Understanding Your Health Insurance Policy
Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary widely. Some plans have limited and restricted benefits (for example, a few office visits and lab tests, but no coverage for chemotherapy, imaging, or radiation). Before your visit, call your health plan to confirm Dana-Farber is in-network, if a referral or out-of-network authorization is required, and that your plan covers cancer care services you may need.
When you call your health plan, they may ask for Dana-Farber’s National Provider Identifier (NPI) or Tax ID Number (TIN):
- NPI: 1851333686
- TIN: 04-2263040
Important Questions to Ask Your Health Insurance Provider
- Is Dana-Farber in-network with my health plan?
- If Dana-Farber is out-of-network, do I need an out-of-network authorization?
- Do I need a PCP referral? If yes, how do I get a referral?
- What are my out-of-pocket costs for care at Dana-Farber, including copays, deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum?
- How much of my deductible and out-of-pocket maximum have I met so far this year?
- When do my benefits reset (calendar year or plan year)?
- Would my costs be different at an in-network facility compared to out-of-network?
- Ask if your plan is comprehensive and has benefits for each of these services: office visits, lab tests, pharmacy prescriptions, pathology, chemotherapy, imaging/radiology, radiation therapy, transplant, and hospital stays?
- Are there any visit limits, dollar caps, waiting periods, or exclusions for cancer care?
- Does my plan offer coverage for transportation, travel, or lodging?
- Does my plan offer any additional coverage through special networks or programs?
- Ask for the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for your exact plan.
If you have more than one health insurance plan, ask:
- Which plan is primary, and which is secondary for my care at Dana-Farber? This is called Coordination of Benefits (COB).
- How and when should I update my COB with both plans? Update your COB whenever your coverage changes (for example, if you add or drop a plan, change employers, or switch plans).
- After you confirm, make sure both plans have the correct COB and share this information with Dana-Farber’s Registration team.
- Important: If your COB is not up to date, claims may be delayed or denied, and you may be financially responsible for the bill.
How We Can Help
Referrals
To find out if your plan requires a Primary Care Provider (PCP) referral to Dana-Farber, please call our Referral Specialists at 617-582-9822. They can also help with any referral-related questions. If you already have a referral, ask your PCP’s office to fax it to 617-751-7027.
Registration
To update your insurance, PCP, address, or Coordination of Benefits with Dana-Farber, call Registration at 617-582-9823. You can also update your information in Patient Gateway, at Central Registration at Longwood or Chestnut Hill, or at the front desk at our other locations.
Financial Counseling
Dana-Farber’s Financial Counselors can help answer questions about insurance coverage, your plan’s network status, price estimates, or MassHealth applications. If you do not have insurance, they can help with next steps. Email dfciaccessfio@dfci.harvard.edu or call 617-582-9820. In-person help is available at Central Registration at our Longwood and Chestnut Hill locations.
Financial Assistance
Dana-Farber's Patient Financial Assistance program helps patients who don't have the ability to pay for their health care. For questions about a Dana-Farber bill, financial assistance, or to set up a payment plan, contact Patient Billing Solutions by emailing patientbillingsolutions@dfci.harvard.edu or calling 617-632-3795.
Additional Financial Resources
