How to Get an Appointment at Mayo Clinic

Each year, more than 1 million patients from the United States and 150 other countries visit the Mayo Clinic, a not-for-profit medical research and practice group with major campuses in three major U.S. metropolitan areas (Rochester, Minnesota; Jacksonville, Florida; and Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona) and smaller clinics with various specialties located in numerous locations in four U.S. states (Iowa, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Minnesota). Because of its reputation as a world-class medical institute and the fact that patients often do not need referrals in order to see doctors, it can be difficult to get an appointment at Mayo Clinic; in many cases, you must be prepared to wait for a few months.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Getting an Appointment

  1. Image titled Get an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Step 1
    1
    Schedule an appointment online. Visit http://www.mayoclinic.org and click on "Request an Appointment" at the right of the page. You will then be transferred to a page where you can make an online request to see a physician.
    • If you are an international patient trying to request an appointment online, you will first need to select your language from the list under the "Request an Appointment" button, and follow the instructions on the subsequent page(s).
    • Don't make an official appointment request until you have spoken with your insurance provider and primary care physician.
  2. Image titled Get an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Step 2
    2
    Select a medical campus. The three main patient treatment centers are located in: Rochester, Minnesota; Jacksonville, Florida; and Scottsdale, Arizona. Be aware that the best location for you might not necessarily be the one that is geographically closest to you, as some locations may lack certain specialties.[1]
    • The Rochester, Minnesota campus is the flagship Mayo Clinic institution, offering the widest variety of services from the largest number of physicians.
    • Due to the typically cold, harsh winter weather conditions, the Rochester, Minnesota campus is less likely to be busy than the other two during the winter season; this may mean a shorter waiting period.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Get an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Step 3
    3
    Provide required patient information. After selecting your Mayo Clinic location online, you will be asked to provide information about the prospective patient (whether this be you or a friend or family member).[2] Be sure to provide as much information as possible when filling out this form; this will expedite the appointment scheduling process.
    • You will need to have relevant information readily available when completing the patient information form. This includes birth date, address, insurance information, and details regarding the patient's medical condition.
    • Supporting information about tests, x-rays or other diagnostics is also requested.
    • Once you have finished the form, click "Send Request" at the bottom of the page.
    • A Mayo Clinic representative will contact you (usually within a few business days) to review additional financial and medical information before you're offered an appointment.
  4. Image titled Get an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Step 4
    4
    Call the Mayo Clinic. This is an alternative to scheduling an appointment online. If you choose to do this, you will need to call the specific facility you wish to visit, as there is no central scheduling location.[3] The appropriate phone numbers for the location of your choice can be found online.[4]
    • When you call, be sure to have all relevant patient information ready, which includes the information listed for the online scheduling procedure.
    • You are no more or less likely to get an appointment by calling versus scheduling online, and the waiting period is the same.
  5. Image titled Get an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Step 5
    5
    Be prepared to wait. Mayo Clinic waiting times can be as long as a few months, but will depend upon the severity of your condition and how busy your location of choice happens to be.[5] In the meantime, continue to see your primary care physician and contact Mayo Clinic to inform them of any significant changes in your condition.
    • You may be able to see a doctor more quickly if you are a "walk-in" patient; these waiting times can still take a week or more (depending on how many people cancel and the severity of your illness).
    • Don't wait to receive medical attention if you are seriously ill. If your condition worsens while you are waiting, see your doctor and request a referral to Mayo if you haven't already been given one. This could "fast-track" your appointment.
  6. Image titled Get an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Step 6
    6
    Bring your pertinent information with you. Once your appointment date arrives, make sure you have your documented medical history and other pertinent information with you when you see the doctor. Mayo Clinic doctors will review your medical history as a part of the diagnosis and treatment planning process[6]
    • Previous X-rays, test results, and all other relevant information should also be included with your records.
    7. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Following Preliminary Procedures

  1. Image titled Get an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Step 7
    1
    See your primary care physician. Before you attempt to schedule an appointment with Mayo Clinic, you should speak to your doctor and ask whether specialized care is needed for your condition. Mayo Clinic physicians are highly regarded as some of the best in the world but are typically specialists in various fields of medicine. Your condition may be better handled by a general practitioner.
    • Ask first whether you think you may need to see a specialist for your condition. If your doctor says 'yes,' then you can ask her whether Mayo Clinic might be a good choice for you. Alternatively, you can do your own research to figure this out.
  2. Image titled Get an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Step 8
    2
    Visit the Mayo Clinic website. This is the best way to get all the information you need before making your appointment. You can also do the actual appointment scheduling online, though this is not your only option. The Mayo Clinic website can be found at http://www.mayoclinic.org.
    • If specialty services are more important to your needs than facility location, you find out which specialties are handled at which facilities by visiting the Mayo Clinic website.[7]
  3. Image titled Get an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Step 9
    3
    Assess your medical need. Mayo Clinic appointment scheduling is determined in part on the basis of need, with more severe medical conditions taking priority. If your condition is not serious, is general in nature, or can easily be handled by physicians at another facility, you may have to wait quite a while to be seen.[8]
    • Your primary care doctor is probably in a better position than you to make this assessment; it is always best to consult a doctor before making serious decisions about your healthcare.
    • Consider whether your condition warrants traveling to a Mayo Clinic facility for treatment. This can be time-consuming and potentially expensive, so you should take this matter seriously.
  4. Image titled Get an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Step 10
    4
    Determine whether you need a referral. Due to Mayo Clinic's extreme popularity and the high quality of medical care they offer, their facilities and doctors are in high demand. In some cases, another physician's referral is required in order to get an appointment. The Mayo Clinic asks that you contact them to ask whether you will need a referral.[9]
    • Though most patients are able to schedule their appointments themselves, some insurance companies require that you receive a physician's referral before they will agree to cover your treatment at Mayo Clinic. Contact your insurance company to find out their policy.
    • Even if your insurance company does not require that you receive a referral, some specialty areas within May Clinic might. This is why it is important to contact Mayo Clinic before scheduling an appointment.
    5. Advertisement

Warnings

  • Do not exaggerate or invent symptoms or conditions in order to expedite treatment. This is unethical and will displace individuals with serious conditions and who need care more urgently than you do. Additionally, your physician will find out that you were dishonest when she sees you.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Going through the scheduling and waiting processes does not guarantee you an appointment.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/forms/us-resident-appointment
  2. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/forms/us-resident-appointment
  3. ↑ http://mayoclinichealthsystem.org/request-appointment
  4. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org
  5. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org
  6. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/appointments/faq
  7. ↑ http://mayoclinichealthsystem.org/services-and-treatments
  8. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/appointments/faq
  9. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/appointments

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 146,451 times.
32 votes - 88%
Co-authors: 11
Updated: March 2, 2023
Views: 146,451
Categories: Finding a Medical Specialist

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Article SummaryX

If you want an appointment at the Mayo Clinic, visit www.MayoClinic.org and click on "Request an appointment" on the right of the page. Then, select whether you want to visit the Mayo campus in Minnesota, Arizona, or Florida. Once you've confirmed the location, you'll need to provide some patient information, including your name and date of birth, insurance details, and medical condition. When you've finished the form, click "Send request" and wait for a Mayo Clinic representative to contact you. For tips on how to contact the Mayo Clinic by phone and how long you'll likely need to wait for an appointment, read on!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement