Programs & Support

At WakeMed, our Hematology & Medical Oncology teams remain available throughout a patient's cancer journey. We treat the patient — along with the diagnosis — and offer numerous programs and services that sustain you throughout your journey. From nutrition, financial assistance and rehabilitation to genetics counseling, we offer programs to help you manage the needs that may arise in your healing process.

Cancer Nutrition

Cancer treatment can deplete your body of the nutrients necessary for maintaining good health. Our registered dietitian/nutritionists in WakeMed Nutritional Services specialize in working collaboratively with you and your loved ones in seeking to optimize your nutritional status.

Clinical Social Work

WakeMed social workers can help you and your family connect with financial assistance resources, disability, home health/hospice services and more. Ask your care team if you should contact a WakeMed clinical social worker.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials offer the latest therapy to improve on the standard of care and to test how new medical approaches work when other methods have failed. Should you qualify, your WakeMed Cancer Care team will work with our network of cancer treatment partners to identify the clinical trial opportunity that's right for you.

Cost of Care

At WakeMed, we are committed to billing and pricing transparency and understand how overwhelming it can be to receive a bill for your cancer treatment — even when your care is covered by your insurance. Being familiar with the terms of your insurance coverage including your responsibilities related to notifying the insurance company about the services you need and or use can be helpful. We are also committed to caring for all individuals regardless of their ability to pay. We have dedicated teams available to discuss your insurance benefit coverage, estimates, and preservice authorization requirements as well as answer questions related to your bill, payment options and financial assistance.

For authorization support, estimates of financial responsibility, and prepayment arrangements, please contact our Financial Clearance Hematology and Oncology team at 919-350-2273, option 3.

For questions about your bill or if you would like to speak with someone about financial assistance, please contact our Patient Financial Services team at 919-350-8359.

Genetic Counseling

Genetics plays an increasing role in cancer care. As part of your cancer care at WakeMed, you may be recommended to undergo genetic counseling and testing to determine if your caner is caused by a gene mutation. This appointment will be with a cancer genetic counselor. Cancer genetic counselors work with individual patients, families and physicians to determine if a cancer or a family history of cancer has a hereditary cause. Because of the complexity of the test results and the motions involved, your genetic counselor will guide you through the cancer genetic testing process and test results, proving explanation and support at each step.

Home Health & Hospital @ Your Home

WakeMed Home Health offers several levels of care in the comfort of your home. Standard home health services such as skilled nursing care, aide services, social work and physical therapy as well as a special program — WakeMed Hospital @ Your Home — which is an extension of hospital-level care provided in your home. Ask your care team if you will need these services after your treatment. For information, call 919-350-7990.

Interpreters

Language interpreters are available upon request and can be utilized when scheduling your appointment.

Lab Services

WakeMed Pathology Laboratories is committed to providing high-quality and timely laboratory services for our patients. With convenient locations across Wake County in Cary, North Raleigh, East Raleigh, Apex, Brier Creek and Garner, specimens can be collected or dropped off at these locations during normal business hours. With lab testing performed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, our team can assist both patients and physicians around the clock.

Outpatient Pharmacy

Located on our Raleigh Campus, the WakeMed Outpatient Pharmacy can take care of your pharmacy needs during treatment. Our pharmacists work directly with members of your care team to ensure the medications and treatments you receive are safe and right for you. Prescriptions can be filled at the pharmacy prior to leaving an appointment with a provider at a nearby location.

Palliative Care

Palliative care helps patients manage the side effects of cancer treatment and cancer related problems such as pain, nausea and fatigue. Transitions LifeCare partners with WakeMed to offer patients close management of unpleasant symptoms resulting in an improved quality of life; your care team will assist with obtaining palliative care assistance if desired.

Patient Navigation

The journey you are about to begin can be confusing and difficult. Your oncology nurse navigator will be invaluable in helping you successfully navigate the treatment process and will act as your primary contact. Your nurse navigator will assist you and your caregivers with creating and understanding your personalized plan of care, including education on potential side effects, and help facilitate communication between your oncologist and other providers.

Rehabilitation

During and after your treatment, you may need physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language pathology services or a combination of these therapies. You may see a therapist while you are in acute care or you may be admitted to the WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital if you need short-term, intensive inpatient physical therapy. WakeMed also has numerous outpatient rehabilitation practices in Wake County and Clayton.

Smoking Cessation (Quit With WakeMed)

Quit With WakeMed is a virtual tobacco cessation program designed to help patients quit for good. Our model is proven to be approximately 10 times more effective than quitting on your own.

Spiritual Care

A cancer diagnosis often raises complex issues for patients and families, which can generate a mix of emotions including anxiety, anger and fear. WakeMed chaplains are available to offer compassionate support and spiritual guidance for you and your family, and are available 24-hours a day, seven days a week to minister to your needs. To learn more, call 919-350-8556.

Survivorship Services

Our cancer survivorship services focus on the long-term physical health and emotional wellbeing of our patients following definitive treatment for their cancer. We partner with patients and their families to monitor for recurrence and focus on minimizing risk of recurrent cancer. Areas of care that are addressed in the survivorship clinic include discussion of a healthy diet, regular exercise, emotional health and sexual wellbeing, as well as, menopausal symptoms management and ensuring medication tolerance.