What Memorial Sloan Kettering Is and Who It Treats
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is a private hospital system in New York that specializes only in cancer care. It operates multiple locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, New Jersey, and Long Island, plus satellite offices across the Northeast. Unlike a general hospital, every doctor, nurse, and department focuses on cancer treatment — surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and clinical trials.
The center treats patients with any type of cancer, at any stage. It accepts both insured and uninsured patients, though costs and payment options differ based on your coverage. Memorial Sloan Kettering is not a government program; it is a nonprofit hospital system that bills insurance companies and patients directly for services rendered.
Key Takeaways
- Memorial Sloan Kettering is a private cancer hospital in New York with locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, New Jersey, and Long Island.
- You need a referral from your primary care doctor or oncologist to schedule an appointment, though some locations accept self-referrals.
- The center bills your insurance first; uninsured patients can discuss payment plans and financial hardship programs directly with the hospital.
- Appointment wait times vary by department and urgency, from same-day to several weeks depending on the type of cancer and available specialists.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering participates in clinical trials, which may offer newer treatments not yet widely available but require separate consent.
How to Get an Appointment at Memorial Sloan Kettering
To schedule an appointment, you typically need a referral from your primary care doctor, oncologist, or another physician. Call the main appointment line at 212-639-2000 to request a consultation. Some departments accept self-referrals, meaning you can call directly without a doctor's referral, but this varies by location and specialty.
When you call, have ready your insurance card, a list of current medications, and any recent test results or imaging reports. The scheduler will ask which type of cancer or suspected cancer you have and whether you have been treated elsewhere. If you have already seen another oncologist, bring those records — Memorial Sloan Kettering will review them before your first visit.
Wait times depend on urgency and the specific department. A new diagnosis of an aggressive cancer may be seen within days; a follow-up consultation for a stable condition may take several weeks. Ask the scheduler for an estimated wait time when you call.
Insurance, Costs, and Payment Options
Memorial Sloan Kettering accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Your insurance will be billed for all services — appointments, procedures, imaging, lab work, and medications given at the hospital. You are responsible for your copay, coinsurance, or deductible as outlined in your plan.
If you are uninsured or underinsured, contact the hospital's financial counseling department before or at your first appointment. Memorial Sloan Kettering offers payment plans for out-of-pocket costs and has a financial hardship program for patients with limited income. The hospital can also discuss whether you may be may be able to access for Medicaid or other state programs.
Prescription medications dispensed at Memorial Sloan Kettering are billed separately from the visit itself. If you receive chemotherapy or other infused drugs, those costs are included in the procedure charge. Ask your care team about the total expected cost of your treatment plan before you begin.
What Departments and Services Are Available
Memorial Sloan Kettering has specialized departments for nearly every cancer type: breast, lung, colorectal, prostate, ovarian, pancreatic, head and neck, lymphoma, leukemia, and others. Each department has surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and supportive care specialists like nutritionists and social workers.
Beyond cancer treatment, the center offers genetic counseling and testing for hereditary cancer risk, survivorship programs for patients finishing treatment, palliative care to manage pain and symptoms, and mental health services. Many locations have infusion centers where you receive chemotherapy or immunotherapy as an outpatient, meaning you go home the same day.
Memorial Sloan Kettering also runs a large clinical trials program. If your cancer type or stage makes you a candidate, your doctor may discuss enrolling in a trial testing a new drug or combination of treatments. Participation is voluntary and requires separate written consent.
Insurance Coverage and What Is Typically Covered
Insurance coverage for cancer treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering follows the same rules as any hospital. Your plan covers diagnostic tests (blood work, imaging, biopsies), surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy if they are deemed medically necessary by your doctor. Preventive services like genetic testing may be covered at no cost if you meet your plan's criteria.
Some newer drugs or experimental treatments may require prior authorization from your insurance company before the hospital can administer them. Memorial Sloan Kettering's billing department handles these requests on your behalf, but the process can take days to weeks. Ask your doctor whether your proposed treatment needs authorization and how long approval typically takes.
If your insurance denies a treatment, you have the right to appeal. Memorial Sloan Kettering's patient advocate office can help you file an appeal and gather supporting medical evidence. This process is separate from the hospital's billing and does not delay your care while the appeal is pending.
Clinical Trials and Experimental Treatments
Memorial Sloan Kettering runs one of the largest cancer clinical trials programs in the country. Trials test new drugs, new combinations of existing drugs, immunotherapy approaches, and other experimental treatments. If you are enrolled in a trial, you receive the investigational treatment at no cost to you — the trial sponsor covers the drug and related study visits.
Your doctor will discuss whether a trial is a good fit for your cancer type, stage, and overall health. Enrollment is entirely voluntary; you can decline and continue standard treatment instead. If you enroll, you sign a detailed consent form explaining the trial's risks and benefits, and you can withdraw at any time.
Ask your care team whether any active trials match your diagnosis. You can also search Memorial Sloan Kettering's trial database on its website to see what studies are currently recruiting patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to live in New York to be treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering?
No. Memorial Sloan Kettering treats patients from across the country and internationally. If you live far away, you can have your first consultation by video or phone, and the hospital can coordinate with your local doctors for ongoing care between visits to New York.
What if I cannot afford treatment even with insurance?
Contact Memorial Sloan Kettering's financial counseling office before your first appointment or as soon as possible after. The hospital offers payment plans, financial hardship programs based on income, and can help you explore Medicaid or other state programs. Do not delay treatment because of cost concerns — discuss options with the hospital first.
Can I get a second opinion at Memorial Sloan Kettering without switching doctors?
Yes. You can schedule a consultation for a second opinion without committing to ongoing care there. Bring your records from your current oncologist, and the Memorial Sloan Kettering doctor will review your case and discuss their perspective. You can then return to your current doctor or choose to transfer your care.
How long does it take to start treatment after my first appointment?
This depends on the type of cancer and the treatment plan. Some patients start chemotherapy within days of diagnosis; others may need additional testing or surgery first. Your doctor will outline the timeline at your first visit and explain any delays.
Does Memorial Sloan Kettering offer support services like counseling or support groups?
Yes. The center has social workers, psychiatrists, and psychologists on staff, plus support groups for patients and families. Many services are offered both in person and online. Ask your care team for a referral to supportive services at your first appointment.