How long did you have to wait for an appt?

Hi Caroline,
I signed in online and filled out the form. I did not have a referral from my nephrologist. My condition is very specific and I am close to going on the kidney donor list. They gave me an appointment on the first call. I'm going next week. It's a 7-hour drive but Mayo diagnosed and treated my brother with a rare vasculitis when other doctors in the Chicago area could not. I had to try and maybe was lucky to get the appointment. I hope you succeed in getting the appointment.

It is important to understand the difference between Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans.
1) As misleadingly advertised on TV, Medicare Advantage plans are cheap with all kinds of benefits, but one has to stay in their network, get permission for appointments and tests and pay copay. Certain Mayo Clinics have no agreements with Advantage Plans and lots of other health providers drop them as well - in Minnesota recently 13,000 Minnesotans were told that next year their Humana Medicare Advantage Plan would no longer be accepted at Health Partners clinics and hospitals (a very big organization). They must go elsewhere or get a new plan - and while all plans need to take you when you first go on Medicare, later when you want to change, they are no longer required to take you and if they do take you, they can charge a lot.

2) Traditional Medicare allows one to self-refer and go to any doctor that accepts Medicare in the United States. Add a quality Medigap policy and you will never see a bill. That costs more but when you begin to have problems you are very glad!

I did not wait long for an appointment; I think a couple months. But then when I went there, the results were inconsequential and useless. oldkarl

I’m sorry it wasn’t helpful. I admit, when I saw your post I had to laugh a little in recognition my two experiences there weren’t exactly the stuff of the Mayo Clinic commercials. It made me feel a little better because I don’t think I’ve ever heard of someone saying they had a negative experience if they got in.

Most everyone was kind, which I appreciated, but I didn’t really get “answers” as advertised in my first visit. They missed my diagnosis. The second time, my situation is on-going, but so far it hasn’t been a very smooth experience at all.

But I’m sorry you didn’t have a positive experience, and hope you were still able to find your way forward.

This is a consistent theme at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. My husband and I have been patients for many years and the availability now is the worst we’ve seen. I hope they are hiring or backing off taking on new patients.
TODAY-

Lace L
4:20 PM
Hello,

Thank you for reaching out regarding an appointment with Dr. Dorairaj or Dr. Tran. Unfortunately, Dr. Dorairaj or Dr. Tran doesn't have availability. We have placed you on a wait list which generates through the portal. You should receive a message when an appointment is available. Feel free to reply to this message or contact the office with any questions/ concerns.

Sincerely,

Mayo Clinic Department of Ophthalmology

904-956-8960

It was set to not allow reply. Frustrating.

Ugh, I hate it when they set the messages so that patients can't reply. Literally feels like someone hanging up on me or shutting the door in my face.

I'm sorry I don't have much more helpful to add, except to commiserate.

I am commiserating also. No good answer. It’s where we are right now. Mayo is still the best available care once one gets behind the doors.

I have to go on Medicare next month this is very helpful as I have also had pancreatic cancer and the whipple. My husband and I figured out what you just said was all true that I should get regular Medicare and a medigap. Now have to find a good medigap.

Glad you have figured out Medicare.
Do you know how Medicare breaks Medigap plans down to make it easier to compare plans?
https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/compare-plan-benefits

I got my Medigap policy back in 2009 so my plan is no longer offered. It also covers the deductible for Part B. I got grandfathered in. I never see a bill as long as I go to any doctor that takes Medicare. And I have been to a lot of doctor's these days!!!
And I could self-refer to Mayo Clinic!

Then you want to understand Part D plans!!! Very important to compare your drug costs each year on the Medicare site (there is a great tool for this). It is amazing the difference in drug costs from one plan to another. Check carefully. In 2021 I didn't check carefully and ended up paying $900 more than I had to!! All because I enrolled in a plan that counted Tier 1 and 2 drugs against the deductible when almost all plans don't. So I had to pay retail price until $480 deductible and then copay still more expensive than other plans. And no one can explain to me what extra benefits one gets with the more expensive plan compared to the cheaper plan!!! I have asked!

I can honestly say that what took 4 months for the doctors in my area to give up took MAYO 3 hours to diagnose. They see 1 million people seeking health care per year. Because they gave me a new hope for life I will wait as long as it takes because there is no better place than MAYO