Becoming an International Patient
Pediatric expertise, advanced treatment options and exceptional outcomes at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles draw patients and families from around the world. Thank you for considering our program for your child’s U.S.-based care. Read on to learn more about becoming a patient.
Getting Started
As one of the nation’s top pediatric hospitals, we regularly treat rare and complex conditions in children. Steps toward becoming a patient include submitting information about your child’s case, undergoing a medical review, obtaining financial clearance and securing a visa.
You can start the process by providing information about your child’s medical needs.
We pride ourselves on promptly responding to new patient inquiries. After submitting the form, our team typically reaches out within one business day—sometimes the same day. We often finish the review process and accept eligible patients within one week of receiving complete records.
If you would like more information about our programs and services, call us at +1-323-361-8737 or email us.
More Information About the Application Process
The complete application and review process includes:
Information gathering
Information we need to evaluate your child’s eligibility includes:
- Completed intake form
- Signed consent to release form
- Copies of passports or valid forms of identification (ID) for the parent or guardian, and the child, if available
- Medical records translated into English with information about your child’s medical history, previous lab or imaging study results and specialist reports for the past six months
Medical review
Pediatric specialists conduct a comprehensive medical record review to determine whether your child may benefit from our clinical programs and services.
Financial clearance
You will need to make a deposit to secure your child’s appointment. We work with international insurance companies. If you are paying out of pocket, we accept deposits via credit card. Find out more about online bill payment for international patients.
Appointment scheduling and obtaining a visa
Upon receipt of your deposit, we will work with you to schedule your child’s initial appointments. Our flexible approach includes arranging services on a timeline that works for your child and family.
Once the appointments are set, we provide documentation (a letter of appointment) to support your visa application. All patients and their caregivers must obtain a B-2 visitor visa before traveling to the U.S. for care.
Pre-appointment coordination
Our team is available to answer questions about travel to Los Angeles and local accommodations. We also arrange the support and clinical services your child will need. These efforts help your child quickly access care upon arrival and ensure that your family has an excellent experience with us. Find out more about what to expect or get answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Contact Us
To learn more about our Center for Global Health, email us at internationalpatientreferrals@chla.usc.edu.
You can also get started by completing our intake form. We typically respond within one business day.
