Preparing for Your First Appointment at MSK

Here’s what you can do before your appointment and what to expect during it. That way, you can focus on what’s most important: your health.
Getting ready

These steps can ease your mind and help you feel confident as you prepare for your first appointment. If you have any questions, your Care Advisor is here to help. You can call them directly or reach out to our team of Care Advisors at 877-356-1159.

MSK patient Linda Collins in a yellow-patterned blouse sits in a bright room, resting her head on her hand and smiling softly.

“The first time I called MSK, the person on the phone asked me what I wanted in a physician — if I wanted to be seen by a female or male, or a person of color," says MSK patient Linda Collins. "I had never heard anything like that before in my life. It was just fantastic.”

Talking with a Care Advisor

If you haven’t talked with a Care Advisor yet, that’s the first step. They are here to match you with the right provider for your needs. Our Care Advisors can also help collect records and other information you need for your first appointment.

Connect with a Care Advisor

Filling out forms

You can fill out forms on MyMSK, our patient portal. You might still have to fill out a few forms when you check in for your first appointment. 

Log in or sign up

Gathering what you need to take with you
  • Photo ID: You will need to show a legal photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or green card, when you check in for your appointment.
  • Health insurance card: You will need your health insurance card when you check in.
  • A loved one (optional): They can help you take notes and ask questions.
  • A way to take notes (optional): Take a notepad, phone, or other device to write notes or record the appointment.
  • A list of questions (optional): We put together a list of common questions
Getting to MSK

We’ve pulled together information on driving directions, parking, public transportation, air travel, hotels, and more to make traveling easier for you.

Plan your visit

What to expect

It’s OK to feel nervous or anxious on the day of your first appointment. Everyone at MSK is here to support you and make your experience as comfortable as possible.

Gynecologic surgeon Carol Brown shares a warm and engaged conversation with MSK patient Linda Collins in a medical office.

“Dr. Brown has always been great to me,” Linda says. “It doesn’t matter when I call her or what I call her about, she always gets back to me.”

Checking in

Make sure you have your photo ID and health insurance card. An MSK employee will tell you where you need to go and help you with whatever you need. Your loved one can come with you to your appointment room.

Meeting your care team

During your first visit, your doctor and nurse will examine you, talk with you about any symptoms you’re having, and get to know what’s important to you. They will answer your questions about your diagnosis and treatment options.

Creating your treatment plan

Together, you and your care team will decide on the treatment plan that is right for you.

Next steps

Your care team will let you know what will happen during your second appointment and beyond. Your next visit might include having more tests (such as a CT scan, a PET scan, or blood tests), meeting other members of your care team, and starting cancer treatment.

I have not met one person at MSK who is not warm and genuine and caring.
MSK patient Linda Collins in a yellow-patterned blouse sits in a bright room, resting her head on her hand and smiling softly.
Linda Collins
MSK patient
MSK Recommends Take your questions to your first appointment

Discussing the details of your care with your doctor will help you feel confident when making decisions.

  • What type of cancer do I have, and what stage is it?
  • What experience do you have in treating my type of cancer?
  • When should I start cancer treatment?
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  • What are my treatment options?