Patient Care

Preparing for your Visit

In order for us to provide the best treatment plan for you, we need to clearly and completely understand your medical history and the treatment that you may have had to date.

It is important to bring the following items to your first appointment:

• Medical Records and Written Reports
• Referring Physician Letter
• A List of Current Medications: This includes all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, alternative medications, and supplements.
• Radiology Tests: This includes X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, ultrasounds, and current mammography. It is important that our physicians review the actual films, either in hard copy or digital format, in addition to the written reports.
• Pathology Slides and Films: If you have been diagnosed with cancer, then a pathologist has already made a diagnosis by reviewing a biopsy or tumor specimen. It is beneficial to you that Yale Cancer Center confirms this diagnosis by reviewing your slides.
• Insurance ID Card: Please notify your insurance company prior to your visit. They may require a formal referral from your referring physician, and they may give you a formal referral authorization to assure that the cost of your visit it covered.
• Questions: It is always a good idea to bring a list of questions to ask your physician. In addition, we encourage patients to bring a family member or significant other to help you take notes and ask questions.

Our Patient Intake Coordinator will contact you by phone to obtain necessary information prior to your first visit and is available to answer any questions that you have regarding your appointment. Please call 1-866-YALECANCER if you have any questions or concerns.

Interpreter services are available at no charge, but need to be coordinated prior to your appointment. Please advise our Patient Intake Coordinator if you would benefit from this service. We prefer to have an interpreter available to you in addition to the support of your family members.