Chicago Children’s Hospital: Pediatric Care & Info

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Pediatric Hospital Guide · Chicago IL · Lurie Children’s

Chicago Children’s Hospital guide for pediatric emergency care, appointments, specialties, MyChart, medical records, billing, parking, and family visit planning

Chicago Children’s Hospital is commonly searched for Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, located at 225 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. The main hospital phone is 312-227-4000.

Use this guide to plan a pediatric hospital visit, find the right phone number, understand emergency care, request appointments, use MyChart, get medical records, check billing and financial assistance, and navigate downtown Chicago parking before arrival.

Call Main Hospital Official Contact Main Hospital Page Appointment Steps
Emergency warning: If a child has trouble breathing, blue lips, severe injury, seizure, possible poisoning, major bleeding, severe allergic reaction, chest pain, unconsciousness, or another life-threatening symptom, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Online guides, MyChart, appointment forms, and email are not emergency-response tools.
Official hospital name Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s

Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is the main pediatric hospital most users mean by “Chicago Children’s Hospital.”

Hospital address 225 E. Chicago Ave.

Chicago, IL 60611, near Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Main phone 312-227-4000

Use for main hospital routing, department connection, and general hospital questions.

Appointment line 1-800-KIDS DOC

Call 1-800-543-7362 for appointment help and referral routing.

Emergency center Open 24 hours

The main hospital page states Lurie Children’s emergency room is open 24 hours a day.

Medical records 312-227-5220

Use for Release of Information and child medical-record requests.

About Chicago Children’s Hospital / Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

A practical guide for parents and caregivers who need verified pediatric hospital information before calling, booking, driving, or requesting records.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is a pediatric hospital in downtown Chicago. The main hospital is on the campus of its academic partner, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and provides pediatric emergency, specialty, surgical, diagnostic, inpatient, outpatient, family-support, billing, and medical-record services.

Because appointment availability, visitor rules, parking costs, insurance requirements, and department phone routing can change, use this page as a planning guide and confirm time-sensitive details directly with Lurie Children’s.

Best first action: For emergencies, call 911. For appointments, call 1-800-543-7362. For hospital routing, call 312-227-4000. For billing questions, call 312-227-7181. For medical records, call 312-227-5220.

Lurie Children’s Hospital contact information

Use the right contact route based on whether the need is emergency, appointment, billing, medical records, patient relations, or general routing.

Need Phone or route Best use
Main hospital 312-227-4000 Main hospital operator, department routing, hospital questions, and emergency care center contact routing.
Appointments 1-800-KIDS DOC / 1-800-543-7362 New appointments, first-time appointment questions, referral routing, and scheduling help.
Billing question 312-227-7181 Hospital bill questions, payment options, charity care, and financial-help routing.
Patient Financial Services estimate help 312-227-1222 Assistance obtaining estimates and understanding expected patient cost.
Financial Assistance Program 877-924-8200 Financial assistance application questions and program information.
Medical records 312-227-5220 Release of Information, printed medical records, and record-request questions.
Family Services 312-227-1200 Family support and hospital service routing.
Patient Relations 312-227-4940 Complaints, concerns, suggestions, and patient-family experience issues.
Hospital address 225 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 Main hospital, emergency department, outpatient visits, inpatient stays, and downtown Chicago directions.
Privacy note: Lurie Children’s contact page discourages sending protected health information by general email. Use MyChart, phone, fax, or official forms for patient-specific information.

Pediatric emergency care at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

The Kenneth & Anne Griffin Emergency Care Center is the pediatric emergency department at the main hospital.

Open 24 hours

Lurie Children’s main hospital page states the emergency room is open 24 hours a day.

Pediatric emergency specialists

The emergency page states the center is staffed by board-certified pediatric emergency medicine specialists and fellows.

Pediatric trauma and acute care

The emergency center provides acute care for ill and injured children and is supported by pediatric medical and surgical subspecialties.

Emergency room access

The ER is located off the second floor lobby and can also be reached from the first-floor lobby near the Superior Street entrance using the elevators by security.

Situation Best action Why it matters
Life-threatening emergency Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Severe breathing trouble, major trauma, severe allergic reaction, seizure, unconsciousness, or severe bleeding should not wait.
Child is sick but stable Call the child’s doctor, Lurie Children’s appointment line, urgent care, or the appropriate clinic. A clinician can help decide whether primary care, urgent care, specialty care, or emergency care is appropriate.
Specialist sent you to the ER Bring referral notes, medication list, test results, insurance card, and specialist contact information. Records help the emergency team understand the child’s diagnosis and current treatment plan.
Possible poisoning Call 911, poison control, or emergency care immediately depending on severity. Medication bottles, product labels, plant photos, and ingredient details may help clinicians choose treatment.
Do not delay emergency care: MyChart messages are not real-time, and the official MyChart page says to call 911 if a child is having an emergency.

How to make an appointment at Chicago Children’s Hospital

Lurie Children’s offers appointment options for new and existing patients, but specialty visits may require records, referrals, insurance authorization, and department review.

Decide the care type. Determine whether your child needs emergency care, primary care, specialty care, testing, surgery, therapy, telemedicine, or a second opinion.
Call or use online scheduling. Call 1-800-543-7362 for appointment help, or use the official appointment page if the needed service supports online scheduling.
Prepare referral information. If your insurance or specialist visit requires a referral, ask your child’s doctor to send the referral and clinical notes before scheduling.
Check insurance and precertification. Lurie Children’s billing guidance says insurance companies may require referrals or precertification for certain appointments, surgeries, medications, and high-cost diagnostic procedures.
Gather records before the appointment. Bring or transfer lab results, imaging reports, medication lists, diagnoses, discharge summaries, and prior specialist notes.
Use MyChart for supported tasks. Existing patients may use MyChart for appointment management, e-check-in, messaging, prescription refills, test results, and bill pay where available.
Confirm location and parking. Lurie Children’s has multiple locations, outpatient centers, and partner sites. Confirm whether the visit is at the main hospital or another clinic.
Appointment call script: “My child needs an appointment for ____. The referring doctor is ____. The diagnosis or concern is ____. We have insurance ____, referral status ____, and records from ____. Which department should schedule this, and what should we bring?”

Pediatric specialties and services at Lurie Children’s

Specialty availability can vary by provider, location, referral status, insurance authorization, and clinical review.

Care area What families may need Planning tip
Emergency and trauma Acute pediatric illness, injury, trauma, urgent symptoms, or emergency evaluation. Call 911 for life-threatening symptoms; bring medication and allergy details when safe.
Cardiology and heart care Heart murmur, congenital heart condition, rhythm concern, imaging, cardiology visit, or cardiac follow-up. Ask whether EKG, echo, imaging, prior records, and insurance authorization are needed.
Cancer and blood disorders Hematology, oncology, infusion, blood disorder, immune issue, or complex treatment planning. Bring outside labs, pathology, imaging, medication history, and treatment summaries.
Neurology and neurosurgery Seizures, headaches, brain/spine conditions, developmental concerns, neurosurgical review, or diagnostic testing. Bring EEG, MRI, CT, seizure logs, school notes, medication history, and outside specialist reports.
Orthopedics and sports medicine Fractures, scoliosis, sports injuries, joint pain, ligament injuries, orthopedic surgery, or rehab planning. Bring imaging discs, reports, brace details, injury timeline, and activity restrictions.
Gastroenterology and nutrition Abdominal pain, feeding issues, constipation, diarrhea, growth problems, inflammatory bowel disease, or nutrition support. Bring growth charts, diet history, stool logs, labs, endoscopy reports, and medication list.
Endocrinology and diabetes Diabetes, thyroid, growth, puberty, adrenal, hormone, or metabolic concerns. Bring labs, device reports, glucose logs, insulin plan, school-care forms, and medication list.
Pulmonology and sleep medicine Asthma, chronic cough, lung disease, airway concerns, sleep study, CPAP/BiPAP, or breathing symptoms. Bring inhalers, spacer, sleep logs, chest imaging, pulmonary testing, and prior treatment plan.
Behavioral health and adolescent care Mental health, psychiatry, adolescent medicine, developmental behavior, crisis planning, or coordinated care. Ask about privacy rules, proxy access, safety planning, records release, and urgent-crisis routing.
Specialty phone tip: Use Lurie Children’s “Phone Numbers by Specialty” page when a department has a direct appointment number. Use the main appointment line if you are unsure where to start.

Before your visit: referrals, insurance, records, medications, and location check

Preparation can reduce check-in delays and help the care team understand your child’s history.

Complete registration tasks

Use MyChart or appointment instructions for e-check-in, consent forms, insurance upload, and registration verification when available.

Bring medication details

Bring a complete medication list with dose, timing, allergies, inhalers, injections, vitamins, supplements, and recent antibiotics.

Transfer outside records

Specialists may need prior notes, labs, imaging reports, discharge summaries, school plans, and referral documents.

Confirm location

Lurie Children’s care can occur at the main hospital, outpatient centers, primary-care offices, partner hospitals, or telemedicine visits.

Bring or prepare Why it helps Extra tip
Insurance card and ID Needed for registration, billing, referral checks, copay, and authorization. Bring guardianship or custody documents if they affect consent.
Referral and authorization Some plans require written referral or precertification before care. Ask your insurance plan and referring doctor before the appointment.
Medication list Helps clinicians avoid dosing errors and drug interactions. Include prescription, over-the-counter, supplement, inhaler, and allergy details.
Outside imaging and labs Specialists may need prior X-rays, MRIs, CTs, ultrasounds, bloodwork, and reports. Ask whether imaging should be uploaded, mailed, or brought on a disc.
Symptom timeline A clear timeline helps the care team see what changed and when. Track fever, pain, appetite, sleep, stool, urination, breathing, rash, seizures, or behavior changes.

Lurie Children’s MyChart portal

MyChart is useful for routine account, appointment, record, messaging, prescription, test-result, and billing tasks, but it is not for emergencies.

What MyChart can do
MyChart can help families access portions of the child’s electronic medical record, manage appointments, message the care team, refill prescriptions, complete e-check-in, upload insurance cards, use estimate tools, and pay bills.
Emergency limit
Lurie Children’s says MyChart should not be used to diagnose a health problem or substitute for medical care. If a child is having an emergency, call 911.
Message timing
MyChart messaging is not real-time. The MyChart page says to allow at least two business days for a response.
Proxy access
Parents or guardians of patients under 18 may request proxy access, but teen and sensitive-record access may be limited by law and hospital policy.
Teen privacy
For ages 12 to 17, enhanced proxy access may require a consent form, and some mental health, HIV/AIDS, substance-use, pregnancy, birth-control, or STI information may have special release rules.
Portal rule: Use MyChart for routine messages and records. Use phone, urgent care, emergency care, or 911 for urgent or life-threatening symptoms.

Medical records, Release of Information, and sensitive child records

Medical records may be needed for specialists, school plans, insurance claims, disability paperwork, second opinions, travel, or a new doctor.

Record need Best route Important detail
Portions of electronic record Use MyChart when available. MyChart may show portions of the child’s electronic medical record, appointments, results, immunizations, and messages.
Full or printed medical record Use the medical-records page and Release of Information process. Call 312-227-5220 if you need help with the request.
Records for child under 18 Parent or legal guardian may request records, subject to exceptions. The medical-records page notes special rules for certain sensitive records.
Patient age 18 or older The adult patient generally controls the record request. A parent is not automatically authorized just because they were previously a proxy.
Sensitive teen records Ask HIM or the care team what authorization is required. Mental health, HIV/AIDS, substance-use, STI, pregnancy, and birth-control records may have special authorization rules.
Records sent to another physician Use the official authorization process and receiving provider details. Ask the receiving doctor exactly what records are needed before requesting a full chart.
Record request script: “I need my child’s Lurie Children’s records for ____. Patient name is ____. Date of birth is ____. Please include visit summaries, discharge papers, lab results, imaging reports, medication list, immunizations, and specialist notes if available.”

Billing, estimates, referrals, precertification, and financial assistance

Hospital billing can include hospital charges, physician charges, separate specialist bills, insurance rules, copays, deductibles, and financial-assistance options.

Billing topic What Lurie guidance says to check Best action
Referral Before a visit, ask your insurance company if a written referral is needed. Have the referring doctor send referral documents before the appointment.
Precertification Some plans require precertification for appointments, surgeries, drugs, or high-cost diagnostics. Confirm with your plan and Lurie Children’s Financial Clearance before the service.
Estimate The billing page says the most accurate estimate is obtained by contacting your insurance company, and Lurie also provides estimate support. Call 312-227-1222 for estimate assistance and confirm coverage with your insurer.
Copay, coinsurance, deductible Lurie may request payment at check-in for copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. Bring payment method and check MyChart for e-check-in or prepayment options.
Separate bills Families may receive more than one bill for a single visit, including hospital and physician-related charges. Compare each statement carefully before paying or disputing charges.
Financial assistance Families may apply for financial assistance from the date care begins until 240 days after the first post-discharge billing statement. Call 877-924-8200 or 312-227-7181 for guidance.
Paperless and online bill pay MyChart can support bill pay and guest payment options. Use official MyChart or Lurie Children’s links only; avoid suspicious payment links.
Billing caution: Estimates are not guarantees. Final cost can change based on insurance, medical necessity, tests, procedures, physician services, facility charges, and clinical findings.

Parking, directions, shuttle notes, and visitor planning

Downtown Chicago hospital visits need extra planning for garage entry, validation, pedestrian bridge access, emergency drop-off, and traffic.

Huron-Superior garage

The main hospital page advises using the Huron Street garage entrance, parking near the southeast corner, taking the elevator to the second floor, and walking across the garage pedway to the hospital bridge.

Parking validation

The main hospital page says validation for families and visitors is available at the second-floor concierge desk in Lurie Children’s.

Valet

The main hospital page lists valet as available Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., with different pricing for families and visitors with a handicap placard.

Shuttles

Lurie Children’s lists shuttles between the main hospital, Lincoln Park outpatient center, and Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s.

Arrival tip: Build in extra time for downtown traffic, parking, bridge access, security, registration, elevators, and clinic check-in, especially for first visits or morning appointments.

Safety, privacy, and care-decision notes for families

This page helps you navigate the hospital. It does not diagnose, treat, or replace medical advice from your child’s clinician.

Emergency symptoms need emergency care

Do not wait for appointment callbacks, emails, or MyChart messages for life-threatening symptoms.

Protect child privacy

Do not post medical-record screenshots, patient labels, account numbers, test results, addresses, or identifying child details publicly.

Confirm referrals before specialty care

Insurance referral and precertification requirements can affect scheduling and billing.

Use official links for payment

Pay through Lurie Children’s official billing page or MyChart to reduce the risk of payment scams.

Chicago Children’s Hospital map and address

Use the main hospital address for emergency department directions, inpatient visits, outpatient clinics, and hospital navigation.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
225 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
Main phone: 312-227-4000

Use 225 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 for the main hospital. Check Lurie Children’s official directions and parking page before arrival because garage, valet, traffic, and visitor details can change.

Official source checklist for Chicago Children’s Hospital

Use these official Lurie Children’s pages to verify details before an appointment, emergency visit, record request, billing call, or downtown Chicago trip.

Official source What it verifies When to use it
Lurie Children’s Contact Us Main hospital address, main phone, appointment line, billing, family services, medical records, volunteer, compliance, patient relations, and email privacy guidance. Use for phone routing and official contact confirmation.
Main Hospital location page Main hospital overview, ER access, parking, Huron-Superior garage instructions, validation, valet, shuttles, driving directions, and public transportation notes. Use before driving to the main hospital.
Pediatric Emergency Room Kenneth & Anne Griffin Emergency Care Center, pediatric emergency staffing, trauma and acute-care context, and emergency service description. Use for ER planning, not as a substitute for 911.
Make an Appointment New and existing patient scheduling, appointment request options, second-opinion context, and appointment phone routing. Use before scheduling or requesting a specialist visit.
Phone Numbers by Specialty Direct phone numbers for specialty departments and appointment routing. Use when you know the specialty and want the fastest department-specific phone number.
MyChart Portal access, proxy access, teen access, appointment management, messages, prescription refills, test results, bill pay, and emergency limitations. Use for portal setup and routine patient-account tasks.
Medical Records Release of Information process, authorized requesters, adult patient record access, guardian access, minor exceptions, and sensitive-record rules. Use before requesting records or sharing records with another doctor.
Billing & Financial Assistance Referral, precertification, estimate, check-in payment, MyChart e-check-in, billing, financial assistance, and after-visit payment guidance. Use before a scheduled service or after receiving a bill.
Financial Assistance Financial Assistance Program timeline, application resources, phone number, hours, and independent-provider limitation. Use if you may need help paying for medically necessary care.
Parking Information Parking information links for the main hospital, outpatient centers, partner hospitals, and related locations. Use to confirm current parking details for the exact location.
Independent guide notice: This website is not Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, an emergency department, an insurance company, or a medical provider. Confirm final details directly with Lurie Children’s, your child’s doctor, your health plan, or emergency services before making medical, appointment, billing, or travel decisions.

Chicago Children’s Hospital FAQs

Common questions about Lurie Children’s address, phone number, emergency department, appointments, specialties, MyChart, records, billing, parking, and visitor planning.

1. What is Chicago Children’s Hospital officially called?
The main children’s hospital commonly searched as Chicago Children’s Hospital is Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
2. What is the address of Chicago Children’s Hospital?
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is located at 225 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.
3. What is the main phone number for Lurie Children’s Hospital?
The main hospital phone number is 312-227-4000. Use it for general hospital routing and department connection.
4. How do I make an appointment at Lurie Children’s?
Call 1-800-KIDS DOC, also written as 1-800-543-7362, or use Lurie Children’s official appointment page. Have referral, insurance, medical records, diagnosis, and preferred specialty details ready.
5. Is Lurie Children’s emergency room open 24 hours?
Yes. Lurie Children’s main hospital page states the emergency room is open 24 hours a day. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
6. What is MyChart at Lurie Children’s?
MyChart is Lurie Children’s patient portal. It can help families access portions of the child’s electronic medical record, manage appointments, message the care team, refill prescriptions, complete e-check-in, use estimate tools, and pay bills.
7. How do I request medical records from Lurie Children’s?
Use Lurie Children’s medical-records page and Release of Information process, or call 312-227-5220. Parent, guardian, adult-patient, and sensitive teen-record rules may affect what can be released.
8. Who do I call for Lurie Children’s billing questions?
For billing questions, call 312-227-7181. For estimate assistance, call Patient Financial Services at 312-227-1222. For financial-assistance questions, call 877-924-8200 or review the official financial-assistance page.
9. Where should families park for Lurie Children’s main hospital?
The main hospital page advises using the Huron Street entrance to the Huron-Superior garage, parking near the southeast corner, taking the elevator to the second floor, and walking across the garage pedway to the bridge to Lurie Children’s.
10. Can I use MyChart or email for urgent symptoms?
No. MyChart messaging is not real-time, and general email is not appropriate for urgent medical information. Call 911 for emergencies, or call the child’s clinician or 1-800-KIDS DOC if your child may need to be seen.