EL PASO, Texas -- The sign outside the building on 300 S. Zaragoza Road reads: Thomason Cares Clinic. But when Debbie Estrada brought her son Andy, 5, with a fever of almost 105 degrees, she was left feeling like the clinic cared more about taking her money than helping her son.

"The first thing that came out of her (the receptionist) mouth was, 'Do you have Medicaid or insurance?'" said Estrada. "My mom right away took out her credit card and said, 'Charge it.' And the lady said, 'No, we only take cash or check.'"

Estrada said she became even more furious when she saw a "credit cards accepted" sign posted on the front door.

"And I asked her twice, 'So, you're going to tell me because I have no cash or check, you're going to refuse me service?' And I even told her, 'My son might die by the time I get to another place, and you're refusing me service?' And she said, 'Yes,'" explained Estrada with tears in her eyes.

When KFOX tried to get answers from Thomason Hospital officials, it turned out the facility is shared by two different clinics: Thomason Care Clinic, which operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Ysleta Pediatric Night Clinic, which takes over from 6 p.m. to midnight.

"The after-hours clinics are pediatric night clinics, and they're operated by private physician practices in El Paso not affiliated with Thomason," said Margaret Althoff-Olivas, Thomason Hospital spokeswoman.

She said payment policies are different for the two clinics. The Ysleta Pediatric Night Clinic is working to install a credit card swiping machine, since it's not able to use the one currently at the facility.

After bringing the problem to the attention of Thomason Hospital officials, the clinic has since posted signs in the lobby and exterior letting patients know that after-hours care is not coming from Thomason Hospital.

"I want other mothers to know that if they're going to go out there to prepare themselves. They need money or cash because they're not going to be seen," said Estrada.

The office manager for the night clinic declined to comment on the matter.