Cleveland Clinic Enacts Strict Upfront Copay Policy

Beginning June 1, 2025, Cleveland Clinic will require patients to pay copays upfront for nonemergency outpatient services, or their appointments will be rescheduled or canceled. The policy does not apply to Medicaid recipients, emergencies, surgeries, inpatient stays, cancer treatments, or urgent care visits. Cleveland Clinic is the only major hospital in the area with such a strict upfront copay policy, prompting concerns about access to care for low-income, elderly, and chronically ill patients. Health policy experts warn that inability to pay could lead to harmful delays, with rescheduling potentially adding weeks to wait times. The clinic states the policy is meant to support operational sustainability and reduce confusion, and offers multiple payment methods including cards, cash, and online payments. Critics contend the policy disproportionately affects vulnerable patients and could drive them to hospitals with more flexible billing.