About Your Bill - Urgent Care And Emergency Department Charges
Understand your bills from Seattle Children’s Urgent Care and Emergency Department.
Because we saw your child in Seattle Children’s Hospital Urgent Care before they were sent to Seattle Children’s Emergency Department (ED), you may receive charges from Urgent Care and from the ED.
When will I receive charges from Urgent Care?
If your child is treated in Urgent Care, you will receive a bill for those services.
If the Urgent Care team determines your child requires services from our ED without treating your child in Urgent Care, you will not receive a bill from Urgent Care.
If treatment begins in Urgent Care but we need to transfer your child to the ED, you will receive a bill from Urgent Care and the ED.
Next time, should I take my child to the ED right away?
No, unless you know for sure it is an emergency. By law, once you go to the ED and your child is registered as a patient, they have to receive care there.
ED visits are typically more costly. It may save you money if we can see your child in Urgent Care.
Visit seattlechildrens.org/ucvsed to help you decide when you should go to Urgent Care or the ED.
Who does this affect?
Patients with Apple Health (Medicaid) or Seattle Children’s financial assistance will not receive bills for the amounts that their insurance does not pay.
What will be included in my bill from Seattle Children’s?
- Professional services provided by Seattle Children’s physicians, nurse practitioners or physician assistants.
- A clinic facility charge for being seen in the Urgent Care Clinic (if treatment is provided) and an ED facility charge for being seen in the ED.
- Facility charges for procedures. Some insurance companies cover a procedure like a “surgery” even if your child did not have a surgery.
- Diagnostic testing such as lab or radiology (X-ray) services.
- Medicines or supplies used in Urgent Care or the ED.
What should I do if I’m concerned about paying for services?
Seattle Children’s has a generous financial assistance program. Apply online at seattlechildrens.org/financialassistance. You may also call 206-987-3333 to speak with a financial counselor.
To learn more about when to go to the Emergency Department instead of Urgent Care, visit seattlechildrens.org/ucvsed.
To Learn More
- Billing: 206-987-5770
- Insurance coverage: Contact your
insurance company and ask about
facility charge coverage for hospitalbased
clinics. - Financial assistance: 206-987-3333
Free Interpreter Services
- In the hospital, ask your nurse.
- From outside the hospital, call the toll-free Family Interpreting Line, 1-866-583-1527. Tell the interpreter the name or extension you need.
