How to Make a Referral or an Appointment
Referral Process
Referrals can be made by your primary care physician (PCP), dermatologist, surgeon, or local medical oncologist. This will ensure that the most essential information is conveyed and that you will be seen by the appropriate members of our multidisciplinary team.
Our clinic is located in the Carl Shapiro Clinical Center, 9th Floor, Reception A, at 330 Brookling Avenue (NOTE: parking is accessed from Longwood Avenue).
In order to coordinate multidisciplinary evaluation of each patient's situation, the Cutaneous Oncology Clinic meets only on Wednesdays. In order to ensure optimal review of your situation, appointments can only occur once all the relevant pathology and imaging material has been obtained. As a consequence, initial appointments may take 1-3 weeks to schedule. Initial consultations typically take 3-5 hours. Patients meet with a medical oncologist, surgeon, and/or dermatologist between 10:30 and 12:30 for an intake evaluation and then are asked to return around 1:15 pm to discuss a treatment plan after the team has had an opportunity to review your case in our weekly multidisciplinary conference.
Insurance
If you are covered by an HMO or an out-of-state insurance plan, you will need to obtain authorization/referral from your PCP prior to your appointment. If we do not have an authorization/referral at the time of your visit, you may be asked to sign a financial waiver assuming financial responsibility for services provided.
Medical Records
We must receive all medical records related to your diagnosis (and medical history) from all physicians caring for you prior to your appointment. Records can be faxed to 617-632-9260.
Radiologic films/scans
Your radiology films/scans (chest x-rays, ultrasounds, CT, MRI, PET, and bone scans) should be digitized onto a CD and hand-carried by you to your appointment.
Pathology/cytology slides are MANDATORY for your appointment and must be received no later than the day prior to your appointment. This includes all pathology/cytology slides with reports from all biopsies, fine needle aspiration, and/or other surgical procedures related to your diagnosis. Our staff will handle the requisitioning of these materials and will contact you if we need your assistance and/or signature authorization. If, for any reason, we are unable to obtain your pathology prior to your apointment, your appointment may need to be rescheduled.
