Compare 771 oncologists in Boston, MA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
771
Oncologists
100%
Accepting patients
74%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Boston is arguably the most medically dense city in America. Harvard, Tufts, and BU medical schools feed a hospital ecosystem that includes Mass General, Brigham and Women's, and Beth Israel Deaconess, all within a few miles of each other. The challenge here is not finding a provider but choosing the right system for your needs.
Boston has 771 oncologists. The most common credential is MD (74%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
The Longwood Medical and Academic Area in Fenway-Kenmore is the densest concentration of hospitals and research centers in the country, home to Brigham and Women's, Dana-Farber, and Boston Children's. Mass General sits on the north end of the city near Beacon Hill. The MBTA Green Line connects both campuses, and most patients use a mix of T, bus, and rideshare to navigate between systems.
Providers practice throughout Boston. Beacon Hill is steps from Massachusetts General Hospital, one of the top-ranked hospitals in the nation. Back Bay is near the Longwood Medical Area, with specialist offices along Boylston and Newbury Streets. South End is boston Medical Center, the city's largest safety-net hospital, is located in this diverse, vibrant neighborhood. Cambridge (nearby) is mount Auburn Hospital and Cambridge Health Alliance serve the city across the Charles River, near Harvard and MIT.
Nearby hospitals include Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Local training programs run through Harvard Medical School and Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Boston has the highest concentration of hospitals and medical research institutions per capita of any US city.
The first oncology visit takes 60 to 90 minutes. The oncologist will review your pathology reports, imaging, and medical history in detail. They will explain the type and stage of cancer, outline treatment options (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or a combination), discuss expected side effects, and answer your questions. Many patients bring a family member or friend for support and to help remember details.
Most Boston hospital systems use their own patient portals (Mass General Brigham Patient Gateway, Beth Israel MyChart). If you see providers across systems, you will manage multiple portals. Ask for printed records to share between systems when needed.
See an oncologist after a cancer diagnosis or if cancer is suspected based on biopsy results, imaging, or blood work. Your primary care doctor or the physician who found the abnormality will refer you. Some patients also see oncologists for genetic cancer risk counseling if they have a strong family history. Do not delay scheduling after a referral, as early treatment improves outcomes for most cancers.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · Chemotherapy cycle: $1,000-12,000+ · Immunotherapy cycle: $5,000-20,000+ · PET scan: $1,000-6,000
Boston, MA has 771 licensed oncologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of oncologists in Boston, MA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Massachusetts requires all residents to have health insurance, the original model for the ACA. The state marketplace, Health Connector, offers plans from Harvard Pilgrim, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Tufts Health Plan, and others. MassHealth is the state Medicaid program. Narrow networks are common, particularly in plans that restrict you to one hospital system.
An office visit copay is $30 to $75. A chemotherapy cycle costs $1,000 to $12,000 or more. Immunotherapy cycles cost $5,000 to $20,000 or more. A PET scan runs $1,000 to $6,000. Actual costs in Boston, MA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Cancer treatment costs can be substantial even with insurance. Every major cancer center has financial counselors who can help navigate insurance, manufacturer assistance programs, and nonprofit grants. Ask for financial counseling early in treatment, not after bills arrive.
Boston's healthcare is organized around two major networks: Mass General Brigham (which includes Mass General, Brigham and Women's, and many affiliated community hospitals) and Beth Israel Lahey Health (Beth Israel Deaconess and Lahey Hospital). Your choice of network often determines which specialists you can see without an out-of-network referral. Boston Medical Center serves as the city's safety-net hospital.
72% of oncologists in Boston, MA accept Medicare. Medicare covers cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation. Cancer screenings (mammograms, colonoscopies) are covered at no cost. Oral cancer drugs are covered under Part D. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some oncologists in Boston, MA accept MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers cancer treatment in all states. The Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act provides Medicaid eligibility for women diagnosed through screening programs. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm MassHealth participation before scheduling.
The Longwood Medical and Academic Area is a cluster of hospitals, research centers, and medical schools in the Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood. It includes Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess, and the Joslin Diabetes Center. It is one of the most concentrated healthcare districts in the world.
It depends on your insurance plan. HMO plans through Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts, or BCBS typically require a primary care referral for specialists. PPO plans allow self-referral but may cost more out of pocket. Check your plan details before scheduling.
Top accepted carriers in Boston, MA include unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-58944, qhp-44228, and qhp-13219.
Cancer treatment is covered under medical insurance, but costs can be substantial. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy may be covered under medical benefits (infusion) or pharmacy benefits (oral drugs). Prior authorization is required for most cancer medications. Ask about financial counseling services at your cancer center. Manufacturer copay programs, nonprofit grants, and hospital financial assistance can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.