International Patient FAQ

We know that you have questions or concerns about coming to Houston and MD Anderson.  Here are answers to questions that we frequently get from our international patients.

Do I need a referral from a physician?

Referrals are not needed from your physician to request an appointment. MD Anderson accepts referrals from both patients and referring physicians.

• Patients: request an appointment
• Physicians: refer a patient

What does my initial deposit cover?

The initial deposit requested will typically be an estimate for an evaluation at MD Anderson based on your diagnosis. Your international patient assistant will discuss the details of the deposit for your individual case.

Can I travel with my family? Are there special travel offers available?

Your family is welcome to come along. Patient Travel Services can assist with travel and lodging reservations that offer discounts to patients and their traveling companions.

How do I get a copy of my schedule?

New patients: Your international patient assistant will send a copy of your schedule with other new patient materials.

Existing patients: View your appointment schedule any time on MyChart. While at MD Anderson, you can get a printed copy from any information desk. Guests of the Jesse H. Jones Rotary House hotel can get a schedule from the front desk staff.

How do I reschedule or cancel appointments?

New patients: Contact your international patient assistant, who will contact the clinic on your behalf and ask to reschedule or cancel the appointment as needed.

Existing patients: Contact the patient services coordinator in your care center to reschedule or cancel appointments. You can also use MyChart, a secure, personalized website that allows you to view and make changes to your appointment schedule, as well as contacting your care team.

Will I have an assigned interpreter for my entire stay?

Language Assistance will provide you with qualified medical interpretation services free of charge during your stay at MD Anderson. However, due to high demand, our interpreters are not exclusively assigned to certain patients. You may have more than one interpreter during your stay.

Is there a financial assistance program for international patients?

Unfortunately, we do not have a program to offer financial assistance for the care and treatment of patients residing outside of Texas.

Can I be treated by a female doctor?

Your care center will try to accommodate this request. If a female physician is available that specializes in your type of cancer, we will try our best to schedule an appointment with her.

Must a female patient open her veil during treatment?

It is the patient’s choice to keep or remove the veil, but it cannot be in the way during chemotherapy treatment. If a test or doctor’s visit requires removal of the veil, this will be explained to the patient through an Arabic interpreter and handled in an appropriate manner.

Is there a mosque or chapel in the hospital or nearby?

MD Anderson has a prayer room located in the Main Building and chapels located in the Main Building and Mays Clinic. Your international patient assistant can provide a list of mosques, chapels and synagogues in Houston. We also offer regular worship services at MD Anderson.

Are there embassies and consulate offices in Houston?

As a large city with a diverse population, Houston has consulates and embassies for nearly 50 countries. Your international patient assistant can help you locate your local office, or you can find embassy and consulate locations online.