Children’s Hospital El Paso: Pediatric Care & Info

Online appointment-request process

What to have ready when scheduling

• Child’s full name and date of birth
• Parent or legal guardian contact information
• Insurance card
• Referring physician information
• Diagnosis or reason for referral
• Relevant imaging, laboratory reports or outside records when requested
• Preferred location and appointment day

The emergency department currently describes 10 private patient rooms, including one resuscitation room and two isolation rooms. It also lists 24/7 attending and resident coverage, respiratory therapists and dedicated clinical pharmacists.

Examples of emergencies EPCH treats

ER parking

The official UMC main-campus patient handbook, which covers the shared campus where EPCH is located, states that guests using the emergency room may park in the parking lot adjacent to the emergency-room entrance. Main-campus visitor parking is listed as free.

Problems commonly routed to urgent care

• Cold and flu symptoms
• Ear and eye infections
• Sore throat and sinus symptoms
• Minor cuts or burns
• Skin rashes
• Animal or insect bites
• Sprains and strains
• Upset stomach
• School, sports and camp physicals

Pediatric cardiology

Cardiology services include echocardiography, EKG, Holter monitoring, event monitoring, exercise testing, preventive cardiology and sports clearance. Specialty center phone: 915-242-8402.

Pediatric gastroenterology

Published GI services include endoscopy, therapeutic endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, pH monitoring, esophageal and anorectal manometry, rectal suction biopsy and pediatric hydrogen-breath testing.

Pediatric surgery

Pediatric surgery is based at the Multispecialty Center, 5400 Alameda Avenue, Suite B. Services include appendectomy, hernia repair, bowel surgery, pyloromyotomy, lung-lesion surgery, splenectomy, central-line/port procedures and other pediatric surgical care.

Orthopedics, sports medicine and hand care

Neurology, epilepsy and neurosurgery

Allergy, dermatology and ENT

Cranial and facial specialists

Hematology, oncology and laboratory leadership

Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The Laura and Pat Gordon Family Advanced Level IV NICU provides the highest level of neonatal care available within the Texas neonatal designation system and supports critically ill, premature and medically complex newborns.

NICU services highlighted by EPCH include family-centered programs, whole-body cooling for eligible newborns and the NicView webcam system.

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

The Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Pediatric Intensive Care Unit provides advanced pediatric critical care. EPCH describes 22 private PICU rooms, continuous attending coverage and 24/7 board-certified pediatric critical-care specialist coverage.

General pediatric inpatient floor

The James A. “Buddy” Davidson General Pediatric Floor has 26 private patient rooms plus child/family spaces including a playroom, library and lactation rooms. Pediatric hospitalists are available 24/7 for hospitalized children.

Epilepsy Monitoring & Intermediate Care

EPCH’s pediatric epilepsy/intermediate-care unit includes 26 patient rooms: 16 general pediatric rooms and 10 intermediate-care rooms, with capability for epilepsy-monitoring status rooms. Services include 24/7 video EEG monitoring, neurological evaluation, surgical mapping and neuroscience support.

Why a single “doctor fee” would be misleading

EPCH’s outpatient locations operate as hospital-based clinics. A family may receive a hospital/facility charge from El Paso Children’s Hospital and a separate professional bill from the physician or specialist who provided care.

The hospital’s billing guidance explains that a visit can generate charges for:

• Hospital or clinic services
• Room charges
• Diagnostic tests
• Procedures
• Medications
• Medical supplies
• Clinical services
• Physician professional services
• Anesthesia
• Radiology or other specialist interpretation

Emergency-room fees

There is no single published “EPCH ER fee.” An emergency visit is priced according to the level of evaluation and services actually needed. A simple evaluation and a complex emergency involving imaging, laboratory testing, medication, procedures or admission will not have the same charge.

Get a personalized estimate

EPCH also publishes a hospital-price-transparency resource with standard charges, payer-specific negotiated amounts and self-pay information for hospital services.

Ways to pay

• Online: use EPCH’s official payment system.
• By phone: call the billing/payment line.
• In person: payments can be made with the cashier in the hospital registration area.
• Payment arrangement: eligibility representatives can help set up an arrangement when appropriate.

Before a scheduled visit

EPCH states that staff may contact families before scheduled care to explain what to bring, insurance coverage, expected payment and an estimated out-of-pocket amount. Depending on insurance benefits, a copay and/or deductible may be requested before scheduled services.

The amount and type of financial help depend on factors including household income, number of people in the household and where the family lives. EPCH publishes its Financial Assistance Policy, plain-language summaries and application forms in English and Spanish.

Who to call

How to apply

1. Get the current EPCH financial-assistance application.
2. Complete household and financial information.
3. Provide the documents requested by the hospital.
4. Contact a financial counselor if you do not understand a requirement.
5. Keep copies of the application and supporting documents.

Where not to park

The shared-campus handbook instructs visitors not to park in restricted main-campus employee/associate parking areas, including designated garages and lots on Alberta Avenue. Unauthorized vehicles can be subject to a fine.

Parking safety

EPCH advises visitors to lock the vehicle, take the keys and keep belongings out of sight.

Overnight family

EPCH’s current visitor information states that two adults may stay overnight. One adult friend or family member designated by the parent/guardian may stay overnight in their place.

Hospital check-in

• Patients and visitors report to the information desk for screening.
• Families may be asked to provide proof of address and insurance during appointment check-in.
• A hospital identification bracelet is provided and should remain on until the child leaves.
• Visitors receive a pass/badge that should remain visible.

Children visiting patients

Visitors under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. EPCH may restrict visitors under age 14 during flu season or other infection-control periods.

Current infection-control rule

The hospital’s current visitor page instructs visitors to follow its masking and screening requirements. Because respiratory-season policies can change, check the hospital’s current visitor notice before traveling.

Flowers and plants

EPCH does not allow live plants and flowers in the hospital because of infection-control concerns.

Tobacco policy

The entire campus—including hospital buildings, grounds, parking lots and courtyards—is designated tobacco-free.

Gift Shop phone: 915-521-7649.

Other family resources

• Child Life Services
• Family-centered inpatient rooms
• Play areas
• Lactation spaces
• Social-work support
• Pastoral/spiritual-care arrangements
• Interpretation resources
• Guest-service assistance

Interpreter and accessibility communication

The shared campus provides communication assistance including qualified sign-language interpreters, medical interpreters, telephone/video interpretation and accessible information formats. Ask the care team or registration staff to arrange assistance.

Record request steps

Mailing address

Health Information Management Department
El Paso Children’s Hospital
4845 Alameda Avenue
El Paso, TX 79905

Use the patient portal for eligible electronic health information rather than requesting a paper medical-record copy every time. For complete legal copies, outside-provider transfers or records not shown in the portal, use the Medical Records Department.

Families who collect a requested urine or stool specimen at home may drop it at El Paso Children’s Hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

EPCH instructs families to label home-collected specimens with the patient’s name, date of birth, collection date, collection time and the name of the person who collected the specimen.