Having a sick child is stressful enough without worrying about hospital bills. At Children’s Hospital Colorado, we aim to make billing and payment as easy as possible for families. This guide will explain everything you need to know about receiving, understanding, and paying your Children’s Hospital Colorado medical bill.
Overview of Children’s Hospital Colorado Billing
When your child receives care at Children’s Hospital Colorado, you will receive two separate medical bills:
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A bill from Children’s Hospital Colorado for facility fees and hospital services
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A bill from University of Colorado (CU) Medicine for physician services,
This is because while Children’s Hospital Colorado provides the facility, equipment, and hospital staff, the doctors are employed by CU Medicine.
It’s important to understand that you will receive two bills for every visit and to look for both of them.
Children’s Hospital Colorado Bill
The Children’s Hospital Colorado bill covers the facility fees and any hospital services your child received. This includes things like:
- Nursing care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Lab tests
- Imaging services like x-rays and MRIs
- Hospital facility maintenance and utilities
Facility fees help pay for all of the staff, resources, and infrastructure to provide your child’s care beyond just the doctors.
You can view and pay your Children’s Hospital Colorado bills online through the hospital’s MyChart patient portal.
CU Medicine Bill
The CU Medicine bill covers the physician services provided during your child’s visit. This includes the time spent examining and treating your child by doctors employed by CU Medicine.
CU Medicine bills separately for their physician services. You cannot view or pay these bills through MyChart. Instead, you must contact CU Medicine billing directly by phone or mail.
Knowing you will receive two bills – one from the hospital and one from the doctors – can prevent confusion.
Sample Children’s Hospital Colorado Bill
Children’s Hospital Colorado bills can look complex at first glance. Here is a sample bill broken down to understand:
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Page 1 shows your account balance, payment due date, and amount due.
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Pages 2+ show itemized transactions: dates of services, charges, insurance payments, and patient balance.
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Review your bill and match up dates of services and charges line-by-line. Identify any discrepancies.
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Call Patient Financial Services with any questions or to request an itemized statement.
Understanding your bill layout is the first step to clarifying what you owe.
Frequently Asked Billing Questions
Below are answers to some common questions patients have about Children’s Hospital Colorado medical billing:
Why doesn’t my bill match my cost estimate?
Cost estimates are approximations based on expected services. If additional care or testing was needed during your visit, your actual charges may differ from the estimate.
How can I get an itemized bill?
To request an itemized statement, call Patient Financial Services. Itemized bills provide more detail than standard bills but do not list every single individual charge.
Why am I being billed when my child hasn’t been seen at the hospital?
Children’s Colorado provides services like lab tests that may be ordered by your pediatrician. You will then receive a bill from Children’s for these services.
Why does my urgent care visit say “emergency room general”?
Urgent care falls under emergency services, which is why urgent care bills may say “emergency room.” You can request an itemized bill for more details on the specific services provided during an urgent care visit.
How do I know if my insurance processed the claim correctly?
Contact your insurance company directly to verify claim processing. If you still disagree, file an appeal with your insurance provider.
How do I get financial assistance?
Call a Patient Financial Services financial counselor at 720-777-7001 to learn about financial assistance programs you may qualify for.
Paying Your Children’s Hospital Colorado Bill
You have various options for paying your Children’s Hospital Colorado medical bill:
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Online – Pay through the MyChart patient portal or as a guest user.
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By Phone – Call 720-777-6422 to pay over the phone using a credit card or to set up automatic payments.
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By Mail – Send a check or money order to Children’s Hospital Colorado PO Box 911611, Denver, CO 80291-1611.
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In Person – Pay at a check-in kiosk before appointments (where available).
Children’s Hospital Colorado accepts all major credit cards, checks, cash, and money orders.
If you cannot pay your full balance at once, call Patient Financial Services at 720-777-6422 to set up a monthly payment plan.
Financial Assistance Programs
Children’s Hospital Colorado offers financial assistance programs to families who qualify based on income level and other factors. These can greatly reduce or eliminate your medical bills.
Main financial assistance options include:
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Children’s Hospital Colorado Financial Assistance – Reduces bill based on family income and assets.
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Medicaid and CHP+ – Public health insurance for low-income children and pregnant women.
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CICP – Covers deductibles/coinsurance for low-income Coloradans.
Call 720-777-7001 to speak to a financial counselor about these programs. Apply as soon as possible – ideally before receiving services.
Additional Billing Resources:
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Contact Patient Financial Services with questions: 720-777-6422 or [email protected]
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Learn more about insurance coverage and financial assistance: https://www.childrenscolorado.org/your-visit/pay-for-care/insurance-and-billing/
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Access billing FAQs and sample bills: https://www.childrenscolorado.org/your-visit/pay-for-care/billing-payment/
Understanding your Children’s Hospital Colorado bill doesn’t have to be confusing. Follow this guide for everything you need to know about receiving, reading, and paying your child’s medical bills. Reach out for help – we’re here to make the process as stress-free as possible.
