Mayo Clinic Jacksonville for Back Surgery?
 

Anyone here gone that route? I am a very difficult case beyond the realm of the local doctors I have found. I was wondering if it was a difficult process or if it was just a normal process to go through. I should have my appointment by day's end.

I have had surgery at the Mayo in Jacksonville. It was not back surgery. I had an over-the-top situation and they were the only ones who seemed capable of solving the issue - and they did. They are very easy to work with and, unlike many places, they take you on time. This is important because typically your first visit will have multiple appointments.

Thank you so much that is very good news. I have tried so many doctors here and no one can help. I have had them just look at my MRI's outside the door, walk in the room and look me in the eye and say I cannot help you and walk out. None have really even given me an explanation. So I have realized that I have no choice but to go to Mayo Clinic as I've always heard that they are the best.

I have not been to Mayo in Jacksonville. However, several years ago I did go to Mayo in Rochester for my back problem (after local doctors in Central Illinois did not help) and they were excellent. I spent several days and saw several doctors. The doctors then got together and recommended a procedure. When I left, my pain was gone. Always take care of your back even after excellent medical treatment. I still do my back exercises.

That said, each case as you can imagine is different. Mayo's is a wonderful facility. You are doing the right thing. Best to you.

If it matters, Mayo does not accept Medicare assignments and they will charge 15% over what Medicare allows. So the checks from Medicare and your suplemental insurance will be paid to you. After my knee replacement surgery everything was covered between Medicare and FL Blue F plan. You will find that Mayo has protocols and procedures that are way ahead of other hospitals.

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal and am not old enough yet for Medicare. It is pretty good insurance. I called the insurance company today and they said it is handled no differently than other hospitals. I have a 15% co-pay of the allowed amount on out-patient surgeries and 100% minus $350 co-insurance and $350 co-pay (deductible per year) on in-patient surgery.

I had TKR done at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, and would definitely go back. They do several tests in one day so trips to Jacksonville are limited. Everything is like clock work-no messing around going here and there. I don't keep exact records, but with my surgery at Mayo and the several times my husband went there, I paid but received nearly all, if not all, money paid back from insurance.

Just don't eat before you first appt. so blood tests can start immediately.

I went the Mayo route several years ago because there was no one in the immediate area who could treat me. I was a patient (every six months or so) for almost three years. At the end of that time I went through a surgical procedure and was returned to my local physician for follow ups. It is a superb medical establishment. You are provided with (in my case) a three page itinerary which covered two days, so we stayed in a hotel on the hospital grounds.

I would agree with everything your other posters have said. I have excellent coverage and my final out of pocket cost for the whole three year procedure was $72.

The thing that still stands out in my mind is meeting with the surgeon, he told me precisely what he was going to do and then made me repeat it to him so that both he and I knew what the procedure entailed.

We are fortunate to have such a first class facility just three hours from The Villages.

Hotel
 

Jane, stay at The Inn at Mayo Clinic when you go. It is attached to the hospital, and you can walk back and forth to your appointments. It made it much, much easier than having to drive somewhere else and park in the parking deck each day.

Diane

I tried in 2013 to go to Mayo/Jacksonville at the recommendation of my orthopaedic surgeon for a low back condition.

They were very nice over the phone. Took about 30 minutes over the phone to register into the Mayo system. Even got a case number assigned.

Then the bad news. They said they function with a Medicare quaota and that they were at the max at the time (August 2013). I asked if they had a waiting list. I was informed they did not. But I was welcome to check back. However not to bother until after the NEW YEAR sometime!!!!!!!

They did offer me a list of surgeons who left Mayo and opened their own shops. I accepted the offering.

However, I did shift my priority to Shands in Gainesville. They did all the same info gathering. Aske for my MRI and xrays to be sent in for review prior to making an appointment. Within a week after submitting I was contacted in person by the chief of the neuro surgery department. He gave me his assessment over the phone with a recommendation. Which I pursued and had my problem treated successfully.

Since I was not in a life threatening situation I did not pursue continuing with Mayo/Jacksonville volunteering to be responsible for all payments.

First time in my life to be denied care as a medicare patient.

First time in my life to be so blatantly discriminated against.

After the fact research did yield that was in fact their policy.

One does what one needs to do. Just be aware of the options.

My husband went to the Tampa Spine Institute in December for back surgery. He was unable to walk without his legs and feet going numb. They were wonderful. Had surgery one day, stayed in hotel that night, went back next morning and was released. He has not had one problem since. It is a wonderful place with caring staff.

Mayo does a lot of thinks differently.

Probably the biggest is that their doctors are on a salary, so their income does not depend on how many patients they can process in a day.

Which I imagine, is the reason they limit their services in regards to certain payers (i.e. Medicare).


Doctors On Salary, One Key To Mayo's Success : NPR

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.

I am 62 so not on medicare yet. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal. Thanks for the info. Hoping to get an appointment.

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

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.

Will be Pleased
 

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.:wave:

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.

Unique Was
 

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.:wave:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

They billed our insurance. We paid nothing up front.

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