Cincinnati Children’s Hosp. Med: Pediatric Care & Info

Useful direct scheduling numbers

Appointment process

Which ER should you use?

The Burnet Campus includes the region’s only Level I pediatric trauma center and is the main campus for highly complex inpatient and subspecialty pediatric care. Liberty’s ER can handle most pediatric emergencies and can coordinate transfer to Burnet when a child requires services that are concentrated at the main campus.

Temporary Burnet ER access through September 30, 2026

Questions after an ER visit

Cincinnati Children’s advises families with medical questions after an ER visit to call 513-636-4293 within 24 hours of discharge. After 24 hours, contact the child’s pediatrician for ongoing medical questions.

Emergency fees

Cincinnati Children’s does not publish one universal emergency “case fee.” The cost depends on the level of evaluation and services actually required, such as physician care, laboratory testing, X-rays, CT/MRI, medication, procedures, consultations or hospital admission.

Cincinnati Children’s also operates urgent-care services at additional neighborhood locations. Current wait times and “Save My Spot” availability can change throughout the day.

Heart Institute / Pediatric Cardiology

Heart Institute appointments: 513-636-4432.

Neurology

New neurology patients ages 2-20 may also be eligible for online scheduling. Neuromuscular and tuberous sclerosis appointments should be scheduled by phone.

Pediatric Orthopaedics

FAST fracture clinic schedule

General and Thoracic Surgery

General Surgery provides 24-hour surgical consultation coverage. Cincinnati Children’s reports more than 4,400 general/thoracic surgical cases in its 2024 program figures.

Same-Day Consultation and Procedure Program

Selected children with conditions such as certain hernias can have a surgical consultation and procedure on the same day at Liberty Campus on Tuesdays and Fridays. Call 513-636-4371, option 1 to determine whether the child meets program criteria.

Cancer and blood diseases

Physician referrals are welcomed but are not required for cancer appointments. Families seeking an in-person cancer or blood-disorder second opinion can also call 513-517-2234.

NICU / Neonatology

NICU admission is not scheduled like a routine outpatient doctor visit. Referring hospitals/providers use Cincinnati Children’s transfer system when a newborn requires higher-level neonatal care.

System size and activity

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Cincinnati Children’s reported 33,996 admissions, 166,986 emergency and urgent-care visits, more than 1.55 million outpatient visits and approximately 1.75 million total patient encounters.

Cincinnati Children’s Critical Care Building opened in 2021 with 249 beds dedicated to critically ill children. The building brings together pediatric, cardiac and neonatal intensive care with operating, emergency and specialized treatment spaces.

PICU contact

Family information and in-person second-opinion questions: 513-636-4334. Hospital transfers must be coordinated by the current treating provider through Cincinnati Children’s Admission and Transfer Center.

NICU visitation

Parents, guardians and other designated adults are generally encouraged to visit the NICU at any time, including overnight. Siblings must be at least 2 years old and immunized to visit. Visitors sign in and obtain a visitor sticker at the Critical Care Building welcome desk.

Doctor consultation fees

A consultation with cardiology, neurology, orthopaedics, oncology or surgery may have different charges. Cost can also change when imaging, laboratory testing, procedures, casting, medication or other services are performed during the same visit.

ER case fee

There is no universal fixed “ER case fee.” Emergency charges depend on the actual level of care and services the child receives.

Get a personalized estimate

Cincinnati Children’s publishes pricing for at least 300 shoppable services as well as its machine-readable hospital standard-charge information. These published rates are not necessarily the amount a family will pay.

24-hour automated payment

• English: 513-823-4546
• Spanish: 513-840-8030

Ways to pay

• MyChart
• Guest online payment
• Credit-card payment by phone
• Automated phone system
• Payment by mail

Payment plans

The guarantor can create an eligible payment plan directly in MyChart by opening Billing and choosing “Set up payment plan.” Families can also request payment-plan help from Billing Customer Service.

Paperless bills

Cincinnati Children’s uses paperless billing for linked MyChart accounts with an active email address. Families who prefer printed statements can opt out through MyChart or call Billing.

Current assistance levels

2026 Federal Poverty Level examples

Financial assistance applies subject to the hospital’s full policy and eligibility requirements. The application can also be completed through the adult guarantor’s own MyChart profile under Financial Assistance.

Other help Family Financial Advocates can provide

• Medicaid applications
• Social Security resources
• Developmental-disability services
• Waiver programs
• Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps resources
• Other family-support programs

Common commercial insurers on Cincinnati Children’s published insurance information include:

• Aetna
• Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
• Cigna
• Medical Mutual of Ohio
• UnitedHealthcare of Ohio
• Other commercial and government programs

Before a scheduled visit

1. Confirm Cincinnati Children’s is in network.
2. Confirm the named specialist is covered.
3. Ask whether a referral is required.
4. Ask whether prior authorization is required.
5. Ask the copay amount.
6. Check the deductible and coinsurance.
7. Ask whether hospital and physician services are processed differently.

Valet parking

Valet is available at the Burnet main entrance circle, Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Valet fee: $5 per car.

Families with oversized vans or children with special accessibility needs may also use valet.

Parking timing tip

ADA parking

Accessible and wheelchair-lift parking spaces are located close to elevator lobbies.

Remember where you parked

Burnet’s main visitor garage uses numbered/animal-themed elevator lobbies. Take a photo of the parking location and elevator lobby before entering the hospital.

Medical Office Building parking

Burnet Medical Office Building parking is available in the garage accessed from Northern Avenue. The published garage clearance is 8 feet 4 inches.

Who may visit?

• Two primary support people with 24/7 access
• Siblings who live in the patient’s household during normal visiting hours
• Up to four additional approved visitors during normal visiting hours
• Minor visitors must have an adult present

Visitor registration

Visitors register at a Welcome Center for a photo identification badge. Visitors over age 16 are asked to provide photo ID.

Ill visitors

Visitors should not come to the hospital with fever, cough, cold symptoms or gastrointestinal illness.

Current masking status

As of August 22, 2026, masks are optional at Cincinnati Children’s locations. Cincinnati Children’s notes that this policy can change with respiratory-illness activity. Patients with respiratory symptoms are asked to wear a mask.

These overnight procedures apply approximately 8:30 p.m.-5:45 a.m..

Protective Services

Burnet Campus security / Protective Services: 513-636-4204. Security officers are available around the clock and can help with safety concerns and vehicle escorts.

Medical record copy fees

Fees are periodically reviewed and can change under Ohio law and federal privacy rules. If a third party will receive records, Cincinnati Children’s may send a prepayment invoice after determining the total cost.

Parent / caregiver proxy access

• Parents/primary caregivers may request proxy access for patients age 17 and younger.
• Patients under age 12 cannot have their own individual MyChart account.
• Patients age 13 or older may have their own account.
• At age 18, ordinary parent proxy access ends unless legal guardianship or adult authorization applies.
• Adult proxy authorization generally expires every 18 months and must be renewed.

MyChart technical support

513-636-5019 or toll-free 1-877-508-7607.

Email: mychart@cchmc.org. Ordinary email should not be used for confidential clinical information.

Online registration time

Cincinnati Children’s states that online MyChart account requests are generally reviewed within seven business days after the completed form and valid photo ID are received.

The pharmacies stock prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines and hard-to-find pediatric products. Cincinnati Children’s states that most major insurance, including Medicaid, is accepted.

Cafeterias

Family meal cards

Inpatient families can purchase a $7 meal card. The current meal-card package includes an entrée, two sides, a drink and dessert selected from the patient’s menu.

Burnet’s Location D cafeteria sells meal cards 24 hours a day. Concierge Services can also sell/deliver meal cards during its staffed hours.

Concierge / Family Resource Center

Burnet Concierge and Family Resource Center: 513-636-5009, option 1. Toll-free: 888-894-1374.

Concierge can help families with accommodations, transportation, local services and other non-clinical needs.

Out-of-town accommodation

Concierge can help reserve discounted hotel rooms for patient families. Ronald McDonald House is located directly next to Burnet Campus and provides eligible families with overnight accommodation, meals and activities without charge.

Gift Shop

Burnet Gift Shop phone: 513-636-4310.

• Monday-Wednesday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Thursday-Friday: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Closed on holidays

Phone orders can be delivered to patient rooms without a delivery charge. Latex balloons are not allowed; the shop offers latex-free balloons.

• Cincinnati Children’s campuses are smoke-free.
• Open flames are not allowed.
• Latex balloons are prohibited; mylar balloons are permitted.
• Flowers, food and drinks are not allowed in ICU patient rooms.
• Electrical items brought from home may require a hospital safety check.

Burnet Protective Services: 513-636-4204.

1. Confirm Burnet vs. Liberty vs. a neighborhood clinic.
2. Check the appointment message for the exact building/location.
3. Save the department’s direct phone number.
4. Bring insurance information and photo ID.
5. Bring referral/authorization if your plan requires it.
6. Bring medication names and doses.
7. Bring outside imaging and records if the specialty requested them.
8. Add parking time. Burnet recommends approximately 20 extra minutes at busy times.
9. Remember the temporary Burnet ER parking change through September 30, 2026.
10. Use MyChart for appointments, results, records and billing when available.