Health care billing and insurance processing is complicated and can be confusing under even the best of circumstances. Here are some common questions our team hears from patients and families with answers and resources to help you navigate the process.
You are being billed because either we don’t have valid insurance coverage on file or your insurance has processed your claim and there is a remaining balance that is your responsibility. If you need assistance with your statement (bill), please call the phone number on your statement.
Itemized statements are available upon request. Call our financial customer service line at 952-992-5650 to request or get questions answered about an itemized bill.
Children’s Minnesota bills your insurance company based in the information you have provided about your coverage.
You might receive several different bills from one visit to Children’s. The Children’s Hospital bill is primarily for the use of the hospital facility. You may also receive bills from Children’s employed or affiliated physicians, which can include radiologists, pathologists, hospitalists and other employed specialists.. External physician groups may also send separate bills for services rendered in the hospital; examples can include surgeons and anesthesiologists. We all work together to provide excellent health care for your child, but from a billing perspective, we are separate businesses.
Your insurance should send you an explanation of your health care benefits (EOB) indicating total charges, payments and any co-payment or deductible amounts. If you have questions about your EOB and what your insurance company paid or denied, please call the customer service representatives at your insurance company.
Contact your insurance company to find out why they need additional information. It is important to note that they will not pay a claim until they receive the information from you. If they have requested information from you, please contact them immediately.
Claims for services include diagnosis and procedure coding as required by law. Coding is based on the documentation of services in the medical record. If you believe a code has been applied in error, a request for review can be sent to Children’s Medical Records. Please contact the billing office number located on your statement.
A health problem in the family can be a stressful experience. Children’s financial counselors can help determine if you qualify for assistance and can help you gain access to government and other programs. To reach a financial counselor at Children’s Minnesota, call 612-813-6432.
You can set up a payment plan by calling the customer service phone number on your billing statement. Those phone numbers are:
Children’s Revenue Management Department is able to assist you with understanding the charges and related costs for your procedure. Please contact 952-992-5627 to get a medical cost of care estimate. In order to create an estimate for you, we typically need you to provide us with some basic information such as:
Most cost of care estimates can be created within one business day. It will take longer for complex requests that require more research and/or documentation.
Please be aware that medical cost of care estimates are not legally binding. Costs can and will change due to unforeseen complications and/or changes to the course of care that becomes necessary at the time of service.
We also strongly encourage you to also speak directly with your health insurance carrier on matters of benefit coverage and to better understand your insurance policy provisions such as deductibles, coinsurance and maximum out of pocket amounts.
For more information about charges for hospital services, refer to this list of price transparency resources, including a list of Children’s Minnesota standard charges, listing of average charges by patient group and a price check tool.
A hospital-based clinic is owned and operated by Children’s Minnesota. It is considered part of the hospital, even if the services are provided in an outpatient clinic.
Go here for a full list of Children’s Minnesota’s hospital-based clinics.
If you receive services at a hospital-based clinic, your insurance provider may cover health care costs differently from a freestanding clinic.
Depending on your health insurance, you may see additional charges on your Children’s Minnesota billing statement. These include:
Please check with your insurance provider to understand your costs as you may be responsible for additional out-of-pocket expenses.
If you have additional questions about your bill, you can contact the respective billing office numbers noted above or the phone number listed on your statement. Customer service staff are available to answer your phone call immediately or get back to you within the day. Emails will receive a response within two working days.
If you have extensive hospitalizations or complicated billing issues, you can request the assignment of a financial case manager to your family. The financial case manager will get to know you and your insurance coverage and will be able to better assist you in resolving your billing issues. You will be able to contact your financial case manager directly by phone or email. Please contact the hospital billing department at 952-992-5650 request a financial case manager.
You can also contact our billing office via email.
Don’t risk a gap in your health insurance coverage. Visit the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Renew My Coverage website for information about the renewal process.
MyChildren’s is an online tool offered to give you secure access to parts of your Children’s Minnesota medical record on your computer or phone.
Children's Minnesota offers financial assistance for eligible patients and support from our financial counselors.
Find out if you qualify for our financial assistance program.