Does Mayo Clinic Do Virtual Consultations?

Posted by danylko @danylko, Sep 7, 2022

Looking to see if I can get some opinions on my spine issues. Was wondering if Mayo Clinic does anything online via Virtual or Telehealth appointments. My condition makes traveling near impossible now and I'd like to only go somewhere if we are proceeding with any sort of procedure. Thanks!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Visiting Mayo Clinic Support Group.

I do it all the time. You can call and ask. Once a friend went to her primary care first, who provided the exam information to the doctor she would be having a Zoom appointment with.

REPLY

Mayo did some online appointments during Covid. I don't know if they are doing them now. Sounds like you have good reasons but it may not be in your best interests. A lot depends on what has been done already and what you expect from such an appointment.
If it involves reviewing a lot of medical information and radiology, many centers will no longer do this because it is so costly in terms of time and there is no reimbursement. This was definitely the case before the pandemic. Again, I don't know what the situation is now.
Typically Mayo will have you come there and then will do your procedure within a very short time - like within a week.

REPLY

Hi @danylko, you got some helpful information from @hsminc and @mpeters regarding virtual consults at Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic welcomes both new and existing patients for virtual and in-person care, including elective surgeries, in adherence with federal and state executive orders and guidance. Video and phone visits can be great options for appointments before, after or in place of face-to-face care. Appointment coordinators will recommend a virtual visit if it best fits your individual needs. Here is more information and how to get started with submitting an appointment request: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

You may also be interested in the helpful tips in this related discussion:
- Telemedicine: How to make the most of a virtual doctor visit https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-telemedicine-its-a-brave-new-world/

REPLY

I live in southern Florida, but I am a patient of the Mayo in Rochester, Minnesota. I do a lot of Zoom meetings with my providers, and I have zero problems. But I travel to Rochester once a year, to have a hands on examination and diagnostics done.

REPLY

These are all very very helpful. I appreciate all of your responses on this! Thank you so much!

REPLY
@lindes

I live in southern Florida, but I am a patient of the Mayo in Rochester, Minnesota. I do a lot of Zoom meetings with my providers, and I have zero problems. But I travel to Rochester once a year, to have a hands on examination and diagnostics done.

Jump to this post

The one time I was in Rochester, MN in 2019 I loved it there. It was also the time when my condition started to worsen but I'd go back for sure if it meant a nice fix for the issues I'm having. Thanks for sharing.

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Hi @danylko, you got some helpful information from @hsminc and @mpeters regarding virtual consults at Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic welcomes both new and existing patients for virtual and in-person care, including elective surgeries, in adherence with federal and state executive orders and guidance. Video and phone visits can be great options for appointments before, after or in place of face-to-face care. Appointment coordinators will recommend a virtual visit if it best fits your individual needs. Here is more information and how to get started with submitting an appointment request: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

You may also be interested in the helpful tips in this related discussion:
- Telemedicine: How to make the most of a virtual doctor visit https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-telemedicine-its-a-brave-new-world/

Jump to this post

This is very very helpful! Appreciate it @colleenyoung

REPLY
@hsminc

Mayo did some online appointments during Covid. I don't know if they are doing them now. Sounds like you have good reasons but it may not be in your best interests. A lot depends on what has been done already and what you expect from such an appointment.
If it involves reviewing a lot of medical information and radiology, many centers will no longer do this because it is so costly in terms of time and there is no reimbursement. This was definitely the case before the pandemic. Again, I don't know what the situation is now.
Typically Mayo will have you come there and then will do your procedure within a very short time - like within a week.

Jump to this post

Providing the imaging and such should not be a problem. The radiology place that does mine usually is good at sending these out or giving me all the images on a CD to send out or keep for myself. I've actually learned to read my own cases fairly well because of this. I guess it's worth a shot!

REPLY
@mpeters

I do it all the time. You can call and ask. Once a friend went to her primary care first, who provided the exam information to the doctor she would be having a Zoom appointment with.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the suggestion. While the primary care provider won't have the info I have, the radiology place will so this is good to know as well.

REPLY

Just how sick do you have to be to get into the Mayo Clinic? They turned me down even though my PCP, an ER doctor, my Urologist and my GI doctor all recommended I go. I am 57, have lost 18 pounds without trying this year, started taking medicine because my heart rate would go up to 165 upon standing, diagnosed with POTS, my bladder wall is thinning, had my gallbladder removed, had two kidney stones removed. Passed one kidney stone, have another one developing in my right(and basically only good kidney). Been to the ER 4 times, spent 5 1/2 days in hospital for severe dehydration. Have severe upper abdominal pain, PCP is talking about putting in a PEG(feeding tube) but will probably try IV TPN first. I have a nodule on my parathyroid gland we are discussing having removed, etc. I truly don’t understand why I don’t qualify.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.