This has got to be my worst pun post title ever. But so fitting…please bear with me here.
I’ve long thought that if I wanted real medical answers, I’d go to Mayo. The Mayo Clinic. Why? Several friends have recommended I go and from what I’ve heard, the costs can be reasonable, “they work with you”, and the doctors at Mayo are the only doctors in the world who can get anywhere close to figuring out what is wrong with you (me).
So, Mayo has been sort of a Plan B for me. Today, I left work early because I felt terrible. This is not something I do often nor is it something I want to do ever. Frankly, my employer is getting fed up with the mixed messages I send:
“As soon as I have this appointment, things should be a lot better.”
My symptoms are only getting worse. Saying things like “No one knows what’s wrong with me” only takes you so far in the workplace. If no one knows what’s wrong with me then no one knows if I’ll get better. If I don’t get better, I probably can’t keep doing my job at the current pace.
Please don’t let this happen to me. Please don’t let this happen to me. Please. Please. Please.
With this in mind, I felt today was the day to whip out Plan B. If I can go to Mayo for a few days, I will come back with a diagnosis and treatment, right!?! I’ll be all set. Moving forward. No more waiting weeks for this or that appointment and weeks for the next and more weeks for the test results, the outpatient surgery – you get the picture.
So, I called Mayo. Should I request an appointment with Neurology? Endocrinology? Rheumatology?
I cut to the chase.
“I am from out of state and my insurance does not cover visits to Mayo Clinic. I would like to come to your facility. How do I work it out?”
“You are considered uninsured. Prior to scheduling an appointment, you must put down a $3,000-$4,000 advance deposit”
“I’m not sure what type of specialists I would see.”
“We work with you to figure out what specialists you need and after we schedule your appointments, you make advance payments for those appointments and diagnostic procedures that will be needed.”
So that’s how they “work with you”.
“Do you accept payment plans?”
“No ma’am”
“Okay. Great. Thank you.”
Mayo is officially off the table.
I will wait to see if I am selected as a patient by super special Neurologist #4. I will wait the 4 weeks for my ENT to examine me for a salivary gland biopsy. After the ENT examination, I will wait for my outpatient salivary gland biopsy surgery to be scheduled. Then, I will wait the weeks for the results of the biopsy to confirm or rule out Sjögren’s syndrome.
Today I learned there is no Plan B for me.
However….
Today I also learned that I am a finalist for the 2009 MedGadget Medical Weblog
Awards. Squeal! Seriously, I am a finalist. I’m so honored and giddy. Voting begins soon at MedGadget.com I’ll get you the scoop as soon as I can. If you are so inclined to vote for me.
Thanks for reading and sharing your comments and questions. I love hearing from you.
(P.S. Thanks for the nomination Doctor D!)
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | bad puns, mayo clinic costs, medgadget weblog awards, undiagnosed chronic illness
Congrats on being named a finalist! That’s huge!!
And *hughughug* on finding out that Plan B isn’t an option.
So if the Mayo Clinic isn’t covered by your insurance, are any of the other big ones? I’ve heard a lot more good things about Johns Hopkins than Mayo lately, although that might be because I’m focused on autoimmune diseases. Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Jewish National in Denver, and I’m sure there’s more, have similar styles to the Mayo Clinic as far as getting out of towners in for a multitude of tests and visits with varied specialists, who work together to figure out your diagnosis and treatment plan.
Thinking of you ….
Hi Aviva! Thank you so much as always. My insurance only covers providers in my network which is in my state. Funny enough, I work at JH as a grad student and it was dream to work there before my career took another turn. Neurologist #4 is at a highly regarded medical center near me and also named Top Doc in our local Metropolitan magazine. So we’ll see if he picks me. Thinking of you, too!!
Life is always an adventure, isn’t it? Best wishes with your health care.
The 50 Best Health Blogs
So true, Jim. Thank you for you kind words and best wishes to you as well. You have a great list at your blog and I am definitely honored to be a part of your 50 Best Health Blogs as you narrow down your favorites. There are some really great ones out there. I’m glad to see Ask an MD, among others, made the list. Have a good one!
I was wondering about someplace like Mayo where they get team together to discuss a single patient. Had no idea it was so expensive. Does Cleveland Clinic do the same thing?
Congratulations on your nomination & being named as a finalist!
I believe Cleveland does something similar but also not covered by my insurance. I’ll have to look in to their costs. Congratulations to you as well!! I was so giddy that I didn’t mention that your blog, one of my faves is also a finalist!!!
Wow!!! That really shocks me about the Mayo Clinic. I guess it is all about the money. Sad news indeed.
BTW, I joined your blog on the recommendation of Dr. D.
Hi Ann, nice to meet you! Definitely shocking info. Doctor D has a great way of connecting people through the blogosphere. We’re lucky to have him, huh? Best wishes to you.
Bummer on your network only including local docs. When I first got sick — well, the first 6 months — I had a similar deal with a regional insurance company that didn’t cover anywhere outside the PNW. I promised myself and my family that when our insurance changed, I would seek advice at Jewish National or the Mayo Clinic.
My husband is convinced, however, that they won’t be able to do anything for me that local docs can’t. Plus, we’re both afraid that even if I do get a diagnosis, it won’t be any different than my current treatment, which is essentially treating symptoms as they develop.
And even though my insurance would cover my medical bills at those places, there’s the extra expense of travel, hotel, etc., that add up pretty quick.
So that’s why I haven’t gone anywhere, either.
[...] And the big one – NMO-IgG – Sent out to Mayo Clinic. I can’t afford to go there but my blood can. [...]