What insurance is accepted at Mayo Clinic?

@teresamason, Mayo Clinic does accept Medicare. See Insurance Types here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/billing-insurance/insurance/accepted-insurance

For specific details about your coverage, please contact Patient Account Services https://www.mayoclinic.org/billing-insurance/contact-us

@walkinggirl I guess the best way to "banish the insurance company lobbyists" is to keep trying. Healthcare is too important for everyone, and resources should be directed well
And insurance companies are inefficient. Providers have to hire extra people to handle different types of plans and rules. And Employers have to hire extra people to manage and provide a healthcare benefit. And insurance companies and providers both have to hire extra people to negotiate new contracts every year.
If one looks at a financial document of the insurance company, one sees what the sales and marketing costs are and the profit margins expected....that is not a healthcare benefit to us!!!

They used to scare us with "socialized medicine" but healthcare is a "captive market" not a "free market"...so it is not well served by "competition". We all must have it, so we just need the most efficient delivery system because we don't need Choice, we need Coverage

Mayo Clinic no longer takes Humana Advantage plans so I thought I could schedule a visit under self-pay. They won’t accept self- pay if you’ve been on Advantage plan. When I initially went there I was told you’ll always be considered a patient, not really. They still accept Medicare but that doesn’t help now.

This does not affect me. And I don't know if the following is a fact but I have told this twice. Once by a patient and once by a medical professional who works with Mayo (but is not a Mayo employee). That Mayo no longer works with Medicare Advantage plans. But if an individual who was on one moves to a different Medicare plan they can then be seen again. One was a hotel manager at one of the hotels on one of my Mayo AZ stays. He was a Mayo patient, switched to a Medicare Advantage plan because it was better in a number of ways, but was then told by Mayo he could no longer be seen there. So the next year he switched plans again to a non advantage plan and was again a Mayo patient. Can't confirm that as fact but might be worth looking into ? Best of luck.

This sounds bad. I have a Humana plan but they have not notified me that they will stop accepting it. My primary is BCBS but I will lose it when I retire so I am a bit worried I am going to move to Phoenix and it be a waste. Anyone know who to contact to confirm any of this?

The real issue is that advantage plans deny claims routinely.
Mayo is efficient and the hoops and preapproval barriers keep them from delivering the efficiency and quality care of their standards. Advantage plans
work best if you have everyday problems.
Once you go advantage you can go back to regular Medicare but no secondary
gap insurance has to take you back. They should warn everyone it might be a
one way street. More and more providers do not want plans because of payment issues. They are for profit so you are forfeiting freedom of go anywhere care privileges.

@seniormed and all... Mayo sent a notice openly stating they do not accept any Advantage insurance plans. In fact, many doctors and most hospitals as I understand it do not accept Advantage Plans either. They deny many claims so Mayo ends up not being paid for services rendered.

Advantage plans may be wonderful for folks who have nothing wrong. Folks who are healthy. But, if they have a serious illness and need serious, costly help, it may not be available. I researched when they first came out and stayed far away from them.

I do know if you switch to Medicare, not Advantage, just Medicare and supplement or whatever, they will accept you as a patient. I suggest you research this yourself. Contact your Advantage Insurance carrier and ask specific questions and get specific answers. They will tell you how the system works if you ask... they want to sell you their plans, but they are required to be honest and I would simply be clear about what you need to know.

Then, ask them or contact Medicare to find the best route to switch back to regular Medicare. This is not Mayo's fault. It is an insurance issue that these plans knew about from day one. As consumers, if is our responsibility to ask questions, find answers, and do our own research before we make such changes and find ourselves in a pickle.

My health care is primary for me and I check with Mayo and other doctors before considering any changes. I called my pharmacist when I was considering various pharmacy policies.. He was helpful. I have Humana and love it. I is a good plan and pays well, covers most of my needs and seems to be a good company. But, I would not consider a Humana Advantage, or any other Advantage plan.

Also, suggest you are clear to ask all companies you where you inquire if the plan is an advantage plan. It may have a different take on the name... Just be careful. Be wise. Be your own advocate. Research.

Blessings, Elizabeth

@ess77 This is not true. I’ve been on Humana for about 3 years. I can Dr with anyone and don’t need to get approval. With regular Medicare there is a $1600 deductible every time you are admitted to a hospital. Don’t have this with my plan. I also have some dental coverage and a $25 payback toward monthly cost. I’ve recently read online that our entire Medicare system could go to Advantage plans

Before you switch from an Advantage plan to traditional Medicare make sure you can get and then afford the premium for medigap coverage if you so desire it. Medigap coverage is not a guarantee when you switch from an Advantage plan and you may have to pass a physical/health exam. If you reside in IL there is a free program called SHIP to help seniors navigate the pros and cons of traditional vs advantage plans. Call your local hospital since most have SHIP counselors.

@retirement75 and all... Be careful what you read and accept as legitimate. I am pleased you were able to see your doctors and get care. That's wonderful. Have you had any serious illnesses since on Advantage? Were they covered easily? I hope you didn't, or if you did they were. My understanding that is not the case.

I have no payments, no co-pays at all with Medicare... Because I have a supplement plan that covers anything Medicare does not pay. Medicare pays maybe 80% or their agreed upon cost for the visit or procedure. You are responsible for the other 20% not covered by Medicare. It has always been that way.

I purchased a Medicare supplement plan that is good for me as a person with multiple health issues. It pays everything not covered by Medicare.

If you research plans available, you can get one suited to your needs to pick up whatever costs Medicare doesn't cover that you may not want to be responsible for. Otherwise, you are are responsible for the 20% they don't pay.

I have dental coverage and eye coverage with my supplemental insurance plan. And, I also have a dental plan through a Mutual of Omaha, as well as pharmacy with Humana. We have to cover what we want covered that is not paid by Medicare.

I'm not an expert other than for myself. I can not advise anyone about any of this nonsense, but I do as a patient in our system, advise you to really look carefully, fully and deeply asking lots of questions from qualified insurance experts to get the coverage you want and need.

However, I do not believe Medicare will go to Advantage plans. I do think many rumors and such are on the internet by folks with motives other than expertly assisting the elderly and disabled to make wise decisions in coverage. So, I am very careful where I get and accept information. The Mayo Connect site is an excellent way to find others who have experienced similar concerns. You get varied opinions and from the mentors, especially, I find we get excellent information that guides us to do our own solid research and make solid decisions.

Wishing you well on this journey, Elizabeth