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Below are answers to questions commonly asked by physicians and office staff.
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Below are answers to questions patients commonly ask.
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Questions commonly asked by physicians and office staff: When should I contact the Office of Physician Relations? Contact the Office of Physician Relations when you need:
How do I reach the Office of Physician Relations? Contact the Office of Physician Relations via:
What is the best way to refer a patient? myMDAnderson for Physicians provides 24 hour access to patient referral. Contact us at physicianrel@mdanderson.org to access myMDAnderson for Physicians for the first time. How can I get follow up information on my patients? Follow up information is automatically mailed to the referring physician whose name is in the patient's record. If you do not receive follow up information on your patient, contact the Office of Physician Relations for assistance. How do I get information about enrolling a patient in a clinical trial? For information on clinical trials, print out a copy of the Information Request Form (PDF file), fill it out and fax it to the Office of Physician Relations. Contact the Office of Physician Relations by phone or by email to request additional copies of the form or information. How do I learn about Continuing Medical Education (CME) provided by M.D Anderson? To view the calendar of CME courses provided by M. D. Anderson, visit the Website at www.mdanderson.org. Contact the M. D. Anderson Faculty Speakers Bureau to arrange for a cancer professional to lecture to your hospital or healthcare organization by calling 800.252.0502 or 713.792.2202. |
Questions patients commonly ask How long will I have to wait for my first appointment? Scheduling varies for each multidisciplinary care center. The wait for a first appointment is usually 7 to 10 days depending on how long it takes to receive clinical reports, pathology slides and diagnostics films. By providing complete information and expediting requested diagnostic films and pathology slides, the wait for an appointment can be reduced. More rapid scheduling may be arranged depending on the patient’s unique needs.. Will my insurance plan pay for treatment? What if it will not? M. D. Anderson works with all patients to help them receive full benefits from their insurance companies. Thus, patients must supply complete information about their insurance coverage. Each insurer has specific requirements that must be met prior to consultation and treatment. Patients are responsible for meeting these requirements, especially if enrolled in a managed care plan. If a patient’s health plan will not pay for treatment, patients should ask their insurance company if it will cover a second opinion or consultation at M. D. Anderson. Patients also have an option to self-pay. What if I have no insurance coverage? M. D. Anderson has a Financial Assistance Program. Each patient is evaluated on an individual basis to determine if he or she might qualify for assistance based on financial situation, Texas residency and U.S. citizenship. For patients living in Harris County, M. D. Anderson faculty have privileges and treat patients at the Harris County Hospital District. Will I see a physician that specializes in my type of cancer? Each physician is highly specialized, focusing on specific aspects of each disease. M. D. Anderson’s multidisciplinary approach allows the faculty to interface quickly with other M. D. Anderson specialists for both cancer care and other health-related problems. I understand that M. D. Anderson is a comprehensive cancer care center. What exactly does this mean? The National Cancer Institute designated M. D. Anderson as a Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1971. This designation requires that a center maintain a strong core of basic laboratory research; translate research findings into clinical practice; conduct clinical trials, especially ones of importance to the community; conduct research in the areas of cancer prevention and control; provide continuing medical education for health care professionals; offer cancer information services for patients and the surrounding community; and provide community service and outreach activities related to cancer prevention and control. Aside from medical or surgical treatment, what other resources and services are available to me? The strength of M. D. Anderson’s effort as a health care team is its commitment to meeting patient needs and expectations, including diagnosis, treatment, psychosocial support, rehabilitation, and the assistance patients may need in returning to their community after recovery. At any point, patients may call the Anderson Network to talk with another patient who has had the same diagnosis and treatment. While undergoing therapy, patients and their families are always invited to visit the Learning Center, Beauty and Barber Shop, the Anderson Network Hospitality Room, laundry facilities, the interfaith chapel, full-service post office, and the patient/family center. The Place . . . of wellness is the first of its kind on the campus of a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Place . . . of wellness offers patients and family members programs that complement medical care and focus on quality-of-life issues and the healing processes of the mind, body, and spirit. |
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