Frequently Asked Questions About the ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic
What is the ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic in the Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General?
The ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic provides patients with the opportunity to see many specialists who provide care and medical recommendations during one clinic visit. These visits are generally held on Tuesdays in the Wang Ambulatory Care Center on the 8th floor. In addition to your visit with a physician, depending on your needs and preferences, patients may meet with any of the following members of our ALS care team during your clinic visit or scheduled on a different date:
- Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- Physical Therapist
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Social Worker
- Neuropalliative Care Provider
- Patient Service Coordinator
- Radicava Specialist
- Research Access Nurse
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) Representative
- Respiratory Therapist
- Spiritual Care Counselor
- House Call Team
- Genetic Counselor
- Occupational Therapist
- Orthotist (for bracing)
We believe that a multidisciplinary approach to patient care provides high quality care that is most convenient for our patients. People with ALS who participate in a multidisciplinary clinic generally report a high level of satisfaction with their care, stay healthier and have improved health care outcomes.
How do I schedule a clinic visit?
Please call 617-724-3914 and speak with one of our ALS patient service coordinators who will assist you with scheduling a clinic visit.
If you reside outside the United States, to request an appointment with the ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic, please call the Mass General International Office at 617-726-2787 or visit our website for international patients.
Our ALS patient service coordinators will provide you with instructions on sending your medical records to our clinic via fax at 617-724-7290.
What do I need to bring to my clinic visit?
If this is your first visit to the ALS clinic, please bring your insurance card, photo identification, current medication list, medical records and imaging on disk (if not previously sent), and your co-payment. To update your insurance and contact information before your appointment, please call Patient Registration at 866-211-6588.
For all follow up visits, please bring a list of your current medications or any changes to medication doses that have been made since your previous clinic visit.
How long is the typical clinic visit?
We believe in highly personalized care and recognize that each person has different needs when he/she comes to clinic. Our physicians talk with each person to determine which members of our multidisciplinary team would be most helpful for the patient to meet with. Because we combine multiple specialists’ appointments in one clinic visit, the clinic day may be several hours long.
For new patients, the visits may be longer in order for the physician to obtain a thorough medical history & evaluation, and get to know the new patient.
Are language services available?
Yes, medical interpreter services are available. Please allow one of our ALS patient service coordinators know that you will need an interpreter at the time you schedule your clinic visit.
Could I bring snacks or beverages to my visit?
There are several cafeterias and coffee shops located throughout the hospital should patients or accompanying caregivers have time to step away to purchase food or drink during the clinic visit. Please visit our cafeteria webpage for a complete list.
How is the traffic getting to and from Mass General Hospital?
Simply stated, there is traffic in and around Boston. Unfortunately, peak traffic times are unpredictable. To lessen your stress, allow for extra travel time to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. We do understand sometimes being late for an appointment cannot be helped, please call us at 617-724-3914.
For driving directions to Mass General Hospital, walking instructions and public transportation options, please visit our directions webpage.
Where are the multidisciplinary clinic visits located?
Most clinic visits are located in the Wang Ambulatory Care Center on the 8th Floor. The location of your visit is listed on your appointment letter. If you are unsure of location, please call one of our patient service coordinators at 617-724-3914.
Please visit our main campus interactive map to find the building where your appointment is located.
Where do I park for my appointment?
Visit our main campus locations & parking garages webpage for nearby parking options to your clinic appointment.
Are there hotel accommodations nearby?
If you are travelling a considerable distance to get to Mass General Hospital and want to stay overnight at a local hotel, please visit our visiting Boston webpage for information on nearby hotel accommodations.
What do I do if I am going to be late for my clinic appointment or need to cancel it?
We ask that you plan to arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment. If you are going to arrive late, please call 617-724-3914. For those unforeseen circumstances that come up and require you to cancel your clinic appointment, we ask that you call 617-724-3914 to reschedule your appointment as soon as possible which will allow us to offer that visit to another patient.
What do I do if I have an emergency after normal business hours and need to speak with my physician?
To reach your physician for emergencies after hours, please call the Page Operator at 617-726-2000 and ask to have your physician paged. For non-emergencies, call our clinic at 617-724-3914, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5 pm ET.
A team of ALS nurses work very closely with our physicians and are available Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5 pm ET to assist you with health concerns. Please call or email your physician’s primary nurse with any questions related to your care or to help with medication refill questions. If you do not have your nurse’s phone number or email address, please call 617-724-3914 and ask to speak with your nurse.
How can I communicate with my ALS physician and other members of my care team?
You can call the clinic at 617-724-3914 and talk with a patient service coordinator, contact members of your care team directly, or use Patient Gateway.