Does Cleveland Clinic Accept Medicare? What You Need to Know

Yes, Cleveland Clinic accepts Medicare at all its hospitals and most outpatient locations

Cleveland Clinic is an in-network provider for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) across its health system in Ohio, Florida, and Nevada. This means Medicare will cover your care at Cleveland Clinic hospitals, emergency departments, and most physician offices at the same rates as any other in-network facility. You present your Medicare card when you arrive, and Cleveland Clinic bills Medicare directly for covered services.

However, "accepts Medicare" does not mean all your costs are covered. You still owe your deductible, coinsurance, and copayments under Original Medicare. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) instead of Original Medicare, coverage depends on your specific plan — some Advantage plans include Cleveland Clinic in their network, and others do not.

Key Takeaways

Cleveland Clinic is in-network for Original Medicare at all hospital locations and most outpatient clinics in Ohio, Florida, and Nevada.
You are responsible for your Medicare deductible, coinsurance, and copayments even at in-network providers like Cleveland Clinic.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, call the plan directly or check your member handbook to confirm Cleveland Clinic is in your network.
Some Cleveland Clinic specialists and urgent care centers may be out-of-network for certain Medicare Advantage plans, so verify before scheduling.
Cleveland Clinic participates in Medicare's quality reporting programs, meaning your care data is tracked for safety and outcome measures.

How to confirm your coverage before your visit

Call Cleveland Clinic's scheduling line at 216-444-2200 (main Cleveland location) or use the online scheduling tool on clevelandclinic.org. When you book, tell them you have Medicare and ask whether your specific service or specialist is in-network. Have your Medicare card and any supplemental or Advantage plan card ready.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, also call your plan's customer service number (on the back of your card) and ask whether Cleveland Clinic is in-network for the type of care you need. Some Advantage plans cover Cleveland Clinic hospitals but not all outpatient clinics, or vice versa. This step takes five minutes and prevents surprise bills.

For Original Medicare with a Medigap (supplemental) policy, your coverage is straightforward — Cleveland Clinic is in-network, and your Medigap plan covers most of what Medicare does not. Call your Medigap insurer only if you want to confirm your coinsurance amount.

What you will owe at Cleveland Clinic under Original Medicare

Under Original Medicare, your costs at Cleveland Clinic depend on the type of service. For inpatient hospital stays, you owe a one-time deductible per benefit period (the amount changes yearly), then Medicare covers 100% of covered hospital costs for days 1–60. For days 61–90, you owe a daily coinsurance amount. For outpatient services like office visits or lab work, you typically owe 20% coinsurance after you meet your annual Part B deductible.

Emergency department visits follow the same rules as outpatient services — you owe coinsurance, not a flat copayment. If you are admitted to the hospital through the emergency department, the hospital deductible applies instead, and the emergency visit itself is covered as part of your inpatient stay.

Cleveland Clinic, like all in-network providers, cannot bill you for the difference between what they charge and what Medicare pays. If Medicare denies a service as not medically necessary, Cleveland Clinic can bill you only if they gave you a written notice before the service explaining the risk.

Medicare Advantage plans and Cleveland Clinic

Many Medicare Advantage plans sold in Ohio, Florida, and Nevada include Cleveland Clinic in their network, but not all. Plans vary widely — some cover Cleveland Clinic hospitals and clinics statewide, others only in certain counties, and some exclude specific departments like behavioral health or rehabilitation.

Your Advantage plan's member handbook lists in-network providers by location and specialty. If you cannot find it, call the plan's customer service line. Ask specifically whether Cleveland Clinic is in-network for the service you need and what your copayment or coinsurance will be. If Cleveland Clinic is out-of-network under your plan, you will owe much higher costs — often 40% or more of the bill.

If you are thinking about switching to an Advantage plan that includes Cleveland Clinic, the annual open enrollment period runs October 15 through December 7 each year. You can change plans during this window without penalty.

What happens if Cleveland Clinic is out-of-network for your plan

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan and Cleveland Clinic is out-of-network, you have three options. First, you can pay out-of-pocket and ask Cleveland Clinic to bill your plan as out-of-network — you will owe coinsurance or a percentage of the bill, usually 30% to 50%. Second, you can switch to Original Medicare during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) or if you have a may have access to life event like moving or losing other coverage. Third, you can seek the same care at an in-network provider.

If you need emergency care at Cleveland Clinic and your Advantage plan does not cover it, the plan must still pay for the emergency visit at the in-network rate. After the emergency is stabilized, you can be transferred to an in-network facility if medically appropriate.

Billing and payment after your visit

Cleveland Clinic will bill Medicare directly for your care. Medicare processes the claim and pays Cleveland Clinic their share. You will then receive a Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) in the mail showing what Medicare paid and what you owe. If you have a Medigap policy, Cleveland Clinic may also bill your Medigap insurer automatically.

You should receive a bill from Cleveland Clinic for your out-of-pocket costs (deductible, coinsurance, copayments) within 30 days of your visit. If you do not receive a bill or have questions about charges, call Cleveland Clinic's patient billing department at 216-444-2200 and ask for billing. Keep copies of your Medicare Summary Notice and Cleveland Clinic bills together for your records.

If you believe Cleveland Clinic billed you incorrectly, you can file an appeal with Medicare. You have 120 days from the date on your Medicare Summary Notice to request a review. Cleveland Clinic's billing department can also help you understand the charges and may be able to correct errors directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Cleveland Clinic if I have Original Medicare and no supplemental insurance?

Yes. Cleveland Clinic is in-network for Original Medicare, so you can receive care there. You will owe your deductible, coinsurance, and copayments out-of-pocket. Many people without supplemental insurance budget for these costs or look into Medigap plans to reduce them.

What if I move out of state — will Cleveland Clinic still accept my Medicare?

Cleveland Clinic locations in Ohio, Florida, and Nevada accept Medicare. If you move to another state, you can still use Original Medicare at any Medicare-participating provider nationwide, but Cleveland Clinic will not be available. Your Medicare Advantage plan may or may not have providers in your new state.

Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor to see a Cleveland Clinic specialist?

Not under Original Medicare. You can see any Medicare-participating specialist without a referral. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your plan's rules — some Advantage plans require referrals, and others do not.

Will Cleveland Clinic bill me if Medicare denies my claim?

Only if Cleveland Clinic gave you written notice before your service explaining that Medicare might not cover it. This notice is called an Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN). If you signed an ABN, you agreed to pay out-of-pocket if Medicare denies the claim. If you did not receive an ABN, Cleveland Clinic cannot bill you for a denial.

How do I find out what my Medicare Advantage plan will cover at Cleveland Clinic?

Call your Advantage plan's customer service number (on your card) and ask whether Cleveland Clinic is in-network for your specific service. You can also check your plan's provider directory online or in your member handbook. Confirm the location and specialty, because some Advantage plans cover Cleveland Clinic hospitals but not all outpatient clinics.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.