• Kosher Pantry/Kitchen: 3rd Floor of the main hospital near the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit entrance.

Patient room meals

Dining-On-Call accepts patient meal orders from 7 a.m.–7 p.m.. From an outside phone, call 202-476-1234. The hospital states that meals are prepared to order and generally delivered within about 45 minutes.

Guest meal vouchers are listed at $8 and can be purchased at specified café registers or ordered by phone with credit-card payment.

Other campus amenities