Yes, Mayo Clinic accepts Medicare at all three of its major campuses

Mayo Clinic — the health system with locations in Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida — is an in-network provider for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). This means Medicare will cover your care there the same way it covers care at other hospitals and clinics in the Medicare network.

However, acceptance of Medicare does not mean all your costs are covered. You will still owe your deductible, coinsurance, and copays. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) instead of Original Medicare, your coverage depends on which plan you hold — some Advantage plans include Mayo Clinic in their network, others do not.

Before scheduling an appointment, you should confirm that your specific Medicare plan covers care at the Mayo location you plan to visit, and understand what you will owe out of pocket.

Key Takeaways

  • Mayo Clinic is in-network for Original Medicare at its Rochester, Phoenix, and Jacksonville campuses, so Medicare Part A and Part B will cover inpatient and outpatient services.
  • You remain responsible for your Part A deductible, Part B deductible, coinsurance (usually 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount), and any copays for specific services.
  • If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you must check whether Mayo Clinic is in your plan's network, because coverage varies by plan and location.
  • Call Mayo Clinic's scheduling line or your Medicare plan directly before your visit to confirm coverage and learn what you will owe.

How Medicare coverage works at Mayo Clinic

When you see a doctor or receive treatment at Mayo Clinic as an Original Medicare beneficiary, Mayo Clinic bills Medicare directly. Medicare pays its share (usually 80 percent of the approved amount for outpatient services), and you pay your share (usually 20 percent, after you have met your deductible).

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit health system and does not charge more than Medicare's approved amount for services. This protects you from balance billing — the practice of charging you the difference between what a provider charges and what Medicare pays. Because Mayo Clinic is in-network, you will not receive a surprise bill for the difference.

The same rule applies whether you are admitted to the hospital (Part A coverage) or visiting an outpatient clinic (Part B coverage). Mayo Clinic accepts both.

What you will owe out of pocket

Your out-of-pocket costs at Mayo Clinic depend on which services you receive and whether you have met your annual deductibles. For 2024, Original Medicare Part B has a $240 deductible, and Part A has a $1,696 deductible for hospital stays. These amounts change each year.

After you meet your deductible, you typically owe 20 percent coinsurance for most outpatient services (doctor visits, lab work, imaging). For hospital stays, you owe a copay per day for days 1 through 60, a higher copay for days 61 through 90, and even more for days beyond 90. Some preventive services — like screenings and vaccines — are covered at no cost to you after you meet your Part B deductible.

Mayo Clinic can tell you the exact amount you will owe for a specific service if you call ahead. Having this number before your visit helps you plan and avoid surprises.

Medicare Advantage plans and Mayo Clinic

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are offered by private insurance companies and often have different networks than Original Medicare. Some Advantage plans include Mayo Clinic in their network; others do not. A few Advantage plans cover Mayo Clinic only in certain locations (for example, in-network in Phoenix but not in Rochester).

You must check your plan documents or call your Advantage plan's customer service line to learn whether Mayo Clinic is in your network. If it is not, you may still receive care there, but you could owe significantly more out of pocket — sometimes the full cost of the visit.

If you are considering switching to an Advantage plan and want to continue seeing doctors at Mayo Clinic, ask the plan whether Mayo is in-network before you enroll.

How to confirm coverage before your appointment

Contact Mayo Clinic's scheduling department and tell them you have Medicare. Provide your Medicare card number and the name of your plan (Original Medicare, or the name of your Advantage plan). Mayo Clinic's staff can verify that your plan covers services at their location and often can tell you your estimated out-of-pocket cost for your visit.

You can also call your Medicare plan directly — the phone number is on the back of your Medicare card. Ask whether Mayo Clinic is in-network and what your copay or coinsurance will be for the type of visit you are planning.

Doing this step before your appointment takes 10 to 15 minutes and prevents confusion at check-in. If you discover that your plan does not cover Mayo Clinic, you will have time to decide whether to go there anyway or find an in-network provider.

Medigap and Medicare coverage at Mayo Clinic

If you have Original Medicare and also carry a Medigap (supplemental insurance) policy, your Medigap plan may cover some or all of the coinsurance and copays you would otherwise owe at Mayo Clinic. Medigap plans are standardized, so the coverage you receive is the same whether you use Mayo Clinic or any other in-network provider.

Bring both your Medicare card and your Medigap card to your Mayo Clinic appointment. Mayo Clinic will bill Medicare first, then bill your Medigap plan for the portion Medicare does not cover. You may owe nothing out of pocket, depending on your Medigap plan.

If you do not have Medigap and are concerned about out-of-pocket costs, you can ask Mayo Clinic's financial counselor about payment plans or whether you may have access to for any cost-reduction programs.

What to bring to your Mayo Clinic appointment

Bring your Medicare card and your insurance card (if you have Medigap or an Advantage plan). Bring a photo ID and any records from previous providers that relate to your visit. Mayo Clinic will ask you to confirm your coverage information at check-in, so having your cards ready speeds up the process.

If you have questions about your coverage or costs, ask to speak with a financial counselor before or after your appointment. Mayo Clinic has staff dedicated to helping patients understand their bills and explore payment options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Mayo Clinic bill me directly if Medicare denies a claim?

No. Because Mayo Clinic is in-network for Original Medicare, they cannot bill you for services Medicare denies unless you were notified in advance that a service might not be covered and you chose to proceed anyway. If a claim is denied, ask Mayo Clinic to appeal it on your behalf.

Can I use my Medicare to see a doctor at Mayo Clinic's satellite locations?

Mayo Clinic's main campuses in Rochester, Phoenix, and Jacksonville all accept Medicare. Some smaller Mayo Clinic Health System locations in the Midwest also accept Medicare, but coverage varies. Call ahead to confirm your specific location accepts your plan.

What if I need a specialist referral to see someone at Mayo Clinic?

Original Medicare does not require a referral to see a specialist. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your plan documents — some Advantage plans do require referrals. Call your Advantage plan or Mayo Clinic's scheduling line to ask.

Does Mayo Clinic accept Medicare if I am out of state?

Yes. Medicare is accepted nationwide, so your Original Medicare or Advantage plan coverage works the same whether you travel to Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Minnesota, or Florida. Confirm in-network status with your Advantage plan if you have one, since some plans limit coverage by geography.

What happens if I cannot afford my out-of-pocket costs at Mayo Clinic?

Ask to speak with a financial counselor at Mayo Clinic. They can discuss payment plans, charity care programs, or other options to reduce your costs. Do not skip care because of cost — Mayo Clinic has resources to help.