Making an appointment

Your doctor may refer you to UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. If your health insurance plan gives you the flexibility to self-refer, you may schedule an appointment on your own. Please call our New Patient Referral Office to make your first appointment.

When you call, we will need your name, contact information and insurance provider. We will also need your medical records sent to us. Our New Patient Referral Office will mail you a new patient information packet.

Once we receive your medical records, we will contact you to schedule your first appointment. The coordinator will also talk with you about any X-rays, mammograms, CT scans, MRIs or other images that you may need to hand-carry to your first appointment.

Your first appointment

The following information will help you get organized for your first appointment at UC Davis Cancer Center . 

Before your first visit

• Review the list of X-rays, mammograms, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, glass slides, pathology reports or other items that you were asked to hand-carry with you to your first appointment. If any of these are missing or if you have questions, please call the New Patient Referral Office for assistance.
• Fill out the forms you received in your new patient information packet.
• Identify an emergency contact and be sure you have the person's current phone number(s) and address. You will need to give this information to the receptionist when you check in for your first appointment.
• Write down the questions and concerns you want to bring up with your doctor at your first appointment.
• Consider asking a family member or friend to come with you to your appointment. It can be helpful to have someone else along to listen what the doctor says and to take notes.

What to bring to your first visit

• A family member or friend, if possible. If someone is not available to be with you, please visit our Newly Diagnosed Patients section for information on our Peer Navigator program.
• Your X-rays and any other items you were asked to hand-carry to your first appointment.
• A completed Patient Medical Questionnaire, Notices of Privacy Practices form and Personal Medication Record Card. Please note that a different medical questionnaire is required for patients with gynecologic or urologic cancers.
• The name, phone number(s) and address of a person who can be contacted in case of an emergency.
• Your health insurance card(s), including Medicare or Medi-Cal cards.
• Any co-payment required by your insurance.
• A list of questions for your doctor and a pen and paper to write down the answers.
• Parking at the cancer center is $2 with validation. Please bring your parking ticket with you and ask the receptionist to validate it when you check in for your appointment. More information on alternate transportation options and parking near the cancer center can be found on our Parking and Transportation page.

Checking in for your first appointment

When you arrive for your appointment, the receptionist at the front desk in the main lobby can direct you where you will need to go. If you are a new patient at the Cancer Center, please plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled first visit. If you are new to UC Davis Health, you will be asked to provide insurance information.