[jnieman]

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.

[biker1]

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.

Originally Posted by jnieman

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.

[jnieman]

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.

[justjim]

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.

[JMike]

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.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by JMike

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.

[starflyte1]

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.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by jnieman

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 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.

[Diane G]

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

[billethkid]

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.

[CathyandJohn]

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.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by billethkid

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.

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

WERTHEIMER: Dr. Cortese, the most interesting thing that you do, I think, at Mayo is to put your doctors on salary. Is this one of the reasons, do you think, why you have a good record on costs?

Dr. CORTESE: I think it's one of several factors that we have in place that are designed, specifically designed, to reduce the potential conflict of commitment for our physicians so that they...

WERTHEIMER: Could you just sort of explain why it would be a conflict or not a conflict?

Dr. CORTESE: Well, if your salary or the amount of money that you are paid varies depending on how much you do to people, there can be a conflict of interest for a physician because if they end up doing less, keep people healthier, they may actually make no money. And what we've tried to do at Mayo Clinic is to reduce the conflict of commitment as the salary approach - build around what's still best for patients.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by CathyandJohn

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.

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.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by billethkid

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.

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

[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