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Choosing best insurance and insurance at Mayo

Visiting Mayo Clinic | Last Active: Jan 18 12:42pm | Replies (36)

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@lilli64

I'm hoping you can help me with a medicare ? please. I keep having a problem when calling a Provider that is on the medicare sight, and they will not accept me, unless I have a referral from my primary. At first I thought it was only in my state, But then I tried to make a appointment with a internal med Dr in another state and it happened to me again. I'll tell the secretary I have medicare, don't need a referral then they will say, it's are policy. Does that happen to you also, is there away to get around it?

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Replies to "I'm hoping you can help me with a medicare ? please. I keep having a problem..."

Talk with your state SHIP (senior health insurance program) help line. Every state has this and they are very helpful in most states. They should be able to guide you although today, being the last day to sign up for Medicare supplements will be a busy day.

lilli64 | @lilli64

When you say you have Medicare, is it Original Medicare with a Supplemental Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan? That makes a big difference if a clinic will accept your coverage. Call the insurance's phone number ( should be on your insurance card) to clarify who you can see with or without a referral.

See this simple comparison of Original Medicare vs Advantage Plans on Medicare.gov site.
https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/your-coverage-options/compare-original-medicare-medicare-advantage
There are many different Supplemental (gap) and Advantage plans, that is why you need to check with your insurance company.
Also, independent of insurance, some clinics may not accept new patients due to lack of resources .

Laurie