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As I was taking a walk in my subdivision, one of my neighbors, Don flagged me down. He and his wife, Marge have taken several trips to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and Don wanted to get the word out about how the clinic can help others. He even had a really neat title already picked out, Taking the Mystique Out of Mayo Clinic.
The next thing I knew, I was interviewing three caring couples, Don and Marge , Nancy and Joe and Barbara and Bob. Before I even turned on my recorder, one by one they began to share experiences from Mayo Clinic..all good, positive experiences. I felt honored to be a listener. I felt excitement and hope for others as their stories unfolded. Here are some things I learned.
Bob told me that he took his mother to Mayo after two years of back pain and a doctor suggesting she see a psychiatrist. When, she was presented at Mayo, a physician found 15 gallstones, which were removed, all within a 2-day span.
Also, Joe was told by his local doctor that he needed a thymectomy, in which his entire rib cage would have to be cracked open, similar to open heart surgery. However, when he visited Mayo, they were able to conduct the surgery through a less invasive procedure, thereby cutting down the recovery time.
Dave, A friend of Bobs was told he had about 2-3 months to live. Bob suggested that he go to Mayo Clinic. He did go and was put on a special diet. He lived for 7 more years after that visit.
Marge has had several problems addressed, but as yet hasn't found a cause for the fatigue she is experiencing. However, as the pieces of the puzzle are pieced together, she is confident that if anyone can find a diagnosis, Mayo can.
Apparently, you do not have to be wealthy or a celebrity to be a patient at Mayo Clinic. (Although, I was told that Jackie Robinson and Billy Graham were there, as well as other celebrities.) They do accept Medicare assignment for lab tests, covered drugs, ambulatory surgery center facility fees, services provided by non- physician practitioners such as physical assistants, nurse anesthetists. For consultations with physicians, they do not accept Medicare assignment, (bills you for full amount, then you pay the difference of what Medicare will pay). You will not be asked to make a payment up front unless a service is considered non-covered by Medicare. There are Insurance Policies that will cover the difference between what Medicare will pay and what Mayo Clinic bills.
If you decide to go to Mayo, the first thing that would happen is a telephone interview. At that point they would request medical records. Even though they will look at your medical records, they will do their own testing, x-rays, etc. You will be tested from head to toe within a compacted period of time. (Joe stated that it took two weeks to get his blood work results from a local doctor and at Mayo, it took only one hour.) Barbara added that you would see different specialists for different ailments. You may see several doctors in one day and everything runs like clockwork and on time. Marge said that the doctors there limit themselves to 20 patients a day. Mayo in Jacksonville sees 2,000 patients a day; the clinic in Rochester sees 3 times that many.
I asked, What are some of the words that would describe Mayo? My answers were: compassionate, competent , great treatment, different world , knowledgeable, fantastic, self-contained, clean, results immediately, computerized, technology advanced, and can't say enough.
All agreed that if you have tried local doctors over and over without results, you should try Mayo Clinic, a non-profit organization. Doctors there are the cream of the crop and have the latest and most advanced technology equipment needed to find a correct diagnosis. The doctors are all salaried, so they are able to spend quality time with patients and also have no agenda as far as procedures, testing, etc.
The walls of Mayo Clinic are lined with beautiful artwork and its rooms are filled with people from all walks of life with a variety of medical problems.
Do you see hope (within those walls) I asked?
All agreed, Hope is everywhere.
(I have nothing personally vested in Mayo, just wanted to share information. For an appointment at Mayo contact: www.mayoclinic.org/executive-health).
Francine Larson:
Co-Author of Character Keys to a Bright Future.
She is currently writing for The Pasco Shopper (Fl.) and The Highlands at Scotland Yards. Also writes poetry and short stories.She has a new personal web site:http://thedragonflylady.com/
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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