@rikka Hi, Rikka. I would just call MD Anderson and tell them you would like an appointment. Do it right away. Their website says they accept a wide variety of insurance plans, including ones others don’t take like HMOs and Medicare Advantage. Moreover, they have many clinical trials which may be covered. My doctor is Dr Meyer, who is wonderful, but there are many other exceptional doctors and you might want to accept who can see you first. I got an appointment with Dr Meyer less than a week after my call. I did not need a referral since I am on Medicare and my supplemental insurance did not require it. You could most certainly get a referral if you need one, but you might try to get the ball rolling. Mayo is a quite a bit more restrictive in the insurance they take. I don’t know about places like MSK. I will let the others speak to that. As for your response to chemotherapy, don’t panic. I had seven cycles before surgery!