Telemedicine Visits at MSK: Everything You Need to Know
Everyone at Memorial Sloan Kettering is working together to deliver excellent care for our patients. We are taking every precaution to ensure your health, well-being, and safety. One way we’re doing this is by offering telemedicine visits.
Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) is committed to giving you excellent care. We also make it as easy as possible for you to get care at MSK. One way we do that is through telemedicine.
MSK Telemedicine lets you get the care you need from our providers. It can take place from your home or anywhere that’s comfortable and convenient for you.
Learn more about how to have a telemedicine appointment at MSK.
What is telemedicine?
Telemedicine uses video technology to safely connect you with members of your MSK care team. Sometimes it’s called it a remote visit, telehealth, or virtual or online care.
You can talk with your provider through a face-to-face video call on your desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. You will be able to see and hear them, and they will be able to see and hear you. The only difference is that you will not be in the same room.
How can telemedicine help me?
Traveling to and from appointments can take a lot of time and energy. Telemedicine lets you get some of the care you need without having to visit an MSK location.
You may be able to get certain tests at a clinic near you. Then, you can talk with your MSK doctor about the results on a telemedicine visit. Telemedicine is also helpful if you must talk with your doctor when you’re away or far from an MSK location.
Fewer in-person visits mean you will save travel time and money. You also can take less time off from your responsibilities to get care at an MSK location.
What types of telemedicine visits does MSK offer?
Our Care Advisors and providers will be able to tell you what types of appointments can be done by telemedicine. You can have a telemedicine visit for:
- Your very first appointment, if you are unable to travel to an MSK location.
- Second opinions to confirm or change a cancer diagnosis or treatment plan.
- Follow-up appointments to talk about some test results, treatment side effects, or new symptoms.
- Support with at-home activities after treatment, such as exercises, dealing with changes in your body, and taking medication.
- Some Integrative Medicine services, such as meditation groups, exercise classes, and music therapy.
- Genetic counseling to learn about your risk of inherited cancer.
- Psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker appointments.
- Clinical dietitian nutritionist meetings.
Are there services I cannot have during a telemedicine appointment?
Some parts of your medical care cannot be done during a telemedicine visit. These include:
- Blood work. You can visit a local provider for certain blood tests. During a telemedicine visit, you can talk with your MSK healthcare provider about the results and next steps in your care.
- Imaging. You can visit a local provider for certain imaging tests. During a telemedicine visit, you can talk with your MSK healthcare provider about the results and next steps in your care.
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy or immunotherapy infusions
How do I make an appointment for a telemedicine visit at MSK?
If you’re a new patient at MSK, you can make an appointment online or by calling us at 800-525-2225. Our Care Advisors will tell you if you can have a telemedicine visit or if you need to be seen in person.
If you’re already an MSK patient, you can call your provider’s office to schedule a telemedicine appointment. They may refer you to a different MSK provider for a telemedicine visit.
What information does MSK need before my telemedicine appointment?
If you’re a new patient, we will need to review your medical history. That will help us understand the care you got from other healthcare providers. The information we need is the same for telemedicine visits or in-person visits.
Our Care Advisors can answer questions about getting this information. They can help you gather it before your first appointment. This includes:
- Your insurance information.
- Reports from tests or procedures.
- Pathology slides from biopsies or surgeries.
- Imaging exams.
- Cancer treatments.
- A list of your symptoms.
- All prescription medications and over-the-counter medications you’re taking.
Your first appointment as a new patient often will be the same whether it’s in-person or a telemedicine visit. Learn more about getting ready for your first appointment at MSK.
If you’re already a patient at MSK, contact your MSK healthcare provider’s office. They will tell you if there is anything you need to send in before your telemedicine visit.
How do I get ready for a telemedicine visit at MSK?
1. Make sure you can log into MyMSK, our patient portal.
Using your enrollment ID, you can create a MyMSK account at my.mskcc.org or on the MyMSK app.
2. Sign your consent form before your visit starts.
Before your telemedicine visit, you must sign a consent form. It explains what you can expect from your telemedicine visit.
Learn how to sign your MSK Telemedicine consent form.
3. Know how to access and use MSK Telemedicine.
Learn how to use MSK Telemedicine by reading Getting Ready for Your MSK Telemedicine Visit. This guide explains everything you need to know about how to join your MSK Telemedicine visit. It has information about technology, and many other topics. You can learn tips such as how to ask for an interpreter, or invite a loved one to join your visit.
MSK will not record or save your telemedicine visit. Your information will stay private and secure. Telemedicine appointments at MSK meet the strict privacy rules of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
