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

@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.

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.

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.

Absolutely. Been going for 14 years.

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.

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.

Mayo is worth the effort. Just be prepared to get continued care after outside Mayo. Once the 'big cure' is successful.... Move on . You'll be disappointed if you think you'll get timely continued care regarding other diagnosis that require other specialist.

Be prepared to be in line or wait a long time (months) for any other specialist...

Just sharing a perspective...

Everyone loves the Amazing medical care you receive. Just count yourself blessed if your are successful in your initial treatment at Mayo.

Just temper your expectations.....

I am a patient at Mayo Jacksonville and credit them with saving my life. I am under Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Although Mayo originally told me that they did not honor Humana Advantage, they told me to come on anyway. Once my diagnosis was certain, my doctors filed an appeal with Humana and they agreed to cover it. I’ve had surgeries, chemo, and several related issues and it has all been covered. It could be because it was a life-saving procedure. I just know that Mayo has truly rolled over backwards to serve me. I live four hours away which makes things inconvenient, but I would not be alive if we had not chosen them.

@conigreb23
Great advice. And I completely concur with Mayo Jacksonville. Have been a patient there since 2006. They do take Medicare but not usually Medicare Advantage. If you have Medicare Advantage you don't have original Medicare that is why they were dealing with Humana not Medicare directly.

They do post that in some circumstances they will take Medicare Advantage. Not sure who your doctors were but shows the care that Mayo Jacksonville will go to get you treatment.

I and my kids have a genetic condition that affects liver & lung. It is rare and even one doctor in my city said “yeah we barely touched on that in med school”. I am extremely thankful I got us set up at Mayo Rochester. It has been worth the time & money to get better care. My pulmonologist found emphysema that nobody else could see (very beginning stage). I now am able to take a drug to stop the progression. My child was sick all last year, home allergist had her on asthma & allergy meds that the drug reps pushed. Our Mayo dr was so much more educated, changed up her meds to help prevent infection better. She is doing so much better. How they operate is so impressive and got me in to a hepatologist who instead of biopsy is going to get a better idea of what is going on with my liver fibrosis via MRE (my home hospital does not have MRE). It is your life and worth not being depressed & having a lower quality of life. You have to weigh if the costs are worth it but aside from that there is no question for me it is.