Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health

Oklahoma Children Hospital, part of OU Health in Oklahoma City, is the state comprehensive hospital dedicated to children. It operates the metro only around-the-clock pediatric emergency room and offers deep specialty care for complex conditions.

What it offers

• A 24/7 pediatric emergency room staffed for children specific needs
• A neonatal intensive care unit for the smallest and most fragile patients
• Specialty care in areas such as cardiology, cancer, and neurosurgery
• Clinics in several cities that extend care beyond Oklahoma City
• A pediatric-focused team experienced in caring for children of all ages

Who it is for

The hospital is open to any child who needs pediatric care, from emergencies to complex, long-term conditions. Families across the state rely on it when a child requires specialists or advanced treatment that community clinics cannot provide. Newborns needing intensive care and children facing serious diagnoses are among those it serves most. Details on insurance and referrals are available on the official site, since coverage varies from family to family.

Getting started

For non-emergencies, families usually begin by asking their pediatrician for a referral to the appropriate specialty clinic, or by calling the hospital directly with questions. In a medical emergency, the pediatric emergency room is open at all hours and no referral is needed. Reaching out ahead of a specialty visit helps confirm insurance, referrals, and what to bring, so the first appointment goes smoothly and time is spent on the child rather than paperwork.

Before your first appointment

For a scheduled specialty visit, a little preparation helps the first appointment focus on the child. It is usually wise to confirm insurance details and any referral in advance, and to bring records or notes about the child’s condition, medications, and past care. The official site outlines insurance and referral specifics, which vary from family to family.

Emergencies are different. The pediatric emergency room is open around the clock and no referral is needed, so families facing an urgent situation should not wait. For non-urgent concerns, asking a pediatrician for a referral to the right specialty clinic remains the usual path to care.

Because the hospital draws families from across the state, it helps to plan travel and to note any questions ahead of a visit so the time with a specialist is well used. Families whose child has ongoing needs can ask how follow-up appointments are coordinated and whether a nearby clinic in another city can handle some of the care, which can spare longer trips. Keeping a simple folder of the child’s records, test results, and current medications makes each visit easier, whether it is a first appointment or an ongoing course of care.

The right first step depends on the situation. In a medical emergency, the pediatric emergency room is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and no referral is needed, so families facing an urgent situation should not wait. For a non-emergency, the usual path is a pediatrician’s referral to the appropriate specialty clinic, and families can also call the hospital directly at (405) 271-4700 with questions. The hospital is open to any child who needs pediatric care, from newborns in the NICU to children managing complex, long-term conditions. Because insurance coverage and referral rules vary from one family to the next, the specifics are outlined on the official site, and confirming them before a scheduled visit helps the first appointment go smoothly.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a referral?

For specialty clinics, a pediatrician referral is typical and helps confirm insurance ahead of time. The emergency room, open 24/7, does not require one.

Where is the hospital?

It is in Oklahoma City as part of OU Health, with additional clinics in several cities across the state. Some care can happen closer to home.

What specialties are available?

Specialty care includes cardiology, cancer, neurosurgery, and more, along with a NICU for the most fragile newborns. It serves children of all ages.

How do I confirm insurance is accepted?

Contact the hospital or check the official site, since coverage and referral details vary from one family to the next. Confirming ahead helps the first visit go smoothly.