› Forums › General Melanoma Community › MD Anderson Question
- This topic has 33 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 3 months ago by
BrianP.
- Post
-
- August 23, 2012 at 10:09 pm
Ok diagnosed from pathology (shave biopsy) atleast 1mm right cheek.
Has not been excised.
Have appt with general oncologist tomorrow (24 Aug) after referral went from Derm through insurance.
I realized today that MD Anderson is only 3 hours away and is covered under my insurance (Active Duty Military Tricare) and my PCP agreed to put in a referral for MD Anderson Melanoma Skin Center. I called MDA and they said as long as they get a ref (insurance is verified) and medical record they can take new patients within 7 to 14 days.
Ok diagnosed from pathology (shave biopsy) atleast 1mm right cheek.
Has not been excised.
Have appt with general oncologist tomorrow (24 Aug) after referral went from Derm through insurance.
I realized today that MD Anderson is only 3 hours away and is covered under my insurance (Active Duty Military Tricare) and my PCP agreed to put in a referral for MD Anderson Melanoma Skin Center. I called MDA and they said as long as they get a ref (insurance is verified) and medical record they can take new patients within 7 to 14 days.
Am I being nieve? is it that simple to get in there? Am I stupid for ever going down the general oncologist road?
- Replies
-
-
- August 23, 2012 at 10:37 pm
I can say from experience, I was also suprised at the speed MD Anderson was able to get my dad in and start treatment. We had a 4 day turn around from referral to the 1st appointment to see the surgeon. And from there a week to the 1st operation to get clear margins. They even have a self referral form on their website. MDA works very hard to provide paitents the best care and options. You will be in good hands there.
-
- August 23, 2012 at 10:37 pm
I can say from experience, I was also suprised at the speed MD Anderson was able to get my dad in and start treatment. We had a 4 day turn around from referral to the 1st appointment to see the surgeon. And from there a week to the 1st operation to get clear margins. They even have a self referral form on their website. MDA works very hard to provide paitents the best care and options. You will be in good hands there.
-
- August 23, 2012 at 10:37 pm
I can say from experience, I was also suprised at the speed MD Anderson was able to get my dad in and start treatment. We had a 4 day turn around from referral to the 1st appointment to see the surgeon. And from there a week to the 1st operation to get clear margins. They even have a self referral form on their website. MDA works very hard to provide paitents the best care and options. You will be in good hands there.
-
- August 24, 2012 at 1:26 am
Glad to hear you are going to go to MDA. I think in this it's important to see a melanoma specialist (but you already got that feedback from plenty of folks).
And no I'm not suprised they can get you in so fast. Sloan Kettering was fast to get in to also for me. It took me longer to get in to a smaller local hospital then there.
Best of luck! thoughts and prayers your way.
Erin
-
- August 24, 2012 at 1:26 am
Glad to hear you are going to go to MDA. I think in this it's important to see a melanoma specialist (but you already got that feedback from plenty of folks).
And no I'm not suprised they can get you in so fast. Sloan Kettering was fast to get in to also for me. It took me longer to get in to a smaller local hospital then there.
Best of luck! thoughts and prayers your way.
Erin
-
- August 24, 2012 at 1:26 am
Glad to hear you are going to go to MDA. I think in this it's important to see a melanoma specialist (but you already got that feedback from plenty of folks).
And no I'm not suprised they can get you in so fast. Sloan Kettering was fast to get in to also for me. It took me longer to get in to a smaller local hospital then there.
Best of luck! thoughts and prayers your way.
Erin
-
- August 24, 2012 at 5:08 am
Smart thing is to get out of the general oncology path and to the melanoma specialist. MDA hav several real good Melanoma specialists. If you see Wen Jen Hwu, tell her the I said hello. Here husband is also a department head there working with Melanoma.
6-14 days is fast for an intake. The usual delay is in getting the releases signed and distributed to previous medical treatment locations and the records then to the new center. This is why I reccommend that people get get and keep copies of all scans, reports (radiology, pathpology, operations, bloodfwork, etc.) Having these can cut down the time required to get into many Cancer centers. By having this info I was abale tpo have a major operation a m onth after getting in contact with UVA. (They had said that it normally took two month to get all the paperwork cleard to get the initial intake appointment, much less a major operation for melanoma.
-
- August 24, 2012 at 5:08 am
Smart thing is to get out of the general oncology path and to the melanoma specialist. MDA hav several real good Melanoma specialists. If you see Wen Jen Hwu, tell her the I said hello. Here husband is also a department head there working with Melanoma.
6-14 days is fast for an intake. The usual delay is in getting the releases signed and distributed to previous medical treatment locations and the records then to the new center. This is why I reccommend that people get get and keep copies of all scans, reports (radiology, pathpology, operations, bloodfwork, etc.) Having these can cut down the time required to get into many Cancer centers. By having this info I was abale tpo have a major operation a m onth after getting in contact with UVA. (They had said that it normally took two month to get all the paperwork cleard to get the initial intake appointment, much less a major operation for melanoma.
-
- August 24, 2012 at 5:08 am
Smart thing is to get out of the general oncology path and to the melanoma specialist. MDA hav several real good Melanoma specialists. If you see Wen Jen Hwu, tell her the I said hello. Here husband is also a department head there working with Melanoma.
6-14 days is fast for an intake. The usual delay is in getting the releases signed and distributed to previous medical treatment locations and the records then to the new center. This is why I reccommend that people get get and keep copies of all scans, reports (radiology, pathpology, operations, bloodfwork, etc.) Having these can cut down the time required to get into many Cancer centers. By having this info I was abale tpo have a major operation a m onth after getting in contact with UVA. (They had said that it normally took two month to get all the paperwork cleard to get the initial intake appointment, much less a major operation for melanoma.
-
- August 24, 2012 at 7:27 pm
General Onc went well at Georgetown Cancer Center. He agreed to forward notes and info to MDA as well as call them to give them an Oncologist referral.Waiting now to be financially accepted (should be ok) and medically accepted (what the hell is this? And is there a possibility they won’t accept me with Melanoma?)
-
- August 24, 2012 at 9:03 pm
LOVE DR. MERRICK ROSS AT MDANDERSON ! He did hubby's earlobe surgery (cut it off) ! 13 1/2 years later we are seeing Dr. Bedikian for mets all over the place – lungs, liver, sternum, spine, leg ! All were wipe out after only 7 weeks on Zelboraf !
SOOOO glad you are going to MDA ! Keep a local oncologist for emergencies but go by PROTOCOL of MDA. If the oncologist doesn't like it……too bad ! They know what they are doing there.
Hubby was on operating table at MDA within 10 days of finding mole and getting it biopsied. This time, we were there within 3 weeks – had a lot of stuff to get together. Lung biopsy – BRAF done etc.
You can take a deep breathe when you get there because you will be in the best hands you can be in. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES has great deals there. There is an organization called : HOUSTON GROUND ANGELS and they will pick you up from your airport – any of them – and drop you off. Saves us about $85.00 a month as we go once a month and we've met some really nice an fun people.
Stay at the Rotary House – only patients and their families stay there. It's attached to the hospital by a catwalk so you don't even have to go outside. They have dinning, entertainment, etc. there for the patients staying there. You can get a room with a fridge, microwave and dishwasher or NOT.
Buildings attached have several cafes and have a big ole waffle ice cream cone for us there by THE OAKS restaurant on second floor. TAKE A JACKET…..they will freeze you to death in part of the hotel and hospital. We take fall clothing for inside. This is a true story.
Hope this helps make your visit a little easier.
Nancy (devoted wife of 3 X Warrior Wayne) GOOD LUCK – GOD BLESS and keep us UPDATED !
-
- August 24, 2012 at 9:03 pm
LOVE DR. MERRICK ROSS AT MDANDERSON ! He did hubby's earlobe surgery (cut it off) ! 13 1/2 years later we are seeing Dr. Bedikian for mets all over the place – lungs, liver, sternum, spine, leg ! All were wipe out after only 7 weeks on Zelboraf !
SOOOO glad you are going to MDA ! Keep a local oncologist for emergencies but go by PROTOCOL of MDA. If the oncologist doesn't like it……too bad ! They know what they are doing there.
Hubby was on operating table at MDA within 10 days of finding mole and getting it biopsied. This time, we were there within 3 weeks – had a lot of stuff to get together. Lung biopsy – BRAF done etc.
You can take a deep breathe when you get there because you will be in the best hands you can be in. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES has great deals there. There is an organization called : HOUSTON GROUND ANGELS and they will pick you up from your airport – any of them – and drop you off. Saves us about $85.00 a month as we go once a month and we've met some really nice an fun people.
Stay at the Rotary House – only patients and their families stay there. It's attached to the hospital by a catwalk so you don't even have to go outside. They have dinning, entertainment, etc. there for the patients staying there. You can get a room with a fridge, microwave and dishwasher or NOT.
Buildings attached have several cafes and have a big ole waffle ice cream cone for us there by THE OAKS restaurant on second floor. TAKE A JACKET…..they will freeze you to death in part of the hotel and hospital. We take fall clothing for inside. This is a true story.
Hope this helps make your visit a little easier.
Nancy (devoted wife of 3 X Warrior Wayne) GOOD LUCK – GOD BLESS and keep us UPDATED !
-
- August 24, 2012 at 9:03 pm
LOVE DR. MERRICK ROSS AT MDANDERSON ! He did hubby's earlobe surgery (cut it off) ! 13 1/2 years later we are seeing Dr. Bedikian for mets all over the place – lungs, liver, sternum, spine, leg ! All were wipe out after only 7 weeks on Zelboraf !
SOOOO glad you are going to MDA ! Keep a local oncologist for emergencies but go by PROTOCOL of MDA. If the oncologist doesn't like it……too bad ! They know what they are doing there.
Hubby was on operating table at MDA within 10 days of finding mole and getting it biopsied. This time, we were there within 3 weeks – had a lot of stuff to get together. Lung biopsy – BRAF done etc.
You can take a deep breathe when you get there because you will be in the best hands you can be in. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES has great deals there. There is an organization called : HOUSTON GROUND ANGELS and they will pick you up from your airport – any of them – and drop you off. Saves us about $85.00 a month as we go once a month and we've met some really nice an fun people.
Stay at the Rotary House – only patients and their families stay there. It's attached to the hospital by a catwalk so you don't even have to go outside. They have dinning, entertainment, etc. there for the patients staying there. You can get a room with a fridge, microwave and dishwasher or NOT.
Buildings attached have several cafes and have a big ole waffle ice cream cone for us there by THE OAKS restaurant on second floor. TAKE A JACKET…..they will freeze you to death in part of the hotel and hospital. We take fall clothing for inside. This is a true story.
Hope this helps make your visit a little easier.
Nancy (devoted wife of 3 X Warrior Wayne) GOOD LUCK – GOD BLESS and keep us UPDATED !
-
- August 24, 2012 at 9:12 pm
You'll be accepted ! So glad you are going this route !!! There are Doctors there who are MARRIED to MELANOMA ! :-))) This is also a true story ! 🙂 You can now know you are doing the very best you can for yourself ! That brings a feeling of PEACE. You will love it there. They will take GOOD CARE OF YOU ! We've been going 22 years off and on !
Keep us updated……
-
- August 24, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Thank you for the note. I have a ref in from my PCP and MDA takes my insurance (active duty military) so unless there is some fine print I'm missing I think I am entitled to go there rather than another also civilian provider that was picked at random. I think if military can treat it then i have to go there first but since i was already going to civilian doctor I believe I can go to my choice.
MDA is only a 3 hour drive so i don't see a reason not to go. I have been contacted by them today. All the preregistration is complete and they are waiting on notes from local oncologist and of course the pending referral. Then i believe I can make an appointment and start gathering any paperwork they need.
-
- August 26, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Matt,
Sounds like you are well on your way to getting some of the best treatment in the world. Best of luck to you. I don't suspect you will have any problems with your treatment but if you do you may want to do a search for CaptAaron on this site and shoot him an email. He's active duty also and got his original treatment MDA when he was stationed in TX. I was active duty as well when I received my original treatment and I have no complaints with TRICARE.
Brian
-
- August 26, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Matt,
Sounds like you are well on your way to getting some of the best treatment in the world. Best of luck to you. I don't suspect you will have any problems with your treatment but if you do you may want to do a search for CaptAaron on this site and shoot him an email. He's active duty also and got his original treatment MDA when he was stationed in TX. I was active duty as well when I received my original treatment and I have no complaints with TRICARE.
Brian
-
- August 26, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Matt,
Sounds like you are well on your way to getting some of the best treatment in the world. Best of luck to you. I don't suspect you will have any problems with your treatment but if you do you may want to do a search for CaptAaron on this site and shoot him an email. He's active duty also and got his original treatment MDA when he was stationed in TX. I was active duty as well when I received my original treatment and I have no complaints with TRICARE.
Brian
-
- August 24, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Thank you for the note. I have a ref in from my PCP and MDA takes my insurance (active duty military) so unless there is some fine print I'm missing I think I am entitled to go there rather than another also civilian provider that was picked at random. I think if military can treat it then i have to go there first but since i was already going to civilian doctor I believe I can go to my choice.
MDA is only a 3 hour drive so i don't see a reason not to go. I have been contacted by them today. All the preregistration is complete and they are waiting on notes from local oncologist and of course the pending referral. Then i believe I can make an appointment and start gathering any paperwork they need.
-
- August 24, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Thank you for the note. I have a ref in from my PCP and MDA takes my insurance (active duty military) so unless there is some fine print I'm missing I think I am entitled to go there rather than another also civilian provider that was picked at random. I think if military can treat it then i have to go there first but since i was already going to civilian doctor I believe I can go to my choice.
MDA is only a 3 hour drive so i don't see a reason not to go. I have been contacted by them today. All the preregistration is complete and they are waiting on notes from local oncologist and of course the pending referral. Then i believe I can make an appointment and start gathering any paperwork they need.
-
- August 24, 2012 at 9:12 pm
You'll be accepted ! So glad you are going this route !!! There are Doctors there who are MARRIED to MELANOMA ! :-))) This is also a true story ! 🙂 You can now know you are doing the very best you can for yourself ! That brings a feeling of PEACE. You will love it there. They will take GOOD CARE OF YOU ! We've been going 22 years off and on !
Keep us updated……
-
- August 24, 2012 at 9:12 pm
You'll be accepted ! So glad you are going this route !!! There are Doctors there who are MARRIED to MELANOMA ! :-))) This is also a true story ! 🙂 You can now know you are doing the very best you can for yourself ! That brings a feeling of PEACE. You will love it there. They will take GOOD CARE OF YOU ! We've been going 22 years off and on !
Keep us updated……
-
- August 24, 2012 at 7:27 pm
General Onc went well at Georgetown Cancer Center. He agreed to forward notes and info to MDA as well as call them to give them an Oncologist referral.Waiting now to be financially accepted (should be ok) and medically accepted (what the hell is this? And is there a possibility they won’t accept me with Melanoma?)
-
- August 24, 2012 at 7:27 pm
General Onc went well at Georgetown Cancer Center. He agreed to forward notes and info to MDA as well as call them to give them an Oncologist referral.Waiting now to be financially accepted (should be ok) and medically accepted (what the hell is this? And is there a possibility they won’t accept me with Melanoma?)
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.