If you’re traveling to Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego from outside the United States, how do you become a patient?
Arranging your child’s healthcare at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego is a four-step process.
Step 1: Register Your Child
- Complete the International Patient Services Referral/Inquiry Form on our website.
Step 2: Provide Medical Records
- Provide your child’s current medical records. Once the International team receives all current records, they will be forwarded to the appropriate clinical team for review. Please include the following: medical summary, laboratory reports, surgery reports, pathology reports and diagnostic images. Please be sure that all records are provided in English, if possible. Allow seven to 10 business days for a review to be completed, if possible.
Step 3: Make Financial Arrangements
- We accept most international insurances. We will work with you to verify your insurance coverage (including any limitations and benefit requirements). Proof of insurance coverage, authorization or letter of agreement must be provided to the international team prior to your child’s first visit (five business days prior).
- However, if you do not have insurance, we will provide you with a cost estimate. A member of the International team will provide a cost estimate for Hospital resources, physician fees and any potential additional costs that you may incur, such as medical equipment, supplies, pharmacy items and outpatient follow-up services.
- Our team and support staff work together to provide your family with an accurate medical and financial assessment. It’s important to understand that this is only a cost estimate and not the actual costs. The proposed plan of medical care may change once the child is first examined and even during treatment itself based on physician recommendations. The cost estimate will be revised accordingly. Please note that the full estimate is required five days prior to your first visit. If the full estimate is not obtained, your appointment will be canceled or rescheduled.
- If you and your family require lodging and/or transportation, one of our patient coordinators will provide you with more information.
Step 4: Appointment Scheduling
- Once all the financial requirements are met, we’ll confirm all your scheduled appointments. If available, one of our International Coordinators will meet with you at your first appointment. This will ensure that we have answered all your questions, explained the services offered by the team and that all registration requirements are complete. Once all your appointments and/or treatments are complete, your last appointment will always be with the financial office to ensure that all financial aspects of the care are complete and the accounts are closed.
Please note: An International Coordinator will remain your primary contact during your child’s care at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego. Please be sure you complete the release of information form so you can obtain a copy of your child’s medical records. You can also obtain MyChart access to obtain your child’s medical information. Please ask our International Coordinator for more information.