What to expect and chances of getting in?

I requested an appointment through the site about 2 weeks ago. All of my imaging and extensive records had been sent and were being reviewed. I called twice for an update but they stated I was still in “triage” and it could take however long they needed. I started dismissing my pain and thinking well maybe it is all in my head blah blah blah. NOPE. Yesterday they called and I have an appointment a week from tomorrow (this is for the GI department for my pancreatic issues in Phoenix). I am elated and am just praying once I get there, we are going to do imaging and compare my results. I really. Really reallllllyyyyyy am hoping for a surgery for my pancreas.

Best of luck to you 💜

I requested an appointment through the site about 2 weeks ago. All of my imaging and extensive records had been sent and were being reviewed. I called twice for an update but they stated I was still in “triage” and it could take however long they needed. I started dismissing my pain and thinking well maybe it is all in my head blah blah blah. NOPE. Yesterday they called and I have an appointment a week from tomorrow (this is for the GI department for my pancreatic issues in Phoenix). I am elated and am just praying once I get there, we are going to do imaging and compare my results. I really. Really reallllllyyyyyy am hoping for a surgery for my pancreas.

Best of luck to you 💜

I applied for my grown daughter. She has been sick for over a decade at this point, and had to take a medical leave from work and was fired when her FMLA ran out and she was still unable to return to work. She got sick and it took a LONG time to diagnose the initial problem. When they finally did (years later), they are treating her for that (no-so-successfully). But ever since she has had a whole host of random symptoms popping up. She now has all these weird random symptoms, and can rarely leave her home. She can't even turned on most of her lights because her head hurts too much. She has ZERO quality of life. We set up the appointment and did the questionnaire, and was rejected almost immediately. I know my answers to the questionnaire were the problem. The questions didn't really apply to her situation, and I know it didn't tell the story at all. Is there any appeal? We have a HUGE binder with her medical records to paint the picture. She lost the whole decade of her twenties to this and she should not have to be homebound for the rest of her life because the doctors can't figure it out. It took so long for her to agree that we needed to do it, and then she gets rejected. I'm completely gutted by this response. She has no life and is in constant pain. I don't know what to do to help her. What can we do? Please help us.

I'd like to provide this general information for others asking similar questions about the appointment process at Mayo Clinic.

When you submit an appointment request online here http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63, you will receive a call within 3 business days to set up a time to talk with an appointment coordinator. You or your doctor will be given instructions on how to submit relevant medical records, test results, imaging studies, etc.

Mayo Clinic doctors review records sent by you, the patient, or the referring physician carefully in order to tailor each patient's visit to the right tests needed and to avoid performing unnecessary tests. This also helps ensure the patient is scheduled with a physician who has the expertise best matched to their needs and condition. Naturally, this attention to detail takes time, but in the end, this optimizes the visit when you come to Mayo Clinic.

Because each request is specific to each patient, the time to hear back will differ from person to person. As others have mentioned, you can always call the appointment office to check on the status of the referral.

I've sent identical self-referrals twice over the last 6 or so weeks, and have yet to hear anything at all.

@usdiplomat, I suggest calling the Central Appointment Office of the Mayo Clinic location you submitted your request to and ask about its status. The numbers are listed here: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

Thanks, Colleen. I find it unconscionable that they are so cavalier about the process promising that you will hear back from them in 2-3 business days and then not living up to that promise. As a full-time caregiver for my wife who had liver transplant surgery, followed a year later by liver resection surgery due to problems in the biliary tree, all at Mayo, I have to keep canceling or rescheduling my health appointments because I'm usually at Mayo with her as it's a never-ending going back and forth with the schedule changing often. I've changed my primary 3 times in the 10 years we've been in Jacksonville as I've been unable to receive the quality of care I had been used to, and I have seen the quality of care she has received at Mayo. I'm starting to feel like chopped liver.

@usdiplomat One thing to remember is this: while we may hear the response time, there are also other factors in play. Perhaps the person who needs to coordinate things is gone for a couple days. Perhaps they are researching where/ when to fit you in, and are waiting for answers from other departments.

When I was in a manufacturing company and would be asked the timelines for a product, after confirming with the production manager, I always added a couple of days. The timelines from that production manager was "best case scenario". This way, if there was a glitch, the added days I gave to the customer would save us. Perhaps if you can think of not getting a response like you want, in terms of they are trying for you, it will be easier to take.
Ginger