Resubmitting an Appointment Request

@dgn15905 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

I am unable to directly answer your question. I'm not sure where you live or what your situation. I've not heard of someone referring themselves exactly but I also haven't worked in that capacity at Mayo Clinic. I think it is most common for someone to receive a referral from their provider. Did you send medical records with the referral? Is there a reason your PCP wouldn't give you a referral? If a referral is an obstacle, you could potentially establish with a PCP at Mayo.

Did I answer your question? I will certainly look up and give what information I can. I will be using the Mayo Clinic website that is available to everyone on the internet.

Hi - many thanks for the quick reply! I am in Kansas City.My PCP and specialists that I've seen are here. For Mayo, I followed the process on "Request an Appointment," which indicated that you could simply request one and that a physician referral wasn't required. This was confirmed when the appointment people called me back. We talked though where the request should go, and because I don't have a firm diagnosis, settled on Internal Medicine. They sent an online questionnaire from consultative medicine, which I filled out and submitted back on line.
The referral isn't an obstacle - I think my PCP would do it if I asked although it may take a bit more time to put together. I do have another appointment in about 10 days and will ask.I Appreciate any help or experiences of others in the group. Many thanks again.

Hi @dgn15905, you ask a great question. It looks like you did everything right.

General Internal Medicine ​is a busy department. Keep in mind that they may be at capacity at one campus (AZ, FL or MN) but not at another. Be sure to inquire. Regardless of which campus you are treated at, you will benefit from cross-campus, cross-specialty expertise. The multi-specialty, integrated, collaborative team approach is practised by all departments at Mayo Clinic, not just Internal Medicine. For example, if your systemic condition is related to the endocrine system, your intake may be through the Endocrinology department and your care would be "quarter-backed" through that department should you need to be seen by other specialty areas.

It can sometimes be helpful to get a physician referral as your doctor may be able to suggest a different department as a starting point.

You'll notice that I moved your discussion to the Visiting Mayo Clinic group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/traveling-to-mayo-clinic/

You may wish to read these related discussions for more tips from members who have sought appointments at Mayo Clinic.
- Getting your first appointment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/getting-your-first-appointment/
- Gaining Admission to Mayo Clinic (from out of state) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gaining-admission-to-mayo-clinic-from-out-of-state

As I write this I have been a Mayo patient (Rochester MN) for almost 6 years. My Mayo family absolutely ROCKS!! I cannot image my life without them!!

I was referred by my orthopedic hand doctor/surgeon. Unfortunately it took him three tries to get me accepted as a patient. Long story short I went from a flat out denial w/o accepting medical records or speaking with me to having brain surgery scheduled by the end of my week of appointments. Yes, it was heartbreaking for me at the time of the denials. But now that I look back those denials were a blessing. I believe it was GOD’s plan that I needed to see those specific doctors with whom I had appointments with. They were perfect for me! That was why it took longer for me to be seen as it was not the right time.

So my opinion would be get a referral from your doctor as they can be the best advocate. My doctor never gave up on me. He did refer me to the largest clinic in my home state prior to Mayo, but they had no diagnosis. So I did not go from my primary health provider to Mayo directly. He knew there was something else going on and was determined to help me get the help I needed. He did not rest until I had a diagnosis. He knew Mayo would be the place! And he was right! I ❤️ Mayo!!!!!!!