During cancer treatment, there are times when you just do not feel like yourself, and you may not feel able to cope with everything you’re going through. This can happen because of the side effects of your treatment or because of the cancer itself.
MSK’s urgent care services are here to support our patients during their cancer treatment.
If you have a life-threatening emergency, always call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.
Who Helps You at MSK When You Need Urgent Care
We have teams of nurses and doctors with special training in the urgent medical needs of people with cancer. They have access to your medical records, and they know about your primary treatment plan. They will communicate with your primary care team to update them on your treatment.
How to Get Urgent Care at MSK
Call your MSK care team first. They may be able to help you over the phone. They will tell you where to go if you need urgent care.
Read more below about where you can get urgent care if you are an MSK patient.
Urgent Care Center in New York City
The Urgent Care Center (UCC) is a special treatment center for MSK patients. The UCC is for urgent medical issues and services related to cancer or cancer treatments. MSK patients with appointments can have many tests and treatments in the UCC, such as blood transfusions and intravenous (IV) medications (medicine put into your vein).
Where the UCC is located: The UCC is located in Memorial Hospital at 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065.
When to go to the UCC: Call your MSK care team first. They will tell you if you need to go to the UCC or somewhere else.
UCC hours: The UCC is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Read more about the Urgent Care Center at MSK
Clinical Decision Unit in New York City
The Clinical Decision Unit, also known as the CDU, is the observation unit of the UCC. It offers short-term treatments and tests in a safe, comfortable environment.
Where the UCC is located: The CDU is located near the UCC in Memorial Hospital at 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065.
When to go to the CDU: Call your MSK care team first. They will tell you where to go for care.
CDU hours: The CDU is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Read more about the Clinical Decision Unit at MSK
Urgent Care Outside New York City: Symptom Care Clinics
Symptom Care Clinics (SCC) are special treatment centers for MSK patients. An SCC is for medical problems and services related to cancer or cancer treatments. Many tests and treatments can be done at an SCC. They include imaging scans and intravenous (IV) medications (medicine put into your vein).
Where SCCs are located:
When to go to an SCC: Call your MSK care team first. They will tell you if you need to go to an SCC or somewhere else. You must have an appointment to be seen in an SCC. It’s not a walk-in clinic. Your care team will ask SCC staff to call you to schedule your appointment. The appointment is often the same day.
SCC hours: Each SCC location has different hours.
After-Hours Telephone Triage
The After-Hours Telephone Triage (AHTT) is a call center for MSK patients. It’s for people who have urgent symptoms related to their cancer care.
When to call the AHTT: Please call the office of your MSK healthcare provider and follow the prompts to reach the AHTT. You also can call the MSK operator at 212-639-7900.
When you reach the AHTT, they will tell you where to go, and they will help schedule your appointment. You must have an appointment before going to any of our urgent care locations. They are not walk-in clinics.
AHTT hours: The AHTT is available 7 days a week when doctors’ offices are closed. The hours are:
- Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.
- Saturday, Sunday, and holidays: 24 hours a day.
Our patients who need urgent or special care outside of New York City or our other locations can get shared care through our relationships with partners in our Care Closer to Home program.
Where our partner hospitals are located:
When to go to a partner hospital: Call your MSK care team first. They will tell you if you need to go to a partner institution or somewhere else.
Partner hospital hours: Each partner hospital has different hours.