What to Expect at Your First Cancer and Blood Disorders Program Visit

It is perfectly normal to feel nervous or anxious about visiting a hospital. Rest assured, however, that our team will do whatever we can to help make your experience a positive one. After all, the patient is the most important person in our office and we are fully committed to providing our patients with expert medical care. We hope the following information will answer some of your questions and help prepare you for your initial visit to our facility.

What to Expect at Your First Cancer and Blood Disorders Program Visit

An Experienced Team of Specialists

The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital is the only freestanding children’s hospital in Broward County to offer a dedicated pediatric hematology/oncology program. Our multidisciplinary team provides comprehensive, individualized treatment services for children with pediatric malignancies and blood disorders.

Our physicians have many years of experience treating childhood cancers and pediatric blood disorders, and, together with our nurses and support staff, are committed to meeting the medical and emotional needs of patients every step of the way.

Patient- and Family-Centered Care

Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital supports a patient- and family-centered care philosophy that honors the family's role as the strongest foundation in a child's life and the greatest influence over a child's health and well-being. Learn more about Patient- and Family-Centered Care.

Office Hours

Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am–5 pm.

Appointments

To make an appointment, please call 954-265-2234. Some general guidelines regarding appointments:

Please call in advance for routine office visits
Make follow-up appointments as you leave
We make every effort to stay on schedule, although emergencies arise. If we are seriously delayed, we will attempt to notify patients beforehand.
As a courtesy to other patients and staff, please call the office as soon as possible if you are going to be late. Patients who arrive 30 minutes after their regularly scheduled appointment will be rescheduled.

Emergencies

For life-threatening situations, call 911. If you have an urgent problem, please call our office for instructions. After hours, our answering service will inform you of how to reach a physician on call.

Prescriptions

All prescriptions and refill requests should be requested during normal office hours. Please have your pharmacy fax the office at 954-985-2288 for renewal of medication. Prescriptions will not be refilled if we have not seen your child in the past six months.

Insurance

Prior to your appointment, please check your insurance information so you will be informed about referrals, copayments and any deductible required at the time of the visit
We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express
For your first visit, please bring your insurance card and arrive 30 minutes early to complete the necessary patient information forms
Your health insurance contract is between you and your insurance company; any complaints regarding your coverage should be directed to your carrier
Please allow 48 hours for referral processing; if you are being referred, please be sure to bring the referral with you at the time of office check-in

Additional Tips For Your Visit

Please try to arrive 30 minutes early to allow time for registration
If your insurance requires a referral, please bring it with you
If your insurance requires a copayment or deductible, please bring that to your visit, as well
Bring any medical records that you have not already provided us with
Please be sure to accompany your child to the visit; for your child's safety, we require the parent or legal guardian to be present for 100 percent of the initial visit
You may want to bring a sweater, as the office can be quite cold sometimes
Often, initial patient visits can be up to three hours from start to finish; consider bringing a snack with you

Additional Recommendations

Inform the medical practice staff of any pertinent changes in insurance, employment, demographic information or relationships with other care/service givers
Arrive on time for scheduled appointments and cancel, when necessary, with a phone call
Notify the medical practice of any change in his/her health status
Follow the recommended treatment plan and inform the medical practice of any physical or mental impairment requiring special accommodation
Ask questions if directions and procedures are not understood

What You Should Expect from Us

To be treated with respect, dignity and be informed of your child’s care needs to make appropriate decisions
That we will help plan your child’s care and make changes to the care of plan when needed
To teaching materials in an age-appropriate manner
To provide information about the medical practice billing process
To receive services in a professional, timely and appropriate manner
To receive care without discrimination due to race, religion, age, sex, disability, ethnic origin or sexual orientation