Preparing for the Financial Aspects of CHD

When a family learns that their child has a congenital heart defect, the financial considerations of that serious diagnosis is often the last thing on their minds. However, along with providing your child with the best heart care and treatment possible, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology walks with families every step of the way, including helping them to prepare financially.

Frequently asked questions:

How much will my child’s visit cost?

The cost depends on the services required to diagnose or treat your child’s condition. How much you pay for your child’s visit depends on your insurance plan, and most healthcare plans require a co-pay or an annual deductible be met.

How do I obtain an estimate?

If you have insurance, check with your insurance carrier or contact our Financial Counseling Team to help determine your out-of-pocket cost or to obtain an estimate if you are self-pay. The estimates team can provide the necessary CPT codes to help families understand their medical bills better.

How to Contact Us for Financial Questions

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology supports families with insurance guidance, billing help and financial assistance resources each step of the way throughout your family’s journey. For your convenience, our Financial Counseling Team is available from 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday.

Financial Counseling Team

Do I need to tell my insurance carrier I’m coming?

There are several important steps that families need to take as they prepare for the financial aspects of treatment.

Children’s Cardiology accepts most major insurance plans, however, if your plan has a set list of physicians you may visit, confirm that we are on the list.
Give your insurance provider the following: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology Tax ID# 58-1871713 and Our NPI# 1235148727
Keep in mind some insurance plans require pre-approval before a patient can be seen. The insurance plans below are examples of plans that require an approval before you arrive for your appointment.
- BCBS HMO
- Humana HMO
- Kaiser
- Tricare
Your insurance also may require a referral. Contact your insurance carrier regarding how to obtain one. Note: some plans require a PCP referral submitted to insurance directly prior to visit.

What do the following key terms mean?

Allowed amount. The amount your insurance carrier agrees to pay, the remaining balance will be adjusted.
Co-pay. A predetermined amount paid by a patient for receiving a healthcare service. This amount may vary depending on the specialty.
Co-Insurance. This is a generally a percentage of a medical charge that you pay, with the rest paid by your insurance.
Coordination of Benefits-COB. This is a process used by insurance companies to determine how to cover your medical expenses when you are covered by more than one health insurance plan.
Deductible. How much you pay before your insurance starts to cover your bill. This normally resets yearly.
Premium. The amount of money charged by your insurance company for the plan you have selected.

How do I apply for financial assistance or government aid?

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology offer financial assistance based on certain qualifications such as family size and income level.

Some helpful online resources include:

Can I pay my bill on MYchart?

Yes. Parents and guardians may now submit payments securely and conveniently through MyChart. Payments can be made by logging into the child’s MyChart account or by using the guest payment option, depending on preference.