How Do I Get Started?
Our Global Patient Services department has a dedicated finance team that will assist you in understanding your financial responsibilities and paying your medical bills.
Here are the most common ways you can pay for healthcare services at Cleveland Clinic:
- Health Insurance: If your insurance policy covers services at Cleveland Clinic you may want to use insurance to pay for your healthcare.
- Self-pay: You will pay for your healthcare yourself using one of the acceptable forms of payment.
- Embassy-sponsored: Your embassy will pay for your healthcare services.
We will discuss your payment preference with you when you call to schedule your appointment. Full payment is required before we can provide any medical services.
Acceptable forms of payment include:
- Cash (U.S. dollars).
- Traveler’s checks.
- Personal checks from a U.S. bank.
- Wire transfer.
- Money orders.
- Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, American Express.
Before you leave Cleveland Clinic, you will be scheduled for an exit interview with a financial counselor to review the charges from your completed appointments and discuss any additional pending charges.
What if I Have Health Insurance?
If you are using health insurance to pay for services at Cleveland Clinic, we will work with you and your insurance company to determine what services your insurance policy covers. Your insurance company has the final say about which services are covered and which are not.
The links below show many of the contracted international insurers accepted at our facilities.
Before you schedule your appointment, be sure to have your insurance company name, policy number and insurance card ready. We will ask for this information.
What if I Am Using Self Payment?
If you are a self-paying patient, we will give you an estimate of your medical care costs before you have your first appointment, or are admitted to Cleveland Clinic.
- Estimates include all of the procedures and services you will receive.
- Estimates do not include any incidental charges such as hotel, transportation and phone calls.
- If you need additional treatment that is not included in the original estimate, you may need to arrange for additional payment before receiving those services.
You will be required to pay the full estimated amount before receiving any medical services.
Your final bill cannot be calculated until after your treatment at Cleveland Clinic. Your final bill may vary substantially from the estimate you received, based on any changes in your medical treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does insurance coverage work?
A: Using insurance gives you more choices in the types of care you can access and where you receive it, with reduced financial stress. Depending on your plan, insurance may cover some or all of the costs. Any service that is not covered (in part or in full) will be your financial responsibility.
Q: What is important to know about using insurance?
A: Before booking your appointment, talk to your insurance company about your desire to receive services at Cleveland Clinic. They will let you know whether services are covered. You can also receive a cost estimate from our Global Patient Services team.
Q: What services are covered under insurance?
A: The services available depend on the type of insurance plan you have. Plans often cover physician visits, diagnostics and treatments, and hospitalizations at hospitals like Cleveland Clinic. It is important to contact your insurance company to find out whether:
- Your plan covers the services you need
- Cleveland Clinic is part of your insurance plan’s network
Typically, insurance will not cover non-medically necessary care services such as cosmetic plastic surgery and bariatric surgery.
Q: If I have insurance, will I still need to pay for services?
A: Your financial responsibility depends on your insurance policy, the treatment that you are receiving, and where that treatment takes place. It is important to contact your insurance company to accurately confirm your financial responsibility.
You should also check your insurance policy to see if any of the following common insurance terms apply:
- Co-Insurance: A percentage of the total amount that your insurance owes to a medical provider, which you are responsible to pay.
- Co-Payment: A flat dollar amount that you are responsible to pay for specific services covered under your insurance plan.
- Deductible: An amount that you are responsible to pay before your insurance benefits take effect.
- Annual Limit: A cap on the covered benefits that your insurance company will pay in a year while you are enrolled in a policy. These caps may be dollar amounts, or they may be placed on the number of services for a specific treatment.
- Exclusion: A medical condition, episode, or treatment that is not covered by your insurance plan.
It is important to obtain an estimate for your treatment to help you calculate the amount that you may owe.
Q: How can I obtain invoices or medical records to submit to my insurance company for reimbursement?
A: The MyClevelandClinic App connects you to your MyChart® account so you can access all your health information in one place. You can view your health records and obtain additional information that you may submit to your insurance company.
Q: How can I determine whether Cleveland Clinic accepts my insurance?
A: We work with many major medical insurance companies. To learn more, click on the below link that applies to your location:
Q: What if Cleveland Clinic does not accept my insurance?
A: In some instances, you may be able to contact your insurance company to have an exception granted. Your insurance company may reimburse you a portion of your costs if you provide documentation. Cleveland Clinic may also be able to arrange a single-case agreement. It involves working with your insurance company to arrange coverage for a specific episode of care. Contact us for more information.
