First Visit to Mayo Clinic: How do appointments work? What to expect?

An additional question could be follow-up after a diagnosis and treatment at Mayo. Few people are close enough to use Mayo as only provider.

Hello, we are coming in October. My fiancé has been off since January with undiagnosed medical issues. We were originally told it would be the first of the year but they got us in, in October. We set up the telephone appt and the 1st in person evaluation and then an appointment for 10 days later with the same dr showed up on the portal as well except just as a regular appt not a evaluation. My question is does that mean we will go to the eval then they will run test and schedule other appts during those 10 days then that is the follow up? We live 9 hours away and are traveling we a baby. We have no problems staying just need to know if that is the case because we cannot drive back and forth within the 10 days. We also have a teenage son to make arrangements for. Thank you!

Welcome, @cindy0511. I moved your question to this existing discussion:
- First Visit to Mayo Clinic: How do appointments work? What to expect? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-internal-med-patient/

I did this so you can click the link and read previous posts to see helpful tips from members who have been to Mayo Clinic and can connect with them easily.

I'm so glad that you were able to get an earlier appointment. You're asking the right questions. I think you may want to get clarification via the patient portal too to make sure that you will have appointments for testing etc between the evaluation appointment and the regular appointment (consultation). It is likely that you will have additional appointments (testing) between the two. Perhaps you can request that the appointments be closer together if possible.

Which Mayo Clinic location are you going to?

Hello @cindy0511, If this is Mayo Rochester you are talking about then the typical visit will most likely result in a change in schedule during or after the first appointment. When searching for a diagnosis, there are many unknowns which need to be evaluated. Chances are everything will be addressed right away, particularly if you let people know you are nine hours away. You will find Mayo staff very accommodating as best as they can. Patients come to Rochester from all around the world and from five miles away. When you get there you will understand the Mayo difference in the health care you receive. No worries. Good health to you.

Yes, it is Rochester. That is what I was thinking. Thank you very much:)

Plan for a minimum of three to four days (you can always get out early if they turn you loose). Be prepared with all the previous related medical information/records you can gather. Get there early enough for time with check in. Also, if previous imaging/X-rays/lab work, have it with you. Previous providers can easily put it all on CDs. Anything you can scan, sending through the portal is a plus.

Be prepared to be fully flexible and accommodate any scheduling requested….thus extra days in your travel plan is your friend.

Do not expect miracles, just the best healthcare in the world. Be patient, cooperative, fully open to questions. It will be healthcare like none you have experienced before.

We have been Mayo patients for 35 years and “make time” for needed visits. For us it’s a 6 hour journey to Mayo JAx.. We are fortunate to own a motorhome so “home’ goes with us. Even though my wife’s typical planned visits are for one or two days, we arrive on Sunday and plan to stay through Friday knowing additional events may be scheduled and getting “squeezed in” in one visit is a gift.

Make the effort to develop a relationship with the primary physician….they can make “things happen”. And again, be attentive and cooperative!…. “Your patience will be rewarded”!

They will set up all the appts for you as needed. You need to tell them you live 9 hours away. They will accommodate you if they can. I would do that right away so if appts are available sooner they can grab them. He might just be very busy they all are. They didn't know we drove that far until I told them. Once you get there we stay at the Staybridge suites on 11th across from the St Mary’s hospital building they offer discounts for Mayo patients. Very nice brand new rooms with kitchens. Nice pool, free breakfast exercise room and walking distance to some restaurants. Parking underneath. There are shuttles you can take at most every hotel to Mayo to help with lack of parking. We walked to my appts from the hotel. Parking is terrible the only terrible thing lol. The parking ramp at Gonda can take awhile to get out of if you are trying to leave around 5 pm sometimes noon is like that. If you do park in the ramp they can validate your parking ticket so bring it with you. There is also a subway underneath that runs to all the buildings including the parking ramp. They will give you a nap when you get there but maps are available on the portal and online. We drive from Michigan but also fly to Minneapolis and rent a car. We have also flown into Rochester and rented a car.
Everything is digital now so you don’t have worry about bringing anything in but they will tell you if there is something they need or don’t have. I use the portal to communicate for everything it works very well. It’s a big place so find out where you are going at what time and get out the map. :). Good luck to both of you!

@cindy0511 Hello!
I had to fly in from Florida to Mayo Rochester. When my appts were set up- I told them I needed to have an idea because I was traveling in how long. I was leaving my 2 young kids at home and booking flights so I was anxious about needing to have a good idea of what to plan for. Mayo is accustomed to having patients travel in and understands the needs and really attempts to be accommodating as possible. They were really great with telling me a timeline. I agree with everyone to try and be understanding. They see so many patients but they really to make efforts to ease the travel burdens. Keep up with the patient portal- I found it to be a valuable tool to stay in contact with the providers and manage my schedule. Best wishes!
Jeane