[biker1]

I ask my insurance company if a provider is in-network. They are the ultimate source of correct information. And I sometimes call twice to be sure.

Originally Posted by jnieman

I checked with them this week they are out of network for my insurance and I would have to pay a lot of money to go to them so I am pursuing doctors in network. I talked to them on line and on the phone for quite some time before they would come forth with the information that they were out of the network for Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal. We had never come across that before.

[PennBF]

I am sure you will be pleased with Mayo in Jacksonville. We have been there a number of times and currently my wife is in their
study to follow a certain medical problem in which they established a 10 program to follow that particular medical concern. Once you have become one of their patients you will be able to tap into their "Patient Data Base". This data base will provide you with the results of your last tests on almost a real time basis. It will also provide you with your schedules, etc. It is a great tool for the patient. All in all it is worth the two and half to three hour drive from the Villages. In addition to the Mayo In which use to be a "Residents Inn by Marriott" to stay at there is a "Courtyard Hotel" which is quite comfortable and is on the Mayo property and very available. We usually stay there as it is in good condition, has a small dining facility, etc. Hope all goes well.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by mommieswamie

My husband had Cervical Myolopathy discovered at Mayo after many fruitless visits to doctors here. He had surgery placing rods and screws in his neck. The entire procedure and experience was flawless. I agree with everything that has been said. If you end up staying at the Courtyard Marriott on the grounds but not attached to the hospital, they will ride you over and pick you up. It is about a two minute ride. The only thing I would add is try to get your first appointment on Monday. Other appointments and test will be scheduled and it's nice to try to get it all done in one trip. Be prepared to stay several days. We had BC/BS Fed also. I can't sing their praises enough. My husband also had an incurable neurological disease. His neurologist was there also

Thank you for the info. One quesion I have since I also have BC/BS Federal is did you have to pay a lot of money up front or did they just bill your insurance? This far in speaking with our insurance and the hospital, this has not become clear.

[PennBF]

Mayo has a sort of unique way of handling billing. No we do not have to pay up front. We also have BC/BS. Mayo will send the
billing to your insurance company and have the check sent to you and then Mayo will bill you what the insurance company paid you and you put the check in the bank and send amount to Mayo. Strange but it works fine.

[MrGolf]

I had a similar surgery performed at the UPMC facility in Pittsburgh prior to moving here. My neurosurgeon recommended an annual follow up down here. Can I ask the name of the surgeon or head of neurosurgery that your husband used at Mayo. I know there is no one locally that can review my case. I had complications as a result of the surgery and am currently having Physical Therapy done to try and reverse a paralasys issue.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by MrGolf

I had a similar surgery performed at the UPMC facility in Pittsburgh prior to moving here. My neurosurgeon recommended an annual follow up down here. Can I ask the name of the surgeon or head of neurosurgery that your husband used at Mayo. I know there is no one locally that can review my case. I had complications as a result of the surgery and am currently having Physical Therapy done to try and reverse a paralasys issue.

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.

[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.

[rn1tv]

post may be too late but here goes anyway....just got back yesterday from Mayo-Jax after seeing pain management for severe back pain that is inoperable until I get a lung transplant. I met with a neurosurgeon, Ronald Reimer, MD. He has performed back surgeries on transplant patients and, God willing I am fortunate to get a transplant, I will definitely be his patient for back surgery. He is direct and to the point during his visits and there is no "grey" areas when you leave his office.
Regarding accommodations, the Inn at Mayo, is overpriced for the convenience in my opinion. Several hotels in the area give a Mayo discount, just ask! Hope this helps!

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by rn1tv

post may be too late but here goes anyway....just got back yesterday from Mayo-Jax after seeing pain management for severe back pain that is inoperable until I get a lung transplant. I met with a neurosurgeon, Ronald Reimer, MD. He has performed back surgeries on transplant patients and, God willing I am fortunate to get a transplant, I will definitely be his patient for back surgery. He is direct and to the point during his visits and there is no "grey" areas when you leave his office.
Regarding accommodations, the Inn at Mayo, is overpriced for the convenience in my opinion. Several hotels in the area give a Mayo discount, just ask! Hope this helps!

Thanks for the info. I am still awaiting a call to see if they will accept me. I have been turned down from so many that I am hoping that they are my answer as they do the difficult cases. I'll probably take whichever doctor they assign me in hopes of getting in as soon as I can but thanks for the tips on Dr. Reimer.

[nancyp]

I had back surgery at Greater Orlando Neurosurgery & Spine. Dr. Max Medary is the BEST. He accepts medicare and your supplement. I wouldn't go anywhere else for back surgery. He operates out of Dr. Phillips Hospital.

[jnieman]

I went through all of the interviews with the Mayo and gave them my medical records. They called yesterday and said I am not a candidate for surgery. This is because of scar tissue. They said that by going in and doing surgery they would risk making my pain worse than it already is. I am very disappointed to say the least since I have been pursuing this for almost a year with 4 different neurosurgeons and numerous tests. Finally someone explained to me the reasons behind their decision instead of just walking in the room saying no and walking right out the door. Still thinking about the neurostimulator but just haven't heard enough good feedback on it to make a decision. The good has to outweigh the bad.

[mommieswamie]

Originally Posted by jnieman

Thank you for the info. One quesion I have since I also have BC/BS Federal is did you have to pay a lot of money up front or did they just bill your insurance? This far in speaking with our insurance and the hospital, this has not become clear.

They billed our insurance. We paid nothing up front.

[mommieswamie]

Originally Posted by jnieman

Thanks for the info. I am still awaiting a call to see if they will accept me. I have been turned down from so many that I am hoping that they are my answer as they do the difficult cases. I'll probably take whichever doctor they assign me in hopes of getting in as soon as I can but thanks for the tips on Dr. Reimer.

Dr. Reimer did the surgery on my husband. I would trust him with anything.