[jnieman]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

I cannot answer your direct question on neurosurgeons, but I can tell you exactly what happened with my problem.

The doctor here, who discovered my problem, called a specialist at the Mayo Clinic (while I was actually in his office), spoke with him and explained my situation and then told me I would get a call from Mayo. They called me the very next day, explained their billing etc., asked me some questions and then said I would be receiving a package in the mail. It was a three page itinerary of medical appointments over a two day period.

My initial consultation was with the primary consultant, from there I went through an extensive physical, and from the results of that I had appointments with various specialists. I did not meet the actual person who did the surgery until the day before surgery, he just had all my information from the team of consultants I had seen. I got the distinct impression they work as a team, not a single doctor.

So I rather think the best thing to do is to have your local doctor contact Mayo to get you in quickly, or to find a Neurosurgeon from their list of doctors on their website and go from there.

By the way, if I remember correctly, at my initial visit I had an appointment with one of their financial people who explained their way of doing business.

Thanks for your info. I have spoken with them two times, first about my insurance. Yesterday they called and said my family doctor had faxed them a referral and all of my medical records and he wanted me to explain where and how severe the pain is and what all options I have tried. He said they will be calling me again.