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Gaining Admission to Mayo Clinic (from out of state)
Does anyone know the ways to get admitted to Mayo Clinic? It seems like it is very difficult (especially when out if state and thousands of miles away). I am trying to gain admission to address a systemic disorder and am told I should ideally have a internal medicine specialist as the quarterback who can bring in specialists and utilize the multi-specialty, integrated, collaborative team approach unique to Mayo Clinic. However when my doctor calls Mayo Clinic internal medicine - what if she fails to get me admitted? (This despite at least 4 of my local doctors who have examined me stating that I meet the criteria of “acute medical necessity”.) I’m told further that if IM denies my admission, I would have to wait 1 whole year to re-apply. This seems ludicrous as I will be either homeless and/or dead in a year. Can anyone shed light on this? Hopefully I will obtain admission but need to know how to get around the 1-year wait period if I should get denied.
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Where do you suggest staying for an extended stay? Again, I am a novice but think I would prefer inpatient since I would know the exact cost - but if outpatient, cost could be variable. Beyond also not being up to running from appointment to appointment, most importantly too, I would think inpatient would better allow for the multi-specialty, integrated “collaborative” team approach. How could it be similarly collaborative if outpatient? Thank you for any further thoughts.
The Mayo Clinic is able to provide collaborative care on an outpatient basis and does it well. Because of the risk of hospital-acquired infection, Mayo limits the length of inpatient stays (they did this even before Co-vid 19). You will definitely receive collaborative integrative care on an outpatient basis. In terms of time spent in Rochester (or Jacksonville or Arizona), it depends. I am in Rochester now and am staying an extra week for two appointments because it is preferable for me to stay here rather than return home (I live in Tennessee) and travel back. The schedulers will try to get appointments in a short time frame. In terms of places to stay, you can check with the Mayo Clinic concierge who might be able to point you to different types of lodging. There are shuttle buses to the Clinic and Mayo will provide wheelchair transport to get you to your appointments.
How do you plan to get to Mayo?
Thank you. I plan on flying to MN from Florida.
When you say “Collaborative” on an outpatient basis, can you elaborate? Do the doctors really communicate, do they meet in a room to discuss the case, does each know enough about the other specialties they are collaborating with, etc?
The medical records are totally integrated so each doctor you see knows about your issues and medical treatment plans already made. They really do communicate. In the time of covid-19, I do not think they are meeting in a room to discuss patients but I am sure they do. The Mayo brothers were pioneers in terms of integrated collaborative care...the medical care you receive is excellent.
Excellent and concise information - thank you.
Depends on your medical issues. They try to get all your appointments so you won't need to travel back to, in my case, Rochester. Sometimes they can but in some cases you may need to come back. It depends on individual circumstances. All my care was on an outpatient basis. I stayed at the Sleep Inn. There was daily Shuttle service to and from the Clinic, free of charge. It left the hotel at 20 minutes after the hour. You call the hotel directly for the Mayo Clinic rate.
Your best chance of being added to the appointments list is for your existing doctors to write referrals. Each doctor can refer you to a different specialty to improve your chances. During the referral process your doctor will inform the Mayo doctor of your diagnosis, history and progress. After that, sit back, relax and pray. I hold you in my prayers also. Try to busy your mind with something so that you do not obsess on your referral. You might read, do crafts, watch movies, journal, meditate, cook, bake, garden or any other thing you enjoy. When it gets really bad for me I designate 10 minutes of uninterrupted time to think about whatever is bothering me. Then I usually want to document and can go on to other things. Blessings.
Very helpful - thanks. And yes, much stress.
This sounds like a lottery. Is it that difficult to be admitted as a patient for appointments? Do they use some Objective standard or how is it determined? Thank you.
It is not a lottery but it depends. Mayo is looking at the needs of existing patients, capacity limits (in terms of physicians, nurses, etc.) and whether or not they have physicians with the expertise and experience to work with you. It also depends, in part, on your willingness to be seen by someone who has less experience. For example, I developed a dark spot under a fingernail and got an internal referral from the Hand Clinic to someone in Dermatology who was a resident. I was okay with seeing a resident but would not be in a more complicated situation. There is no formula that one can follow to be guaranteed an appointment. It sounds like you are doing everything you can do so I echo the advice given by someone earlier in this discussion. Take deep breaths and relax. I am praying for you.