How many days...

[annekat]

Thanks, drz. Good idea to check the websites. I've looked at the one for U of WA med school teaching hospital, and they have a rheumatology clinic that does handle vasculitis, but of course, none of them are listed as specialists on the VF site. Every place is a little different, I'm sure.

So what are all the appointments that take all day for you at Mayo? Are these different docs or just the different labs and places you go to for tests? Just curious.

[drz]

Thanks, drz. Good idea to check the websites. I've looked at the one for U of WA med school teaching hospital, and they have a rheumatology clinic that does handle vasculitis, but of course, none of them are listed as specialists on the VF site. Every place is a little different, I'm sure.

So what are all the appointments that take all day for you at Mayo? Are these different docs or just the different labs and places you go to for tests? Just curious.

First is seeing research person to provide info on current symptoms and functioning, then fasting lab work, breakfast, chest x-ray, lunch, nap, and then wait to see doctors nurse, update my history for him, see doctor and get results of my lab work and his assessment and recommendations. I had some free time along the way for another nap too. First appointment was 8 am and last was 3:15 PM which end a little after 4 pm. I often take in a concert in lobby, art show or history tour, or lecture on some health issue during my free time. Some times I check the forum on their free computers or visit library to search for new info on health issues.

[Pete]

I'm curious, does it cost a lot to get seen at the Cleveland Clinic? Does people's insurance cover it? Do they take Medicare patients, do you know? So far I have spent very little on my Wegs treatment, but if was going to go to specialists and such, I doubt I could afford it. I'm curious about the same things in regard to Mayo, Johns Hopkins, Univ. of Utah, and UC San Francisco Med Center. The last two are the closest specialists to me, but they are not close at all.

Cleveland Clinic takes Medicare.

My last statement showed a billing of $435 of which my out of pocket after Medicare and insurance was $35.

[annekat]

Thanks, Pete, that is helpful. That sounds pretty reasonable for the amount of time and attention you are getting there, even if one didn't have insurance to cover it, but could come up with a few hundred dollars. In my case, I have Medicare, but no additional insurance, so my copay would be 20%, which would come out to $87. I might have to save for it, but it would not be a terrible amount to pay for that kind of service. I'm too far away from CC to go there, but it gives me an idea what I might expect somewhere closer.

[sunnykmr123]

on weekend you have to wait for 2 days. As they on be off.