Is it OK to Switch Oncologists Mid-Treatment? What to Know

People with cancer have the right to switch oncologists at any time. Common reasons include costs, commutes, and dissatisfaction with care. Learn how to switch without sacrificing quality.

Your oncologist is likely your primary point person during cancer treatment, or at least a vital member of your team. You deserve to feel confident with the care you’re receiving and affirmed by medical professionals.

That’s not always the case, though.

If not, it’s OK to seek care elsewhere and switch oncologists while undergoing treatment.

Understanding common reasons people switch, when to consider staying with your current provider, and how to go about switching oncologists mid-treatment can help you streamline the process and protect your physical and mental health.

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Common reasons people switch oncologists

There are many reasons a person may consider switching oncologists, including:

• logistics, like insurance, costs, or geography
• gaining access to different therapies
• dissatisfaction with care
• language and cultural barriers

“It is the patient’s right to switch at any time, for any reason,” Melissa Wood, RN, a breast cancer nurse navigator, says. “You need to feel comfortable with the care you will be receiving.”

Logistics

Two of the most common reasons for switching oncologists are insurance coverage and costs — which are often intertwined.

“The cost of cancer care can force patients to change insurance either at open enrollment or mid-year,” Wood says. “Employment changes happen frequently as well, which can affect their insurance and force a change.”

Even in-network oncologists may have different price points.

“There may be tiers of preference by insurance carriers,” says Sara A. Dudley, a radiation oncologist.

Your living situation may also change.

“I have had some [people] move across the country to be near family for support during their treatment,” Wood says. “Treatment can be ongoing, and they don’t want to travel far to their appointments that could be frequent.”

Waiting times for a preferred provider within a practice can also prompt a switch.

Access to different therapies

It may be a good idea to seek a second opinion when newly diagnosed with cancer to understand what treatments are available. Switching oncologists to access different therapies can help you improve your quality of care and outcomes.

According to Dudley, newer treatments or trials specific to your type of cancer may be available at different centers. These local centers may also have a relationship with an academic center. In this case, they can collaborate to make your care team even more robust.

Dissatisfaction with care

Your relationship with your oncologist is essential and is ideally one of shared decision making in which you feel heard.

That doesn’t happen all the time.

Sometimes, people have a treatment plan in mind for themselves, but their doctor disagrees. When they attempt to advocate for themselves, they may feel dismissed, pressured, or overlooked.

“Some people feel they are just a diagnosis and a number,” says Wood.

Other times, it may be an issue with the oncologist’s staff.

“There are times when there is no response from the office staff after a phone call from the person regarding something urgent, or questions that they may have that go unanswered, and the person feels helpless,” Wood says.

Language and cultural barriers

It makes sense to want to speak with your medical team in your preferred language and feel their values align with yours.

However, these factors don’t always come into play when physicians and insurance companies make oncologist recommendations.

As a result, you may want to switch for a better fit.

Working through issues with your oncologist

Some factors, like distance, cannot be worked out with your team. Others, like concerns about staff or quality of care, can be — if you want to.

Dudley suggests asking yourself, “Was there a misunderstanding that could be resolved? Is this one event that happened, or is this part of a series of events or actions?”

If appropriate, you and your team may benefit from conflict resolution.

You can try:

• meeting face-to-face with the provider with an advocate or treatment navigator to mediate and take notes
• bringing notes about questions and concerns to address
• asking if it’s OK to record the conversation

“If the facility has a patient/nurse navigator, you can include them,” Wood says. “Sometimes people have to include the office manager to work out any differences with the physician or the office staff.”

How to switch oncologists mid-treatment

Switching oncologists may be necessary, but can lead to gaps in care.

Research from 2018 on more than 620,000 people with non-metastatic breast cancer indicated that those who switched to a new care provider experienced treatment delays.

“The last thing you want to do is start over,” Wood says. “Chemotherapy is an accumulation of treatment. Any delay could set you back.”

Instead, you can start the process of finding a new oncologist while you continue to see your current doctor. This will ensure your care doesn’t lapse — even temporarily.

Initial research: resources and considerations

You can try several avenues as you search for a new oncologist, including:

• insurance carriers
• your current oncologist
• academic or cancer websites
• word of mouth from family and friends who have undergone treatment
• “Top Doctor” searches in your area

You’ll also want to ensure your next oncologist is the right fit.

Consider:

• costs and insurance coverage
• location
• whether they specialize in your type of cancer
• whether they offer treatments and therapy options you’re interested in
• language, personality, and values fit

The process of switching

After you find your new oncologist, you’ll need to transfer care.

This can include:

• signing a medical release form to transfer records
• having records printed or put on a disc for you to pick up (some offices may charge a fee)
• asking for a physician-to-physician transfer of records (often done electronically)
• giving your new provider insurance information

Most facilities allow transfers from physician to physician without a fee.

Records should include:

• imaging
• biopsies
• pathology
• genetic reports
• physician notes

“Many times, a case manager, social worker, or patient/nurse navigator can help with the transfer of records,” Wood says.

First appointment with a new provider

At your first appointment, you’ll likely do some retelling of your story.

“The initial appointment will likely be a lot of review of your history and prior records, and any new office will likely have its own set of forms and new patient paperwork to fill out,” Dudley says.

The new doctor may also want:

• updated labs and imaging
• secondary review of imaging and biopsies
• review of your treatment history and responses to treatment
• a briefing on why you changed care

Takeaway

You don’t need permission to switch oncologists mid-cancer treatment — people have the right to change doctors at any time and for any reason.

Common reasons for switching include a desire for improved care, moves, and insurance changes.

You’ll likely have to provide your new team with records and a review of your medical history, but the time you spend with them can help you confirm they’re a good fit.