CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Clinic is not moving forward with a new policy in which the Clinic would demand a copay up front for non-emergency and outpatient visits or patients would be turned away.
Earlier this month, the Clinic announced that it would start requiring patients for non-emergency services to pay their copays up front or visits would be rescheduled or canceled.
Patients had a lot of questions:
RELATED: Cleveland Clinic's copay policy change has News 5 viewers seeking answers on what it means to them
Now, the Clinic is stating that a copay would still be due, but patients who cannot pay the bill will be set up on a 0% interest plan, and the appointment will not be canceled.
"Over the past decade, we have observed the growth in out-of-pocket costs for patients through their insurance plans. Copays are a standard part of most plans — a fixed amount determined by insurers, not by healthcare providers, which is to be paid up front before services are provided. In 2024, more than half of copays were not paid when Cleveland Clinic provided services," Cleveland Clinic said in a statement Wednesday.
The Clinic said the following are included for non-emergency services:
- Scheduled office visits (primary care and specialists).
- Therapy services (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, etc.).
- Outpatient diagnostic testing (imaging, scheduled labs, etc.).
- Outpatient procedural visits and in-office procedures.
The Cleveland Clinic added that the new copay process does not apply to the following patients who have:
- Medicaid or traditional Medicare
- Emergency department visits
- Urgent/express care visits
- Surgeries
- Cancer treatments
- Inpatient hospital stays
According to the Clinic, copays are still expected for those services but will not be required at the time that care is provided.
News 5 reporter Morgan Trau asked Dr. Rita Pappas, the Interim Chief of Cleveland Clinic Children's Institute, about this while she was making a public appearance with Gov. Mike DeWine in Columbus.
"I think some of the things that occur are misrepresented," Pappas said. "Every patient is seen regardless of their inability to pay."
