Massachusetts General Hospital

Register to Receive Your “Blue Card”

Before making an appointment, new patients should contact the Mass General Registration and Referral Center at 866-211-6588 to receive a patient number and a Mass General “Blue Card.” Please have the following information available:

• Name
• Address
• Date of Birth
• Social security number
• Insurance information
• Emergency contact information

If you need assistance selecting a doctor or making an appointment, call the Physician Referral Service at 800-711-4644. 

If you schedule a new appointment and your registration information has not been updated within the last year, a registration coordinator will call you to verify that it is still accurate. You can also contact the Mass General Registration and Referral Center at 866-211-6588 to update your personal or insurance information.

Before your hospital visit or appointment, the Mass General Registration and Referral Center will contact your insurance company to confirm your insurance coverage.

Insurance Guidelines

Health insurance coverage is a major concern for cancer patients and their families. Medical and financial eligibility need to be established prior to confirming an appointment. Contact the Customer Service or Member Services Department at your insurance company (the phone numbers are on your insurance card or in your benefits booklet). They should be able to tell you about your in-network and out-of-network coverage and your specific Radiation Therapy benefits.

Many insurance companies limit payments to medical providers using their own fee schedule of usual and customary allowances. You will be responsible for the payment of any fees not covered by your plan, including any balances resulting from the usual and customary fee limitations.

If needed, our staff will help you obtain your referral or authorization, but ultimately it is your responsibility to know and understand your insurance coverage. Please check with your insurance carrier regarding the specific “Radiation benefits” of your plan and any deductibles or benefit limits you may have.

For insurance questions, please refer to the numbers below:

General insurance questions:     617-726-8785
Proton insurance questions:        617-643-2575
International patients:                    617-726-2787
In-state financial assistance:       617-726-2192

Preparing for Your Appointment

Before Your Appointment

At the Appointment

• Be prepared to pay any insurance copayments and/or deductibles
• Bring the following information with you to help you fill out any necessary paperwork:
• Mass General "Blue Card" and/or patient number
• Your social security number
• Insurance card, including your policy number and/or Medicare or Medicaid card
• Your employer's name, address and phone number (if you are insured through your employer)
• Managed care referral authorization (this is necessary if you are covered by a managed care plan in which a physician referral is required)
• Name, address and phone number of your referring or primary care physician
• Any forms you were asked to complete prior to the appointment
• Any medical information requested by Mass General, such as radiology results and lab diagnostic test results (this is especially important if you are coming for a second opinion)