Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

Mayo Clinic may not participate with your Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). Typically, an HMO will not pay for Mayo services without prior authorization from your insurance company. Your physician's referral alone does not necessarily constitute an authorization from your insurance company.

Mayo requests a pre-service deposit for all services that have not been authorized by your insurance. Deposits are based on an estimate of the cost of services you or your physician request and are not necessarily payment in full. Your actual charges may be greater or less than the deposit (e.g., charges for colonoscopy services vary depending upon the number of polyps discovered and pathology tests performed). If further testing or physician consultations are necessary, additional deposits may be required. If actual charges are less, the balance of the deposit will be refunded.

If authorization for your services at Mayo can be verified with your HMO prior to services being rendered, you will not be required to make a deposit for the authorized services. However, if additional services are necessary, further authorization or deposits will be required. Further authorizations may take up to a week or more depending on the necessity of review by the insurance company's medical director or review committee.

In the event additional charges are posted beyond the date of your visit, an adjusted Itemized Statement of Charges will be sent to you. Payment for these additional services should be made upon receipt of your Monthly Statement of Account.