
Robert J. Motzer, MD
Medical Oncologist
Titles
Kidney Cancer Section Head, Genitourinary Oncology Service; Jack and Dorothy Byrne Chair in Clinical Oncology
Clinical Expertise
Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Cancer); Immunotherapy
New Patient Appointments
Scheduling a visit is easy. Click below or call us to get started.
Dr. Motzer accepts the following list of insurance providers. Select your insurance provider to see more details.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is an in-network provider with Aetna HMO, POS, and PPO plans. Aetna does not include us in any of the plans you can purchase through the insurance exchanges or through Medicare. Please ask your insurance if you need a one-time referral. MSK has an agreement with the Aetna Transplant Program for all Aetna's commercial products.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is a designated Blue Distinction Center for bone marrow transplant and CAR-T.
We understand that there may be many complexities involved with insurance coverage purchased through the health exchange network of the Affordable Care Act. We’re here to help. If you have questions about how your care will be covered by an insurance provider, or need help navigating a change in coverage, please call us at 646-227-3378; if you are not a resident of New York, you can call us at 866-248-1274. Our team is here to listen to your concerns and assist you in any way we can. We want our care to be as accessible and affordable for as many people as possible.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is an in-network provider with CIGNA's HMO, POS, and PPO plans. CIGNA does not include us in any of the plans you can buy through the insurance exchanges.
- If you are a New York State resident: Please ask your insurance if you need a one-time referral.
- If you live outside of New York State: Please ask your insurance if you have in-network access to Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is an in-network provider with EmblemHealth’s PPO, EPO, POS, HMO plans. EmblemHealth includes GHI, HIP, Vytra, and ConnecticCare (in NYS Only). You must bring a referral from your Emblem primary care doctor to your first appointment. In-network participation exceptions include:
- Emblem’s HIP Commercial Millennium, Select Care and Enhanced Care Prime networks is not in-network with Memorial Sloan Kettering.
- Please call Emblem to confirm if your specific plan is in-network.
For information regarding Memorial Sloan Kettering’s participation with Emblem’s Medicare Advantage Plans, please refer to the Medicare & Medicaid page
Memorial Sloan Kettering is an in-network provider with Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (Wellpoint) of New York Indemnity, HMO, EPO, PPO, POS and Medicare Advantage plans, with the following exceptions:
- Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield does not include us in any of the plans you can buy through the insurance exchanges.
- Please call Empire BCBS to confirm if your specific plan is in-network with Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is an in-network provider with HealthFirst’s commercial products; these commercial products are not purchased on the insurance exchanges.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is an in-network provider with HealthSmart’s Accel, HSPC, and HPO networks.
For our NJ locations, Memorial Sloan Kettering is an in-network provider with most Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey plans for individuals, families, and small businesses. Horizon members with Blue Card Access (there would be a suitcase logo on the front of the card) may have access to our NY locations. Please call Horizon to confirm if your plan is in-network in NY.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is a designated Center of Excellence by Humana.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is a designated Center of Excellence by Interlink Health Services.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is a designated Center of Excellence by Lifetrac.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is an in-network provider for all MagnaCare health plans except those products you can buy through the insurance exchanges.
For information about Medicare and Medicaid, please visit this page
Memorial Sloan Kettering is an in-network provider with some Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS plans. Contact your insurance carrier to find out if your plan provides in-network access to Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is a designated Center of Excellence by Multiplan.
If you are covered by more than one insurance plan, you will want to determine your benefits from both plans. First, you need to determine which one is your primary insurance provider by contacting your employee benefits office or your insurance carriers. After you find out which is your primary insurance provider, you should then contact your insurance carrier to determine if you have access to Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is an in-network provider with some MVP plans. Contact your insurance carrier to find out if your plan provides in-network access to Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is an in-network provider for New York State employees who have enrolled in UnitedHealthcare's Cancer Resource Services. If you have the Empire Plan, you should call Cancer Resources Services at 866-936-6002 to verify and enroll in this coverage.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is in-network with Oscar’s Circle Plus Network, a part of its Small Group Broad line that is offered only to select small business groups. Oscar does not include Memorial Sloan Kettering as an in-network provider for any of its individual plans. Please confirm eligibility with your insurance carrier.
Most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans include Memorial Sloan Kettering as an in-network provider. Contact your insurance company to confirm if Memorial Sloan Kettering is in-network.
We have agreements with several insurance companies that may provide additional coverage for cancer patients. These benefit programs include:
- AXA Assistance USA
- Beech Street
- Integrated Health Plans
- National Health Administrators
- National Preferred Provider Network
- UnitedHealthcare's Cancer Resource Services
- United Resource Network
- Veterans Choice Program
Memorial Sloan Kettering is an in-network provider with Oxford’s Freedom and Liberty plans as well as the Metro Plan (which is only offered to small business groups and no longer offered as individual plans). Please confirm with your insurance if you need a one-time referral. Note: Oxford’s Medicare Managed Care plan — Secure Horizon — does not include Memorial Sloan Kettering as an in-network provider. Oxford does not include us in any of the plans you can buy through the insurance exchanges.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is an in-network provider with the World Trade Center Health Program.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is an in-network provider with QualCare's PPO and HMO/POS network.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is a designated Center of Excellence by Specialty Care Management.
Hospital and physician services may be covered by TRICARE. Please call your TRICARE plan to confirm coverage at Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is an in-network provider with UnitedHealthCare's HMO, POS, and PPO plans. Please confirm with your insurance if a one-time referral is needed.
UnitedHealthCare's Medicare Managed Care plan does not include Memorial Sloan Kettering as an in-network provider.
United does not include us in any of the plans you can buy through the insurance exchanges.
Memorial Sloan Kettering is a designated Center of Excellence by UnitedHealthcare.
Contact and Location
- 646-888-4722 Office Phone
- Speaks English

Memorial Sloan Kettering has locations throughout New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and Westchester. These locations offer many services, including screening, chemotherapy, and medical testing.
See all locationsAbout Me
Education
MD, University of Michigan Medical School
Residencies
Internal Medicine - North Shore University Hospital/Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Fellowships
Medical Oncology/Hematology - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center/Weill Cornell Medical College
Board Certifications
Internal Medicine; Medical Oncology
I am a medical oncologist who is dedicated to improving the lives of people with genitourinary cancer. My primary area of expertise is kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma). In particular, I care for people who have cancer that has spread to other parts of the body or who are at high risk for cancer spreading. For more than 30 years, I have provided high-quality and compassionate care for MSK patients with kidney cancer and other advanced genitourinary cancers. As Kidney Cancer Section Head, I lead a group of experts who are dedicated to researching and treating this disease.
Read more
I have led more than 75 clinical trials in people with kidney cancer and testicular cancer. These have included national and international multicenter clinical trials. My research has helped identify ten groundbreaking targeted drugs that are effective treatments for people with advanced kidney cancer.
On both a national and international level, I work to improve the quality and delivery of care for people with kidney cancer. I developed a risk-based system to help predict treatment outcomes for people taking medications for advanced kidney cancer. This system is used by doctors around the world to guide patient care. I also chair the Kidney Cancer Guidelines Panel for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
I have published more than 500 scientific articles, reviews, and chapters. I have given lectures throughout the world, from Japan and China, to Russia and Turkey, to Germany, Spain, and Brazil. I am a recipient of a Career Development Award from the National Institutes of Health, the Willet F. Whitmore Award for Clinical Excellence from Memorial Sloan Kettering, and the Eugene P. Schonfeld Award from the Kidney Cancer Association.
For more than 30 years, I have provided high-quality and compassionate care for people with cancer at MSK.
-Dr. Motzer
Colleagues
Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.
Clinical Trials
- Clinical Trials Investigated by Dr. Motzer
- A Phase III Study of Belzutifan and Pembrolizumab Immunotherapy versus Pembrolizumab Alone After Kidney Cancer Surgery in People with Clear Cell Renal Cell Cancer
- A Phase III Study of MK-6482 plus Lenvatinib versus Cabozantinib as Second-line or Third-line Treatment of Advanced Kidney Cancer Persisting after Immunotherapy
- A Phase III Study of Tivozanib in Combination with Nivolumab versus Tivozanib Alone in People with Renal Cell Carcinoma that Grew after Immunotherapy
- Clinical Trials Co-Investigated by Dr. Motzer
- A Phase 3 Study Assessing Pembrolizumab Immunotherapy plus Belzutifan and Lenvatinib, or MK-1308A plus Lenvatinib, versus Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib as Initial Treatment for Advanced Kidney Cancer
Read more
- A Phase I Study of DFF332, Alone or with Everolimus or Other Anticancer Drugs, to Treat Advanced Kidney Cancer
- A Phase I Study of MEDI5752 in Patients with Renal Cell Cancer
- A Phase IB/II Study of Immunotherapy and Targeted Combination Therapies in Patients with Kidney Cancer
- A Phase II Study of Nivolumab Immunotherapy plus Cabozantinib in Patients with Non-Clear Cell Renal Cell Cancer

Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.
You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.
Search clinical trialsResearch and Publications
Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Motzer’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
See all on PubMedDisclosures
Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.
MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.
Robert J. Motzer discloses the following relationships and financial interests:
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AstraZeneca
Provision of Services -
Aveo
Provision of Services -
Axis Medical Education
Provision of Services -
BluPrint Oncology Concepts
Provision of Services -
Calithera
Provision of Services -
CancerNet, LLC
Provision of Services -
Clinical Care Options
Provision of Services -
Dava Oncology
Provision of Services -
EMD Serono, Inc
Provision of Services -
Eisai
Provision of Services
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Eli Lilly and Company
Provision of Services -
Exelixis
Provision of Services -
Merck & Co Inc.
Provision of Services -
Pfizer, Inc.
Provision of Services -
Research to Practice
Provision of Services -
Spire Learning
Provision of Services -
Surface Oncology
Provision of Services -
Total CME
Provision of Services -
WebMD
Provision of Services -
i3 Health
Provision of Services
If you’re a patient at MSK and would like more information about your doctor’s external relationships, please talk with your doctor.
The information published here is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.
This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2020 through disclosure submission in spring 2021). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.
Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at [email protected].