Children’s Plano Hospital: Pediatric Care & Info

Children’s Medical Center Plano opened in 2008 as the first full-service pediatric hospital in the Dallas-Fort Worth region north of Dallas. The campus has since grown into a major pediatric center serving Collin County and surrounding North Texas communities.

What emergency resources are available?

Children’s Health states that the Plano ER is staffed at all times by a physician trained in pediatric emergency medicine. The hospital has pediatric intensive-care capability, advanced diagnostic imaging and specialty consultation for children who need hospital-level emergency care.

The expanded Emergency Department now has approximately 48 examination rooms, nearly doubling its earlier capacity.

Trauma care

Children’s Health currently describes Children’s Medical Center Plano as a Level III trauma center. Children requiring the most complex Level I trauma resources can be transferred through Children’s Health transport services to Children’s Medical Center Dallas, the system’s pediatric Level I trauma center.

Children’s Health states that specialized ground transportation for a medically necessary transfer between its Plano and Dallas hospitals is provided without a transport charge to the family.

ER drop-off and parking

• The Emergency Department has its own patient-family entrance.
• A circle drive allows direct patient drop-off.
• Parking adjacent to the ER is free.
• Families can also use Specialty Center 1 parking and the first level of the nearby garage.

Emergency visitor limit

Children’s Health does not impose the general 7 a.m.-10 p.m. visiting schedule on the ER, but no more than two visitors may be in an ER patient room at one time.

How much does the Plano ER cost?

Children’s Medical Center Plano does not publish one flat emergency-room fee because an ER bill depends on the level of evaluation, diagnostic tests, imaging, medication, procedures, physician services and whether admission is required.

Insurance copays, deductibles and coinsurance can also differ. Emergency treatment should not be delayed while attempting to obtain an estimate.

The walk-in clinic is intended for appropriate pediatric orthopedic injuries that do not require emergency-level care. Serious trauma, severe deformity, uncontrolled bleeding or another potentially life-threatening condition should be evaluated in an emergency department.

Sports Rehabilitation hours

Sports Performance powered by EXOS publishes weekday hours of 6 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Is there one doctor consultation fee?

No. Children’s Medical Center Plano does not publish one universal consultation fee for every pediatric specialist. A new-patient cardiology consultation, endocrine follow-up, surgical consultation, orthopedic visit, telehealth visit and hospital-based procedure can all be billed differently.

Your actual responsibility can also depend on:

• Insurance company and exact plan.
• Whether the physician and hospital are in network.
• Copayment.
• Deductible remaining for the year.
• Coinsurance.
• Hospital/facility charges.
• Professional physician charges.
• Laboratory and pathology charges.
• Imaging or radiology interpretation.
• Anesthesia.
• Other services provided during the encounter.

ER fee

There is likewise no one public flat “Plano ER fee.” A straightforward emergency evaluation can cost very differently from trauma care involving CT, MRI, surgery, intensive care, medications or hospital admission.

How to get a personalized estimate

New families can use the Children’s Health guest estimate tool. Plano families with estimate questions can call 469-303-2191.

Main hospital parking

• Family and visitor covered parking is available on garage Levels 1 and 2.
• Employee/provider parking is generally on higher levels.
• Electric-vehicle charging stations are available on each garage level.
• A bicycle rack is available on campus.
• Main hospital valet is complimentary Monday-Friday from 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Weekend valet is not currently offered.

Specialty Center 1

Free surface parking is available in front of Specialty Center 1. Complimentary valet is also available Monday-Friday from 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

Specialty Center 2 and Andrews Institute

Specialty Center 2 has a five-level attached parking garage with free self-parking. Andrews Institute patients use the connected garage next to Specialty Center 2.

Emergency Room

ER parking is free, with parking adjacent to the emergency entrance and additional parking in the Specialty Center 1 area/nearby garage.

General visitor rules

• General visiting hours are 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Up to four people may be at the bedside when space allows.
• Up to two designated caregivers may stay overnight when the unit and room permit.
• Some units can accommodate only one overnight caregiver.
• Visitors who are not authorized to stay overnight must leave by 10 p.m.
• Overnight visitors other than primary caregivers must be at least 18.
• Visitors under 18 cannot remain unsupervised.
• Adult visitors should bring a government-issued photo ID.
• Visitors are subject to hospital security screening.
• People with symptoms of a contagious illness should not visit.

Emergency Department

The ER does not follow the general visiting-hour restriction, but no more than two people are permitted in the ER patient room at one time.

Surgery

• Up to two visitors can be at the bedside in pre-op.
• Up to two visitors can be in PACU.
• PACU visitors other than the primary caregivers must generally be 18 or older.

NICU

• Up to three individuals may be at the bedside at one time.
• Up to four support people may be identified for unit access.
• Up to two designated caregivers are allowed.
• Only one designated caregiver can remain overnight.
• Current policy requires NICU visitors to be at least age 3.

PICU / CVICU

Up to two designated caregivers may stay overnight in the PICU when space permits. Current PICU/CVICU rules require visitors to be at least age 3 and ask families to remain in the patient room or waiting area during approximately 7-7:30 a.m. and 7-7:30 p.m. staff handoff periods.

Campus restrictions

• No smoking or vaping.
• Latex balloons are not permitted; Mylar balloons are allowed.
• Potted plants are not permitted.
• Service animals are permitted subject to hospital policy; ordinary pets should not be brought into the hospital.

Children’s Medical Center Plano is verified as a Level II Children’s Surgery Center and provides inpatient surgery as well as outpatient surgical services through the Plano campus.

Before surgery

Families should expect individualized instructions from the surgical and anesthesia teams. Depending on the procedure, preparation may include:

• Pre-anesthesia assessment.
• Updated medical history.
• Medication review.
• Insurance authorization.
• Required laboratory testing.
• Imaging.
• Specific fasting instructions.
• Arrival and check-in time.

What to bring

• Parent/legal guardian photo ID.
• Insurance information.
• Referral/authorization if required.
• Guardianship paperwork where applicable.
• Medication list.
• Home medical equipment the surgical team asks you to bring.
• Comfort item for the child.

Surgery charges

A facility deductible or copayment may be collected for surgery, but that amount does not necessarily include surgeon, anesthesiologist, pathology, laboratory, radiology or other professional charges. Ask for an estimate before elective surgery.

Outpatient laboratory

Outpatient testing requires a signed physician order. Sweat chloride collections are performed by appointment. Children’s Health states that many outpatient laboratory results become available within approximately 96 hours after release and can be viewed through MyChart when applicable.

Imaging available on the Plano campus

• 3T MRI.
• 1.5T MRI.
• CT.
• X-ray.
• Fluoroscopy.
• Ultrasound.
• PET/CT.
• SPECT/CT.
• Nuclear medicine.
• Interventional radiology.
• Cardiac imaging.
• Cardiac catheterization.
• Prenatal MRI.
• DEXA/bone-density imaging.

Specialty Center 2 also provides pediatric imaging including X-ray, EOS imaging, fluoroscopy, 3T MRI and ultrasound.

Imaging scheduling/information: 214-867-9729 (214-867-XRAY).

Pharmacy services include prescription filling, selected financial-assistance programs, relabeling of home medications for admitted patients, Meds-to-Beds support for eligible surgery patients and other pediatric pharmacy services.

Children’s Health lists an after-hours pharmacy support number of 800-955-7666.

Plano record-release address

Children’s Medical Center Plano
Health Information Management – Release of Information
7601 Preston Road
Plano, TX 75024

Information needed on an authorization

• Patient’s full name.
• Date of birth.
• Specific information being requested.
• Relevant dates of service.
• Reason/purpose for disclosure.
• Name and address of the receiving person or organization.
• Requested expiration date if different from the standard authorization.
• Signature of the patient or authorized legal representative.
• Date signed.

If another expiration period is not specified, Children’s Health states that an authorization generally remains valid for 180 days from the date it is signed.

Many records and test results can also be accessed through MyChart without making a separate paper request. Copy fees can apply to certain formal record requests.

MyChart is the Children’s Health patient portal. Depending on the child’s account, age and proxy permissions, families can use MyChart to:

Teen access and parent-proxy access change as the child gets older. Children’s Health permits adolescent access in certain age ranges while protecting confidential information according to applicable laws and hospital policy.

Why families may receive multiple bills

Children’s Health explains that a hospital stay or procedure can generate a hospital facility bill plus separate professional bills. Physicians such as surgeons, anesthesiologists, radiologists, pathologists and other specialists can bill independently.

Insurance

Children’s Medical Center Plano participates with many commercial, Medicaid and other health plans. The hospital’s current insurance information was updated in 2026. Because participation can differ by exact insurance product and physician group, verify:

• Children’s Medical Center Plano facility network status.
• The treating physician’s network status.
• Referral requirement.
• Prior authorization requirement.
• Copayment.
• Deductible.
• Coinsurance.

Payment plans

Children’s Health offers payment-plan arrangements for qualifying patient balances. Contact Patient Financial Services rather than waiting for an unpaid balance to progress through the billing cycle.

Children’s Health offers financial assistance for qualifying medically necessary care for eligible insured and uninsured families. Eligibility depends on the hospital’s Financial Assistance Policy and the household’s financial circumstances.

Children’s Health states that patients who qualify under its financial-assistance program will not be charged more for emergency or medically necessary hospital care than the amounts generally billed to people with insurance.

Financial-assistance applications are available in multiple languages.

Karahan Family Resource Library

The library provides family health information, medical librarian assistance, computers, tablets, books/eBooks and printing/faxing resources.

Yes. Children’s Health encourages a parent or legal guardian to remain with a hospitalized child. Patient rooms generally include a chair or sofa arrangement that can accommodate one overnight sleeper.

Visitor policy can permit up to two designated caregivers to stay overnight when the room and unit have sufficient space. Critical-care units may have stricter limits. Children under age 18 generally may not remain overnight as visitors.

Hotels near the Plano campus

Children’s Health works with area lodging providers that may offer medical rates to patient families. When booking, tell the hotel that your child is receiving care at Children’s Medical Center Plano and ask specifically for the current hospital-family or medical rate.

Social Work can help families identify current lodging and transportation resources. Ronald McDonald House Dallas primarily serves eligible families connected with the Dallas campus, so Plano families needing lodging should ask Social Work for the most appropriate current Plano-area option rather than assuming Dallas housing is available.

Interpreter services

Children’s Health provides interpreter support for families who need language assistance. Tell the clinic or admitting team about language, sign-language or communication needs when scheduling so support can be arranged.

Social Work

Children’s Health Social Work supports families with lodging, food, transportation, crisis resources, psychosocial needs and community assistance. System contacts include 214-456-2300 during weekday business hours and 972-356-0099 for nights/weekends.

The shuttle does not operate on federal holidays. Children’s Health also provides a shuttle-tracking option so families can see current vehicle location.