This is my first blog in a long time.
As many know I am ill and it isn't just Fibromyalgia anymore.
It has been a cluster**** of a mess and finally my primary doctor put in a referral to Mayo Clinic and my mom, our friend Jill, and Doggy Max took me to Rochester.
The size of the clinic is overwhelming if you have never been there before.
However I was surprised by how organized everything is and how easy it was to find my way around the Gonda, Hilton, Mayo, and other buildings on the main campus.
The check in is on the main level of Gonda building and they cover everything. They take your payment, check you in, let you know of any schedule changes, and have all the paperwork for you to fill out to have your medical files released to your doctor's back home or for disability purposes. It is also where you can get the forms for financial assistance.
if your insurance does not cover Mayo and lists it as an out of network provider you will need a $5,000 down payment. However that payment covers up to $5,000 in expenses and still counts towards your insurance deductible.
There are over 18 floors, not including the lower level, subway level, and employee only levels.
All the check in desks are labeled for their location in the building by floor number and desk location such as N, E, S, W.
The elevators all tell which floors they cover.
So when you get your itinerary it tells to report to desk 18 E, or whatever for which place your appointment is.
All the walkways including the subway level are full or artwork from various artist. While there I stumbled across some very excellent Andy Warhol prints that he added the extra detail to and signed. The subway level goes right under the city streets and connects building and the main building to parking ramps.
Guest services include, many shops, food places to eat, pharmacist services, and dietary services.
they also have many free booklets, DVD's, and CD's for educational purposes.
The best part is the shuttle, valet, and doormen services.
Many of the hotels offer a discount for Mayo Clinic visitors and have shuttles that come and pick you up free of charge. The valet service is good if you are disabled and need a ride or can drive yourself.
Them and the doormen work together to make sure that everyone gets into the right vehicle or shuttle. They are absolutely amazing at keeping track of it ALL. There are also shuttles to take you back and fourth to the St. Mary's Hospital Mayo campus, Walmart, or The Apache Mall.
I have never seen so much organization in my entire life!
The doctor's office visits are made simple. You check in, they give you a pager and have you take a seat. Then when it is your turn your pager goes off. This way they don't have to shout out your name.
The doctor I saw, his aids double as checkout receptionists' Which is frecking brilliant. That way nothing gets overlooked.
The have changing areas in all the exam rooms so that the doctor does not have to wait for you to change. They look you over as needed, then will actually take the time to thumb through all of the labs by hand, in font of you, that you were asked to have your doctor send.
Very thorough .
This doctor was able to refer me to the Fibromyalgia Specialty Clinic, to a physician to go over my scripts and supplements, and to a dietician.
The best part is the ease of accessing any tests they run, labs, and exam reports thru a specialized app for The Mayo Clinic that is free. You install it on your apple or android device, set up a user name, password, and put in your Mayo Clinic Patient number.
Once they were reviewed by the doctor all of it is available for you to read and print off if needed.
That way if you need them for a physician back home on short notice you can take it with you.
They cater to you. You are a guest, a person, and not just a chart number.
If you ever need a referral and can swing it, get it for Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. They take care of everything and send you all the proper paperwork in advance. If general referral for general internal medicine is full and they are unable to give you an appointment, your primary doctor CAN refer you to separate departments. They also send a hotel and food guide, along with a campus map to help plan your trip.
Some of the doctor's at Mayo Clinic care to know how you are doing and continue to part take is solving your medical issue if not solved at time of visit. So my primary doctor and the doctor at Mayo will be sharing records to help find an answer. They don't just give up.
This was the best experience I have ever had with ANY medical facility.
They are one of the best in the country and internationally for a reason!
No comments:
Post a Comment