I’m sure you’ll get good advice from the Mayo Clinic mentors here. But I wouldn’t hesitate to fill out the online request on Mayo Clinic’s website requesting a second opinion. You’re not committed to anything until you, and they, get more info. Most likely you could do a video visit, but they will tell you if that’s possible.

I dealt with MD Anderson because travel was in state. I’m almost positive Mayo Clinic handles it all the same, especially from reading posts on this site. The cancer center was able to get electronic copies of my scans and health records once I had given permission. It was the simplest procedure. They know all the right questions to ask, and will pursue records and make contacts to other facilities for you. I filled out a form online on a Wednesday, and they called me that Friday. My biopsy report had not been released to me yet, but she was able to get a copy of it from the electronic health sharing with my approval. The following Tuesday I was notified of my appointment date (this was for cancer care, not a second opinion). My original scan and biopsy was done at a local hospital, in a very well respected large hospital system. I knew friends of friends who had cancer surgery and care with them - and seemed to do fine. But with MDA only 3.5 hours away, it just seemed to be the best care. It has turned out to be the best decision.

MD Anderson told me that my insurance was not on their approved list. They recommended I call United Health Care and talk with them. It seemed like a futile task to me, but I was a bit desperate so I called. UHC said they would pay any bill from MDA at out of network fees. But it turns out everything was paid at in networks costs. They just automatically request prior authorization with UHC, I have not had to do any paperwork, and there did not appear to be any extensive delays waiting on approvals.

Mayo Clinic is probably very familiar with handling patients in your situation, and may be able to advise about your insurance company’s track record with them.

I will suggest that getting care at a comprehensive cancer center can make coordination of doctors, scans, determination of treatment and follow-up easier.

I wish you the best!