Oakland Children’s Hospital: Pediatric Care & Info

What to bring to a specialty appointment

• Photo identification for the parent/guardian when required
• Your child’s health insurance card
• Insurance authorization, if required
• Doctor’s referral, if the clinic requires one
• Recent test results relevant to the condition
• Medication list with dosages
• Medication allergy information
• Questions you want to discuss with the specialist
• Outside imaging or records when the clinic specifically requests them

The Oakland Emergency Department is focused on children rather than being a general adult-and-pediatric emergency room. The hospital states that pediatric emergency medicine physicians and nurses are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with pediatric specialists available for more complex needs.

Level I pediatric trauma services

UCSF’s Oakland trauma program provides immediate pediatric trauma services 24/7. The trauma program has access to pediatric surgery, intensive care, operating rooms, blood bank services, radiology and rehabilitation. The hospital also provides critical-care transport for children who need transfer from another medical center.

UCSF publishes an Oakland hospital machine-readable standard-charge file and a charge description master. The hospital’s current pricing-transparency page states that the standard-charge data was updated in April 2026.

Those files contain hospital gross charges, self-pay information and certain payer-negotiated information, but UCSF specifically warns that the published charge is not the same thing as the amount a family will actually owe.

Pediatric trauma and surgery specialists

Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center – Oakland

The Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center is specifically based at the Oakland campus. Its direct number is (510) 428-3372.

Pediatric endocrinology and diabetes team

Pediatric cardiology specialists

UCSF’s Pediatric Cardiology program serves Oakland and other Northern California locations. Examples of physicians currently listed on the official cardiology team include:

Pediatric oncology specialists

UCSF lists dozens of Oakland services and more than 50 pediatric medical specialties across its larger children’s health network. The exact clinic building may be the main hospital, Oakland Outpatient Center or another Oakland clinic.

Oakland nursing stations

• Parking is paid.
• UCSF states there is a maximum charge per 24-hour period.
• Paying for a full day provides in-and-out privileges if you keep your receipts.
• Discount parking coupons can be purchased from the parking attendant.
• Bike racks are available in the garage.
• Metered street parking is available near the hospital on 52nd Street.

Which address should you use?

The main hospital and Oakland Outpatient Center are across the street from each other and are connected by bridges on several levels.

Free MacArthur BART shuttle

• Runs: Monday-Friday.
• Operating span: approximately 5:45 a.m.-12:15 a.m.
• No service: weekends or holidays.
• MacArthur pickup: in front of MacArthur BART station; look for a UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital shuttle.
• Hospital pickup: main hospital entrance.

AC Transit Line 18

When the hospital shuttle is not operating, UCSF recommends AC Transit Line 18 between the MacArthur BART area and the hospital.

• Up to two visitors are allowed at the bedside at a time.
• During visiting hours, the visitor list may include two primary caregivers and up to four additional visitors.
• From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., two primary caregivers may remain at the bedside.
• After 10 p.m., one primary caregiver may remain at the bedside.
• Children under age 10 may not visit patients who are in isolation for an infection.
• During respiratory-virus season, typically November 1-May 1, children under age 5 may not visit the hospital.
• Visitors must check in and wear a visitor badge.
• Visitor policies can change during infectious-disease outbreaks or other safety situations.

Mailing address:
Health Information Management
747 52nd St.
Oakland, CA 94609

If requesting records by letter

UCSF instructs Oakland families to include:

• Patient’s name and date of birth
• Date of visit
• Description of the information requested
• Purpose of the request
• Delivery address
• Requesting person’s name and signature
• Relationship to the patient
• Copy of the requester’s photo ID

Radiology images

For an Oakland patient’s imaging CD, contact the Oakland Radiology Department at (510) 428-2010. The official office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., at 747 52nd St., Second Floor, Room 210. UCSF says identity verification and a release form are required.

Medical record corrections

Oakland patients can submit a formal request to amend protected health information to Health Information Management. UCSF states it will respond within 60 days of receiving an amendment request.

Parents and guardians can request proxy access. UCSF states that parents/guardians can access their own account and request access to a child’s record through the MyChart Proxy Center. Access differs for adolescents because of privacy requirements.

MyChart customer service: (415) 514-6000.

UCSF accepts numerous insurance plans, including public coverage, but families should verify the specific plan before a scheduled visit. UCSF also warns that at the Oakland hospital, an individual physician may sometimes be treated as out-of-network even when the hospital itself is in-network.

Before the appointment

• Bring the child’s current insurance card.
• Ask the insurer whether UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland is in-network.
• Check whether the specific physician is in-network.
• Confirm prior authorization requirements.
• Bring authorization paperwork when required.
• Expect to pay an applicable office copay at check-in.

Oakland billing can involve more than one statement

UCSF states that Oakland patients may receive separate hospital and professional-service bills. Hospital charges may include room, medications and diagnostic services, while professional charges may include physicians such as surgeons, anesthesiologists or radiologists.

Financial assistance eligibility

UCSF’s current financial-assistance guidance states that families at or below 400% of the federal poverty level are generally eligible for 100% financial assistance for qualifying care, subject to the policy and application process.

UCSF also states that uninsured/self-pay patients are eligible for a discount. Families experiencing financial hardship should contact Patient Financial Services rather than ignoring a bill.

Dining-on-Call for patients

Oakland’s Dining-on-Call service uses extension 3663 (FOOD) from a bedside phone. UCSF recommends ordering around these periods:

Meals are normally delivered within about 45 minutes. Families can also pre-order meals a day in advance. Dietary restrictions, allergies and cultural or religious requirements should be discussed with the nurse.

Friendly Café – main Oakland hospital

Location: 747 52nd St., Second Floor.

Espresso Café – Oakland Outpatient Center

Location: 744 52nd St., First Floor.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Vending machines near the Friendly Café are available 24 hours a day.

Family House lodging

UCSF describes Family House as a nearby low-cost “home away from home” with 16 private bedrooms for qualifying families. Shared spaces include a living room, playroom, kitchen, laundry and backyard. Social Services can help with referrals.

Overnight caregiver

Most patient rooms can accommodate one overnight guest. Overnight arrangements can differ by unit and the patient’s medical needs, so confirm with the nurse.

Each Oakland patient room has an extension. Call (510) 428-3555 and enter the extension. If you do not know it, stay on the line for assistance.

Mail to an Oakland patient

Patient’s Name
A patient in room #[room number]
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
747 52nd St.
Oakland, CA 94609

Oakland also supports free patient eCards; hospital volunteers print and deliver eligible eCards, generally within one to two business days.