Coming for a visit with a new provider for a suspected or proven cancer diagnosis can be a terrifying experience. At Ochsner, we hope to make this process as easy for you as possible. Here are some steps you can take prior to your appointment to help prepare for your time with us.

How to verify your insurance coverage easily

Ochsner accepts a variety of insurance providers. A full list of in-network insurance providers can be found here. You should always bring a copy of your insurance information with you to any appointment.

Ochsner has a financial services department that can also help you understand any out-of-pocket costs and payment options available to you. You can read more about them here.

Sign up for a MyOchsner portal to help you keep track of your care

The MyOchsner portal allows patients and patient delegates many ways to engage in their care at Ochsner from their personal device. Through the portal you can communicate with your provider, request prescription refills, schedule and check in for appointments, and even have virtual visits! Signing up is easy at my.ochsner.org.

Let us help you plan your visit

Prior to leaving for your appointment we recommend that you make sure you understand how to get to the Ochsner campus at which you are scheduled. Search our cancer care locations to find your campus, and make sure you have verified where to park and the amount of time it will take to get there prior to leaving your home. Some locations also have valet parking, which can be verified by calling in advance if needed. Most locations also have the ability to provide a wheelchair and transport assistance as well, if you need help getting from your car to your appointment.

If you are in need of lodging for your appointment, there are some options at our Jefferson Highway location available on campus. You can read more about them here. If you need lodging at another campus call them directly for any recommendations.

Talk to your Ochsner team about your records

Before your appointment we will reach out to either you or your referring provider to make sure we have what we need to make it successful. Often we can obtain all your medical records without needing you to do anything. However it never hurts to ensure that you are also prepared for your visit. Some common medical records that are needed for an oncology consult include:

• Pathology report from a biopsy and/or surgery that diagnosed your cancer
• Imaging reports from any scans you have had for this diagnosis (common scans for cancer staging include Computed Tomography/CT scans, bone scans, mammograms, MRIs, Ultrasounds, or Positron Emission Tomography/PET scans)
• Radiological imaging from any scans you have had. This may be in the form of a CD-ROM disc or may be able to be sent to our facility electronically. The easiest way to obtain a copy or request that a copy be sent to Ochsner is to go directly to the imaging center where you had the scan done
• Physician progress notes from your referring or previous treating provider(s).
• Treatment summaries of any previous cancer treatment you may have had, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgical operative notes.
• Lab results from the past two months
• Any genetic testing you may have had done, regardless of the result.
• Any legal documents that outline advance directives, such as a medical power of attorney or living will. Learn more or print forms to complete prior to your visit here.

Review our visitor policy before you arrive

Our visitor policy is updated frequently in response to the changing national guidelines for COVID-19 prevention and awareness. Before you come to Ochsner, please make sure you and your loved ones understand and can comply with this policy. You can review the most recent visitor policy here.

Decide which appointment check-in option is best for you

You can check-in for your appointment in a variety of ways:

• If you have a MyOchsner account, you can pre-check at any time after your appointment is scheduled. Just click on the “pre-check” button in the appointment section of the website or app
• Once you arrive at your visit, you can utilize remote check-in from your vehicle. Each parking spot has instructions for how to check-in by phone or mark yourself as “arrived” in the MyOchsner app. You can wait in your car until your provider’s team is ready to walk you to the clinic room
• If you prefer to check-in with a representative in-person, there are check-in desks available within the cancer centers for you to check-in to your appointment and complete all pre-visit questionnaires and paperwork with that representative. Just walk into the building and signs will direct you to those representatives