Waiting time for appointment?

Posted by pamelah1021 @pamelah1021, Apr 8 6:55pm

Hello all, hope you all are doing ok. I have more of a question. My Neurologist thinks I may have Motor Neuron Disease and has referred me to Mayo Clinic in Florida TWO MONTHS AGO! My approval from insurance has also been sent in. Is it typical to have to wait this long?
My patient portal still says nothing. I have called multiple times and have been told my paperwork is back there for them to review? They haven’t even reviewed it after two months? Anyone else have this issue?

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@cctee

I was told that they weren’t taking any new Neuro patients, that the demand is greater than they have appts. It is actually hard to get an appt for anything involving a specialist I’ve waited for months for that and then more months for tests.

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Sounds about right. They have ONE ALS Dr. from what the receptionist told me.

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@pamelah1021

Falling all the time and off balance. Twitching in my tongue that goes on 24/7. Leg, arm and shoulder twitching. Muscle cramping in hands and calves. Can’t control my hands and drop things constantly. The list goes on….. He did and EMG that showed fasciculations or (twitching) a Nerve Conduction Study, showed abnormality’s in thumbs and left arm. The one that twitches and and hurts. Also a neurological exam. He thinks I have a form of MND but not sure which one hence he wanted a 2nd opinion from Mayo Clinic. After waiting two months and not hearing a word, I told him what was going on so he called them himself yesterday.
So the rude lady calls me this morning and says we can see you July 10th for a talk to the Dr. No testing, no nothing. I’m beyond furious with them. It’s a 3 hour drive. I told her just cancel me, no way will I step foot in there! I quite possibly have ALS but they aren’t bothered enough to see me so no, not going. Sorry so long I just got off the phone with her but was quite a bit to explain.
I wish everyone the very best and hope you had/have better luck than me lol. Thank you everyone!!

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@pamelah1021, I'm very sorry that this was your experience at Mayo Clinic. This is not the way it is supposed to work. I strongly encourage you to contact the Office of Patient Experience. They will want to know about this situation. I understand that you no longer want to go to Mayo Clinic, but I'm hoping you'll share your situation so that is not repeated.

Here's how to contact the Office of Patient Experience
Phone: 844-544-0036 (toll-free)
Email: opx@mayo.edu

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@pamelah1021
Did your neurologist do a MRI of your brain and full spine?

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I usually call EVERY morning to see if there has been a cancellation then again in the late afternoon hours!

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@pamelah1021

Yes, it’s also in the family of things I could have.
We will just say nope! Not me lol. Thank you and God Bless!

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Let’s see if we can figure out somewhere else you can go for an expert second opinion. Are you on the east or west coast? Have you looked at the website http://www.als.org. They have a list of ALS clinics by state. I know MSA has designated clinics of excellence around the country. I’m praying you DO NOT have this. I know someone who has benign fasciculation syndrome, it’s annoying buy not terminal. So keep you eyes on that prize. Will be praying for you and let us know if you find another good place for your 2nd opinion. ❤️

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@pamelah1021

Sounds about right. They have ONE ALS Dr. from what the receptionist told me.

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I have tried over a year, just to get on the wait list. now I have a mayo doctor referral but there are no appointments available. I was told the best bet is to try Gainesville. They do not have the staff to handle more patients

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@alexa2020

I have tried over a year, just to get on the wait list. now I have a mayo doctor referral but there are no appointments available. I was told the best bet is to try Gainesville. They do not have the staff to handle more patients

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What is in Gainesville? Mayo Florida is in Jacksonville, and that’s where I was told they didn’t have any appts in Neuro or Cardiology (no waitlist either). I did get into the Cleveland Clinic for Cardiology, but it took awhile, and I kept calling back for sooner appts.

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@cctee

What is in Gainesville? Mayo Florida is in Jacksonville, and that’s where I was told they didn’t have any appts in Neuro or Cardiology (no waitlist either). I did get into the Cleveland Clinic for Cardiology, but it took awhile, and I kept calling back for sooner appts.

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Gainesville has a movement disorder clinic that was accepting new patients (this was at least a year ago). Mayo did the search. Gainesville has a university medical school - it may be associated with that. I didn't check into it as at the time I was living too far away.

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@alexa2020

Gainesville has a movement disorder clinic that was accepting new patients (this was at least a year ago). Mayo did the search. Gainesville has a university medical school - it may be associated with that. I didn't check into it as at the time I was living too far away.

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I tried for months to be seen at Mayo for Motor Neuron Disease. Could not get an appointment anytime in the near future because they have one Doctor and he is backed up on appointments for months. I gave up.

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@pamelah1021

I tried for months to be seen at Mayo for Motor Neuron Disease. Could not get an appointment anytime in the near future because they have one Doctor and he is backed up on appointments for months. I gave up.

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UF Gainesville has Doctor's who treat MND and movement disorders but they don't take my insurance unfortunately.

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