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THR appointment process at Mayo Clinic
I had a phone interview with Mayo Clinic Rochester this past week and was asked about the typical where it hurts and why I am requesting the appointment, etc but I was not asked about sending them any records and I am curious as to what to expect at this point.
My situation - I am 68 yo and my PCP sent me to have a EMG, and both that Dr. and my PCP came to the conclusion I need a hip replacement. My PCP requested the EMG due to 2 years ago I had a lumbar fusion, l1, l2, l3, l4, l5, s1 (previous ruptured disc's and associated laminectomy for each level spread over 25 years). I have not had a specific xray/mri for my hip, but had an mri for my latest back surgery, and multiple followup xrays. I also had images from an emergency gall bladder surgery 3 years ago. It was among those images the Dr. that did the EMG saw narrowing and a cyst in my right hip joint. The scheduler I spoke to at Mayo suggested that those images might be all that is needed for the Orthopedic department to look at to make a determination for giving me an appointment - but she did not say anything about getting those images, or any records, to them. I don't believe my old mri's and xrays fully show my hip image, but the 3 year old images taken when diagnosing my gall bladder issue did, and I am considerably worse off, pain and mobility wise, than I was back then and it is obvious the pain I currently am in in my hip area.
It's only been 4 business days since talking to Mayo, and maybe I'm just being paranoid about me dropping the ball on hopefully getting an appointment with them but I am wondering just what others were required/requested to do during their initial interview.
To perhaps complicate things, that I'm now having 2nd thoughts about, I asked about getting a 2nd opinion about neck issues (previous 2 level fusion) with pain radiating down both of my arms. The surgeon that did my most recent lumbar fusion said he could only add another fusion level and he didn't recommend it due to the additional lack of movement. For that appointment, Mayo asked me for a new MRI to be sent to them as the one done just over 2 years ago was no longer valid - which adds to my confusion on the hip records. My hip is definitely my primary issue but traveling to Rochester from Colorado, I was hoping to get that 2nd opinion for now in one trip, even if it's extended a few days longer, and returning at a later date if my neck could be improved with surgery, or ???
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Hello @zepher95, welcome to Connect. The appointment office is definitely the most qualified to answer the questions above. The first step is starting the appointment process, which it sounds like you have. I can understand the confusion surround what images need to be sent for which procedures and diagnosis. Have you thought about calling in again this week to ask the above questions and to explain that you have received conflicting information on what is needed for an appointment?
@zepher95, have you discussed this with your current provider and asked them how they refer patients and if they could share some of your images? It may also be worth discussing with the appointment coordinator on whether or not new images would help and if those could be done locally or during an appointment period at Mayo Clinic.
While you navigate the appointment process and seek more information, here are a few discussions on Connect with members discussing hip replacements you may find worth your time to read through:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hip-replacement-thr/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hip-replacement-surgery-set-worried-about-rehab-schedule/
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1 ReactionIs there any one or anything I can do if they denied to see me?
Can you explain your decision?
I dont understand, why you can't add further value. It's been 4 years of multiple Drs., tests, and scans, to find out why I can no longer work, shop, go on vacations, and enjoy life. I spend 90% of my life in my bed, and in my home. After having 3 parathyroids removed 2 years ago, my parathyroid hormone is still high, and I continue to have high WBC and high absolute LYMPHOCYTES.
Now in the last 6 months, when I stand for any length of time, I start shaking. My BP goes down and my heart rate goes up, i sweat and get dizzy and if i try to continue, i will get nauseous and if i dont sit i will vomit. I need someone to help me find out WHY, instead of taking more meds to counter symptoms. WHY cant I live a normal life. I am only 58 yrs old, and my mother at age 81, can out do me in everything.
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On Tue, Jan 14, 2020 at 6:01 PM, Consultative Medicine
We appreciate the confidence you have expressed in Mayo Clinic and thank you for your recent request.
The Division of General Internal Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota has received your information. Unfortunately, demand for our health care services exceeds our capacity. We have thoroughly reviewed your provided materials to determine if we can add further value or treatment options to your care. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer you an appointment at this time. Please know decisions like this are not easy, Mayo Clinic strives to provide the best care possible to all of those in need. We recommend you continue your care locally.
Hi Justin, thanks for your reply. Yes, I have considered, and will call them, most likely today. I had already read the discussions in the links you provided, and multiple others and am glad that I did find this site and great information. I am a bit of an introvert and stress myself out over phone calls...
After initially talking to the spine department about my neck, they told me they would send me an email with further instructions. I didn't receive it and called them back and found my email provider was classifying it as spam and deleting it automatically after they resent it to me and I have fixed that issue. The orthopedic department didn't mention an email to be sent. My information gathering about the process was wondering if they did and I didn't receive it, or if it was normal to be judged for an appointment without any images and/or records from my medical history. I wondered whether Mayo would want their own images taken for a hip replacement, based on the method performed, instead of ones taken locally.
My current PCP is difficult to get an appointment with in a timely fashion, and unfortunately, other than that I have trusted his care. I am working on a timely appointment with him instead of too much info being passed back and forth between his nurses and myself. But I also partially feel as though when I told him I wanted to go to the Mayo Clinic instead of a local provider for my hip, that he was going to send in a referral to, he kind of lost interest.
@lrroscoe, I know how disappointing it is to be denied an appointment, especially when you had hopes to finally find answers to the unknown. General Internal Medicine is a very busy department. Have you considered requesting an appointment with the Endocrinology department. I'm not sure which location you called, but you may consider one of the other Mayo locations if feasible for you. http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
Another option is the Mayo Clinic Care Network. The Mayo Clinic Care Network is a select group of independent health systems that are granted special access to Mayo Clinic's extensive knowledge and world-leading medical expertise. It may be an option to getting Mayo expertise closer to home. https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/care-network/about
I had already tried Florida, since that's where I live, but they dont do diagnostics.
How can I try for endocrinology? Do I have to start all over?
@lrroscoe Best to call and ask the appointment schedulers about requesting an appointment with endocrinology. They can guide you through the process. http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
What is the phone number
Click this link to see the contact numbers http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63