Referrals and Second Opinions

Thank you for considering Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center for your patient’s care. Whether we are providing a second opinion or taking care of a newly diagnosed or relapsed patient, we pride ourselves on maintaining an open and collaborative relationship with our referring physicians. We are available 24/7 to:

• provide a quick and accurate diagnosis,
• discuss your questions or concerns over the phone,
• and offer a second opinion.

If a patient requires immediate care, we can typically accept new patients within 24 hours. For after-hours and emergency referrals, call our 24-hour Page Service, 617-632-3352. Ask for the pediatric oncology consult physician or pediatric hematologist/oncologist on call.

How to Refer a Patient

Check your patient’s insurance

Prior to contacting us, we ask that you first determine whether Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s is within your patient’s network. If we are out of network, you may initiate the referral process with the patient’s primary care physician/in-network provider.

Contact us

New patient coordinators are available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. All voicemails and emails will be promptly returned no later than the next business day. You can also fill out our online referral and second opinion forms and have a new patient coordinator contact you within 24 hours, with the exception of weekends and holidays.

To refer a patient or request a second opinion, call or email the appropriate center, or call our main number: 1-855-320-2090.

• Non-Malignant Hematology: 1-855-320-2091
• Leukemia, Lymphoma, Solid Tumors: 1-855-320-2092 or pedi_onc@dfci.harvard.edu
• Brain Tumors: 617-632-2680 or pno_npc@dfci.harvard.edu
• Stem Cell Transplant: 1-855-320-2094 or pedi_sct@dfci.harvard.edu
• Node Assessment Program: 1-855-345-6633 or nap@dfci.harvard.edu
• David B. Perini Jr. Quality of Life Clinic: 1-855-320-2095 or perini_clinic@dfci.harvard.edu
• Stop & Shop Family Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Outcomes: 617-632-2680 or empowerclinic@dfci.harvard.edu

The new patient coordinator you work with will be your main contact during the referral process. You may reach out to them with any questions on the status of your referral.

For patients outside the United States, our international center can facilitate the medical review of patient records and appointment scheduling and help with customs and immigration, transportation, and hotel and housing accommodations. We also offer translation in over 75 languages. Contact the international center at +1 617-355-5209 or via email at international.center@childrens.harvard.edu.

What Happens Next

Once we receive the referral, the patient’s family should contact our new patient coordinators. The new patient coordinator will work with you and the family to collect all medical information, including medical records and imaging. Our physicians will review these in advance of the patient’s first visit.

As your partner in your patient’s care, we will work with you throughout treatment, ensuring that you receive regular updates on your patient’s status. Referring physicians will receive a copy of the clinic notes from each visit.

After treatment has been completed, we will continue to see your patient for ongoing survivorship care. You will continue to receive status updates through their survivorship appointments.