Santa Monica Cancer Care

Why choose UCLA Health?

UCLA patients benefit from the most advanced forms of cancer care available, with access to a full range of supportive services. Teams of specialists, including psychosocial experts from the Simms/Mann – UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, work together to treat and assist cancer patients and their families. This multidisciplinary approach helps patients and family members confront both the immediate and long-term effects of cancer, and through the Simms/Mann Center, receive the tools they need to maximize their well-being throughout treatment. Patients benefit from a full range of care and support services from doctors, clinics, centers and hospitals crossing over 40 scientific and medical disciplines.

Bench-to-Bedside translational research now available in your community
We have established an international reputation for developing new cancer therapies, providing the best in innovative and traditional treatments. Successful targeted therapies such as Herceptin (breast and gastric cancers), Gleevec, and Sprycel (leukemia) were developed based on basic science performed in UCLA laboratories and clinical trials with UCLA patients. In addition, we support patients and families with evidence-based care that addresses their needs in mind, body and spirit.

An interdisciplinary approach
More than 350 of our physicians and scientists work across areas such as immunology, genetics, geriatrics, hematology, public health, social work, psychology, psychiatry, nutrition, chaplaincy and nursing to provide patients with comprehensive yet specialized treatment.

Collaboration
Close collaboration between researchers and physicians leads to scientific discoveries and improved cancer detection, prevention and treatment for patients.

For your first visit
It's best to bring as much information as possible with you to your first appointment, including:

1. Medical Records: Please bring copies of your written medical records to your first visit. It is especially helpful for your current doctor to send a written summary of your cancer treatment history to your UCLA doctor in advance of your appointment.
2. List of Medications: Please bring a list of all medications you are currently taking, including dosages and how often you take each medicine. Be sure to include any supplements or vitamins you take as well.
3. X-Rays, Scans and Other Films: Please bring the actual imaging films related to your diagnosis. Sometimes, after images are taken, your doctor may provide you with the results, but not the actual films. You'll want to get a copy of these films. They can be obtained from the imaging department or facility where they were taken. The doctor who ordered the images can also assist you in obtaining a copy. Some examples of imaging films include: X-Rays, CT scans (CAT scans), MRI scans, Mammograms, PET scans, Ultrasounds.
4. Pathology Slides: If your cancer has been diagnosed through a biopsy, it is often important that the diagnosis be reviewed and confirmed by a pathologist at UCLA. If applicable, please bring your pathology slides. The doctor who diagnosed your cancer can assist you in getting the pathology report to UCLA.

Insurance
UCLA Health accepts most health insurance plans and will bill your insurance company or companies directly for covered services included in your plan. If you are not covered by insurance, we generally request payment at the time of your appointment. We encourage you to review your insurance plan prior to your first appointment with us and to make sure that you understand your coverage. Be sure to check with your HMO, PPO or employer to confirm that UCLA Health is included in your plan. (You can do this by calling your plan's customer service department or speaking to your employer's benefits representative.) Find out if your plan requires an authorization for your initial consultation. (Again, your plan's customer service department and/or your employer's benefits representative can help you with this.) If an authorization is required, please bring a copy of the authorization to your first appointment.

After your initial consultation, we ask that you see our managed care coordinator as soon as you know that you will be receiving care at UCLA Health. Your UCLA Health doctor can direct you to our managed care coordinator after your visit.