So Disappointed

Hi @phxbarb Great news that your insurance company said ‘yes’ to covering you going to Mayo about your ear problems and loss of hearing.

My husband just had a conversation to schedule a chcck-up for kidney cancer with Mayo Clinic Rochester, and they are scheduling 12 weeks out.

What type of ear problems are you dealing with? Do you plan to schedule with Mayo, or maybe have another option you are more comfortable with?

@phxbarb, that is a gut punch. Unfortunately Mayo Clinic has more requests for appointments than available openings. I hope you are able to find availability sooner at another facility. If not, it is good to know that you have an option at Mayo Clinic.

I don’t know where you live but mayo has other locations and to my knowledge (someone please correct me if I’m wrong) you have to apply to each separately. So maybe you can be seen quicker at Jacksonville, etc

I live in AZ which is close to Mayo in Phx. I cannot fly to Jacksonville.

We have had our difficulties in getting care where we live. (Not with Mayo). Our strategy has been to make the appointment, no matter how far out and then see if we could arrange other options. Here's sending hope to you.

I have had 4 flights to Mayo AZ (from CO) in the last 2 years. For two of the four our insurance offered a CO option but I elected Mayo for all four. Mayo was super professional and super good in every way for us. For what its worth it was worth the wait for me. Sorry that your hearing situation is not good. And the wait would be long. All I could suggest is as benedict66066 does and you pursue both Mayo and non Mayo options. If something else is quicker and you need something immediate for your hearing you can go for it and then way Mayo when it does come through ? Just a thought. Very best of luck.

Mayo was not my first option when I learned I have breast cancer. Mayo was my 3rd option, even though I have cousins at Mayo in cardiology. After visiting Mayo for cancer surgery and other appointments, I will gladly drive 12 hrs to Rochester, if I cut my finger. The professionalism, quality time spent during appointments, amenities, friendliness, makes all the difference.
Yes sometimes appointments can take a long time but worth the wait if you can.

In 2025, due to risk factors, I asked my team to see if I can be screened for pancreatic cancer. My breast cancer was rare even though my genetics was negative. Mayo performed the analysis, took 4 months for a visit. I drove 12 hrs for a 30 min appt to learn my pancreas is normal. Any other provider would have dismissed my concern until symptoms appeared. I wrote to the President of Mayo, thanking Mayo for listening. Replied back. 🙂

Several health care workers--nurses or NPs--told me overbooking and scheduling problems is due to a serious shortage of physicians. I live in Washington, DC--there's decent healthcare, but there's often a wait period for an appointment.

I have a number of long-standing relationships with DC specialists, most of the time, I still have a 2 - 3 week wait for non-emergency appointments.

On the other hand, I often get appointments within 1 - 2 weeks--probably from being an established, long-time patient. Also, bear in mind that doctors who practice in a medical school are in high demand, and often have long waits.

And finally, the increasing consolidation of practices, resulting in large practices, all over the US, may push bookings further out. Best of luck! PS. Call your wish list practice daily, and you may get a cancelled appointment.

@lees515
would be nice to say something here, but i personally understand how hard it can be to keep the same doctor,. especially ones that specialize in certain fields. in the last year i have had three primary doctors. different reasons for leaving like better pay or retirement. I am caught between my age and timing of a lot of doctors retiring even my surgeon that saved my life is retiring. Its a shame you didn't find what you were looking for here but there are a lot of great support staff that do their best to help others and a lot are volunteers, not making anything but helping those in need. Perhaps you could learn a thing or two if you were a patient here its not about top dollar which a lot of patients don't have enough of, but here staff give their best here to help those truly in need. My mother said if you cant say something nice, keep it to yourself. so here is wishing you a blessed day.

@malebreastcancer47 I came to Mayo a few years ago as a surgical patient and was equally impressed. When I did my hospital survey which at that time was on paper and mailed to me, I also sent a letter back to the Mayo CEO who's name was on the survey, and I got a personal thank you letter back. I was impressed again and I gave copies of all of it to my surgeon who was very happy.