The proper course of treatment for each patient depends on many things, and is a highly personalized program developed for each individual. Your medical oncologist is a good person to talk to if you have questions about treatment options. Additional information about treatment is available from the National Cancer Institute. (See also Forms of Cancer Treatment.)
If you are a cancer patient who requires radiation therapy, you may be referred to us by your medical oncologist (cancer doctor). Your entire course of treatment at the Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center will probably span five to seven weeks. Daily treatments are brief -- usually lasting from 30 to 90 seconds -- but additional time is required for setup, so we suggest that you allow 45 minutes each day for your treatment time. The initial appointment, since it involves the admitting process and a consultation with one of our radiation oncologists (cancer doctors who specialize in radiation therapy), may last one to two hours.
A detailed Patient Guide and Patient Handbook are provided to each patient and family upon admission for treatment. Surveys have shown that many patients either feel shy in the doctor's office or may feel overwhelmed with information. A tip: try to bring a companion with you on the days that you'll be chatting with your doctor(s). What you forget, your companion may remember. And it's a great idea to make a list of questions before you come in. You'll be glad you did.
The Basics of Radiation Therapy
The following is a brief outline of what patients may expect at the Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center. The Patient Handbook, supplied to each patient upon admission, provides more detailed information. Also, please feel free to chat with one of our radiation oncologists (radiation therapy doctors), nurses, or radiation therapists as questions arise.
Most radiation therapy patients receive daily treatments for five to seven weeks. Treatments are delivered by means of a linear accelerator, which focuses high-energy X-rays at the cancer site. In fact, a linear accelerator resembles an X-ray machine.
Your first visit to the Center, because it involves consultation and planning, may take one to two hours. The doctor will determine the necessary radiation and where it will be directed. The treatment area is often called a field or a port. Measurements will be taken by the staff to help with treatment planning.
During your daily visits, radiation will be directed at the cancer site by the therapy technologists using a linear accelerator machine selected by the doctor. The actual radiation treatment lasts from 30 to 90 seconds and usually produces no physical sensation. The radiation stops as soon as the accelerator's beam is turned off.
Counseling Services
A cancer diagnosis brings with it many questions and often, a certain amount of stress. Each patient and family copes in their own ways, but many find it helpful to visit with a Social Worker when questions or problems arise.
Please feel free to ask the center nurses or therapists for time with a Social Worker whenever a challenging or confusing question comes up. They can arrange for an appointment to be scheduled with a social worker from St. Vincent Healthcare. You may also arrange time with a Social Worker by calling us at 248-2212 (in Billings) or 1-800-358-8818.
The center can also help with basics such as recommending a lodging facility, helping you locate a pharmacy nearby, finding a good place to eat, and help applying for a PEAKS grant or other forms of financial aid.
There are several support groups that help people learn more about cancer and deal with feelings. No group will demand that you talk. Many people come and just listen.
What About My Bill & All Those Insurance Forms?
YOUR BILL:
The bill each patient gets from the Radiation Oncology Center includes only the technical charges for services provided by the center and its staff. The professional/physician (Radiation Oncologist) services at NRROC will be billed through Hematology Oncology Centers of the Northern Rockies.
You may request an estimate of NRROC charges. This estimate of charges includes only the technical charges for services provided by the Center and its staff. The professional/physician (Radiation Oncologist) services will not be included in the estimate. Because each persons treatment strategy is specific to his/her disease, estimates are based on an average course of treatment. Your actual charges may in fact vary from that estimate.
We encourage you to discuss with the NRROC Business Office or Hematology Oncology Centers of the Northern Rockies, any questions you may have regarding treatment costs and payment options.
YOUR INSURANCE:
We understand that cancer and its treatment cause stress on any family. To make this time easier for you, we will file insurance claims for the technical charges of your radiation therapy. Dr. Terry and Dr. Debenham's physician bills will be submitted by Hematology Oncology Centers of the Northern Rockies. If you need help with other health insurance forms -- not related to Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center -- there are other services in Billings that can assist you. Please ask for a list of these resources.
Even though the Center will bill your insurance company, you will receive monthly statements from us to keep you informed.
The Center accepts Medicare assignment and will file your Medicare forms for you. Once Medicare has sent payment, we will file for any secondary benefits you may have. If you are not covered by a secondary plan, we will bill you for any deductibles and co-payments you are required to pay. A schedule of monthly payments can be arranged. Please feel free to ask questions.
The Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center is a non-profit organization and treats cancer patients regardless of their ability to pay. In order to provide ongoing, up-to-date cancer treatment, we must charge for our services. We do not receive any government funds or grants, and we are not affiliated with the American Cancer Society. As a community-based center, we rely on memorial donations and other gifts to help support us in providing care.
What's In The Patient Handbook
Here is an overview of the topics discussed in the Patient Handbook:
Also, the Internet may provide you with resources and contact persons. Many of the nation's leading cancer care providers and university medical centers have websites you can visit.
A Word of Caution: Although a number of treatment options exist for every cancer patient, there may be disreputable individuals promoting unproven and even dangerous cancer "treatments." We urge you to discuss with your family physician any treatment options you may be considering.
How Do I Make a Contribution To the Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center, Meadowlark House, or PEAKS?
Contributions of any size are always welcome. The Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center provides care regardless of the patient's ability to pay, so charitable support is a mainstay in our operating budget. Meadowlark House provides free lodging to traveling cancer patients in need of a place to stay for the duration of their treatment. Donations help maintain and operate the facility. And, PEAKS provides financial assistance to cancer patients needing help with non-medical bills.
To make a contribution, simply mail your donation to the address of the area you'd like to support:
1. Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center
P.O. Box 369
Billings, MT 59103
2. PEAKS
c/o Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center
P.O. Box 369
Billings, MT 59103
3. The Meadowlark House
c/o Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center
P.O. Box 369
Billings, MT 59103
You may make a simple donation, or you may want to contribute in memory of a loved one or friend. Some people make contributions in honor of a living friend or relative, such as a mother on Mother's Day, or a good friend on his/her birthday. Just some examples!
If you would like us to notify the person you are honoring or memorializing, please be sure to include their name and address (or, in the case of a memorial, the family's name and address). We will be happy to provide you with the necessary receipts for tax purposes.
We have an entire page devoted to information on donor opportunities. Or you can call the Donor Relations and Gift Planning office at 248-2212 (in Billings) or 1-800-358-8818.
