Repeat testing

For most tests, results obtained within the last 3 months can be used. The Mayo providers need to be linked to you usual hospital system portal, or you need to print out copies (and send in advance if they request that). Some tests may need to be done within 2 weeks. I would call the Mayo office and ask what tests need to be done again, and how they would like results from those that do not need to be repeated.

ps I usually print out results anyway and bring them!

As Ex RN I would always go for Extra testing
Results vary on who performed the test and The Interpretation of The test. Have your records sent to them and If they want to repeat the test . Do it it can not hurt but It could provide better treatment.

Hi there- When I had my first evaluation at Mayo, they also pre-scheduled several tests I'd already done with my care team at home, and I had the same concern, especially with the tests/imaging that were unlikely to change. I ended up calling to speak with a scheduling coordinator about my concerns, and they explained to me that they like to pre-schedule the consultations or testing that can be more challenging to schedule on short notice because there are longer wait times. That way, if it's needed, you're ready to go, and you'll be able to do the most important consultations and testing while you're still in town. But when you have your comprehensive evaluation with your "primary" at Mayo, they'll review what you've done, where you are now, the proposed plan moving forward, why certain things are recommended, etc. If anything that was pre-scheduled needs to be canceled, it'll be canceled. And if anything needs to be added, they'll put in the referrals/orders and someone will help add it to your schedule.

Honestly, I prefer the pre-scheduling so there's more assurance you'll be able to get things done and talk to the physicians about it while you're there. I'm from Illinois and traveled once to Rochester for a comprehensive evaluation where most things were pre-scheduled, and that worked out really well, even if my evaluation wasn't very successful (but that's for a whole other thread!) A few months ago, I also started a comprehensive evaluation in Jacksonville in a more specific clinic and to be honest, it's been a mess. I have a lot of loose threads that I feel could have been scheduled while I was in town, but they weren't and now my evaluation is stalled.

You also always have the right to decline to do something if you're uncomfortable (i.e. I was prepared to flat-out refuse to do another EMG, but that ended up not being necessary, because my physician agreed with me 🙂

I suggest to bring your relevant records (bring the discs with images or the actual data if that's relevant, not just the reports, because they can have someone give a second opinion by reviewing the data or images again) and it helps to have them organized so you can pull things out quickly as they're needed to share with your team there. I kept a big binder organized by specialty area and tabbed so I could easily pull things out (it was heavy, but I'm a nerd, and that helped me keep my sanity, and it really did come in handy).

If some of the testing they ordered is redundant, or even if you simply don't want to do something because you're not comfortable for any reason, you can always decline and it was my experience they were more than willing to hear me out, discuss it, and either way, honor my wishes.

In my situation, the tests I had concerns about doing again (multiple recent MRIs and multiple EMGs) were exactly the ones my Mayo physician almost immediately proposed to cancel once he saw my records. I don't believe insurance would be an issue for anything that needs to be repeated; that said even if it is, I was told just last month that they always check to see if it will go through insurance before an evaluation, procedure, or test. That way, they can notify you and work with you to come up with a plan. Maybe that's their policy since they see so many patients coming from far away?

You can always call the scheduler in the department that's coordinating your appointments/tests if you have concerns. They may tell you that you'll have to wait until you talk to the physician for your initial comprehensive evaluation. That's what they told me, but that's when they also told me about the whole thing with the pre-scheduling.

It could be different now, but that was my experience. Hope that helps, and wishing you all the best!