First visit to Mayo: Traveling alone

@aar9 Hello and welcome to Connect! I can tell you that Colorado and Mayo Clinic in Rochester are 2 of my favorite places!

The first thing you may want to do is sign into your patient portal. Your scheduled appointments will be listed on a guide for you so you know where to be and you can print it out. That may also be a determining factor as to the hotel that you decide on to find one convenient to where you need to be. I would direct questions about how many days you will need to get all your appointments and testing done to your cardiologist. Typically they say it is completed within a week, and my own experience was 3 days the first time I came to Mayo and all my tests were done. Sometimes you can get in early by waiting as "standby". The hotels closer to Mayo Clinic are more expensive, but many have free shuttle services to all Mayo Clinic Campuses including St. Mary's Hospital and special Mayo patient rates, and Mayo also has their own shuttles between the downtown campus where the Gonda and Mayo buildings are and the Mayo hospitals. Many hotels have rooms with fully equipped kitchens, so you can prepare your own meals.

If you need someone to escort you to appointments, Mayo can arrange that for you. There are free Concierge services and will assist you in finding information for hotels, escorts, etc. Mayo may have mailed a campus map to you, but you can also find the link to that in this Blog about St. Mary's Hospital.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/a-patient-guided-tour-of-st-marys-at-mayo-clinic-rochester/
Five Ways to Contact Mayo Concierge Services

Phone: 507-538-8438
Live Chat: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide
Email: concierge@mayo.edu
Web form: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/becoming-a-patient/concierge-travel-services
In-person in Rochester MN: Lobby hours are 8:00-5:00 Monday through Friday. Offices are located in the International Center in the Mayo Mathew’s Lobby, Executive Lounge on Mayo 5, Radiation Oncology Lobby – Desk R

Congratulations on becoming a Mayo patient. Do you have other questions about how to get places? Are you expecting to possibly have a procedure done while you are there?

My medical insurance says they will cover 100% of my Mayo bills, but the hotel costs scare me. I am retired on a fixed budget. I will be there alone. What advice can you give me. I would be going to Phoenix. Thank You James Mackey

@makatak47 have you checked the prices of the ones listed on Mayo Clinics page here?
Hotels and lodging near Mayo Clinic in Arizona - https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/arizona/hotels-lodging

This may be another option for you that is on the Mayo Clinic Campus - https://helpinhealinghome.org/lodging/

@makatak47, I understand your concern about the insurance 100% coverage. How about a call to your insurance, and speak to someone about whether there is a limit for lodging cost? or maybe they have places that they have a contract with when patients travel a distance.

Thank You for the response Rosemary, I checked with Blue Shield to find out they would cover the medical aspect of the procedures, but I also noticed that the Mayo Clinic Phoenix has a built in travel agency, so I'm going to dig a bit deeper into that. I am presently in the Philippine Islands, where I got diagnosed, and will see my oncologist on May 2. I'm a retired firefighter, living on about 4,000 a month. I don't think it is advisable to wait a few months to save for that trip, as I understand my cancer is very aggressive. I will use up my options here, and then seriously plan on a trip to Phoenix. Jim Mackey

Hi, I am anxiously waiting to get an appointment to Mayo in Minnesota. I’m wondering how long it will take to get the appointment? I’m sure it varies- I’m waiting for GI physician appointment by the way. Appreciate feedback!

Hi @rproffitt, you're right that the time to hear back varies depending on the a number of factors from the complexity of the condition, the time it takes to review the medical history and by whom and the availability of appointments. You can contact the Appointment Office in Rochester 507-538-3270 to inquire about the status of your request.

James,
I think if I ask enough people for suggestions, we'll find some information for you.
I would like to invite Lawrence @lmindela from the Concierge Services to this discussion regarding affordable lodging for the Phoenix campus. The Concierge Services are located at the Minnesota campus, and they also provide services for Mayo Clinic's Florida and Arizona campuses, too. If you wish, you may call Lawrence directly at the Concierge services at
Phone: 507-538-8438

Good luck!
Jennifer

Thank You- I will do that as I am anxious to be seen for my problem.

Thanks for the info John, I will be alone when I arrive at Sky Harbor Airport. My wife is not a citizen and could not accompany me. will be alone. I could afford the Healing Home, but not the outside hotels. I am a 74 y/o retired firefighter, and my ex wife gets 1/2 of mu pension. So I am on a limited income. Perhaps they could line me up with a fellow patient. I am a considerate person, and of course, I don't smoke or drink. I am a quiet, but outgoing person.