UCSF Benioff Children’s Hosp.: Pediatric Care & Info

The Oakland hospital is also designated as a Pediatric Critical Care Center for Alameda and Contra Costa counties and has access to more than 150 pediatric specialists for complex emergencies.

What the pediatric ER can handle

• Serious breathing problems
• Seizures
• Serious infections
• Severe dehydration
• Major fractures
• Burns
• Head and spinal injuries
• Major trauma
• Acute neurologic problems
• Complex medical emergencies in children with chronic disease

Level I pediatric trauma services

The trauma program provides pediatric trauma care from initial emergency treatment through surgery, intensive care, rehabilitation and follow-up. Resources include operating rooms, radiology, blood bank, intensive care and round-the-clock specialty physician call panels.

UCSF reports that the Oakland trauma team treats thousands of children with trauma-related injuries each year.

Special asthma observation unit

The Oakland Emergency Department also has a five-bed asthma care unit where selected children can receive treatment and asthma education.

How ER priority works

1. Your child is registered and assessed.
2. A triage nurse determines the medical urgency.
3. Children with the most dangerous conditions are treated first.
4. Testing may include laboratory work, X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI when appropriate.
5. Pediatric specialists are consulted when needed.
6. Your child may be discharged, observed or admitted.

What to bring to a specialty appointment

• Parent/guardian photo ID
• Child’s insurance card or payer information
• Insurance authorization when required
• Doctor referral when required
• Recent test results
• Medication list with doses
• Allergy information
• Relevant imaging or reports
• Questions for the specialist

Cardiology and heart care

Cardiology Clinic: Oakland Outpatient Center, 744 52nd St., Third Floor
Phone: 510-428-3380
Clinic hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Neurology and neurosurgery

Neurology: 744 52nd St., Fifth Floor · 855-722-8273 · Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Neurosurgery: 744 52nd St., Fifth Floor · 855-722-8273 · Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Orthopedics

Orthopedic Clinic: 744 52nd St.
Appointments: 510-428-3238.

Cancer and hematology doctors

Oakland Oncology / Hematology: 747 52nd St.
Phone: 510-428-3372.

Intensive-care visitor access can be different from standard hospital visiting hours. Parents and caregivers should follow instructions from the specific ICU team.

Surgery patients are instructed to report to the Surgery Registration Desk on the third floor of the Outpatient Center after exiting the elevators.

Current building hours

Published surgical-patient instructions list outpatient surgery building hours as 6 a.m.-3:30 p.m.. A procedure-specific arrival time can be earlier or later depending on clinical instructions.

Before surgery

• A nurse contacts the family before surgery with fasting and arrival instructions.
• Report new fever, infection, cough or other illness before the procedure.
• Pediatric Prepare Clinic: 510-428-4418.
• After-hours surgical questions: 510-428-3221.
• Bring parent/guardian photo ID.
• Bring the child’s insurance card.
• Bring guardianship/adoption documentation if applicable.
• Bring a medication, supplement and allergy list.

Need copies of imaging?

Oakland Radiology can provide medical-image copies after identity verification. The Oakland radiology records contact is:

Do you need a blood-draw appointment?

UCSF currently states that an appointment is not required for a routine blood draw, but the patient must register.

Where to register

• Weekdays: first floor of the Oakland Outpatient Center.
• Weekends/holidays: first register at the main hospital, then proceed to the Outpatient Center.
• Patients coming directly from a UCSF clinic may be able to proceed to the draw station.

Bring

• Two forms of identification when requested
• Insurance/payor information
• Lab requisition if the ordering doctor is not a UCSF physician

UCSF’s hospital standard-charge files were updated in April 2026 and include the Oakland hospital’s gross charges, self-pay pricing and applicable negotiated charges.

Doctor appointment fee

There is no single universal UCSF Oakland pediatric consultation fee. The amount can depend on:

• Specialty
• New-patient versus follow-up visit
• Visit complexity
• Hospital-based clinic facility fees
• Tests or procedures performed
• Insurance network status
• Deductible, copay and coinsurance

Emergency-room fee

There is also no one fixed ER price. An emergency visit may include:

• Emergency facility services
• Emergency physician services
• Laboratory testing
• X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI
• Medication
• Procedures
• Trauma services
• Specialist consultation
• Observation or hospital admission

Hospital services may include

• Room and board
• Medication
• Laboratory tests
• Imaging
• Operating-room services
• Supplies
• Other hospital resources

Professional services may include

• Pediatrician or specialist
• Surgeon
• Anesthesiologist
• Radiologist
• Other physicians involved in the episode of care

UCSF specifically notes that Oakland patients may receive separate statements for hospital and professional services.

Ways to pay

• UCSF MyChart
• By phone through Patient Financial Services
• By mail using the payment coupon on the statement

Who may qualify?

UCSF’s current financial-assistance guidance states that families with income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level are generally eligible for 100% financial assistance, subject to the program’s eligibility requirements.

Families with insurance may still qualify when they face substantial financial responsibility.

Self-pay discount

Children without insurance, or whose care is not covered by insurance, are treated as self-pay patients and are eligible for a UCSF Health self-pay discount.

How to apply

1. Contact Patient Financial Services or Oakland Financial Counseling.
2. Ask whether the family may qualify for Medi-Cal or another program.
3. Request financial-assistance screening.
4. Complete the application in MyChart or use the printable application.
5. Provide requested household and income documentation.

Examples of currently listed plan families

Before scheduled care, confirm

1. Is UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland in-network?
2. Is the individual physician in-network?
3. Is prior authorization required?
4. Is a referral required?
5. What is the copay?
6. How much deductible remains?
7. Will a hospital-based clinic facility fee apply?

Option 1: MyChart

Families can download many pediatric records in MyChart for free. For records not immediately available:

1. Sign in to MyChart.
2. Open Menu.
3. Choose Sharing Hub.
4. Select Yourself.
5. Choose Request a copy.

UCSF states electronic MyChart record requests may take up to 14 days to process.

Parent access to a child’s MyChart

• For children under 12, parents/guardians can request proxy access.
• Proxy approval typically appears within one to three days.
• Children ages 12-17 generally must approve parental proxy access.
• California privacy law limits parental access to certain confidential adolescent services.
• Patients age 12 and older may have their own MyChart account.

Paper or non-MyChart record request

Send a completed Authorization for Release of Health Information to:

Health Information Management
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
747 52nd St.
Oakland, CA 94609
Fax: 510-658-1923

Standard Health Information Management requests are generally processed within 15 days.

Possible record-copy fees

UCSF states electronically available records can be downloaded in MyChart for free. Paper-chart copies may be charged at 25 cents per page, and records placed on a CD may carry a $25 fee in some circumstances. Fees may be waived in certain cases, including records being sent directly to another healthcare provider.

Current Oakland visitor structure

• Up to two visitors are allowed at the bedside at one time.
• The visitor list can include two primary caregivers.
• Up to four additional visitors may be added to the visitor list during visiting hours.
• Unit-specific safety or infection rules may be more restrictive.

Ambassador Desk

Staff at the desk can help with directions, parking, transportation, lodging and other visitor questions.

Security screening

UCSF uses weapons-detection screening at select hospital entrances. Visitors should allow extra time for security screening and follow current entrance instructions.

Patient/visitor discount

Current UCSF surgical-family guidance states that with the hospital’s parking discount, patients and patient visitors pay no more than $9 for garage parking.

In-and-out privileges

UCSF says a full-day paid parking receipt can provide in-and-out privileges for the remainder of that 24-hour period when the receipt is retained and shown as required.

Other parking options

• Metered street parking is available near 52nd Street.
• Bike racks are available in the garage.
• Rideshare drop-off is available in front of the main hospital at 747 52nd St.

Night security escort

Call Security Services at 510-428-3600 to request an escort at night.

Where to board

• MacArthur BART: board in front of the station and look for the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital shuttle.
• Hospital: board at the main hospital entrance.

AC Transit Line 18

AC Transit Line 18 provides a connection between the MacArthur BART area and the hospital. The hospital stop is near 53rd Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

Current Oakland surgical-patient instructions list the public pharmacy hours as:

Inpatient pharmacy support continues as required for hospitalized patients. Call before making a special trip for an outpatient prescription because holiday hours can vary.

Friendly Café – Main Hospital

Location: 747 52nd St., Second Floor.

Espresso Café – Outpatient Center

Location: 744 52nd St., First Floor.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m..

Vending

Vending machines near the Friendly Café are available 24 hours a day.

Patient Dining-on-Call

Hospitalized children can order from a child-friendly menu using extension 3663 (FOOD) from the bedside phone.

Suggested ordering periods are:

• Breakfast: 7:30-9:30 a.m.
• Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Dinner: 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Family Resource Center

Social Services

Social workers can help with:

• Lodging
• Transportation
• Financial problems
• Housing concerns
• School issues
• Community resources
• Family stress and crisis support

Interpreter services

UCSF provides free interpreter assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 200 languages and dialects, including American Sign Language.

For Oakland pre-arrival interpreter help on weekdays, call 510-428-3885 ext. 5292.

The hospital’s contact directory also lists Interpreter Services at 510-428-3409.

Overnight family member

Most Oakland patient rooms can accommodate one parent or guardian overnight using a sleep chair or window seat. Most current rooms are shared/double occupancy, so families should be considerate of roommates.

Family amenities

• Family lounges
• Kitchens
• Showers
• Laundry facilities
• Work areas
• Child Life
• School services
• Activity rooms
• Playroom
• Digital arts studio
• Teen lounge

UCSF describes Oakland Family House as a low-cost home-away-from-home with 16 private bedrooms for qualifying families who live at least 50 miles from the hospital.

Shared facilities include:

• Living room
• Playroom
• Backyard
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Families should contact Social Services at 510-428-3325 or Family House at 510-428-3100 instead of booking based on assumed eligibility.

Patient Relations

UCSF also publishes 415-353-1936 as a Patient Relations number serving both campuses.

Patient Advocate

For an Oakland safety or care concern that needs escalation: 510-428-3885 ext. 5483.

Night security escort

Security Services: 510-428-3600.