This was my experience at the Phoenix location trying to get an appointment for my husband with a highly recommended surgeon. First I called them to ask the process. I was told to have my husband's specialist send a letter of referral as well as all of his medical records (they gave me the email address to have this information submitted to). Then it would go to a triage committee who would review everything and decide whether or not my husband would be INVITED to see the doctor we requested. I was told this process typically takes about two weeks after they receive the referral and records.
I contacted his specialist and they sent everything that was requested.
In the meantime, my husband met with an oncologist to begin chemotherapy. We mentioned the doctor at Mayo (whom his specialist had recommended) and we were amazed to hear the oncologost say, "I know him! I'll call him tonight".
The next morning at 8 a.m. , the Mayo doctor's office called and offered my husband an appointment for the next day. We couldn't believe our luck! We felt blessed.
I hate to say it, but nowadays connections matter.