Frequently asked questions

How can I schedule an appointment?

Call our offices in Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and Peru, or call Mayo Clinic directly in Arizona, Florida, Minnesota or London. You may also contact us electronically in the U.S. or U.K.

Does Mayo Clinic treat my condition?

Mayo Clinic staff includes medical personnel in all specialties who work together to care for the needs of their patients. Patients come to Mayo seeking a wide range of services for many conditions, from general exams to the diagnosis and treatment of common as well as complex diseases.

What kind of recreation services are offered to patients?

Each of Mayo Clinic's campuses hosts international centers for patients arriving from abroad and their families. The multilingual staff in each international center strives to care for patients' needs and those of their family members prior to their arrival, during appointments, and after they return to their home country.

These international centers also offer a place for patients and their families to rest between appointments, enjoy complimentary coffee and soft drinks, or ask Mayo Clinic international staff any questions they may have.

Mayo Clinic also offers concierge services for all patients. The concierge desk can supply the services of a notary public and share information, such as:

  • Maps of the medical sites in Mayo Clinic and instructions on how to go from one to another
  • Transportation
  • Lodging
  • Restaurants and grocery stores
  • Shopping, recreation and entertainment
  • Community resources
  • Businesses, banks and religious services in town

Contact Mayo Clinic International Services or one of our representative offices to receive more information about recreation services available for international visitors.

How long do patients typically stay at Mayo Clinic?

The length of your stay will depend on the number of tests and appointments you need, which will be determined based on your initial screening and recommendations for your medical care.

In general, tests are completed within three to five weekdays but can take longer, especially when more extensive tests or a specialty appointment is needed.

Most patients are treated as outpatients, which means that screening, tests and treatment are all done within the clinic, and patients return to their lodgings at the end of the day.

In many cases, Mayo Clinic physicians decide on a diagnosis and provide treatment during a patient's visit. Mayo Clinic's sophisticated diagnostic infrastructure typically allows physicians to share test results in one or two days. For patients traveling from abroad, Mayo Clinic can often adjust test scheduling, medical appointments and even surgery so that the patients spend less time away from home, incur lower costs, and make better use of their own and their families' time.

If hospitalization is required, patients can choose between a semi-private room, a private room or a personal suite. Applications for a semi-private or a private room are handled at the time of admission. If you'd like more information about personal suites, please contact us directly or contact our representative offices.

If I need care from another specialist, can that be accommodated during the same visit?

Mayo Clinic does everything possible so that patients can see the specialists they need for their medical care. However, depending on the specialty required, some appointments may be more difficult to schedule with short notice.

Will my Mayo Clinic doctors communicate with the doctors in my own country?

Mayo Clinic specialists have experience collaborating with doctors all over the world. Patients often receive a diagnosis at Mayo Clinic and then receive subsequent treatment in their own countries. In such cases Mayo Clinic doctors work closely with the patient's local doctor to guarantee that the best treatment alternative is considered.

Can Mayo Clinic give me an estimate for my treatment?

You can get an estimate through International Services in Mayo Clinic, or from our representative offices.

Personal care at Mayo Clinic includes assistance from international account representatives who help patients with financial details before, during and after their Mayo Clinic visit. Services offered usually include providing deposit and payment information, estimates and price updates for medical services, and communication with medical insurance companies or third parties on behalf of a patient.

What if I need an interpreter?

At Mayo Clinic, interpreters are available at no cost to assist communication between health care providers and patients whose primary language is not English.

Experienced medical interpreters can attend appointments, translate patient education materials, and offer other assistance as needed. Patients should indicate if they need an interpreter when requesting an appointment at Mayo Clinic.

At Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, interpreters are available in person for many languages, and through telephone services for all others.

In addition, multilingual appointment, registration and finance personnel assist patients and families before, during and after their visit to Mayo Clinic.

Can Mayo help me with travel arrangements?

For assistance with travel arrangements, contact International Services or one of our representative offices.

Patients who require emergency transport can contact Mayo Medical Transport, which includes Mayo One Airplane. Mayo One Airplane is staffed with Mayo Clinic medical professional teams who care for and transport patients all over the world. For more information, call 800-237-6822 or 507-255-2808.

What kind of documents should I bring to my appointment?

  • A list of your current medications, and the dosage for each. You can also bring vials or containers with you to your first appointment.
  • If requested, any medical information and radiology images (including written radiology reports) that your local doctor has given you.
  • Any forms you have been asked to provide.
  • Name, address and phone number of the referring physician if applicable.
  • Information about your medical insurance, if you have private insurance.
  • Your Mayo Clinic registration number and your plastic identification card, if you were issued one during a previous visit.

Where is Mayo Clinic and how do I get there?

Mayo Clinic includes three campuses, located in Rochester, Minnesota; Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida.

How efficient is the appointment scheduling, diagnosis and treatment consultation process?

In most cases, Mayo Clinic physicians determine a diagnosis as well as treatment approach during the patient's visit. Most often, doctors can give patients results within a day or two after finishing tests.

For patients traveling from abroad, Mayo Clinic can often adjust test scheduling, medical appointments and even surgery so that the patients spend less time away from home, incur lower costs, and make better use of their own and their families' time.