During your first appointment at Cancer Care Northwest, you will meet some of the outstanding cancer specialists that will be part of your care team, including your physician, nurse practitioners, licensed therapists, nurses and several other support staff who specialize in oncology.
Your first appointment is an excellent opportunity to ask questions. You and your doctor will cover a lot of general information about your diagnosis and what the next steps are going to be.
Prior to your first appointment, you will receive a packet with information and a questionnaire. Please be sure to bring the completed questionnaire to your first appointment.
Your first appointment may include the following:
For your first visit, please plan on spending one to two hours at our offices. It is unlikely that there will be any treatments or invasive procedures at your first appointment.
Before your appointment, we recommend that you download and complete the forms in the New Patient Kit and:
Make a list of questions for your doctor
Contact your primary care physician to make certain all of your medical records have been sent to us
Obtain a written referral from your primary care physician (PCP) if you are on a managed care plan (HMO). Our office must receive this referral prior to your appointment.
We ask that you please bring the following to your first appointment:
Your completed questionnaire available in the New Patient Kit
All of your insurance cards
A complete list of your medications, supplements and doses, for safety reasons
Some form of Support. You may want to bring someone with you to your appointment. A family member, loved one or friend can provide important emotional comfort. It’s also very beneficial to have another person listening to your doctor’s explanations and instructions.
If you have any questions regarding your referral, please contact your primary care physician, or contact us to speak with a Cancer Care Northwest patient account specialist.
One of your first appointments may include a visit with one of our support coordinators. Our Cancer Care Northwest Patient Navigator, Breast Care Coordinator and Stem Cell Transplant Coordinator are available to:
The support coordinators are your advocates. They help coordinate your care throughout your course of treatment, addressing any of issues or concerns that may arise.
We understand that a cancer diagnosis can be a devastating experience. But you don’t have to go through it alone. Cancer Care Northwest provides professional counseling services to help you and your family through this challenging time.
We also offer financial counseling to help ease any concerns about the cost of your care. If there is a resource out there, we will find it. Please visit our support service pages to learn more about the many ways we can help you through treatment:
