Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta: A Practical Guide for Atlanta Families

If you live in the Atlanta area, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (often called “CHOA”) is one of the main names you’ll hear when a child needs medical care. Whether you’re looking for an emergency room, a specialist, or routine outpatient services, it helps to understand how this pediatric system works locally so you can make clear decisions when your child needs care.

What Is Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta?

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is a pediatric healthcare system focused exclusively on infants, children, and teens. It is not one single hospital; it’s a network of:

• Pediatric hospitals
• Specialty centers
• Outpatient clinics
• Urgent care centers
• Rehabilitation and therapy locations

Across metro Atlanta, CHOA is a central option when families need child-focused medical care, from everyday injuries to complex conditions.

For Atlanta families, that means:

• Child-only environment: Equipment, medication doses, and care teams are all tailored to children and teens.
• Pediatric-trained staff: Doctors, nurses, therapists, and support staff specialize in pediatric care.
• Multiple locations: Facilities are spread across Atlanta, so you can often find care relatively close to home or work.

Main Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Hospital Campuses

Here are some of the core CHOA hospital locations that many Atlanta families rely on. Always check current details before visiting, as services and entrances can change over time.

Egleston Hospital (near Emory / Decatur area)

Located in the Emory University area, this campus has traditionally been one of CHOA’s main hospitals for pediatric specialty and emergency care.

• Typical uses: Emergency care, inpatient care, and specialty services for children
• Common for: Families in east Atlanta, Decatur, and surrounding neighborhoods

Scottish Rite Hospital (Sandy Springs area)

Scottish Rite serves families across north Atlanta and the northern suburbs.

• Typical uses: Pediatric emergency care, surgery, specialty clinics, inpatient stays
• Common for: Families in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta, and nearby areas

Hughes Spalding Hospital (Downtown Atlanta)

Located near downtown, Hughes Spalding is connected with Grady and serves many in-town and south-side communities.

• Typical uses: Pediatric emergency care, inpatient care, and outpatient services
• Common for: Families in downtown, West End, South Atlanta, and nearby areas who want a central location

Types of Care Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Provides

CHOA offers a wide range of services that cover everyday illness all the way to advanced specialty care. Here are key categories Atlanta families often use.

1. Emergency Care (ER)

Children’s hospital emergency departments are designed for serious or potentially life-threatening problems, such as:

• Difficulty breathing
• Severe injury or trauma
• High fever in young infants
• Seizures
• Severe pain or sudden changes in behavior or alertness

In Atlanta, families often go to:

• Egleston Emergency Department
• Scottish Rite Emergency Department
• Hughes Spalding Emergency Department

If you’re unsure whether to go to urgent care or the ER, many Atlanta parents contact their pediatrician or nurse advice line first, when time allows.

2. Urgent Care Centers

CHOA also operates pediatric urgent care centers in and around Atlanta. These are meant for problems that need same-day attention but are not life-threatening, for example:

• Ear pain, sore throat, or flu-like symptoms
• Minor cuts that may need stitches
• Sprains and minor fractures
• Rashes without severe illness

Urgent care is usually:

• More convenient than the ER for non-emergencies
• Often open evenings and weekends (check local hours)

3. Specialty Clinics and Programs

CHOA hosts a wide range of specialists and specialty clinics, including but not limited to:

• Cardiology (heart)
• Orthopedics (bones, joints, sports injuries)
• Neurology (brain and nervous system)
• Gastroenterology (digestive system)
• Endocrinology (hormones, diabetes)
• Pulmonology (lungs, asthma)
• Hematology/oncology (blood disorders, cancer)

These services are usually accessed through a referral from your child’s primary care provider. Many Atlanta families go to CHOA when local pediatricians or community hospitals recommend more specialized evaluation or treatment.

4. Surgery and Procedures

For children needing surgery or specific procedures, CHOA offers:

• Outpatient (same-day) surgery
• Inpatient surgery requiring an overnight stay
• Pediatric anesthesiology and post-op care

This is often where Atlanta-area pediatric surgeons operate, so if your child needs surgery, CHOA is a common destination even if you live in a nearby suburb.

5. Rehabilitation and Therapy

With various locations across metro Atlanta, CHOA provides:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech and language therapy
• Rehabilitation after injury, surgery, or illness

These services can be especially important for children recovering from orthopedic injuries, neurological conditions, or developmental delays.

How Care at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Usually Works

Understanding the basic process can reduce stress when your child needs care.

Getting an Appointment (Non-Emergency)

For non-emergency specialty or outpatient services in Atlanta, the general steps are:

1. Start with your pediatrician or family doctor.

   • They evaluate your child and determine whether a specialist or specific service is needed.

2. Get a referral if required.

   • Some insurance plans require a referral before they will cover CHOA specialty visits.
   • The pediatrician’s office typically sends referral information directly to CHOA.

3. CHOA or the clinic contacts you to schedule.

   • You may also receive instructions to call a central scheduling line.

4. Bring necessary documents.

   • Insurance card
   • Photo ID for the parent or guardian
   • Any records or imaging requested by the clinic

Walk-In vs. Scheduled Care

• Emergency Departments: Typically do not require appointments; you can come directly if you believe it’s an emergency.
• Urgent Care: Often operates on a walk-in basis but may offer online check-in to reduce waiting.
• Specialty Clinics and Therapy: Almost always require scheduled appointments.

Insurance, Billing, and Costs in Atlanta

Costs and coverage vary, but some common points for Atlanta families include:

• Insurance networks: CHOA participates in many major insurance plans used in Georgia, but not all.
• HMO/PPO considerations: If you have an HMO plan through a Georgia-based insurer, you may need a referral from your chosen primary care provider before your plan will pay the CHOA bill.
• Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids: Many Atlanta families with Medicaid or PeachCare use CHOA for specialty and hospital care; always confirm coverage before non-urgent visits.
• Self-pay: If you do not have insurance, CHOA has billing departments that can discuss payment plans or financial assistance options; families in Atlanta often start this conversation before a planned procedure whenever possible.

Key Considerations for Atlanta Families

Choosing Which CHOA Location to Use

When deciding where to go, Atlanta families usually think about:

• Urgency:

  • Life-threatening or very serious → nearest emergency department (often CHOA or another hospital ER).
  • Minor but urgent issues → CHOA urgent care (if available nearby) or urgent care recommended by your pediatrician.

• Specialty needed:

  • Certain specialties or advanced services may only be at specific campuses. When in doubt, ask when scheduling.

• Proximity and traffic:

  • Atlanta’s traffic can significantly affect travel time. Some families choose the closest CHOA campus to avoid long drives, especially in emergencies.

Parking, Arrival, and What to Bring

At most CHOA facilities in and around Atlanta:

• Plan extra time for parking and check-in, especially at large hospital campuses.
• Have ID, insurance card, and list of medications ready.
• Bring comfort items for your child:
  • A favorite toy or blanket
  • Snacks (if allowed) and a water bottle
  • Phone charger, especially for longer visits

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta vs. Other Options in the City

In metro Atlanta, CHOA is one of several ways children can get medical care. Families also rely on:

• Private pediatric practices and family medicine clinics for routine checkups, vaccines, and common illnesses.
• Community hospitals that have pediatric units or emergency departments that see children.
• Public health clinics, including those run by Fulton County and DeKalb County, for services like immunizations and screenings.

Many Atlanta pediatricians manage everyday issues themselves and then refer to CHOA when a problem is more complex, requires hospitalization, or needs advanced diagnostics.

Simple Reference: When Families in Atlanta Often Use CHOA

Practical Tips for Atlanta Visitors Using CHOA

If you’re visiting Atlanta with children and need care:

• Locate the nearest CHOA facility to where you’re staying (Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, Perimeter, etc.).
• Carry your child’s medical information if possible:
  • Allergy list
  • Medication list
  • Summary of any major medical history
• Call your home pediatrician (if available) to let them know what happened, so follow-up after you return home is easier.

How to Get Accurate, Up-to-Date Information

Details like hours, services available at each campus, and contact numbers can change. To get the most reliable information for Atlanta:

• Use the official Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta contact numbers listed on their patient information materials.
• Call ahead before visiting for non-emergency issues to confirm location, availability, and what to bring.
• For emergencies, use 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency department if CHOA is not the closest.

For families in Atlanta, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is a central provider for pediatric emergencies, specialty care, surgeries, and rehabilitation. Understanding what CHOA does, how its locations differ, and how to access services can make it easier to navigate care when your child needs help in the city.