Finding the Right Healthcare Team

3 min read

Navigating a blood cancer diagnosis is challenging. But the first step after receiving a diagnosis should be finding your healthcare team. Many questions may arise as you approach this decision: What do I need? Where do I start? Which specialists treat my disease?

Start with your doctor

When deciding on your specialist, facility, and treatment needs, begin with your primary doctor. The doctor who diagnosed you with cancer (if they were not your primary doctor) is another option.^1,2

Your doctor can give you information on cancer specialists in your area. They know the local medical, cancer, and research centers and can recommend a good fit for you. They also can submit a referral on your behalf.^1,2

What is a hematologist-oncologist?

Hematologist-oncologist specialists treat blood cancer. Their primary training is in internal medicine, and their subspecialty is diseases of the blood. They focus on treating blood cancers. Having a hematologist-oncologist oversee your treatment is beneficial.^2,3

How to find a hematologist-oncologist

There are national databases that allow you to search for a hematologist-oncologist in your area. These databases detail each doctor's specialties and locations. Websites that have doctor databases include:^1,2

Find a Hematologist
Find an Oncologist
American Medical Association
American Board of Medical Specialties (to check if your doctor is board-certified)

Choosing a treatment center

Doctors work with certain medical facilities. Choosing a doctor means using the place where they practice. Some people prefer to choose the treatment facility rather than the doctor.^1,2

Different treatment centers offer different services. Questions to consider when choosing a site include:^1,2

Where is the center located?
How many people with blood cancer does it serve?
Which organizations rate it for quality of care, and how does it compare to other centers?
Is it accredited?
Is the center involved in blood cancer clinical trials?
Are social workers, financial assistance officers, and other support people available to help people move through the process?
Which type of treatment facility is it?

Types of treatment facilities

There are several types of treatment centers for cancer. Research your area to make the best choice for you.²

National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Centers

Has the most up-to-date progress for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and clinical trials
Research-focused with a dedication to public outreach and education

University-affiliated hospitals or centers

Connected with a university or medical school
Often NCI-designated with current treatments, including a stem cell clinic

Community Cancer Centers or Hospitals

Local and easily accessible
Often connected with an NCI-designated program that offers NCI treatments locally

How to find a treatment center

There are websites to help you find the right treatment center for you. You can search by your location and find out whether each program is accredited.^1,2

Getting a second opinion

When you are planning treatments for blood cancer, getting a second opinion can be helpful. People seeking a second opinion may worry about their primary doctor’s reaction. But most doctors welcome you to consult with a colleague.^1,2

A second opinion can confirm your diagnosis and treatment plan. The second doctor also may provide additional treatment suggestions. Feeling confident in your treatment plan is vital, so do not hesitate to get a second opinion.^1,2

Insurance considerations

Whether your policy is through a private provider, the federal marketplace, or Medicare/Medicaid, your insurance policy will have a big effect on the healthcare team you choose. Before committing to a cancer center or doctor:^1,2

Find out what your insurance covers. Your policy may have restrictions on out-of-town centers or doctors.
Ask your provider which doctors and treatment centers are in-network and which are out-of-network.
Learn about your insurance plan's co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket costs.
Discuss your cancer treatment coverage before beginning treatment.

Join the conversation

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Daniel Malito Moderator
God, is there anything more important than finding the right doctor and/or team for you? Nothing that I can think of. Maybe football (not the Raiders). A doctor you trust and that keeps up with the latest cutting edge treatments and info is a rare commodity, but worth its weight in gold once found. I urge everyone who is still looking to read this article and take up the info contained within. DPM
Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
TOTALLY AGREE! If I didn't do my due diligence in finding a second opinion- Only God knows how my story would be right now. I was first given some an unsettling opinion on how to go about treatment, when in fact I didn't need to start treatment until about 5 years later. I also was informed it was multiple myeloma, when in fact I had asymptomatic myeloma. It makes a huge difference how you and your team move about when everyone is on the same page in your diagnosis.
ocean Member
I had a difficult time when it came to getting the the care I needed for ALL I was in 3 hospitals the first one was a local hospital spent 4 days there till they found out I had ALL I was rushed there from a doctors office because of severe bleeding and low blood counts then I was taken to another hospital about an hour away or so and it was a huge hospital there they lolly gaged and moved at at a snails pace they did a bone marrow biopsy and all so it was the worst hospital ever they were so rude and no communication and the care was horrible so I left there and found another doctor 2 and a half hours away but he was good explained everything good bedside manner and the staff were real nice was treated well and my ALL was under control then the doctor leaves the practice in mist of treatment and I get another doctor and he is good thank god but it was a bit of a concern when this happened so yeah it’s sooooo hard to find a good doctor nowadays it really is
Dennis Golden Moderator
I was quite fortunate (strange to say) when I found myself facing a possible blood-cancer or pancreatic cancer diagnosis. I am a 9 year prostate cancer (Pca)survivor (2x) and decided several years ago to volunteer at 2 local hospitals to help men facing the emotional and physical challenges men and their partners can face. Area hospitals here have put in place teams of dedicated folks known as nurse navigators whose job is to help patients through the maze of hospital bureaucracy, pit bull front office types, dead ends and more. In short they know how to cut through the BS. I called one of the navigators and explained my issue. Within a half hour I had an confirmed appointment with the top Blood-Cancer guy in the area. Like many things in life - it is often not what you know but who you know. I will say this ...volunteering at a hospital can open up a lot of connections and pathways that most folks are not aware of. I recommend volunteering both for the networking opportunities it offers and for the mental healing that comes to each of us who reach out to help others. Dennis (Blood-Cancer.com TEAM)