Nationwide Children’s Hospital: Pediatric Care & Info

Nationwide Children’s Hospital quick facts

2025-26 specialty rankings published by the hospital

Which Nationwide Children’s entrance or building should you use?

The main campus is large. “700 Children’s Drive” is the general hospital address, but several services use their own patient entrances and parking areas.

How to make an appointment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

New patients

New patients can request appointments online or call an appointment scheduler. Several specialties now allow families to select an available provider, location and appointment time online.

Existing patients

MyChart can be used to review upcoming visits, request or cancel appointments, view results, message the care team and manage other parts of a child’s care.

Second opinions

Nationwide Children’s provides online second opinions for selected specialties. This can be useful for families who already have a diagnosis or treatment plan from another medical center but want review by a Nationwide Children’s specialist.

Nationwide Children’s specialty clinic phone directory

You do not need to search through dozens of hospital pages just to find a department number. These are the principal published scheduling/contact numbers for commonly searched pediatric services.

Nationwide Children’s doctors and major pediatric specialists

Hospital and surgical leadership

Heart Center physicians

Neurology and neurosurgery examples

Orthopedic leadership and specialists

Oncology and blood-disorder physicians

The current Oncology team includes a large multidisciplinary physician group. Published physicians include:

Most Hematology/Oncology physician profiles use the specialty contact route around 614-722-3550, while the hospital’s central Hematology/Oncology/BMT clinic referral line is 614-722-3250.

Published pediatric clinic schedules and doctor-session timing

Although individual physician shifts are generally not published, Nationwide Children’s does publish real clinic schedules for some programs. Pediatric Surgery is a good example.

Pediatric Surgery Clinic — Outpatient Care Center

Location: 555 S. 18th Street, 6th Floor, Columbus, OH 43205
Phone: 614-722-3900
Fax: 614-722-3903

Urgent Pediatric Surgery Clinic evaluation: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Burn Clinic

Surgical Oncology Clinic

Outpatient Care Center, 555 S. 18th Street, 4th Floor. Published clinic sessions are the first and fourth Monday of each month, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Other published Pediatric Surgery outreach sessions

• Athens Close To Home Center: first and third Thursday of each month.
• Westerville Surgery Center clinic: selected Mondays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Dublin Close To Home Center: selected Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Surgery preparation tours

Child Life surgery tours are offered Tuesday through Thursday beginning at 3 p.m. Tours generally last about 45 to 60 minutes and are intended to help children age 3 and older and their caregivers understand the surgical environment.

Nationwide Children’s Emergency Department: hours, entrance and fees

Emergency Department location

Main Campus Emergency Department
630 Children’s Drive
Columbus, OH 43205
Direct ED phone published in hospital-family information: 614-722-4300
Hospital operator: 614-722-2000

What happens when you enter the ED?

The hospital currently screens patients, families and visitors entering the Emergency Department. The process includes a metal detector and review of bags for potentially dangerous items. Families arriving with a child by ambulance may receive separate security screening.

Emergency parking

• Emergency drop-off is outside the entrance at 630 Children’s Drive.
• Short-term 15-minute parking is available near the emergency entrance.
• Valet parking is offered at the entrance.
• Self-parking is in the Blue Parking Garage at 633 Children’s Drive, directly in front of the hospital.

2026 Emergency Department facility charges

Is there one fixed “ER fee”?

No. The level is assigned according to the services and complexity of the Emergency Department encounter. Tests, imaging, medication, procedures, physician professional charges and other services can be billed separately.

Doctor fee in the ER

The hospital’s 2026 public price list specifically states that the Emergency Department facility charges above do not include physician charges and directs families to Pediatric Academic Associates for physician-charge information. For a personalized estimate or billing explanation, Patient Accounts is available at 614-722-2055.

When should you call 911?

Call 911 for a life-threatening condition or whenever the child cannot be transported safely. For a suspected poisoning, call 800-222-1222.

Downtown Urgent Care: hours, age limit and parking fee

For illness or injury that needs prompt attention but does not appear life-threatening, Nationwide Children’s operates pediatric urgent care locations. The Downtown location is on the main campus.

Nationwide Children’s urgent-care pediatric experts treat patients until their 21st birthday.

Emergency Department or Urgent Care?

Urgent Care also offers a live Save My Place system that gives families an arrival time rather than requiring them to wait at the center for the entire queue.

24/7 pediatric psychiatric and behavioral health crisis care

Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion
444 Butterfly Gardens Drive
Columbus, OH 43215

When to use the Psychiatric Crisis Department

The hospital advises using it when a child has an urgent behavioral or mental-health concern requiring immediate evaluation and does not have a medical problem such as serious injury, bleeding, unconsciousness, overdose, breathing difficulty or seizures.

You do not need to call ahead. A parent or legal guardian should accompany the child.

Franklin County youth crisis line

614-722-1800 — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for youth and adolescents age 17 and younger in Franklin County.

For an immediate threat to anyone’s safety, call 911.

Behavioral Health routine intake

New-patient Behavioral Health intake: 614-355-8080, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Major pediatric specialties and services at Nationwide Children’s

Nationwide Children’s Hospital prices and fees for 2026

Inpatient and observation charges

Common imaging charges

Radiology charges above do not include the interpreting physician’s professional charge.

Common laboratory charges

Operating room, anesthesia and recovery charges

Operating-room and anesthesia charges do not include all physician professional charges.

Therapy charges

How much is a specialist/doctor appointment?

Nationwide Children’s does not publish one flat pediatric specialist consultation fee that applies to every physician and clinic. The cost depends on the type and level of professional visit, facility, testing, insurance contract and other services performed.

The hospital provides a patient-estimate tool covering more than 300 procedures. Families are asked for the patient’s name, date of birth and insurance information. For a more specific pricing question, Patient Accounts is available at 614-722-2055.

Insurance accepted at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

The Main Campus currently lists participation with many commercial, Medicaid, government and Marketplace plans. Participation can differ by service or individual provider, so the insurance card should still be verified before planned care.

Common contracted commercial plans

• Aetna
• Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield
• Cigna
• Medical Mutual of Ohio
• OSU Health Plan
• UnitedHealthcare of Ohio
• Optum Behavioral Health
• UMR
• Surest
• Golden Rule
• Oxford
• First Health

Ohio Medicaid plans currently listed

• Ohio Medicaid
• Aetna Better Health — OhioRISE
• AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio
• Anthem Ohio Medicaid
• Buckeye Community Health Plan
• CareSource
• Humana Healthy Horizons
• Molina Healthcare of Ohio
• UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

Marketplace plans currently listed

• CareSource Marketplace — Ohio
• UnitedHealthcare Marketplace — Ohio

Financial assistance and 2026 income information

Nationwide Children’s has several financial-assistance routes, including its own Financial Assistance Program, Ohio’s Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP), Medicaid-related assistance and programs for children with complex medical needs.

Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP)

HCAP can help with eligible hospital charges for Ohio residents whose family income is at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level and who are not receiving Medicaid. Insurance and other third-party coverage must be billed first.

2026 100% Federal Poverty Level amounts used by Nationwide Children’s

For each additional family member, the hospital’s 2026 table adds $5,680 to the 100% FPL figure.

Financial counselor contacts

Payment plans

If a family cannot pay the full balance at once, Patient Accounts can set up a payment plan. Nationwide Children’s states that it does not charge interest on balances due.

How to pay a Nationwide Children’s Hospital bill

Online

Hospital billing is integrated with MyChart. Families can view statements, pay balances and set up payment plans from the MyChart account.

Card payment

Nationwide Children’s lists MasterCard, Visa and Discover as accepted options for patient balances.

Check or money order

Make payment payable to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and include the account number. The published payment mailing address is:

Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Dept. 781117
PO Box 78000
Detroit, MI 48278-1117

Billing questions

Patient Accounts: 614-722-2055
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Email: Children’sPatientAccounts@NationwideChildrens.org

Medical records: request methods, processing time and fees

How to request records

The hospital’s current medical-record page says standard requests are typically processed within 30 days. Same-day requests are reviewed to determine whether they can be accommodated.

Parent / patient medical-record fee schedule

Third-party record requests

Third-party requests can include a $23.25 retrieval fee, plus page charges: $1.53 per page for pages 1-10, $0.79 per page for pages 11-50 and $0.31 per page for pages 51 and above.

Nationwide Children’s outpatient pharmacies and hours

Specialty Pharmacy

Phone: 614-722-2534. The Specialty Pharmacy Call Center is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., while pharmacists are on call 24/7 for immediate enrolled-patient needs.

The inpatient Pharmacy Department provides 24-hour pharmacy services to hospitalized patients.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital parking: which garage and how much?

Main parking choices

$5 valet parking

Valet parking is currently published at $5 at:

• Main hospital entrance
• Children’s Gateway Entrance
• Outpatient Care entrance

The valet stub includes call-ahead instructions so the vehicle can be prepared before departure.

Accessible parking

Accessible spaces are available throughout Nationwide Children’s parking lots. High-top vans needing accessible parking can use the dedicated accessible lot at the Outpatient Care Entrance, 555 S. 18th Street.

For additional accessibility help, Patient Relations can be reached at 614-722-6593.

Security escort

If you would like a security escort to or from your vehicle, call Nationwide Children’s Security at 614-722-2128. For an escort from a parking lot into the hospital, the hospital instructs families to call from the vehicle and coordinate with Security.

Nationwide Children’s visiting hours and overnight parent rules

Visitor check-in

• Parents and visitors must wear an identification badge.
• Visitor badges are issued at Welcome Desks.
• Parents/guardians create a Guest Code when the child is admitted.
• Visitors need the correct Guest Code to enter the child’s unit.
• Families should keep visits short and avoid crowding the room.
• Isolation or respiratory-virus precautions can temporarily restrict visitors.

Where are Welcome Desks?

• Outpatient Care lobby near Orange Parking
• Urgent Care parking-lot entrance
• Crossroads Library area
• Main hospital Atrium

Overnight parent stay

Most inpatient units have a cot or fold-out sleeping chair for a parent or guardian. Linens and shower facilities are available. Intensive Care units may not allow sleeping inside the patient room, although nearby sleeping rooms may sometimes be available.

Can friends call a patient?

Parents and legal guardians can call the hospital regarding their child. Friends and relatives can leave messages through the hospital operator or Information Desk, but the hospital does not disclose medical-condition information to unauthorized callers.

Hospital operator: 614-722-2000
Patient Information Desk: 614-722-2001

Mail for a patient

Child’s Full Name
Room Number
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
700 Children’s Drive
Columbus, OH 43205

Latex balloons are not allowed because of patient-safety concerns; Mylar balloons are permitted unless a particular unit has additional restrictions.

Family services, sibling care, interpreters and spiritual support

Temporary housing

Nationwide Children’s tries to accommodate one adult overnight with an inpatient child when the unit permits it. Families needing additional accommodation may use the nearby Ronald McDonald House or hospital-recommended hotels and temporary lodging.

School during a long hospitalization

For school-age patients hospitalized for an extended period, hospital teachers can help coordinate schoolwork. Families can ask the nurse about connecting with education services.

Smoke- and tobacco-free campus

Smoking and tobacco use are prohibited throughout Nationwide Children’s property, including outdoor areas, garages and parking lots. Weapons are also prohibited on hospital property.

Food, cafeteria, room service and cafés

Patient and guest room service

Hospital room service can be ordered from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.. Meals are generally delivered within about 45 minutes.

Family members and visitors can buy a guest tray card for $5 plus tax from hospital food venues and use it for a guest room-service tray.

Main hospital cafeteria hours

Food Court

Breakfast: 6:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Closed weekends and holidays.

Clementine’s Café

First floor of Outpatient Care. Open Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Grove Café

Livingston Ambulatory Center. Open Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Nutrition Services

Questions about meals: 614-722-1517 or 614-722-1521, 6 a.m.-8 p.m.

ATMs

ATMs are available on the Orange Path near Clementine’s Café and near the lower-level cafeteria vending area. The hospital currently notes a $1.50 withdrawal fee for non-Huntington customers.

Gift shops and useful hospital conveniences

The Family Health Information Center provides consumer pediatric-health information and is open to the public. The hospital’s current page lists public hours of noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and phone 614-722-3200.

Main campus wayfinding: how to find your clinic after parking

Nationwide Children’s uses a color-path system rather than expecting visitors to memorize building corridors. Colored flooring lines and signs direct families to the correct elevator and level.

The official campus map identifies:

• Blue Path
• Orange Path
• Green Path
• Yellow Path
• Pink Path

Major map landmarks include the hospital entrance, Emergency Department, Blue and Orange parking garages, Admitting, Imaging, Radiology, Crossroads Registration, outpatient elevators, hospital elevators, Tower elevators, Blue and Orange pharmacies, Cafeteria, Food Court, Chapel, Magic Forest, Family Resources and Welcome Desks.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Google Map

Main hospital address: 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205.

Important Nationwide Children’s Hospital phone numbers

Official resources for live actions