What Cancer Treatment Centers of America offers

Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) is a network of four hospital campuses in the United States that treat cancer patients. The hospitals are located in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Phoenix, Arizona; Chicago, Illinois; and Atlanta, Georgia. CTCA operates as a for-profit cancer hospital system, meaning patients pay for treatment through insurance, out-of-pocket costs, or financing arrangements rather than through government programs.

CTCA combines oncology (cancer treatment) with supportive care services like nutrition, behavioral health, and naturopathic medicine under one roof. The system markets itself as offering a "whole-person" approach alongside conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Each hospital campus has its own medical staff, imaging equipment, and treatment facilities.

Unlike National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers, which are research institutions that must meet specific criteria for research output and training, CTCA is not an NCI-designated center. This distinction matters if you are considering treatment options, because research-focused centers often have different resources, clinical trial availability, and physician training pathways than hospital-based cancer treatment programs.

Key Takeaways

  • CTCA operates four hospital campuses in Oklahoma, Arizona, Illinois, and Georgia and treats cancer patients as a for-profit hospital system.
  • Treatment at CTCA requires payment through insurance, out-of-pocket payment, or financing; it is not a government-funded or free program.
  • CTCA offers conventional cancer treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation) alongside supportive services like nutrition counseling and behavioral health.
  • CTCA is not an NCI-designated cancer center, so it does not carry the same research and training credentials as academic medical centers.
  • Patients considering CTCA should verify their insurance coverage and understand their financial responsibility before scheduling treatment.

How to contact CTCA and schedule a consultation

To reach CTCA, you can call 1-855-278-2822 (a number advertised on their website) or visit the CTCA website directly to request information about a specific campus location. CTCA staff will ask about your diagnosis, current treatment status, and insurance information during an initial conversation.

If you have already been diagnosed with cancer and have pathology reports or imaging scans, CTCA can review those records as part of a consultation. You do not need to be a current patient at another hospital to contact CTCA; the system accepts new patients who are seeking a second opinion or primary treatment.

The consultation process typically involves a phone or video conversation first, followed by an in-person visit if you decide to move forward. Travel and lodging are your responsibility, though CTCA maintains information about hotels and travel resources near each campus location.

Insurance coverage and cost considerations

CTCA is an in-network provider for many major insurance plans, but coverage varies by your specific plan and location. Before scheduling treatment, you should contact your insurance company directly to confirm whether CTCA hospitals are covered and what your out-of-pocket costs will be.

If you do not have insurance or your plan does not cover CTCA, the hospital system offers financing options and payment plans. CTCA also has a financial counselor on staff who can discuss costs and payment arrangements during your consultation. Out-of-pocket costs for cancer treatment can be substantial, so understanding your financial responsibility upfront is important.

Medicare and Medicaid coverage at CTCA depends on your state and the specific hospital campus. Some CTCA locations accept Medicare; others may not. Call ahead to confirm whether your coverage type is accepted at the location you are considering.

Treatment options available at CTCA

CTCA offers standard oncology treatments: surgery to remove tumors, chemotherapy (drugs that kill cancer cells), and radiation therapy (high-energy beams directed at tumors). These are the same treatment modalities available at most cancer centers and hospitals across the United States.

In addition to conventional treatments, CTCA emphasizes supportive care services. These include registered dietitian consultations, behavioral health counseling, pain management, and naturopathic medicine services. Naturopathic medicine—the use of plant-based and natural remedies—is not standard at most cancer centers and is not regulated by the FDA in the same way as pharmaceutical treatments.

CTCA does not appear to specialize in particular cancer types or offer treatments that are not widely available elsewhere. If you have a rare cancer type or are interested in a specific clinical trial, you may want to compare CTCA's offerings with academic medical centers or NCI-designated centers in your region, as those institutions often have more extensive research programs and trial availability.

Differences between CTCA and other cancer treatment options

Academic medical centers and NCI-designated cancer centers are typically affiliated with universities and conduct cancer research. They often have more clinical trials available, more physician specialists in specific cancer types, and training programs for oncology fellows. These centers are usually nonprofit and may offer more financial information programs for uninsured or underinsured patients.

Community hospitals with oncology departments offer cancer treatment in a local setting, which may reduce travel burden. However, they may have fewer specialists and fewer advanced treatment options than larger cancer centers. Community hospitals are often nonprofit and may participate in government insurance programs more broadly.

CTCA is a for-profit system that emphasizes the integration of supportive care with conventional treatment. The hospitals are designed around a single-campus model, meaning all your care (oncology, imaging, supportive services) happens in one location. This can be convenient, but it requires travel to one of four specific geographic locations.

Clinical trials and research at CTCA

CTCA does conduct some clinical trials, but the system is not a major research institution. If access to clinical trials is important to your treatment decision, you should ask CTCA directly what trials are currently open at the campus you are considering and what cancer types they treat.

The National Cancer Institute maintains a searchable database of all clinical trials open in the United States at clinicaltrials.gov. You can search by cancer type, location, and trial status to see what options exist near you or nationwide. This resource is free and independent of any hospital system.

If you are interested in cutting-edge treatments or have a rare cancer diagnosis, academic medical centers and NCI-designated centers typically have more extensive trial portfolios than CTCA. Your oncologist can help you determine whether a particular trial is appropriate for your diagnosis and stage.

Questions to ask before choosing CTCA

Before committing to treatment at CTCA, consider asking the following questions during your consultation: What is the specific treatment plan for your cancer type and stage? How many patients with your diagnosis does this CTCA campus treat per year? What is the physician's experience with your particular cancer type? What supportive services are included in the treatment plan, and which ones are optional? What are the total estimated costs, and what does your insurance cover?

You should also ask whether CTCA recommends any clinical trials for your situation and whether you can obtain a second opinion from another cancer center without penalty. It is standard practice in oncology to seek multiple opinions before beginning treatment, and any reputable cancer center will support this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CTCA covered by Medicare or Medicaid?

Some CTCA locations accept Medicare, but coverage varies by campus and state. Medicaid coverage is less common at CTCA. Contact the specific campus location you are considering and your state Medicaid office to confirm coverage before scheduling treatment.

Does CTCA offer treatment for all cancer types?

CTCA treats many common cancer types, but the depth of specialization may vary by location and physician availability. Ask CTCA directly whether they have experience treating your specific cancer type and stage before scheduling a consultation.

Can I use CTCA for a second opinion without committing to treatment there?

Yes. CTCA can review your records and provide a second opinion consultation. You are not obligated to pursue treatment at CTCA after a consultation. Many patients seek multiple opinions before deciding where to receive treatment.

What is the difference between CTCA and an NCI-designated cancer center?

NCI-designated centers are research institutions that meet strict criteria for cancer research, physician training, and clinical trial availability. CTCA is a for-profit hospital system that emphasizes supportive care alongside conventional treatment but is not designated as a research center. Both offer cancer treatment, but they differ in research focus and institutional structure.

Does CTCA offer financial information if I do not have insurance?

CTCA has financial counselors who can discuss payment plans and financing options. However, as a for-profit system, CTCA does not typically offer the same level of charity care or financial information as nonprofit hospitals. Ask about available options during your initial consultation.