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Is it possible to get a tele visit for a second opinion on HCM at Mayo
I feel my HCM has progressed and my local docs don’t seem to get the whole picture. I am dealing with Afib which has been hard to control as well as moderate SOB from HCM. I have initiated a self referral and got connected to the Cardiology group. I live in Texas. Isn’t there a HCM specific team that I can connect with. I was hoping for an initial tele visit vs having to travel which is not easy for me. I have a lot of recent test results I can provide them. If anybody has experience navigating consultation at the Mayo Clinic I would really appreciate your help. Thank you
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HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Support Group.
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@leenag
Virtual appointments/2nd opinions are available but limited by federal and state guidance. For example, one of my providers is licensed only to see patients in MN. I live in MN so that I can do virtual appointments with her.
You mentioned you did a self-referal; was that for Mayo or a clinic in Texas?
If you want to start the process for Mayo, you can self-refer or have your provider request a referral at: https://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
When submitting your request, let them know that you are interested in a 2nd opinion via a virtual appointment.
I am glad you found a local support group. Have they been helpful?
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4 ReactionsI used that link and self referred which connected me to Cardiology at the Mayo. They require a local docs like my primary care to refer me to them. What I am not sure is am I connecting with the correct team. Do they not have a dedicated HCM team…….is that connected to Cardiology? Also she said my appt has to be in person …….which does not work well right now as I am dealing with Afib and cannot travel.
@leenag
It is frustrating to try to get the care you need, either because of location or because of a specialist's availability.
Let me see if I can answer a few of your questions.
1. If can actually visit a Mayo location, as part of appointment process, they determine the correct provider to see based on your requirements.
2. If you cannot travel, you can see if there is a clinic in your area that is part of Mayo Clinic Care Network. The Mayo Clinic Care Network helps keep care local by providing guidance and answers to many questions that might otherwise require a referral to a specialist. These hospitals have full access to Mayo Clinic’s knowledge and expertise. This spares patients the expense and inconvenience of additional appointments and unnecessary travel. There appears to be only one in Texas. https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/care-network/network-members
3. Another option is to see if there are University or specialty clinic in your area.
4. Also, Mayo has launched a new tool this year to help find top providers in certain specialties. Not sure if your specialty is listed, but they will be adding new search items in the future. https://www.healthlocator.org/
@leenag ,
I don't know any of your circumstances and all of us are different, but is your cardiologist a specialist in HCM? It is recommended to see a cardiolgist at a Center of Excellence with a HCM clinic with a high volume of HCM patients. Check out the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy website to find a center closest to you. I did check and there are three in Texas.
Also, I know how difficult it is to deal with symptomatic Afib. I was in Afib constantly for six months until the right medication was found. Though difficult at times, I exercised and traveled to Mayo Clinic several times without issue. Like I said, I don't know your situation, but travel while in Afib is possible for most. My heart rate would go up as high as 175 and was above 100 most of the time for the six months it was constant. It is very scary. Have you seen an electrophysiologist for your Afib? If you could find a way to travel to Mayo Clinic, it would be well worth it. I believe there is a Mayo Center of Excellence in Arizona as that would be closer for you. I wish you good luck on this journey.
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2 ReactionsI tried this with Cleveland Clinic and they wont do it, in order to treat or see me, I have to go there (March 20) and get all of the tests again there, on there machines with their equipment. I understand that, its a lot as it is 5 hours away, I have testing stating at 7:30am and have 10 tests and appointments that day, but that's how they do it, better then multiple 5 hour drives. Im going to go on March 19th, stay in a hotel connected to the center, test all day on the march 20th, spend the night again and drive home the next day. Just going to bite the bullet, I also dont think there are any cardiologists here that specialize in this and we def need specialists at a COE
@leenag as soon as I called the Cleveland clinic and started telling her what was going on, she said, oh, let me transfer you over to our HOCM center, they have a whole building and team for this specific condition.