Planning Your Visit to Milwaukee

Planning Your Visit to Milwaukee

Before Your Visit

Before your visit, check with your insurance provider to understand what services are covered and whether Children’s Wisconsin is in-network.

Airports

Bus

Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS)
View the current public transit routes for the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center.

Washington County Commuter Express
The Washington Country Commuter Express (WCCE) provides service between Washington and Milwaukee Counties Monday - Friday.

www.ridewcce.com

Car Rental/Shuttle Service

Learn more about car rental and shuttle service from the Milwaukee airport.

MTM

MTM is the State of Wisconsin’s non–emergency medical transportation (NEMT) service. MTM schedules rides for eligible Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus members in Wisconsin.

Rides are covered for medical appointments. To get a ride for covered services, call (866) 907–1493 two business days in advance. Ride requests are accepted Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

www.mtm-inc.net/wisconsin/

Taxi

American United Transportation Management provides professional taxicab, medical transport van and single-rider wheelchair van transportation services throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Services always are available. Call central dispatch at (414) 220-5000.

Train

Amtrak provides daily rail service to and from Milwaukee. Call (800) 872-7245 for information and reservations.

Overnight Stays in the Hospital

One adult (a parent or grandparent) can stay overnight with their child. Most rooms have a sleeper couch for this. Let your child’s nurse know if you plan to stay. Showers are available for parents, but you’ll need to bring your own toiletries and pajamas.

For safety, parents cannot sleep in their child’s bed or with their child on the couch.

Brothers, sisters and other children cannot stay overnight. Please make other plans for their care before coming to the hospital.

Lodging and Hotels

If you’re coming from out of town, we have a list of hotels, motels, and other options near Children’s Wisconsin. Many offer discounts for families and patients.

You can also ask about staying at the Ronald McDonald House.

Getting Your Child and Family Ready for the Hospital

Start talking to your child a few days before the hospital visit — earlier for older kids. Help them understand what to expect and encourage them to ask questions. Listen carefully and give honest, clear answers. If you don’t know something, tell them you’ll find out together.

Use simple language your child can understand, and let them bring comfort items from home like a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, book or movie.

Remember, it’s normal for children to act differently before, during or after their hospital stay. Our Child Life team is here to support your child during procedures and throughout their visit.

For more tips on how to talk to your child, just ask!

Things To Bring from Home

Bringing familiar items can comfort your child during their hospital stay. You may bring:

  • Special toys (without sharp edges)
  • Movies
  • Pictures, photographs or posters
  • Games and books

Also be sure to bring:

  • Your health insurance or medical card
  • A list of all medicines your child takes
  • The name and phone number of your child’s primary care doctor
  • Your child’s vaccine record

Children’s Wisconsin no longer accepts cash payments. We accept:

  • All major credit and debit cards
  • Mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay)

Beginning Aug. 18

To support a safe and secure environment for everyone at Children’s, we’re asking all visitors age 18 and older to bring a photo ID to all our clinical sites statewide. This system will help us know who is in our buildings and make sure everyone is properly identified – just like our team members are.

This is a best practice for safety and security at organizations nationwide. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe environment.

Not sure if you have appropriate photo identification? Check the list.

What Are Acceptable Forms of Identification?

Visitors age 18 and older will be expected to show one of the following photo IDs to receive a visitor badge:

  • Valid driver’s license
  • Wisconsin state ID
  • Military ID
  • Passport
  • Valid International ID, if not a US citizen

We will accept a student ID if they do not have any of the ID forms listed above.

*SNAP cards are not an acceptable form of ID

What To Leave at Home

For your child’s safety, please leave these items at home:

  • Toys with sharp edges
  • Small toys with parts that can be swallowed
  • Toys that make sparks
  • Latex balloons
  • Baby walkers
  • Personal items of value
  • Live animals

Weapons

Weapons and other items that could create a safety risk are prohibited from all Children’s Wisconsin locations unless specifically authorized by Public Safety. Possession of a concealed-carry license or permit does not, by itself, authorize an individual to carry a weapon inside our facilities.

  • Firearms, including handguns, rifles and shotguns
  • Ammunition
  • Knives and other prohibited edged weapons
  • Tasers, stun guns and similar devices
  • Pepper spray, mace and similar chemical defensive products
  • Batons, clubs, brass knuckles and other impact weapons
  • Explosive or incendiary devices
  • Realistic replica or imitation firearms
  • Other objects designed, modified, carried or used as weapons 

We understand that someone may arrive without realizing that an item in a purse, backpack, pocket or other personal belonging is prohibited. Do not conceal the item or attempt to bypass the screening process. Tell a Public Safety or screening team member and follow their instructions.

Traveling From Out of Town

Our Access Center helps families from out of town plan their visit to Children's Wisconsin. Coordinators collect all the information you need and help schedule appointments. They are your main contact before you arrive.

What to Expect

Intro Call

A Coordinator will call you to explain what to expect based on the care your child needs.

Welcome Email

You’ll get an email that may include:

  • A form to share medical records
  • How to sign up for MyChart
  • A request for a copy of your insurance card
  • Info about the clinic you’ll visit

Collecting Records

The Coordinator will help gather your child’s medical records and images. We may ask you for:

  • A referral letter from your doctor
  • A list of doctors or clinics your child has visited

Insurance Check

We’ll make sure your insurance works with Children’s Wisconsin and Medical College of Wisconsin.

Cost Estimate

We might give you an estimate of costs, depending on your insurance. You may need to pay part of the cost before you visit.

Scheduling Appointments

Once we review all records and images, we'll schedule your child's appointments.

Confirmation Email

You'll get a confirmation email with your schedule, helpful info, hotel options and parking directions.

Reminder Call

Ten days before your visit, a Coordinator will call to confirm everything.

Help on Arrival

On the first day of your visit, a Coordinator will meet you and guide you where to go.

Access Center Request

Your Safety on the Milwaukee Campus

We are committed to providing a safe environment for everyone at Children’s – our patients, families, visitors and team members. We use a comprehensive approach to safety that includes weapons screening, visitor identification and badging, trained Public Safety professionals, access controls, security technology and specially-trained weapon-detection K9 teams.

Our Public Safety Team is trained to handle all encounters appropriately and professionally, while respecting the privacy, dignity and medical/health needs of everyone who comes through our doors.

Arriving on Campus

  • Please use designated family and visitor entrances.
  • Be prepared to show an approved photo ID from the list above.
  • Consider using our free valet service if you’re running late or have a lot to bring in with you.
  • You will pass through weapons screening at any of our entrances. 

The Screening Process

  • Please follow the instructions of the screening team.
  • Do not leave bags or personal belongings unattended.
  • Personal belongings may be subject to additional screening when necessary. This may include:
    • Purses and handbags
    • Backpacks
    • Diaper bags
    • Strollers
    • Medical equipment
    • Packages and other personal belongings
    • Hard eye glass cases
    • Laptops
    • Metal water bottles

Taking Children Through the Screening Process

Our team members will work to make the screening process as welcoming and efficient as possible. If your child has a sensory need, developmental concern, behavioral need, mobility limitation or other circumstance that could make screening difficult, please tell a Public Safety team member.

Our Weapon-Detection K9 Team

You may see our specially trained weapon-detection K9 team working throughout our hospitals, clinics and campuses. When you see the K9 team, please remember:

  • Do not approach or pet the K9 without permission from the handler.
  • Do not feed the K9.
  • Do not intentionally distract or call to the K9.
  • Always follow instructions provided by the K9 handler. 

Although our K9 team is very friendly, they are working members of our Public Safety team. 

If the K9 team identifies an area of concern, Public Safety personnel may conduct additional screening or take other appropriate safety measures.

Visitor Identification and Badges

Visitor identification and badging help us know who is in our facilities and support a safe environment for patients, families and team members. Depending on the facility or area you are visiting, adult visitors may be asked to:

  • Present identification.
  • Complete visitor registration.
  • Receive and wear a visitor badge.
  • Keep the badge visible while inside the facility.
  • Return or properly dispose of the badge when leaving, as directed.
  • Never give your visitor badge to another person.
  • If you lose your badge, please notify a team member. 

Our Expectations for a Safe and Respectful Environment 

Everyone deserves to receive care and work in an environment free from violence, threats and intimidation. The following behaviors are not permitted:

  • Violence or attempted violence
  • Threatening or intimidating behavior
  • Harassment or abusive behavior
  • Possession or use of prohibited weapons
  • Intentional damage to property
  • Interference with safety or security procedures
  • Refusal to follow reasonable safety instructions 

Public Safety or law enforcement may become involved when necessary to protect patients, families, visitors and team members.

Frequently Asked Questions

A concealed-carry permit does not, by itself, authorize an individual to carry a firearm inside our facilities. Please leave firearms at home and follow all posted restrictions and health care system policies.

Pepper spray, mace and similar defensive sprays are prohibited unless specifically authorized by health care system policy.

Knives and edged weapons are prohibited. We recommend leaving knives and similar items at home or secured outside the facility before entering.

Patients, visitors and others entering screened facilities may be included in the screening process. Our team will work with families to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

Yes. Families may bring necessary personal items, although these items may be subject to additional screening when appropriate.

Please let the K9 handler or another Public Safety team member know. Do not approach the K9. Our team will work with you to maintain appropriate distance whenever circumstances allow.

Our K9s are working animals. Please do not approach or pet a K9 unless the handler specifically gives permission.

Public Safety may conduct additional screening or take other appropriate safety measures. Please follow the instructions of the K9 handler or Public Safety team member.

Safety procedures are designed to protect our health care environment while supporting timely access to care. Individuals requiring emergency medical attention will be managed according to their medical needs and appropriate safety procedures.

On-duty law enforcement officers performing official duties may be permitted to carry their authorized weapons in accordance with applicable law and health care system policy. Off-duty law enforcement will need to check-in with Public Safety officers for proper procedures.