The Cleveland Clinic guide – hospital and doctor visits
Healthcare can be complicated, but Sidecar Health is here to help simplify your experience. In this article, we will explain how to access The Cleveland Clinic with your Sidecar Health coverage, frequently asked questions about The Cleveland Clinic, and alternatives to The Cleveland Clinic.
Note –This information pertains to non-emergency services only. If you are experiencing an emergency, we have you covered. Learn more here.
Benchmarking The Cleveland Clinic services and costs:
The Cleveland Clinic is a health system located in Northeast Ohio with 11 hospitals and a physician group with more than 3,400 physicians across numerous specialties and locations. Sidecar Health does not have a formal partnership with The Cleveland Clinic; with your Sidecar Health coverage, you can still see any doctor and facility for your treatment.
As a Sidecar Health member, you are in the driver’s seat of your own healthcare decisions. With your Sidecar Health coverage, you can see any doctor including those at The Cleveland Clinic, but it is up to you to shop smartly for the provider that best fits your needs. Some Cleveland Clinic procedures, imaging, lab work, etc. may be higher than the Benefit Amount in Northeast Ohio*. Always remember to submit a good faith estimate as a “prebill” through the Sidecar Health member portal so our team can help you fully understand your Benefit Amounts and costs.
Scheduling a visit or procedure at a Cleveland Clinic location:
Click here for the list of Cleveland Clinic locations.
- Call The Cleveland Clinic Appointment Center at 866-320-4573 and schedule your appointment – be sure to introduce yourself as a Sidecar Health patient.
- Because Sidecar Health does not use contracted networks you may be identified as an out of network patient and notified that you are responsible for all out of pocket costs. Please note that your plan’s Benefit Amount will be applied to any covered cost as normal.
- If you would like a verbal estimate for the cost of your visit, you can call the Cleveland Clinic Patient Financial Advocate line at 216-442-1600.
- Before every appointment, a Cleveland Clinic Patient Financial Advocate will reach out to you to schedule a meeting. In this meeting, you will receive a good faith estimate and they will offer to discuss financial assistance and payment options.
- Note: The Cleveland Clinic requires that you meet with the Patient Financial Advocate to proceed with scheduling any appointments. You may decline to discuss specific details about your personal finances during this meeting.
- If it takes more than 6 business days for them to reach out, please contact your Sidecar Health Member Care team.
- For simple services like doctor visits and labs, use your Sidecar Health member portal’s “estimate care” to check your Benefit Amounts.
- For more complicated services or if you need assistance, submit a good faith estimate as a “prebill” through the Sidecar Health member portal, and Sidecar Health will help you understand your Benefit Amounts and any costs you may be responsible for. We will also authorize your Sidecar Health VISA benefit card to swipe for the charges if the payment is greater than $2,500.
- To confirm your appointment, you will need to pre-pay The Cleveland Clinic. You can use our Sidecar Health VISA benefit card, so you don’t have you use your personal payment method. (Note: if you do not pre-pay, The Cleveland Clinic may cancel your appointment).
- The Cleveland Clinic may provide a “prompt pay” discount if you pay a certain percentage of the estimated charges upfront. For exact discount information or questions, you can call the Cleveland Clinic Patient Financial Advocate line at 216-442-1600.
- Get care at your scheduled location.
- As a Sidecar Health member, The Cleveland Clinic will automatically send an itemized medical invoice. You can wait to upload this invoice, or you can use the invoice you receive from MyChart to the Sidecar Health member portal.
Note - Your plan’s Benefit Amount will be applied to any covered cost as normal.
FAQs:
What discounts does The Cleveland Clinic offer?
The Cleveland Clinic typically offers a discount on services for Sidecar Health members who pay promptly (you may be asked to pre-pay 65% upfront to secure the discount). To better understand how this compares to your Sidecar Health benefits, you submit a good faith estimate as a “prebill” through the Sidecar Health member portal.
What should I say when they ask about insurance?
To ensure that they recognize your coverage you may have success saying, “Yes, I have insurance through Sidecar Health. Sidecar Health does not have a network, but I understand that The Cleveland Clinic has a process for me to receive a discount if I pre-pay.”
What should I do if I am struggling to access The Cleveland Clinic, get a good faith estimate, or get an itemized medical invoice?
We encourage you to always submit whatever documentation you may have to your Sidecar Health member portal. If we are unable to process your pre-bill or claim with that information, we will reach out to let you know what else we need. You can also call your Member Care team at 877-653-6440 and we will support you in getting the care or information you need.
Still need help shopping for care?
Our Member Care team would be happy to assist you. Give us a call at 877-653-6440.
Other providers in Northeast Ohio:
*Based on Sidecar Health member experience and claims through December 2022. Sidecar Health does not utilize a network of providers. External websites and information on healthcare providers, including cost and quality information, is provided for convenience and informational purposes and is not an endorsement or guarantee of pricing, quality, or availability of the provider. Contact the provider for pricing and availability. Sidecar Health bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of any external websites or for subsequent links from an external site.
