Need Patients' Experience with Mayo Clinic. Is it worth it?

Posted by David @nycdave7, Jan 19, 2019

Hello, I was wondering if there is a substantial difference in quality between a top 1 hospital compared to a top 10 or 20 hospital in the nation. So I am a 25 year old, 135 lbs, 5'10'' male who eat well, sleep well, and exercise. 2 Years ago, I had laser eye surgery where I was a very healthy individual have not gotten sick or the cold for 14 years. Part of the recovery regimen was using corticosteroids for 6 weeks and I developed systemic effects. Immediately, I had the swollen face & angioedema. One month later, I had a blood pressure of 160/100 with a heart beat of 100 at rest. Stopped since then (a bit over 2 years) and I still have the symptoms ( chest pain, headaches, light headedness , and concentration problems). I went through various doctors (about 25), including endocrinologists and neurosurgeons at Weill Cornell, Mt. Sinai, and NYU Langone in addition to private practices. I have some lab tests that showed slight to moderate elevated cortisol levels via. the 24 hour urine cortisol test and midnight salivary test. The doctors here seem to not care and are not really helping. i was wondering if it is worth the time and money to go out of network to the Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minnesota or keep on trying in NYC. Losing hope and starting to get depressed.I have also had 1 slightly elevated reading of ACTH and morning Serum cortisol

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@dandl48

@naturegirl5 I stand corrected, it's Arizona Mayo that doesn't; here is an excerpt from an email I got from AZ
"We want to remind you that Mayo Clinic in Arizona is not currently in network for any Medicare Advantage Plans.* While this is not new, it is an important reminder: Medicare Advantage plans do not include care at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, even when the plan indicates that you can be seen at any facility that accepts Medicare."

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@dandl48 It’s unfortunate that Mayo Clinic in Arizona and perhaps other health care institutions do not make clear the difference between Medicare Advantage Plans vs. Traditional Medicare. I have Traditional Medicare which means I have Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B (that I pay for through my Social Security benefits) and Medicare Part D (a prescription plan). Medicare Advantage Plans are considered Medicare Part C and I chose not sign up with a private insurance company that will manage my care.

It’s very confusing.

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@dandl48

jc76 (@jc76) I think your comment, "Mayo Clinic also restricts the number of Medicare patients" is misleading. Mayo doesn't accept Medicare Advantage plans.

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I can only speak for Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. There is a difference between Medicare (original) and Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage goes through a 3rd party and the 3rd party is the payer. Mayo Clinic billing can determine if they take yours or any of the Medicare Advantage Plans. I do know Mayo Jacksonville is very limited and restrictive in taking any Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare (which is what I reference not Medicare Advantage) is accepted at Mayo Clinic. It is my understanding that Mayo Clinic can charge more under Medicare as they are considered a Specialty Hospital and Clinic. Medicare (original) is a Federal Insurance Program while Medicare Advantage is a third party coverage and payer for those who chose Medicare Advantage policies.

I am a Medicare (original) patient and Mayo Jacksonville. Mayo Jacksonville takes my Medicare as primary and I also have a secondary payer BCBS Federal. Others I know in my area are also patients at Mayo Jacksonville and have Medicare not Medicare Advantage. Others I know who have Medicare (original) that cannot get into Mayo Jacksonville as not accepting additional Medicare patients. But I tell them to keep trying as they do open up.

The best recommendation is to call Mayo billing at the location you are considering and asked about Medicare (original). Medicare Advantage is very restricted as comes from a third party insurance provider but can asked may have some expections. I am not sure but I think there are different quota's at each location for Medicare (original). But I am not sure only can advise what my experience has been and again suggest call Mayo billing.

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I can only speak of Mayo Clinic Rochester. I was there 2x in 2019 for 1 week each time. I had Medicare and Medicare Advantage which were both accepted so my out of pocket was minimal with the expectation of my air fare hotel and food when I was there. I was assigned a team of doctors who were wonderful and ultimately went back for a brain Gamma knife procedure. Sadly it didn't work (not their fault) and I had to have brain surgery in my home town after I had a major stroke. Mayo offered me to come back but I was unable to travel. They did keep in touch with me for over a year , review my MRIs which I appreciated very much. I highly recommend them.

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Absolutely. Been going for 14 years.

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I think the major thing to understand that when you go to Medicare Advantage you are NO longer under Medicare Original and thus Mayo is not billing or dealing with Medicare but your Advantage Provider. Your billing and what your insurance will pay is based on what your insurance provider will pay.

A lot use United Health as AARP recommends them. But that is United Health not Medicare. It is also important to know that a Medicare Advantage insurance program is NOT the same as Medicare Supplement program. Under the latter Medicare still is primary and pays as such with supplement paying you after Medicare pays.

I do know that Mayo Jacksonville every year puts out a reminder for those considering Medicare Advantage that most are not accepted by Mayo Jacksonville. It cites some exception so if you are going to Mayo Jacksonville I would recommend calling billing office. Also be aware that Mayo Jacksonville has a limit on the number of new Medicare Original patients they will enroll.

I am a Medicare (primary and have a secondary insurance also) patient at Mayo Jacksonville. I am shocked to see what Mayo charges and what Medicare authorizes for covering. When I first came to Mayo I was not under Medicare and the difference of what Medicare pays and regular insurance is drastic.

I really can't see how a major provider with specialties and research would survive if only had Medicare patients. I think the answer is the Mayo Benefactor Program, Legacy Program, and donations that keeps Mayo Jacksonville able to keep expanding and offering the most updated care. I am a Legacy member and also contribute to many of the funds like Good Samaritan Fund for those who cannot afford to come to Mayo or have no insurance.

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I went to the Mayo in Rochester a couple of weeks ago. I would highly recommend anyone to go. The teams are amazing. I sent an email to the dr that I saw and she did not respond in an email but actually called me. Which I considered remarkable. She told me instead of me coming back in six months she could do a phone conference. Worth the hotel, travel and food. I would definitely go again.

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