How to Use the OPEN Card

Hurricane Katrina taught us some valuable lessons about emergency preparedness.  Many displaced patients who were actively receiving treatment had no access to their records and could not continue the care that they needed.  Our goal is to prevent this from happening to you
through use of the OPEN Card. 

The card is wallet-size so that patients can easily keep it with them, and it contains the critical information necessary to access appropriate care.   The frequently asked questions section will provide more detail on the card and its use.

Frequently Asked Questions by Patients

Why do I need the Oncology Patients Emergency Network (OPEN) card? 
Hurricane Katrina taught us some valuable lessons about emergency preparedness.  Many displaced patients who were actively receiving treatment had no access to their records and could not continue the care that they needed.  Our goal is to prevent this from happening to you. 

What information is on this card? 
Your individualized card will contain information that your doctor will provide about your diagnosis, treatment, and medications. 

Do I need to fill out any information on the card?
Yes.  You should: 

1. complete the inside top panel with your insurance carrier’s contact information. 
2. write contact information for friends or relatives that live outside of the area to whom you will send a copy of this card. 

Don’t forget, your doctor’s office will fill out the treatment information for you.

Why I should send a copy of the card to someone else?
In the event your doctor’s records cannot be accessed or are destroyed; if you lose this card; or it is destroyed, you can have peace of mind that someone else will be able to give your critical health information to an alternative physician to continue your treatments.  It is important you send this person a copy of the card after each treatment to maintain an accurate record.  Then your out-of-area contacts will be able to fax a record of your treatment to an alternative physician if needed.

What should I do with this card?
Keep it with you; perhaps in your wallet.  This is one of the important things you would take with you if you had to leave your home. 

Who is an alternative physician?
An alternative physician is someone who can continue your treatments in the event your regular physician is unable to do so.

How do I locate an alternative physician?
In the event of an emergency, first, call your doctor’s office to see if he or she has left any instructions on their answering machine. If not, call your insurance carrier and explain the situation to them.  They may be able to recommend another physician.  If they cannot recommend one to you, then go to the nearest emergency room, explain your situation and show them your card.         

Will my insurance carrier recognize that I received treatment from someone other than my usual physician?
All health plans have provisions for emergency situations.  We are working with all major insurance carriers, requesting that they recognize emergency situations and treatment.  It may take some time, but we are confident that things will work out eventually.

Will my medications be available to me if I’m treated by an alternative physician?
Based on the information provided on the OPEN card, your alternative physician should be able to order the correct medications for you.

When and how is my treatment information updated?
Take your card with you each time you receive a treatment at your Oncologist’s office.  Be sure to ask the staff to update your card after each treatment.  If you run out of space on one card, ask for another one.  The staff will be happy to accommodate your request.

Is there any cost to participate in this program?
No, there is absolutely no cost to you to participate in this program.  This card is being provided to you as a courtesy from the Medical Oncology Association of Southern California.

What else should I know? 
We hope that you will never have to use this card.  But if there is an emergency, you will be able to access the continuity of care you need for your recovery.  If you have additional questions, please feel free to discuss them with your doctor’s staff.