Guidance Needed: Investigating flying to Mayo in Minnesota

@barbarakatz, I see that you are a new member here on Connect, and I welcome you. You have asked a very good question, and I think that we can help you to gather useful information to help you in your planning. On Mayo Connect, you are never alone, we are always here to answer questions, to share, and to provide resources. I see that you have already met some members and engaging in a good conversation and suggestions.

I would like to share a resource from Mayo Rochester, that I believe will be extremely helpful for you as a resource. -
Mayo Clinic in Rochester has Concierge Services to help make your trip go smoothly.
They provide information about travel, lodging, Mayo Clinic and community resources to plan your visit to make your visit smooth and less stressful!
And it’s free.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. CST by phone, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in person
Location: Mayo Building, Lobby level, International Center
Email: concierge@mayo.edu
Phone: 507-538-8438
I encourage you to contact them, and talk top someone directly.

Another thing - Are you aware of our Discussion Group "Visiting Mayo Clinic? I have provided the direct link to that group. Click on it, and I believe that you will meet other members who have had similar concerns. I invite you to scroll thru the discussions and ask questions, or start a new discussion there.
.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/traveling-to-mayo-clinic-minnesota/
I hope this is helpful. Let me know what other questions you have.
Rosemary

Just responded earlier - s/b New York News and World Report ----- best source of info. There are many good hospitals (although I don't know what you're being treated for) in NYC and right in NJ and I'm a stickler!

Mayo Clinic is not the only resource out there, so for certain investigate places closer to home for your particular conditions first.

If you decide to fly to Rochester MN, you will need to get your appointments lined up first.

To do that if you have multiple concerns or an undiagnosed condition, they would usually suggest setting up an appointment with Internal medicine. The physician in that area will then make referrals and coordinate your care to specialists during your stay. You can go online and make a self referral or get your physician at home to call and make the referral.

I will warn you that on May 5th 2018 the clinic is going to go through a big transition moving the electronic records system to EPIC and so expect delays and a tougher time getting appointments from now until they sort it all out, I would expect til maybe August.

You will also need to bring all your records with you and imaging . You should plan on a 7-10 day stay but be prepared to stay longer. That makes flying in and out harder because of a set return flight date.

To save money, I would suggest flying into Minneapolis if possible and renting a car and driving the 1.5 hours down to Rochester.

Choose a hotel that offers the free shuttle service ( most do ) so you can avoid parking at the clinic. IF you choose to park at the Clinic , use the Damon Ramp , get there early and buy the extended parking pass for 40.00 for 10 days making parking 4.00 a day. The pass is good for all the ramps and gives you in and out privileges so if you have to leave and come back you only get charged once for the day.

I also suggest packing food items , non perishable things like cliff bars or other snacks because clinic days get busy and they fill in things with more appts and reasonably priced food isn't readily available always at the clinic.

If mobility is an issue , when you get to the clinic ask for a transporter to take you to wherever you need and they will use a wheel chair to get you to appts.

As far as hotels, there are several attached to the Main Mayo buildings..... The Kahler inn and suites is probably the most reasonable of them all. Not the Grand Kahler , but the Kahler Inn and suites. I would say away from the Holiday Inn. But again, most of the area hotels have free shuttle services .

Youd need to check to see if they can accommodate a scooter though.

Keep in mind if any of your appts are over at Genrose or St Mary's you will have to take the patient shuttle to get there or drive over. Those buildings are not attached to the main clinic.

also while you are there, talk to the social workers . If you meet the guidelines sometimes you can get a Walmart prepaid card or other fin help with food costs or hotel costs etc...

Good Luck!

Just responded earlier - s/b New York News and World Report ----- best source of info. There are many good hospitals (although I don't know what you're being treated for) in NYC and right in NJ and I'm a stickler!

Mayo Clinic is not the only resource out there, so for certain investigate places closer to home for your particular conditions first.

If you decide to fly to Rochester MN, you will need to get your appointments lined up first.

To do that if you have multiple concerns or an undiagnosed condition, they would usually suggest setting up an appointment with Internal medicine. The physician in that area will then make referrals and coordinate your care to specialists during your stay. You can go online and make a self referral or get your physician at home to call and make the referral.

I will warn you that on May 5th 2018 the clinic is going to go through a big transition moving the electronic records system to EPIC and so expect delays and a tougher time getting appointments from now until they sort it all out, I would expect til maybe August.

You will also need to bring all your records with you and imaging . You should plan on a 7-10 day stay but be prepared to stay longer. That makes flying in and out harder because of a set return flight date.

To save money, I would suggest flying into Minneapolis if possible and renting a car and driving the 1.5 hours down to Rochester.

Choose a hotel that offers the free shuttle service ( most do ) so you can avoid parking at the clinic. IF you choose to park at the Clinic , use the Damon Ramp , get there early and buy the extended parking pass for 40.00 for 10 days making parking 4.00 a day. The pass is good for all the ramps and gives you in and out privileges so if you have to leave and come back you only get charged once for the day.

I also suggest packing food items , non perishable things like cliff bars or other snacks because clinic days get busy and they fill in things with more appts and reasonably priced food isn't readily available always at the clinic.

If mobility is an issue , when you get to the clinic ask for a transporter to take you to wherever you need and they will use a wheel chair to get you to appts.

As far as hotels, there are several attached to the Main Mayo buildings..... The Kahler inn and suites is probably the most reasonable of them all. Not the Grand Kahler , but the Kahler Inn and suites. I would say away from the Holiday Inn. But again, most of the area hotels have free shuttle services .

Youd need to check to see if they can accommodate a scooter though.

Keep in mind if any of your appts are over at Genrose or St Mary's you will have to take the patient shuttle to get there or drive over. Those buildings are not attached to the main clinic.

also while you are there, talk to the social workers . If you meet the guidelines sometimes you can get a Walmart prepaid card or other fin help with food costs or hotel costs etc...

Good Luck!

Mayo Clinic is not the only resource out there, so for certain investigate places closer to home for your particular conditions first.

If you decide to fly to Rochester MN, you will need to get your appointments lined up first.

To do that if you have multiple concerns or an undiagnosed condition, they would usually suggest setting up an appointment with Internal medicine. The physician in that area will then make referrals and coordinate your care to specialists during your stay. You can go online and make a self referral or get your physician at home to call and make the referral.

I will warn you that on May 5th 2018 the clinic is going to go through a big transition moving the electronic records system to EPIC and so expect delays and a tougher time getting appointments from now until they sort it all out, I would expect til maybe August.

You will also need to bring all your records with you and imaging . You should plan on a 7-10 day stay but be prepared to stay longer. That makes flying in and out harder because of a set return flight date.

To save money, I would suggest flying into Minneapolis if possible and renting a car and driving the 1.5 hours down to Rochester.

Choose a hotel that offers the free shuttle service ( most do ) so you can avoid parking at the clinic. IF you choose to park at the Clinic , use the Damon Ramp , get there early and buy the extended parking pass for 40.00 for 10 days making parking 4.00 a day. The pass is good for all the ramps and gives you in and out privileges so if you have to leave and come back you only get charged once for the day.

I also suggest packing food items , non perishable things like cliff bars or other snacks because clinic days get busy and they fill in things with more appts and reasonably priced food isn't readily available always at the clinic.

If mobility is an issue , when you get to the clinic ask for a transporter to take you to wherever you need and they will use a wheel chair to get you to appts.

As far as hotels, there are several attached to the Main Mayo buildings..... The Kahler inn and suites is probably the most reasonable of them all. Not the Grand Kahler , but the Kahler Inn and suites. I would say away from the Holiday Inn. But again, most of the area hotels have free shuttle services .

Youd need to check to see if they can accommodate a scooter though.

Keep in mind if any of your appts are over at Genrose or St Mary's you will have to take the patient shuttle to get there or drive over. Those buildings are not attached to the main clinic.

also while you are there, talk to the social workers . If you meet the guidelines sometimes you can get a Walmart prepaid card or other fin help with food costs or hotel costs etc...

Good Luck!

I had a wonderful experience at Mayo Rochester. The Doctors gave me a correct diagnosis. That in itself is life changing in a positive way. My recommendation for a hotel is the Kahler Grand. It is very convenient. Be sure to request their Mayo rate. A great nearby restaurant is Chester’s. Best Wishes!!!