One point that I've made here before is worth saying again: Mayo was once a referral-only specialty organization, but these days, they're in-network for many insurance plans and no referral is needed. *I* didn't need a referral, once I changed my insurance and got rid of Healthpartners. I just walked right in. My benefit level with them (and cost to me) is exactly the same as if I'd gone to any local Minneapolis hospital or doctor.
Medica and UCare are two plans that I know of that they take, and they take many others. (I know that they do *not* take Healthpartners).
If you're in the cities (or even in the 5-state area) they're the place you want to be. Or rather: they're the place you *don't* want to *need* to go to, if that makes any sense. But if you have any sort of ongoing condition, or haven't had a thorough physical in a while, give 'em a shot. You can call the Mayo Business Office at (507) 284 4366 to see if you're covered.
And if they don't take your insurance, you can always change your health plan provider annually at open enrollment no matter who you're insured through.
Just within the past few months, my dad changed his medicare provider to UCare, and and has now made Mayo his medical home-base. Dad went in for one issue and ended up getting a full workup in a second area, with potentially lifesaving results. They identified something that no one else had. So that's two people in the family now that they've managed to extend the lives of.
p.s. I'm doing great. Next check up at Mayo in about 2 months, but so far all still looking good.
A note about insurance, in general:
Even if you're insured through MCHA or through MinnesotaCare or Minnesota's General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC), you can choose which *provider* manages the care. I was on MinnesotaCare and I chose Healthpartners as the provider (which I regretted later). Medica was one of the options that I could have chosen when I joined up, I just didn't know that there was much of a difference. If you don't have insurance at all (and live in Minnesota) there are options for you right now that are sliding scale. Here is a good link to start your search:
Yes I had a lot of headaches with MinnesotaCare when it came time to switch. And they only cover $10,000 of hospitalization coverage per year, which is not nearly enough. But if you have no coverage (and qualify) it is much better than nothing, and much better than most student insurance plans. And it covers outpatient service with no apparently limit.
My MCHA (Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association) insurance (for which I chose Medica as the provider) costs me nearly $500 a month and then a $3,000 yearly deductible). This is because I have cancer and the pre-existing major condition makes me uninsurable from other self-insurance plans. I could get a corporate job, sure: but I'm in grad school and work part-time.
Rant:
So, I spend about $6,000 a year to insure myself because of the cancer. Because what insurance companies hate above all else is having to actually pay out on claims. It really impacts their financials. Our US Medicare system seems to work fine, and "Obamacare" essentially seeks to extend that to people who are younger than 62. This seems reasonable for me. Yep, it will cost the country money. Seems to me that the direct health and longevity of *all* of its citizens should be a cost-priority right up there with education and defense. Oh, wait: we don't value education either. But *now* I'm ranting.
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2 comments:
I would sure like to hear more about your experiences with the Mayo Clinic and MN Care.
So how are things going now? A male relative of mine (55)was recently diagnosed with bladder cancer, in WI. I've mentioned the Mayo Clinic too him. My late daughter, who recently died from a brain tumor, age 40, received excellent care at the Mayo. They extended her life for a long time. Avastin also gave her some extra months. She had also received great care at Yale New Haven when she was first diagnosed at age 23 after graduating as a French major. She was in remission for a long time, married, and realized her dream of becoming a mother. I do believe in researching the credentials of health care providers and going with the most gifted and talented--and those most likely to be up on current research. That's no easy task. The TED talks website also has some interesting talks on cancer and health for other takes on the subject.
I am sorry to hear about your late daughter. :( I do highly recommend Mayo for bladder cancer for your relative. One the the world's foremost experts for bladder cancer (Dr. Thompson) is there and he is leading the field in "nerve-sparing" radical cystectomies. There are many options and education is key. unfortunately, bladder cancer is fairly rare and even rarer in younger folks (your 55 year old relative is still considered young for bladder cancer). Definitely give mayo a call, I know that Mayo succeeded where my first Urologist (who is considered the best in Minneapolis) would have surely failed. Best to you and to your relative!
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