Looking for tips to receive an appointment at MAYO

Posted by ekg @ekg, Jul 2, 2020

Like many of you on here I have many symptoms- some diagnosed and some undiagnosed. I have been diagnosed with several autoimmune disorders, have had GI issues my entire life, and have recently had neurological symptoms and have been given another diagnosis that falls under the umbrella of neurology. My neurologist, who previously worked at MAYO recently submitted a very thorough application for me to MAYO. To my disappointment, my application was denied.

I’m trying to keep all of this short, but my symptoms became debilitating shortly after an emergency hysterectomy at 35. I was hemorrhaging due to a large fibroid that was both submucosal and intramural. Shortly after this, I began to have neurological pain, other symptoms, and eventually developed nausea that has been completely debilitating.

I wasn’t given any information as to why I was denied- the woman on the phone only told me that they didn’t believe there was anything else that MAYO could do to help me. After reading through various forums, I am aware that my doctor can appeal my case, or that I can reapply/fill out the questionnaire myself.

1. Is there any information regarding how to make your case more appealing/more likely to be accepted at MAYO?

2. I have seen several people on various forums who were accepted for treatment at MAYO, make reference to how they included “case studies” of persons with similar symptoms to their own on their applications. I’m curious if there is a specific database in which one should reference case studies? Or are these people including information from google searches, where they have found persons with similar symptoms and their corresponding diagnoses?

Currently, I’m looking more for help in having my application accepted, and less interested in suggestions regarding my various symptoms.
Any tips, or information to help aid in my acceptance would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time; I really appreciate all those who are so kind to read my posts, and am so grateful that people are willing to help others in their attempts to do all they can to live a happy and healthy life!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 3, 2020

Hi @ekg, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. How disheartening and frustrating to not get an appointment at Mayo Clinic. It sounds like you have taken the appropriate steps to seek care at Mayo Clinic. When the experts review your records and medical history, they also closely consider the care that you are currently receiving. If they do not feel Mayo can offer care that is different from what you’re already receiving, they do not want you to incur unnecessarily expense and travel.

That being said, it sounds like your physician believes Mayo Clinic may have more to offer. Thus a physician appeal is a good idea. When making appointments for suspected autoimmune diseases, your doctor should contact the division specific to the organ involved or area where there is most concentration of discomfort. For example, appointment requests to General Internal Medicine may be denied because of lack of appointment availability and volume of demand. You might consider trying another department or campus. Sometimes a request may be denied in Minnesota, but accepted in Florida or Arizona.

Do you know to which department your neurologist made the referral? Which location did you apply to?

As many members suggest, Don’t Give Up. See these discussions for further tips:
- If this case isn't acceped, what is!? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/if-this-case-isnt-acceped-what-is/
- Info and tips about going to Mayo Clinic without an appt https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/info-and-tips-about-going-to-mayo-in-rochester-without-an-appt/
- So many questions. Seeing Rheumatology and GI at Mayo JAX https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/so-many-questions/
- Your Tips on How to Get Off to the Best Start with a New Specialist https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/your-tips-on-how-to-get-off-to-the-best-start-with-a-new-specialist/

ekg | @ekg | Jul 6, 2020

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @ekg, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. How disheartening and frustrating to not get an appointment..." + (show)

Hi Colleen,

Thank you so much for taking time to help! I really appreciate your suggestions and time.

1. My doctor referred me to the GI department at Mayo Rochester.
2. Should I ask my doctor make an appeal, in ADDITION to my self referral (via the questionnaire that was sent to me) to General Internal Medicine?

3. I have my doctor's original referral, and I am still looking for case studies/medical literature to be included with my application (similar to the information that Jennifer Hunter included in her application in the link that you provided)

Do you have any other ideas?

Again, Thank you so much for your fast response and willingness to help!

Best,

EKG