Insurance covering treatment at Mayo

I have had MS for 30 years. So I always came in with a written list of "what's happened since I was here last" and questions. Now I do it through the portal a few days in advance. That gives the doc and nurse time to read it and think about it ahead of time. Its a huge improvement over them thinking on their feet or saying they need to research and get back to me.
My point is, you can ask your questions, present your current symptoms and also make sure they understand your insurance
concerns. That way if they are thinking about a test or scan they can check with insurance ahead of time. The portal is a Godsend.
Good luck!
Sandy.

@butterflykizzs I’m not sure how this works in Minnesota either. If there is a test ordered that is on your portal it’s very possible that the test has then been coded for payment. The portal should give you an estimate however it’s possible you could call or go to billing and ask at Mayo. You could also check with your own insurance as I mentioned earlier.

As I look at what we are communicating about I think to myself what a huge hassle this is. No one wants to surprised by what is paid for by insurance and what is not. I’ve had that surprise in the past when I had health care insurance through my employer. It was irksome and had to do with different billing practices at different locations (not Mayo - I’m referring to local billing when a for profit business took over our local hospital and medical system).

This happens a lot to me. I am fighting things from last year that I confirmed were covered and then someone makes an error or codes wrong. I called my insurance but they are dumber than a box or rocks! They can never get me any answers until the time comes. I will not know what procedures I get until I get there and speak to my doc at first appointment. From what I understand, they have a way of getting things approved very very quickly, like when you are in a hospital setting. I just do not want to waste a trip.

This happens a lot to me. I am fighting things from last year that I confirmed were covered and then someone makes an error or codes wrong. I called my insurance but they are dumber than a box or rocks! They can never get me any answers until the time comes. I will not know what procedures I get until I get there and speak to my doc at first appointment. From what I understand, they have a way of getting things approved very very quickly, like when you are in a hospital setting. I just do not want to waste a trip.

I was just on my patient portal. When you sign on scroll down to the box that says "Pay my Bill". Then scroll down to the hyperlink that says "Contact Customer Service". There you will find 13 boxes. One is titled "Before care Certifications and Prior Authorizations." I think that's a good place to start and let them know you have concerns. Good luck.
Sandy

My insurance is the same. They now use a disclaimer telling me they are not responsible for giving me misinformation over the phone. We got zero documents from hubs employer and online info says "call for specific information.". Its maddening. When I had cataract surgery I called three times and got three different answers on what,would,be covered. When hubs,had his he called twice and same thing. I wrote it all up and,sent it to Customer Support. Crickets.

It is very difficult for us. My husband and I live in Florida but his company is based out of Cali. So we have BCBS Cali. Yet the benefits are different for out of state. Nobody ever understands or knows what will and will not be covered. They are always baffled when I contact them.
So it is always a guessing game or incorrect info. So I am really worried about BCBS Cali but us in another state then treatment in even another state...lol