Mayo Clinic is sending letters to hundreds of patients in certain Medicare Advantage plans urging them to find different health insurance if they want to keep getting care at the famed medical center in Rochester.
Mayo said the change, which will take effect in 2025, is driven by limited capacity for treating patients. It said fewer than 2,000 people will be affected nationally, including fewer than 600 in Minnesota.
In messages to the patients this week, Mayo said seniors with Medicare Advantage plans that lack network contracts can only schedule appointments for care next year if they obtain new coverage that includes the clinic as an in-network provider.
Patients can use original Medicare to receive care at Mayo, the notice said, although seniors could face significantly higher costs as a result. Open enrollment for Medicare starts Oct. 15.
“A substantial part of the care we provide every day will continue to be in service to patients who have Medicare,” the clinic said in a statement to the Minnesota Star Tribune.
“Mayo Clinic in Rochester is out-of-network for some Medicare Advantage plans,” thestatement said. “During open enrollment, we do encourage patients who would like to receive care at Mayo Clinic to verify access with their Medicare Advantage plan before enrolling for the upcoming year.”
Exceptions will be granted on a case-by-case basis, officials said, for seniors with rare conditions where Mayo offers unique treatment expertise.
Several patients contacted the Minnesota Star Tribune this week to express frustration with the change.