At this time, masks at all NHO facilities are OPTIONAL. However, we ask that any person in our facilities experiencing cold, flu, or respiratory symptoms continue to wear a mask throughout their visit. Thank you! For more about our mask and visitor policy, please click HERE.

Frequently Asked Questions

When facing a cancer diagnosis, you're sure to have questions about your treatment. Here are a few answers to some of our most frequently asked questions to help ease some of your concerns about receiving your care at NHO. If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to call us at 402-484-4900 and we'll be happy to get you the information you need.

What are your office hours?

Our office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:00pm and Fridays from 8:00am to 3:00pm.

The NHO Pharmacy is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 4:30pm and Fridays from 8:30am to 2:30pm.

Is your office closed for any holidays?

NHO is closed to observe New Year's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Chrismas Day. Holidays falling on a Saturday will be observed the Friday before. Holidays falling on a Sunday will be observed the Monday after.

Where do I park?

We offer free and convenient parking on the northwest side of our building, just steps from our front door. During our busy times, that lot can become full. If you are unable to find a parking spot, parking is permitted on Pioneer Woods Drive beside the clinic or in parking lots behind the building or across the street. We also offer a circle drive to use for patient drop-off/pick-up.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Please bring:

- Your insurance cards
- A full list of your medications
- Photo ID
- Medical or health care power of attorney
- Prescription cards 
- A note pad and pen for taking notes

What are some ways I can become more involved in my treatment?

Bring family or friends. You are encouraged to bring family members or friends with you to appointments. Due to COVID-19 protocols, we are currently asking that you only bring one guest with you, preferably from the same household.

Ask questions. Write down any questions you may have and bring them with you.

Learn all you can. Our website and library offer helpful materials for patients and their family members.

Share your comments. We welcome them. Your comments help us to provide you with the best care possible.

What if I need medical advice when your office is closed?

If you are having a medical emergency, please dial 9-1-1. If you need medical advice after our office is closed, dial 484-4900 and press 0 to be connected to our answering service. They in turn will take your message and contact the physician on call for that day. Please be aware that after-hours a physician other than the one you normally see may return your call.

How to I make an appointment or inquire about an existing appointment?

To make an appointment or to inquire about an existing appointment, please call our office during our office hours at 402-484-4900 and press 2 to be connected to a scheduling representative.

What if I can't make my appointment and I need to reschedule?

Please call our office (402-484-4900, option 2) as soon as you realize you will not be able to keep your appointment. We prefer all cancellations be made at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment time. This will allow us to give another patient the opportunity to be seen.

Should I arrive for my appointment prior to my scheduled time?

New patients should plan to arrive 30-40 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment to complete the necessary paperwork for treatment. Existing patients should plan to arrive just prior to their scheduled appointment time to help us stay on schedule.

Is there paperwork that needs to be filled out during my visit?

For most of your visits, our front desk staff will be asking you to complete some form of paperwork. This paperwork may seem repetitive, but it plays a valuable role in helping your health care team know if anything has changed since your last visit. We appreciate you taking the time to fill this out as accurately as possible each time you come in.

What should I know about prescription refills?

Prescription refills through the NHO Pharmacy should be done Monday through Thursday. It is best not to wait until Friday, as it is very difficult to fill prescriptions over the weekend. Please allow a minimum of 24 hours notice for refills. We do not want anyone to go without their necessary medication and it is possible that your prescription may require additional authorization, approval from your Physician, approval from your insurance carrier, or something else that my cause your refill to take some time to process.

Do you accept my insurance?

Nebraska Hematology-Oncology accepts a variety of private and public insurance plans. To find out if yours is one, please call us at 402-484-4900 and press 5 to speak with a billing representative.

We work with patients to make sure they are getting the full benefit of their health plan. Please remember that insurers have different requirements that need to be met before your appointment.

Do I need a physician's referral to make an appointment?

Most patients are referred by their physician; however, a physician's referral is not required. Patients may self-refer if their insurance plan allows that flexibility.

How long will I have to wait until my first appointment?

We will schedule you as quickly as possible given your particular condition and the availability of our cancer specialists. As with any of your health care needs, cancer treatment often requires us to work with your insurance company to obtain prior authorization. We will make every attempt to expedite this process with your insurance company.

Do you have wheelchairs available?

Yes. If you need a wheelchair or an escort, talk to the front desk. Passengers can be dropped off at the main entrance in the circle driveway while you get the wheelchair.

Do you offer free Wifi?

Yes! We offer a guest network for any of our patients that are in our building. The password for the network can be found at the front desk. If you have any trouble accessing the network, please see any NHO staff member to assist you.

How do I access the Patient Portal?

NHO offers secure, convenient access to your personal health care information. Enrolling is easy and only takes a few minutes. 

1. When providing us with your email address, you will receive a message in your inbox, Please follow the prompts in that message.

2. After you have registered, you may access the portal any time at: https://yourcancercare.navigatingcare.com/.

For more information, go to https://www.yourcancercare.com/patient-portal.

What is Hematology?

Hematology is the branch of medical practice concerned with conditions of the blood. These conditions range from the common iron deficiency anemia, to cancers originating in the blood, to rare forms of abnormal blood coagulation.

The blood as an “organ” literally affects all other organs as it flows through the body and therefore abnormalities in the blood can cause malfunctioning in all other organs.

The blood is composed of particles, cells and sub-cellular elements manufactured in the bone marrow and lymphatic organs. It is also composed of various fluids and proteins. Any of the individual components may be afflicted with abnormalities that require both the diagnostic and therapeutic interventions of a hematologist.

Historically, the first medicines that had any impact on cancer were for leukemia and the lymphatic cancers, Hodgkin's disease and lymphomas. The doctors caring for these patients were primarily hematologists.

Since the early 1950s, the majority of medicines developed to fight cancer have had bone marrow suppression as their major side effect, so doctors dealing with these medicines had to be well versed in treating blood conditions as well.

What is Oncology?

Oncology is the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies (cancers), including breast, prostate, colon, lung, and ovarian cancers as well as brain tumors, leukemia, lymphoma and many other types of cancer. Oncology treatments may include:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Surgery
  • Bone marrow transplants
  • Stem cell transplants
  • Other specialized procedures

At Nebraska Hematology-Oncology, we believe that to best treat the disease, we must first care for the person. We develop customized treatment programs based on the type and stage of cancer and the characteristics of the individual, and coordinate all aspects of treatment.