"This problem is unique to Mayo Arizona, which although it "accepts" traditional Medicare, it does not accept PAYMENTS from Medicare. That's on you the patient."
Yes, that would be a problem!
I have BCBS Senior Gold from Minnesota since 2009 which I took out originally because it allowed me to take it to another State and covered emergency travel. There are NO copays with this policy. I know Medicare made some plan type adjustments, but I got grandfathered in. I never see bills for anything, not visits, tests, hospital stays. It also includes eye refractory exam which I sometimes have to explain to the eye doctor staff since Medicare does not cover that. The only problem is when someone screws up.
Now when I was in the Mayo hospital last December, the person wheeling me out said that a patient told him that Mayo Arizona had stopped taking Medicare. And here in MN Mayo also stopped taking Advantage - because of plans without new contracts they said. So they said they were reserving for people with traditional Medicare.
And what about your visits to non-Mayo providers??? Do you submit and then get paid and then pay the doctor?
I understand the headache. The employer provided insurance I had in my last job required that 1) The doctor submits claim to the insurance company, 2) the doctor bills me 3) the insurance pays me, 4) I pay the doctor. I had to keep a spreadsheet tracking it all.
I am sure I am not allowed here to express what I thought of such a process! All these healthcare plans are not choice THEY ARE CONFUSION!