Surgery

If you do not have a referral from your referring physician, you may be asked to reschedule your appointment or have the option to sign a waiver and pay a $50.00 waiver fee. If you get a referral to us by noon on the next business day we are able to return the waiver fee. Call 617-355-5695 or 617-355-2460 to provide the referral information.

It is recommended that you pay the waiver fee with a check or charge; it makes it easier to stop payment. If you get a referral after a 24-hour period, you will have to wait until the insurance company pays the claim. This may take as long as 60-90 days. Your waiver fee will then be automatically sent back to you. This process is fully automated and there is no way to speed up the process. If, after 90 days, you have not received a refund, call our billing company at 1-800-769-4278.

What if the provider I want my child to see does not have any openings for the next two months?

There are fourteen providers that would be happy and willing to see your child. If there is one provider that is booked out for two months, there may be another provider who will be able to see your child within a week. Each provider is board certified in pediatric surgery and has several subspecialties. The patient representative will be able to recommend several providers that will be able to offer the care your child needs.

How long will my child's appointment take?

Traffic and parking in the Longwood Medical Area can take quite a bit of time. It is a very congested area and you should take this into account both in arriving for your appointment on time and when leaving to go home.

The length of the visit may vary depending on where your child needs to go. There could be many stops depending on what your child needs to have done. Radiology, nuclear medicine, brace shop, and the cast room are among a few. Each of these stops requires a separate wait - and adds to the length of time you will be at Children's Hospital.

It is better to allow extra time for your visit so you do not need to rush.

What do I do if I see a family who arrived after me called in to the exam room before my family?

Remember that there may be several providers in session at a time. The family who arrived after you may be seeing a different provider than you are. Also, patients are seen and called in by the time of their appointments and are not called in the order of when they arrive. Keep in mind the family who arrived after you may have their appointment scheduled before your child's scheduled time.

How do I reschedule an appointment?

To cancel and reschedule appointments, you need to call 617-355-7800 and press option 3 to speak with a patient representative.

You may receive copies of your films. However, you must go through the Children's Hospital film library. They may require a fee depending on the number of copies you need. You may contact the film library to order your requests at 617-355-6283.

I have several questions about my child's hospital bill, who should I call?

Before calling the billing department, please note that the "CHMC Surgical Foundation" is responsible for the office visit with the physician or other healthcare provider. Visits to radiology or other services would constitute a bill from "Children's Hospital."

Billing questions about office visits from the "CHMC Surgical Foundation" should be directed to Direct Billing Associates at 781-647-8555.

Questions about other hospital services that are billed from "Children's Hospital" should be directed to 617-355-3397.

If my child needs surgery, how soon will I be able to schedule a date?

A surgery will be scheduled for your child based on the severity of the need for surgery and the availability of the surgeon. Once the necessary paperwork is filled out for the surgery, the surgical coordinator will arrange a date for your child.

To schedule a surgery call 617-355-7800, option 3 and ask to speak to the physicians office to schedule a surgery.

Is there a place in the hospital where I can learn more about my child's condition?

The Center for Families at Children's Hospital Boston is dedicated to helping families find the information and resources they need to understand their medical condition and take part in their care. In some instances they may be able to connect you with other families in a similar situation. The center is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Yes, residents and fellows are doctors.

A resident is someone who has finished medical school and has completed a 1-2 year internship. Residents who are in Surgery at Children's Hospital are in their 3rd year of residency and are working to receive a specialty in general surgery.

A fellow is someone who has finished their five-year residency program and they are specializing in pediatric general surgery. The fellowship program lasts for 1 year.

Where can I get my parking ticket validated and how much will it be?

Patients and their parents or guardians are eligible to have parking tickets validated at the Reception and Information Desk in the Main Lobby, at Outpatient Registration in the Pavilion Lobby, or at Emergency Services. With validation, the cost is a maximum of $8 for 24 hours or one exit, whichever comes first.

Do you offer valet parking and how much does it cost?

Valet parking is available, Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for an additional $3 above the parking fee.