Children's Mercy offers multiple ways to pay your bill without visiting the hospital in person
Children's Mercy operates hospital systems in Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas. When you receive a bill from Children's Mercy, you can pay online through their patient portal, by phone, by mail, or in person. The online portal is the fastest route — you can set up a one-time payment or recurring payments without waiting on hold.
To pay online, you will need your bill number and either a credit card, debit card, or bank account information. If you do not have your bill number, you can look it up on the patient portal using your login credentials, or call the billing department to locate it before you pay.
Key Takeaways
- Children's Mercy bills can be paid online through their patient portal, by phone at the billing department number on your bill, or by mailing a check to the address listed on your statement.
- Online payments typically process within one to two business days, while phone payments are recorded immediately but may take the same time to appear in your account.
- If you cannot pay the full amount, Children's Mercy offers payment plans that spread the cost over several months with no interest charged.
- The patient portal also shows your bill history, payment status, and any remaining balance, so you can track what you owe at any time.
Paying online through the patient portal
The Children's Mercy patient portal is the most direct way to pay. Log in with your username and password, then navigate to the billing or payments section. You will see a list of any outstanding bills with their amounts and due dates. Select the bill you want to pay and choose your payment method — credit card, debit card, or electronic bank transfer.
Credit and debit card payments process immediately, though the payment may take one to two business days to show as posted on your account. Bank transfers (ACH payments) typically take three to five business days. The portal will give you a confirmation number when the payment is submitted, so save or print that for your records.
If you do not have a patient portal account, you can create one on the Children's Mercy website using your date of birth, Social Security number, and other identifying information. The portal also stores past bills and payment history, which is useful if you need to dispute a charge or track what you have already paid.
Paying by phone
The billing department phone number appears on your bill statement. Call that number and have your bill number ready. A representative will confirm your identity, tell you the amount owed, and accept payment over the phone using a credit card, debit card, or bank account number.
Phone payments are recorded in the system immediately, but like online payments, they may take one to two business days to post to your account. Ask for a confirmation number before you hang up. If you are paying by bank account, the representative will ask for your routing number and account number — only provide these if you initiated the call yourself and are certain you are speaking to Children's Mercy.
Paying by mail or in person
You can mail a check or money order to the address shown on your bill. Include your bill number in the memo line so the payment is credited to the correct account. Mail payments typically take five to ten business days to arrive and be processed, so send them early if your due date is approaching.
If you prefer to pay in person, you can visit any Children's Mercy location during business hours and ask for the billing office. Bring your bill and a form of payment — cash, check, or card. In-person payments are recorded immediately.
Setting up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full
If the bill amount is more than you can pay at once, contact the billing department and ask about a payment plan. Children's Mercy typically offers plans that spread the balance over three to twelve months with no interest. You will need to agree to the plan terms in writing, and payments are usually set up as automatic monthly charges to your bank account or card.
Payment plans are not the same as financial hardship programs. A payment plan simply divides what you owe into smaller pieces. If you are facing genuine hardship — job loss, medical emergency, or other crisis — ask the billing department whether Children's Mercy has financial assistance or charity care programs you may be able to use instead.
What happens if you miss a payment
If a payment is late, Children's Mercy will send you a past-due notice. The bill may be referred to a collection agency if it remains unpaid for several months. A collection account will appear on your credit report and can lower your credit score.
If you miss a payment on a payment plan, the entire remaining balance may become due immediately, depending on the terms you signed. Contact the billing department as soon as you know you will be late — they may be able to adjust your due date or work out a revised plan rather than escalating the account to collections.
Disputing a charge on your bill
If you believe a charge is wrong, do not ignore the bill or refuse to pay. Instead, contact the billing department and explain what you think is incorrect. Ask them to review the charge and provide an explanation of what service it covers.
You have the right to a detailed bill that shows each service, the date it was provided, and the charge for it. If the billing department cannot explain a charge to your satisfaction, ask for the bill to be reviewed by a patient advocate or ombudsman — most hospitals have one on staff. You can also file a complaint with your state's health department if you believe you were overcharged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a Children's Mercy bill without creating a patient portal account?
Yes. You can pay by phone, mail, or in person without logging into the portal. Call the billing department number on your bill, mail a check to the address listed, or visit a Children's Mercy location in person. The portal is optional and simply makes it easier to track your balance and payment history.
What if I lost my bill and do not have the bill number?
Call the billing department and provide your name, date of birth, and the approximate date of service. They will look up your account and tell you what you owe. You can then pay over the phone or ask them to mail a new bill to you.
Does Children's Mercy charge a fee to pay by credit card?
Children's Mercy does not charge a processing fee for credit or debit card payments made through the patient portal or by phone. However, some third-party payment services may charge a fee if you use them — always pay directly through Children's Mercy's official channels to avoid extra charges.
How long does it take for a payment to show up in my account?
Online and phone payments are recorded immediately but typically take one to two business days to post to your account. Mail payments take five to ten business days. Bank transfers (ACH) may take three to five business days. The confirmation number you receive shows the payment was submitted, even if it has not posted yet.
Can I set up automatic monthly payments?
Yes, through the patient portal or by calling the billing department. You can arrange for automatic payments on a specific day each month using a bank account or card. This is especially useful if you are on a payment plan, as it ensures you do not miss a due date.