Ideas for pain relief from Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN)

I understand the way Medicare at Mayo works...my Sister went there and explained this all to me. So that is not the issue. The issue is they will not take me in Phoenix because I am on Medicare...and for me, as I said, I can self pay and they still will not take me because I am on Medicare. When I got my AARP UHC part F supplement I was told I could go to any hospital or Dr...including the Mayo Clinic. I guess that was not the case...Pam

Good to know...!

Ok, that makes a little more sense now.

None of this info in new to me. I knew all about the 15 percent more and I was willing to pay cash...they still would not take me because I have a Medicare #. It makes no sense...

Is Scottsdale a primary care clinic? I do know that in order to go to a primary care clinic, you need to have started going there prior to being on Medicare. They, I believe, will accept Medicare patients who started there while on another insurance and transitioned into Medicare. Another way to get in the door is to go through the ER. A neighbor of ours went to the ER in Jax and then was able to see drs. In the clinic.....not the primary care clinic but the one with the specialists. It’s very confusing to someone who doesn’t get how this all works. Yes, that 15% extra that Mayo charges could get expensive if your secondary insurance doesn’t cover most of it. Thankfully, ours does and I’m sure I didn’t pay more than $50 out of my pocket all last year.

Hi all, I'm just catching up with this discussion re Mayo Clinic, getting an appointment and accepting Medicare patients. Here's some general information that validates information several of you have already shared and perhaps answers some of the general questions raised.

Appointment Denials
In some areas (departments and clinics), demand for services exceeds Mayo Clinic's ability to see all the patients. Physician experts' review may lead them to determine that Mayo Clinic cannot offer further treatment for some patients. Mayo’s goal is to provide the best care each patient needs, but we don't not want you to incur additional costs for evaluation or travel if there is not care to offer that is different from what you’re already receiving.

- Frequently asked questions about scheduling appointments at Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/appointments/faq

Mayo Clinic and Medicare
Mayo Clinic accepts new Medicare patients. Mayo is one of the largest Medicare providers in the country. Unfortunately, not all requests received from Medicare patients who want to come to Mayo Clinic can be honored. Medicare patients are accepted in all practice areas where there is capacity (appointments available) to accommodate them and most importantly, as the medical needs of these patients require. The only exception is the small family medicine facility in Glendale, Ariz.

Mayo Clinic primary care does accept Medicare, medicaid, medica, MMSI and Mayo Health Solution insurance. If a patient lives outside of the boundaries that we serve (i.e., the states where there is a Mayo Clinic campus), they will be advised to seek health care closer to their home.

Mayo Clinic is a non-participating provider under Medicare Part B. This means that Mayo sees Medicare patients, but do not always accept assignment for payment. In these cases, Medicare pays the patient who is then responsible for reimbursing Mayo Clinic for the services provided.

You can find more information on Mayo Clinic's website:
- Mayo and Medicare https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/billing-insurance/insurance/accepted-insurance/medicare
- More about Medicare https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/billing-insurance/insurance/accepted-insurance/medicare/more-on-medicare

Don't hesitate to contact Mayo Clinic directly with your questions to get answers specific to your condition and location http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

I'm a patient there at the Scottsdale & Phoenix Mayo & I am on Medicare & Mutual of Omaha & have the F plan. Next year they are doing away with that plan but if you have it now then your grandfathered it. I have several dr's I see there & had a endoscopy in March of 2018 so unless they they changed I don't know why your having a difficult time.

@burningfeetinphoenix asks: Has anyone looked at the research being done on Capsaicin for SFPN? I found this report just published in "Pain Reports" published by scientists in France. I cannot post the link in the forum but I am posting the name of the article and it can be accessed on-line. I have severe to moderate sweat glands in the feet and legs as well as severely reduced small epidermal nerve fiber density in these same places (detected by proximal and distal skin biopsies). The research on the mechanisms causing the heat sensitivity and other symptoms is interesting and often difficult to understand. However, it has helped me zero in on my SFPN and I am continuing to learn a lot about my condition. Here is the name of the article: "Functional and histological improvements of small nerve neuropathy after high-concentration capsaicin patch application a case study". Bu Trouvin, Anne-Priscillea and Perrot, Sergea. There have been clinical trials using the cream version of Capsaicin and these studies were not as promising..Chloride conduction seems to be a key factor in small fiber nerve function and growth... I will continue to research and report back... Pam

Hi @burningfeetinphoenix - I have not seen the report. Here is the link you were trying to post. I think you should be able to post links soon. New members have to wait for a short period of time before they are able to post links - this is to prevent spammers from joining and spamming Connect with links.

Functional and histological improvements of small nerve neuropathy after high-concentration capsaicin patch application - A case study
-- https://journals.lww.com/painrpts/Fulltext/2019/08000/Functional_and_histological_improvements_of_small.7.aspx

That's it thanks John!!