Connecticut Children’s Hospital: Pediatric Care & Info

The parking garage associated with the tower opened in January 2026. Families parking there use the Level 3 garage sky bridge, which enters Connecticut Children’s on the hospital’s 4th floor.

Level I Pediatric Trauma Center

Connecticut Children’s is designated a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, providing the highest level of pediatric trauma capability for seriously injured children.

35-bed pediatric Emergency Department

The Hartford Emergency Department has 35 beds and is supported by pediatric emergency physicians and multidisciplinary pediatric specialists.

Emergency mental-health care

Emergency Medicine services also include pediatric emergency mental-health evaluation when a child requires immediate behavioral-health assessment.

Where should ER families park?

For the Emergency Department, Connecticut Children’s currently directs families to the Hartford Hospital public garage at 256 Washington Street. The ED entrance is at the corner of Zwieback Street and Seymour Street.

Emergency room fees

Connecticut Children’s does not publish one flat ER fee that applies to every child. The final charge depends on the physician evaluation, level of hospital service, laboratory testing, imaging, medications, procedures and any additional specialists involved.

An emergency visit may generate more than one type of bill. Connecticut Children’s gives the example of an emergency visit involving a Medical Center hospital charge plus a Specialty Group emergency-physician charge.

Connecticut Children’s does not use one universal phone number for every specialty. Many departments allow online scheduling, while others use a direct specialty line.

What to bring

• Valid ID such as driver’s license, passport or other accepted identification
• Child’s insurance card
• Required referral or prior authorization
• Current medication list
• Relevant outside records, imaging or lab reports
• Form of payment for applicable copay or outstanding balance
• A comfort item for the child

How to check which doctor is working on your preferred date

1. Search the doctor by name in Connecticut Children’s provider directory.
2. Confirm the location listed on the provider profile.
3. Use “Schedule an Appointment” when offered.
4. Otherwise call the specialty number shown above.
5. Ask specifically for the named doctor and your preferred date.
6. Confirm whether the visit is in Hartford, Farmington or another satellite office.

Three different billing sources can appear

Does Connecticut Children’s charge an outpatient facility E&M fee?

That does not mean every outpatient service is free of hospital charges. Imaging, infusions, rehabilitation, diagnostic services, procedures and other hospital resources can still generate Medical Center charges.

Example: cardiology visit

A child may see a cardiologist and receive an echocardiogram during the same visit. Connecticut Children’s explains that the physician visit can be billed by the Specialty Group, while the echocardiogram can be billed by the Medical Center.

Example: orthopedic visit

A child can receive an orthopedic physician bill, an X-ray hospital charge and a separate radiologist interpretation charge.

Example: emergency visit

The Medical Center can bill for emergency-department services while the emergency physician’s professional service is billed separately.

Exact consultation fee

Connecticut Children’s publishes typical charge information, but there is no single doctor consultation amount that applies to every specialist. The hospital specifically notes that published Specialty Group estimates do not include office-visit services normally associated with an office copay.

Best way to know your actual expected cost

Ask the counselor to estimate the exact scheduled service and then confirm your deductible, copay and coinsurance with your insurer.

Major commercial plans listed by Connecticut Children’s

Government programs

• Connecticut Medicaid
• Medicare where applicable
• MassHealth products listed by the hospital
• New York State Medicaid, excluding New York Medicaid managed-care products

Insurance participation questions: 860-837-6170.

Families with income above 250% but at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify for partial assistance under the hospital’s published policy. The plain-language summary describes the partial assistance as 45% of applicable billable charges.

For services other than Primary Care, geographic eligibility under the published policy is generally limited to residents of Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.

What documents may be required?

• Most recent federal tax return
• W-2 forms
• Recent pay stubs
• Proof of unemployment benefits
• Child support or alimony statements
• Social Security / SSI statements
• Letter of financial support when applicable

Email: FinCounselors@connecticutchildrens.org

Financial Counseling is located at the Hartford main hospital. Families can also apply through MyChart.

Connecticut Children’s says families should generally hear about the status of a completed application within approximately 7–14 business days.

Main inpatient, outpatient and hospital-visit parking

Use the 289 Washington Street garage for:

• Inpatient visits
• Most outpatient clinics at 282 Washington Street
• NICU on the hospital’s 6th floor
• Walk-in outpatient radiology
• Outpatient surgery
• Hospital inpatient admissions

Main entrance valet

Valet is currently available at 282 Washington Street Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–6 p.m.

If you need your car outside valet operating hours, ask the hospital front desk.

Emergency Department parking

ER families should use:

Hartford Hospital Public Parking Garage
256 Washington Street
Hartford, CT

Enter the Connecticut Children’s ED at Zwieback and Seymour Streets. There is no ED valet service.

85 Seymour garage hours

• Monday–Friday: 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
• Saturday–Sunday: 7:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

Accessible parking spaces are available on every level.

Connecticut Children’s does not currently publish one universal hospital-wide visiting-hours schedule that applies identically to every inpatient unit. Visitor access is based on the patient’s preferences together with unit-specific clinical and safety restrictions.

What every main-hospital visitor should know

• Visitors may need to present identification at hospital entry.
• Visitors receive a badge for security.
• Individual units can limit visitor numbers, visiting times and length of stay.
• Families may decline or withdraw consent for visitors.
• Do not photograph or record other patients, families or hospital staff without permission.
• Infection-control restrictions may temporarily change visitor access.

Medical Psychiatric Integrated Care Unit (IC5) is different

IC5 is a locked medical-psychiatric inpatient unit for children and adolescents with complex medical and mental-health needs. Families do not sleep overnight in IC5.

The hospital’s current live IC5 information lists visiting periods of:

• 3–4:30 p.m.
• 6–8 p.m.
• An additional weekend visiting period is provided by the unit.

Because specialized unit rules can change, confirm the exact time with IC5 before traveling to the hospital.

How to request records

1. Use the hospital’s online record-request process, or
2. Complete the Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information form.
3. Complete all sections; incomplete forms are not processed.
4. Provide identification when requested.

Mailing address for formal requests

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Connecticut Children’s Specialty Group
Health Information Management Department
Attn: Release of Information
10 Columbus Boulevard, 4th Floor
Hartford, CT 06106

Records for minors

For most patients under age 18, a parent or legal guardian completes the release. Connecticut law provides additional confidentiality for certain minor services, including some mental-health, reproductive-health, substance-use and HIV-related care.

MyChart allows families to complete many tasks without calling the hospital.

Parent proxy access

MyChart access changes as children get older because Connecticut law protects confidential adolescent health information. Parent access is broader for younger children and more limited for adolescents.

Walk-in imaging at 282 Washington Street

Connecticut Children’s Hartford location information lists MRI, ultrasound and X-ray among available services. Current location guidance also lists walk-in X-ray Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at selected Hartford locations.

One World Café

The One World Café is located on the ground floor of Connecticut Children’s main campus at 282 Washington Street.

Connecticut Children’s current amenities page does not publish one reliable public daily café-hours table, so this guide does not guess an opening or closing time. Hartford Hospital’s nearby cafeteria is also available with extended hours; hospital staff can provide directions.

Family kitchens

Family kitchens are available in medical/surgical units, the NICU Family Lounge and PICU family areas. They include:

• Coffee machine
• Toaster
• Microwave
• Refrigerator
• Ice and water

Vending

Snack and beverage vending is available on the ground floor and in other areas throughout the hospital.

Gift shop

The gift shop carries toys, craft kits, games, coloring books, toiletries, greeting cards, snacks and Connecticut Children’s merchandise. Room delivery may be available for gift items.

Laundry

Family-use washers and dryers are available in NICU and PICU family sleeping areas and on the sixth floor. Detergent is supplied.

Breastfeeding support

Lactation rooms, breast pumps and lactation-consultation assistance are available. Ask the child’s nurse to coordinate support.

Wi-Fi and computers

Free Wi-Fi is available in medical/surgical and intensive-care areas. Family-use computers are also located in waiting areas.

Family Resource Center

The Raytheon Technologies Family Resource Center provides educational and family-centered resources to patients and caregivers during a hospital stay.

Language help after normal business hours

Connecticut Children’s states that families requiring interpretation on evenings, weekends or holidays can ask the hospital Resource Center/main line for assistance.

Patient complaint or concern

Families who have concerns about care or hospital service can contact Patient Relations at 860-837-5282 or speak with the child’s care team.