Cleveland Clinic's bill payment methods and where to send payments
Cleveland Clinic uses a system called MyChart for online bill payment. If you have a MyChart account (the same login you use to view medical records and message your doctor), you can pay your bill directly through that portal without creating a separate account. You can also pay by phone, mail, or in person at a Cleveland Clinic location.
The payment method you choose does not change what you owe or when it is due. The due date appears on your bill statement, usually 30 days from the date the bill was mailed. If you pay late, Cleveland Clinic may charge a late fee and report the debt to a credit bureau after 120 to 180 days of non-payment.
Cleveland Clinic bills come from their central billing office in Cleveland, Ohio. If your bill is from a specific hospital or clinic location you visited, the payment still goes to the same central address regardless of where you received care.
Key Takeaways
- MyChart is the fastest way to pay online if you already have an account; you can set up a one-time payment or recurring automatic payments.
- By phone, call the number on your bill statement to pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account; the call takes about five minutes.
- By mail, send a check or money order to the address printed on your bill, and include your account number on the check.
- Late payments may trigger a late fee and be reported to credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score.
- If you cannot pay the full amount, contact Cleveland Clinic's financial counseling department before the due date to discuss payment plans.
Paying through MyChart online
Log into MyChart using the same username and password you use to access your medical records. Once logged in, look for a "Billing" or "Pay My Bill" section in the main menu. Click on the bill you want to pay, and you will see the amount due and the due date.
You can pay with a debit card or bank account (credit card payments through MyChart may carry a processing fee, which Cleveland Clinic will disclose before you confirm). Enter your payment information and choose whether this is a one-time payment or a recurring automatic payment. If you set up automatic payments, Cleveland Clinic will charge your account on the same day each month until you cancel.
Payments made through MyChart usually post to your account within one business day. You will receive a confirmation number immediately after payment, and you can save or print it as your receipt.
Paying by phone
The phone number for Cleveland Clinic's billing department appears on your bill statement. Call that number and have your bill or account number ready. A representative will ask you to confirm your date of birth and the amount due, then walk you through payment options.
You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or by providing your bank account number for an electronic transfer. The representative will not ask for your full card number or account number over an unsecured line; they use a secure payment system. The call typically takes five to ten minutes.
Ask the representative for a confirmation number before you hang up. Write it down along with the date and time of the call. If you do not receive a bill statement and need to pay, you can still call the billing department and they can look up your account using your date of birth and Social Security number.
Paying by mail
Write a check or money order for the amount due and include your account number on the front of the check. Do not send cash. Place the check in an envelope with the payment coupon from your bill statement (if one was included), or write your account number and the service date on a separate piece of paper and include it with the check.
Mail the payment to the address printed on your bill statement. Do not mail it to the Cleveland Clinic location where you received care; mail it to the central billing office address shown on the bill. Allow 7 to 10 business days for the payment to arrive and post to your account.
Keep a copy of the check or a photo of it for your records. If you need proof of payment, you can log into MyChart after the payment posts and print a receipt, or call the billing department and ask them to email you a payment confirmation.
Setting up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full
If the amount due is more than you can pay by the due date, contact Cleveland Clinic's financial counseling department before the due date arrives. The number is on your bill statement. Explain your situation and ask about a payment plan.
Cleveland Clinic offers payment plans for balances over a certain amount (the threshold varies). You may be able to spread payments over three, six, or twelve months. The plan itself does not charge interest, but if you miss a payment on the plan, Cleveland Clinic may cancel it and pursue collection.
Get the payment plan agreement in writing before you make your first payment. It should state the monthly amount, the due date each month, and what happens if you miss a payment. Keep a copy for your records.
What happens if you miss a payment
If your payment is not received by the due date, Cleveland Clinic will typically send a reminder notice within 10 to 15 days. This notice is not a late fee yet; it is a courtesy reminder. If you receive it, pay the amount due as soon as possible.
If you do not pay within 30 days of the due date, Cleveland Clinic may charge a late fee (the amount varies by state and contract). After 120 to 180 days of non-payment, the debt may be reported to a credit bureau, which will lower your credit score. This report stays on your credit record for seven years.
If the bill goes unpaid for six months or longer, Cleveland Clinic may sell the debt to a collection agency or file a lawsuit to recover the amount. At that point, you may face court costs and attorney fees in addition to the original bill. Contact the billing department as soon as you know you will be late; many hospitals will work with you on a plan rather than send a bill to collections.
Disputing a Cleveland Clinic bill
If you believe the bill is incorrect—for example, you were charged for a service you did not receive, or the amount does not match what you were quoted—contact Cleveland Clinic's billing department and ask to speak with a billing advocate or patient advocate. Explain what you believe is wrong and provide any documentation you have (such as a written cost estimate or a receipt from a previous payment).
Cleveland Clinic is required by law to investigate billing disputes within a reasonable time frame. While the dispute is being reviewed, you are not required to pay the disputed amount, but you should pay any portion of the bill you do not dispute. Ask the billing department in writing to confirm that the disputed amount is on hold while they investigate.
Keep records of every conversation: write down the date, time, the name of the person you spoke with, and what they said. If the dispute is not resolved to your satisfaction, you can file a complaint with the Ohio Department of Insurance or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), depending on your insurance type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Cleveland Clinic bill with a credit card online?
Yes, through MyChart. Cleveland Clinic may charge a processing fee for credit card payments, which they will show you before you confirm the payment. Debit card and bank account payments through MyChart typically do not carry a fee.
What if I do not have a MyChart account?
You can create one using your email address and date of birth, or you can pay by phone or mail instead. Creating a MyChart account takes about five minutes and does not require a password from your doctor or hospital.
How long does it take for a payment to show up on my account?
Online and phone payments usually post within one business day. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and process. If you need to know whether a payment was received, call the billing department or log into MyChart after two business days.
Will paying my bill affect my credit score?
Paying on time does not help your credit score, but paying late or not paying at all will hurt it. Medical debt reported to a credit bureau can lower your score by 50 to 100 points or more, depending on how late the payment is.
Can I set up automatic payments through Cleveland Clinic?
Yes, through MyChart. You can choose to have your bill paid automatically each month on the same date. You can cancel automatic payments at any time by logging into MyChart or calling the billing department.