East Tennessee Children’s Hospital: Pediatric Care & Info

Yes. On February 26, 2026, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital announced that it was officially becoming Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital.

The name change did not mean families suddenly had to use a different Knoxville hospital. The flagship campus remains at 2018 W. Clinch Avenue, and the same pediatric system continues operating its specialty clinics, emergency services, outpatient centers and supporting programs.

What happens when you arrive?

The Emergency Department uses pediatric triage, meaning children are evaluated and prioritized based on medical urgency rather than simply being treated in arrival order.

Two visitor passes are issued at Emergency Department check-in. The hospital currently allows a maximum of two visitors in emergency examination and treatment areas.

Emergency parking

The hospital currently identifies Garage A for patient visits to the Emergency Department and outpatient clinics.

How much is the emergency-room fee?

There is no single published flat emergency-room charge that applies to every patient. Cost depends on the level of evaluation and services needed, including testing, imaging, medication, procedures and specialist care.

Emergency physician services may also be billed separately from the hospital. The hospital identifies Southeastern Emergency Physicians, LLC as the group that can generate a separate emergency-physician statement.

Information to have ready when scheduling

• Child’s full name and date of birth
• Parent/guardian contact information
• Insurance carrier and member ID
• Referring physician, if applicable
• Reason for referral
• Relevant records or test results
• Preferred location and appointment date

Pediatric cardiology

The active pediatric cardiology group is registered at the Knoxville hospital campus and uses 865-522-0420 for practice scheduling.

Pediatric gastroenterology

The hospital’s current provider directory lists multiple gastroenterology providers. Call the GI office for the full current roster and ask specifically which physician has the earliest appropriate appointment.

Pediatric surgery

Pediatric hematology and oncology

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology scheduling: 865-541-8266.

Neurology

The hospital’s pediatric neurology program currently includes multiple physicians and an advanced-practice provider. Because the program is actively expanding and physician assignments change, use the live doctor directory or Physician Referral Service for the current neurologist roster rather than relying on an older static list.

How to ask for a specific doctor

Why there is no single doctor consultation fee

A visit can differ based on whether the patient is new or established, which specialty is involved, whether testing is performed, insurance network status and whether the clinic is billed as a hospital provider-based department.

Provider-based specialty clinics

Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital identifies the following specialties as provider-based hospital departments:

Provider-based billing can mean a family sees both a professional/provider charge and a hospital-related charge or cost-sharing amount, depending on insurance.

Current price-transparency data

The hospital states that its machine-readable standard-charge file currently contains pricing information effective October 1, 2025. The hospital updates this file annually on October 1.

The file can contain:

• Gross hospital charges
• Discounted cash prices
• Payer-specific negotiated charges
• De-identified minimum negotiated charges
• De-identified maximum negotiated charges

Best way to obtain an estimate

1. Open the hospital’s personalized charge-estimator tool.
2. Select the planned service.
3. Enter current insurance information when requested.
4. Have your member ID available.
5. Compare the estimate with your insurer’s deductible and coinsurance information.

One hospital visit can generate separate charges from organizations that are not hospital employees. The hospital specifically identifies several professional groups.

If a bill looks unfamiliar

1. Match the date of service to your hospital visit.
2. Check whether the statement says hospital, radiology, pathology, anesthesia or emergency physician.
3. Compare the statement with your insurer’s Explanation of Benefits.
4. Call the appropriate billing number before assuming it is a duplicate charge.

TennCare plans listed

Commercial / government networks listed by the hospital

2026 Cigna update

The hospital reported in February 2026 that Cigna reversed a previously announced contract termination, meaning the hospital and affiliated providers remained contracted under the updated arrangement.

Insurance questions: 865-541-8187.

Charity-care eligibility

The hospital’s current financial-assistance information says families with income below 250% of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines may qualify for charity assistance.

Partial assistance may be available for qualifying families with household income up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Emergency charges can qualify

Financial assistance is available for eligible hospital charges, including emergency charges. Separate physician-group bills are not automatically covered by the hospital’s assistance and may require a separate request to that professional group.

How to apply

1. Call Patient Financial Services at 865-541-8187.
2. Request the Financial Assistance Policy and application.
3. Complete the application and provide requested financial documentation.
4. Submit it to the hospital Business Office.
5. The hospital states that applications are generally processed within about two weeks of receipt.

Mailing address

Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital
P.O. Box 15010
Knoxville, TN 37901-5010
Attn: Business Office Director

Patient Financial Services is also available at Koppel Plaza, 2018 Clinch Avenue.

Which parking garage should you use?

Current parking cost

Who gets free parking?

High-top vehicles

High-top vans and vehicles that cannot fit standard garage clearance can use Parking Lot D behind Koppel Plaza on Clinch Avenue and other designated restricted public parking areas.

Accessible parking

Accessible parking is available for families and patients with mobility needs. Follow the posted campus signs or ask hospital staff for the closest suitable entrance.

North Tower

The North Tower entrance closes at 9 p.m. and reopens each morning at 5:30 a.m..

After-hours entrance

Between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., use the South Tower main entrance. Take the elevator to Floor 5 and check in at the security station before proceeding.

Admissions and testing check-in

Families coming for admissions or testing can electronically sign in at the hospital Information Desk using:

• Your phone number
• Your child’s name
• Your child’s date of birth

After signing in, wait in the lobby. Registration sends a text message when it is time to continue the registration process. Instructions are also available in Spanish.

General medical and surgical units

• Visitors younger than 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., only two people may stay at the bedside.
• Overnight visitors must be at least 18.
• In a semi-private room, only one caregiver may remain overnight.
• Approved visitors receive a colored sticker that should remain visible.

NICU visitors

PICU visitors

• At least one parent/caregiver is encouraged to remain available 24/7.
• Published visiting windows: 7:15 a.m.–6:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.–6:45 a.m.
• Maximum four people in the room.
• Only one parent may sleep at bedside.
• Visitors must generally be at least 3 years old.

Emergency Department

The ER is open 24/7 and allows a maximum of two visitors in examination and treatment areas.

Outpatient areas

Outpatient surgery, radiology, rehabilitation, clinics and testing generally limit patients to two visitors.

The hospital is latex-free. Families should use Mylar balloons rather than latex balloons.

Email: medrecords@etch.com

How a parent requests a child’s records

1. Complete the Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information form.
2. Sign and date the authorization.
3. Include a clear copy/photo of a valid photo ID or driver’s license.
4. Fax, email or mail the completed request.

If you are not the child’s parent

Include legal documentation showing your authority, such as:

• Power of attorney
• Guardianship documents
• Other documentation establishing legal representative status

Mail records requests to

Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital
ATTN: Medical Records – Release of Information
2018 Clinch Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37916

Families can use the hospital patient portal to access available digital patient information and account functions.

Email: outpatientpharmacy@etch.com

The pharmacy is closed on major holidays including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Free pharmacy parking

Use the lower level of Garage B and tell the parking attendant that you are visiting the Outpatient Pharmacy. The hospital currently provides free parking for pharmacy visits.

Children’s Hospital Cafeteria — North Tower ground floor

The main cafeteria accepts cash and credit cards.

24-hour vending

Snack and beverage vending machines across from the cafeteria are available 24 hours a day.

Clayton Café — South Tower Floor 2