VA won't refer us to Mayo, even if we requested

Posted by awworrell @awworrell, Aug 19, 2023

I have been fighting for my husband, 100% disabled veteran, to be seen at Mayo for unknown GI issues. I've called Mayo and know they accept VA Community Care, but I keep getting told by the VA that Mayo doesn't take it. They currently have him being seen at Shands hospital, but I need a team to look at the whole parts instead of hyper focusing on one. Everybody seems to keep missing the issue and he has been dealing with this for almost 3 years. It doesn't make sense to us that his bloodwork shows he's fighting an infection, yet they can't figure out what. Also, bloodwork will show that liver and kidneys are going bad at times then other times they are fine. His Shands doctor told him that he doesn't have Pancreatitis, however we've had multiple GI doctors confirm that he does including a different Shands doctor (who performed his scopes). Gallbladder has been removed and that didn't fix anything. Now we are back to him barely eating. He can't eat red meat or anything red (strawberries, watermelon, tomatoes, Fruit Punch, etc). For about a year all he could stomach was soup. I just want answers. Our kids want their dad back. Anybody have any tips that I can try to get him into Mayo Florida?

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I'm in same position..I'm taking out t.v. ads to tell everyone how mayo Rochester wont join network. Mayo Rochester charges 150% more. Wont join network because v.a. doesn't pay those rates. V.a. refuses to even look at individual circumstances. I have cancer and havent even been seen anywhere to stage the cancer.

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@masterkunz

I'm in same position..I'm taking out t.v. ads to tell everyone how mayo Rochester wont join network. Mayo Rochester charges 150% more. Wont join network because v.a. doesn't pay those rates. V.a. refuses to even look at individual circumstances. I have cancer and havent even been seen anywhere to stage the cancer.

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Welcome, @masterkunz. Mayo Clinic has long been committed to care for veterans, with various agreements in place for coverage. It sounds like you've run into a roadblock for being accepted as a patient at Mayo Clinic.

I recommend calling Patient Account Services, Mayo Clinic's customer contact center, to inquire about insurance types accepted and guidance on denied claims. Here's the contact information:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/billing-insurance/contact-us

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Have you had your Dr's call the insurance company? I'm sure they placed a referral, but have then do it again. The insurance can do a video call with your team to verbally explain why you need it.

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