Planning Your Care
Prepare for Your First Visit
We understand how being ill is difficult, both for you and your family. Our physicians and staff are sensitive to this and are dedicated to helping you. When you arrive at CBCC, please sign in with the receptionist.
If for some reason you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, please call as soon as possible to reschedule. This will allow us to use your time slot for another patient and will permit you to receive the next earliest appointment time possible
What you need to bring:
- Please complete the required forms found in our packet and bring them with you to your scheduled appointment.
- Advanced Directive; Please bring a copy for us to place in your medical records.
- List of medications with dose and frequency and start date.
- Photo ID, such as a driver’s license.
- List of allergies (med/food), reaction and date of first occurrence.
- Medical insurance card(s).
If you have any questions, please call us at: (661) 322-2206.
16 Questions to Ask Your Oncologist at Your First Cancer Appointment.
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A cancer diagnosis is less daunting than it used to be. Fortunately, for many kinds of cancer, scientific knowledge, treatments and health outcomes are continually improving.
Financial Services
The Financial Service Department at CBCC is here to make sure you have a complete understanding of your medical coverage, as well as your financial responsibility for your treatment.
Yazmin Irizarry and Virginia Gonzales are the financial counselors at CBCC & Dignity Health. Their goal is to make sure you have a solid understanding of your medical coverage, as well as your financial responsibility.
It only takes a moment to find out if you qualify for financial assistance. There are several drug manufacture co-pay programs for the commercially insured; and foundation programs for those with government insurance.
These programs may assist with your radiation, injections, infusion and chemotherapy needs. They can also provide additional resources and assistance.
If you need help determining which care is covered by insurance or what your financial obligations are, please do not hesitate to call or meet with them.
The financial services office can be reached at (661) 616-6443 or
(661) 862-7169.
Yazmin Irizarry
Financial Counselor
(661) 616-6443
(661) 616-6443 Fax
yirizarry@cbccusa.com
Virginia Gonzales
Financial Counselor
(661) 862-7169
(661) 862-7169 Fax
vgonzales@cbccusa.com
Understanding Your Health Insurance Policy and Payment Practices.
As a patient, you should be involved in your medical treatment and in paying for your health care. This flyer will help you understand your health insurance policy and the health care payment process.
Caregiver Information
As a caregiver you may be asked to take on new responsibilities and deal with issues that are new to you. Our team is here to guide you and inform you throughout this new role.
Understand what has been prescribed.
Talk with your cancer team so you know exactly what your patient is taking. This includes knowing the name of each medication, understanding why it has been prescribed, and keeping track of when it should be taken.
Communicate with your cancer team.
It’s a good idea for the caregiver to accompany the cancer patient on visits with the cancer team. As a caregiver, you will want to listen carefully, ask questions, and take notes. Treating cancer can be a long process that includes many office visits. Your notes can be used to help you remember details and a way to look back on past conversations. We also recommend that if the patient has two caregivers, one should be designated to attend all patient appointments. This person can also be the key contact for the doctor and will be more easily able to share information with any family or friends.
Setting up medical power of attorney
A medical power of attorney empowers you to make medical decisions when the cancer patient is unable to. This is an important decision and should be discussed with the cancer patient so that the wishes of the patient can be followed if they are unable to communicate. Ask your cancer team about medical power of attorney.
Social Services
People with cancer often report experiencing a wide-range of emotions and needs throughout their cancer experience. Social services are available to support the adjustment of patients and families with the changes and challenges that may occur in life following a cancer diagnosis. Meeting with a licensed social worker can provide an opportunity to discuss your social and emotional concerns and can include linkage to local, state, and national resources to help navigate your specific needs.
Other resources to help.
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/feelings/anxiety-distress-pdq
https://www.cancer.net/survivorship/life-after-cancer/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-cancer
https://www.cancer.net/coping-with-cancer/managing-emotions/depression