Roswell Park FAQ

You can request an appointment at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center online or by calling 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355). Once you have made an appointment, you will be asked to provide some basic information and insurance details. It’s also a good idea to bring a list of current medications and any relevant medical records to your appointment. If you’d like your physician to make the appointment for you, contact their office and ask for a referral to Roswell Park. Existing Roswell Park patients can schedule additional appointments on their MyRoswell patient portal.

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Become a patientYour first visitRequest medical recordsMyRoswell patient portal

The time it takes to get an appointment at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center varies based on several factors, such as the availability of appointments, the type of care you need, and your insurance coverage. It’s best to call us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or request an appointment online as soon as you have a need. You may have to wait for an appointment for certain specialty services due to high demand — however, you can be assured that we will do everything possible to see you in a timely manner based on the type of care you need.

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Become a patient

Yes, it may be possible to have a virtual appointment (also known as a telemedicine appointment) at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Virtual appointments can be a convenient and accessible option for patients who are unable to visit the center in person, or for those who prefer the flexibility and convenience of a virtual visit. During the virtual appointment, you can speak with your doctor or care team using video conferencing technology. You’ll be able to discuss your medical history, symptoms, and treatment options just as you would in an in-person appointment. To schedule a virtual appointment at Roswell Park, you can call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or contact your healthcare provider. They can assist you in determining if a virtual appointment is right for you and help schedule your appointment.

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Virtual visits

Your first appointment at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center will depend on your specific needs and the nature of your condition. In general, new patients will start with a consultation appointment, during which your doctor will review your medical history, perform any necessary exams or tests, and discuss your next steps, possibly including treatment options. Based on this information, they will determine the best course of action and may schedule additional appointments, such as procedures or follow-up visits. In some cases, you may be able to have a procedure on your first visit. It’s important to note that the process and timeline for appointments can vary depending on the type and severity of your condition, as well as your individual needs and preferences. If you have questions or concerns about your appointment, contact Roswell Park at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) for more information. We are here to help.

The amount covered by your health insurance for treatment at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center depends on several factors, including the type of insurance you have, your specific plan and policy, and the type of treatment you need. You should contact your insurance company for the most accurate information on your coverage and what you can expect to pay out of pocket for your treatment at Roswell Park. Some insurance companies may require prior authorization for certain procedures or treatments, so it’s a good idea to check with them ahead of time. In general, insurance coverage for cancer treatment can include costs for doctor visits, diagnostic tests, procedures, and medications. However, the specifics of what is covered can vary widely depending on your insurance plan. As part of our financial counseling, we can also provide an individualized realistic estimate of the costs you are likely to face in connection with your cancer care. We also offer financial assistance and other programs that may help. Please call us at 716-845-4782.

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Paying for cancer care

It’s natural to feel nervous or concerned about seeking a second opinion, but it’s important to remember that seeking a second opinion is a common and recommended step in the medical process, and many healthcare providers encourage it. A second opinion can provide you with additional information and insights into your condition and treatment options and can help you make a more informed decision about your care. In most cases, doctors are understanding of and supportive of their patients seeking second opinions. They understand that it’s a personal decision and that the goal is to ensure the best possible care for the patient.

If you are seeking a second opinion at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, you can expect to receive high-quality, patient-centered care. The center’s team of experts will review your medical records and test results, and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. They will also communicate with your referring doctor to ensure that all relevant information is shared and that your care is coordinated. Ultimately, the decision to seek a second opinion is a personal one, and you should do what feels right for you and your situation. If you have any concerns about seeking a second opinion, it may be helpful to discuss them with your doctor or a trusted healthcare professional.

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Getting a second opinion

Yes, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center may have a cancellation list that you can be added to in order to get an earlier appointment. It's important to note that the availability of cancellations and the wait time for an appointment can vary depending on many factors, such as the availability of doctors, the demand for certain services, and the nature and severity of your condition. To determine if a cancellation list is available for the doctor or specialist you are interested in seeing, call us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355).

It is possible for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center to have your medical records before your first appointment, depending on the nature of your visit and the information provided by your referring doctor or healthcare provider. When you make an appointment at Roswell Park, the center will request your medical records from your previous healthcare providers. This may include your medical history, test results, and other relevant information that can help the doctors at Roswell Park provide you with the best possible care. It is a good idea to check with your previous healthcare provider to ensure that they have released your records to Roswell Park, and to bring copies of any relevant medical records with you to your first appointment.

If you have questions or concerns about your medical records, you can contact the Roswell Park Medical Records Department at 716-845-5550 for more information. They can assist you in obtaining and transferring your records as needed.

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Request medical records

In most cases, you will not need to obtain your own records and imaging before being seen at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. When you make an appointment at Roswell Park, the center will typically request your medical records and imaging studies from your previous healthcare providers. This will ensure that the doctors at Roswell Park have the information they need to provide you with the best possible care. However, it is still a good idea to check with your previous healthcare provider to make sure they have released your records and imaging studies to Roswell Park. You can also bring copies of any relevant medical records or imaging studies with you to your first appointment at Roswell Park, as this can help the doctors to have a complete understanding of your health history and current condition.

If you have questions or concerns about obtaining your records or imaging studies, you can contact the Roswell Park Medical Records Department at 716-845-5550. They can assist you in obtaining and transferring your records as needed.

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Request medical records

The fasting requirements for a medical appointment at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center can vary depending on the nature and purpose of your appointment. We will provide you with any specific instructions or requirements for your appointment, including fasting, before you arrive. For example, if you are scheduled for a blood test, you may be instructed to fast for a certain period before your appointment. This is because fasting can affect the results of certain blood tests and may provide more accurate results. If you are not sure whether you need to fast before your appointment at Roswell Park, it’s best to check with the center directly.

You can check your appointment itinerary or call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) for specific instructions or requirements for your appointment. It’s important to follow any instructions or requirements provided to ensure that your appointment runs smoothly and that the doctors have the information they need to provide you with the best possible care.

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Telephone directory

The length of time you should plan to be at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center for your first appointment can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of appointment, the nature and complexity of your condition, and the procedures or tests that you will have. You should plan to be at the center for several hours on your first visit. This is because your first appointment is likely to be a comprehensive evaluation — your physician will take their time to gather information about your condition, perform a physical examination, and possibly order diagnostic tests such as imaging studies or biopsies. You may also have tests done the same day as your first consultation. It’s best to check in advance for a more specific estimate of the length of time you should plan to be at Roswell Park for your first appointment by calling 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355).

It’s important to plan and allocate enough time for your appointment to ensure that you have enough time to meet with the doctor, undergo any necessary tests or procedures and ask any questions you may have. If you are scheduled for a long procedure or hours of infusion, we recommend you arrange for childcare or reschedule your appointment if your sitter cancels. However, if you are having a quick checkup, you may bring your child or children. Please be sensitive to other patients who may consider crying babies and active children as disturbances.

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While you are here

The location and address of where you will need to go will be on your patient itinerary either mailed to your home or within your MyRoswell patient portal. Clinic hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. If any of this information was not made clear to you, please call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355).

Roswell Park address

For GPS: 665 Elm St. Buffalo, NY

View locations in the Roswell Park Care Network

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Telephone directoryClinic locations

There are several local lodging resources that offer a discount to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center patients and families seeking treatment. These include guest houses, motels, and hotels. For detailed and up-to-date lodging information, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355). Please contact the hotel directly to make reservations and check rates. For special accommodations such as for bone marrow transplant patients, please contact your social worker for more information.

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Lodging information

Yes, you can have bloodwork done by an outside lab if it has been ordered by a healthcare provider prior to your first appointment. However, it is important to make sure that the bloodwork results are properly communicated to the healthcare provider who ordered the test, so that they can use the results to make informed decisions about your care. If you are unsure about whether the bloodwork results from an outside lab will be accepted by your healthcare provider, it is best to check with them directly.

There are several parking options at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, including a parking ramp, a surface lot, and valet parking. The main parking ramp is located on Carlton Street, accessible from Michigan Avenue. Valet parking is available at the main entrance on Carlton Street. Mammography parking is found in the Scott Bieler Clinical Sciences Center parking lot on Carlton St., opposite the Clinical Sciences Center building on Michigan Ave. Look for the pink sign at the entrance to the parking lot. There are also a few public transportation options convenient to Roswell Park. Parking information can be found by contacting us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355).

Parking ramp rates

General public

• Less than 2 hours: $4
• Less than 3 hours: $6
• Less than 4 hours: $7
• Less than 5 hours: $8
• 5 to 24 hours: $9

Outpatient parking

Bring your parking ramp ticket to the information desk to get $4 rate.

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Parking information

You will find information on where to go when you arrive at Roswell Park on the patient itinerary you received either in the mail prior to your appointment or conveniently available on your MyRoswell patient portal. Signs will direct you to Registration on the ground floor of the hospital if that is your first stop, or you may need to look for the location of your center on the directory screen by the elevators on the ground floor of the hospital. If you’re unsure, you can ask any of our friendly associates in the lobby or look for one of our helpful “Blue Coat” volunteers in a blue blazer. They are there to assist you!

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Your first visitClinic locations

Roswell Park has a team of professionals trained and at the ready to assist you with any mobility needs. If you need a wheelchair or other assistance when you arrive at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, please ask a member of the hospital staff. Wheelchairs are conveniently available near the entrance of the main hospital, at the valet parking drop off point.

Whether a procedure is performed at your first appointment depends on the reason for the appointment and the type of procedure needed. It’s best to check with your provider or the center staff to confirm what will happen during your first appointment and if a procedure will be performed. They can give you more information specific to your case. You will find this information on the patient itinerary you received either in the mail prior to your appointment or conveniently available on your MyRoswell patient portal.

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MyRoswell Patient Portal

• Visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day
• We ask that patients have no more than two (2) visitors at a time. Exceptions to this rule may be approved by the nurse manager.
• Each patient may designate four (4) visitors for the duration of their hospital stay. All inpatient visitors must register at the lobby information desk and receive a photo identification sticker to wear during their visit.
• On the pediatric unit, a parent or designated guardian may stay with the patient at all times.
• The units on the fifth floor, the Pediatric Unit, the Intermediate Care Unit and the Intensive Care Unit may have additional criteria for visitors. Please check with your nurse for more information.
• Outpatients are allowed to bring up to two (2) support people with them to an outpatient appointment, with the exception of the Chemotherapy/Infusion Clinic where only one (1) support person is allowed due to limited space.

Visitor information

Which doctors or providers you see at any one appointment depends on many factors, including the purpose of the visit and the nature and complexity of your medical condition. In some cases, you may only meet with one doctor, while in other cases, you may be seen by a team of healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, and other specialists.

For example, if you are having a routine check-up, you may only see your primary care oncologist or surgeon. However, if you are being treated for a complex condition, you may be seen by a team of specialists, including a surgeon, oncologist, radiologist, and others, who will work together to provide you will the best care possible. It is important to ask your doctor about who will be involved in your care and what their roles are to have a clear understanding of the healthcare team that is helping you.

When you will receive the results of lab results for a hematology appointment can vary depending on the specific tests ordered, the laboratory processing the tests, and the policies of Roswell Park. In many cases, your doctor will need to review your lab results and analyze them in the context of your medical history and overall health before sharing the results with you.

In some cases, you may be able to receive your lab results right away within the MyRoswell patient portal if the tests are conducted on-site. However, for more complex tests or if the lab processing the tests is off-site, it may take several days or even weeks to receive results. It’s best to ask your doctor or the office staff about the expected timeline and instructions for receiving your lab results. They can give you more information specific to your case and let you know when you can expect to receive the results.

If you have difficulty registering for MyRoswell, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s secure patient portal, visit the portal's help page or call us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355). On the portal you can see certain information from your medical record such as upcoming tests and appointments, current medications, and laboratory results. You can also communicate with your care team through electronic messages, request a prescription refill, and opt for text, email and voice call appointment reminders.

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MyRoswell Patient Portal

You may be able to take advantage of our convenient satellite locations or Roswell Park Care Network centers. Staffed by members of Roswell Park medical and nursing teams, or Roswell Park Care Network medical staff, our team can provide clinical care in conveniently located settings. Information about these locations can be found by calling 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) for additional information.

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Find a location

If you are experiencing not life-threatening symptoms, call your Roswell Park clinic. If it is after hours or the weekend when your clinic is closed, your call will be answered by a triage nurse who can assess symptoms and determine if you need to be referred to our Assessment and Treatment Center for timely care. If you go to a community hospital emergency department, please let the hospital know that you are a Roswell Park patient or you or a caregiver can contact Roswell Park to let your care team know.

You should contact Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, procedure, surgery, or treatment. Call us at 1-800 ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355). We will work with you to reschedule your appointment or provide alternate options for your surgery or treatment.

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Telephone directory