I've had 7 recurrences in 4 years, including radiation 5x to the same area, which the last treatment ended 1/14, and so far all my scans have been clear since, so I know how these fears are, but had faith that each one was hopefully the last I had to do.

As far as being at a Comprehensive Cancer Center or Cancer Center, there is much confusion about that. Any hospital can call itself a CCC or CC since there are no requirements, restrictions or trademarks for its use, but NCI, NCCN, as well as others, do have criteria for their association or inclusion, which many may be referring too, but not all are associated, and many others are listed as top hospitals in listings like U.S. News Reports Best Hospitals. Rush University is ranked in the top 50 for cancer out of 5,000 hospitals, it's ENT program was highly ranked before, as I know since my first ENT at a top hospital did his residence there upon checking his background, and would consider it a CCC or CC for a simpler term.

Medicare probably do cover all hospitals, I've been to 9 for one thing or another, even those referred to as CCC, CC or associated with NCI or NCCN, but do know that some may only take Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage, like MSKCC, as I learned, and one reason why I stayed with Original Medicare for more options.

Good luck with everything.