Your cancer journey involves a lot of paperwork. It’s important to keep a record of medical appointments, bills, medications, medical tests, treatment dates and insurance claims. Cancer.net has forms to help you track your care, as well as advice on how to be an informed patient.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends keeping records of the following aspects of your care:

• Details about each appointment, including the tests or

procedures you had and the dates they took place

• The name and dose of each drug prescribed and

the name of the doctor who prescribed them

• Copies of checks and credit card receipts for co-pays and

other health care costs

• A current copy of your medical insurance coverage

• Bills and invoices from health care providers, such as

doctors’ offices, hospitals or labs

• Insurance claims filed by you, your doctor or your hospital

• Explanation of benefits statements from your

insurance company for processed claims

• Insurance reimbursements you have received

• Insurance claim rejections you have received and

appeal letters you have written

• Payments and insurance claims for any molecular testing

Local resource:

Cancer Services of New Mexico provides a free treatment organizer, a portable, record-keeping tool designed by a New Mexican cancer survivor to help you keep track of all documents related to your care. To request a cancer treatment organizer, e-mail LIPA@cancerservicesnm.org or call 505-999-9764.

There are many kinds of drugs used in cancer treatment, and each one can cause different side effects, including nausea, hair loss and canker sores. I will help you understand what kind of side effects your treatment may cause so you can plan accordingly.

SUPPORTING YOUR NUTRITION