Yes, Mayo Clinic accepts Medicare at all three of its major medical centers
Mayo Clinic — the health system with campuses in Rochester, Minnesota; Jacksonville, Florida; and Phoenix, Arizona — 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, "accepts Medicare" does not mean all your costs are covered or that you pay nothing. You will still owe your deductible, coinsurance, and copayments. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare, your coverage and out-of-pocket costs depend on your specific plan — Mayo Clinic may be in-network for some Advantage plans and out-of-network for others.
Before you schedule an appointment or procedure, you should verify your coverage with both Mayo Clinic's billing department and your Medicare plan. This step prevents surprise bills and lets you know what you will owe.
Key Takeaways
- Mayo Clinic is in-network for Original Medicare at all three of its major campuses, so Medicare Part A and Part B will cover inpatient and outpatient services.
- You remain responsible for your Part B deductible (currently $240 per year), coinsurance (usually 20% of approved charges), and any copayments your plan requires.
- If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you must check whether Mayo Clinic is in-network for your specific plan before scheduling, because coverage varies by insurer and plan type.
- Call Mayo Clinic's billing department or your Medicare plan's customer service line to confirm coverage for your specific procedure or visit before you go.
How Mayo Clinic's Medicare network status works
Mayo Clinic participates in Medicare as an in-network provider, which means it has a contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). When you receive care there, the facility bills Medicare directly for its portion of the cost, and Medicare pays according to its fee schedule.
Being in-network protects you from balance billing — the practice of a provider charging you the difference between what they bill and what Medicare pays. Because Mayo Clinic is contracted with Medicare, it cannot bill you for that gap. You pay only your deductible, coinsurance, and copayments as defined by your plan.
This in-network status applies to all three Mayo Clinic locations. However, the specific services available and the specialists you can see may differ by campus, so you should confirm that the care you need is offered at the location you plan to visit.
What you will owe under Original Medicare at Mayo Clinic
Your out-of-pocket costs at Mayo Clinic depend on the type of care you receive and your specific Medicare coverage. Under Original Medicare Part B, you typically pay 20% coinsurance after you meet your annual deductible. For inpatient hospital care covered by Part A, you pay a deductible per hospital stay, plus daily coinsurance amounts if your stay extends beyond 60 days.
Mayo Clinic may also charge copayments for certain services — for example, some clinics charge a copay per visit. These copayments are set by Mayo Clinic and may vary by service or location. You should ask about copayment amounts when you schedule your appointment.
If you have supplemental coverage (Medigap), that policy may cover some or all of your coinsurance and deductibles, depending on which Medigap plan you hold. Review your Medigap policy documents or call your supplemental insurer to understand what additional costs they cover.
Medicare Advantage plans and Mayo Clinic coverage
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) instead of Original Medicare, your coverage at Mayo Clinic depends on your specific plan and insurer. Some Advantage plans include Mayo Clinic in their network; others do not. Some plans may cover Mayo Clinic only in certain states or only for certain types of care.
Before you schedule any appointment or procedure, contact your Medicare Advantage plan's customer service line and ask whether Mayo Clinic is in-network for your plan. Provide the specific location (Rochester, Jacksonville, or Phoenix) and the type of service you need. The plan can tell you your copayment, coinsurance, and whether you need a referral.
If Mayo Clinic is out-of-network for your plan, you may pay significantly more out of pocket, or the plan may not cover the visit at all. In that case, you have the option to seek care elsewhere, request an out-of-network exception from your plan, or pay out of pocket and seek reimbursement (though reimbursement is not may provide).
How to verify your coverage before your visit
The fastest way to confirm your coverage is to call Mayo Clinic's billing department directly. Have your Medicare card and any supplemental or Advantage plan card ready. Tell them the type of visit or procedure you need and ask for an estimate of your out-of-pocket costs.
You should also call your Medicare plan — either Original Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE) or your Advantage plan's customer service number (on the back of your plan card). Ask them to confirm that Mayo Clinic is in-network and what your responsibility will be.
If you are having a procedure or surgery, ask Mayo Clinic's billing department for an advance estimate in writing. This estimate should show what the facility will bill, what Medicare will pay, and what you will owe. Keep this document for your records.
What to do if you receive a bill you do not expect
If Mayo Clinic sends you a bill for services you believed Medicare should have covered, do not ignore it. First, check that the bill is itemized and shows what was billed to Medicare and what Medicare paid. Compare it to the advance estimate you received.
If the bill appears incorrect, contact Mayo Clinic's patient billing department and ask them to review it. Explain which services you believe should have been covered and provide your advance estimate if you have one. Many billing errors can be corrected with a phone call.
If you believe you have been balance-billed (charged for the difference between Mayo Clinic's bill and Medicare's payment), report it to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner. Balance billing by an in-network provider is illegal under Medicare rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see a doctor at Mayo Clinic if I have Medicare?
Original Medicare does not require referrals for any specialist or facility. You can schedule directly with Mayo Clinic. However, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan may require a referral from your primary care doctor before you can see a specialist at Mayo Clinic. Check your plan documents or call your plan's customer service line to confirm.
Will Mayo Clinic bill me directly or will Medicare handle the billing?
Mayo Clinic bills Medicare first. Medicare pays its portion to Mayo Clinic, and Mayo Clinic then bills you for your deductible, coinsurance, and copayments. You should receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from Medicare showing what was paid and what you owe. If you have questions about your bill, contact Mayo Clinic's billing department.
What if I am traveling and need emergency care at Mayo Clinic?
Emergency care is covered by Medicare at any hospital, including Mayo Clinic, regardless of network status. However, follow-up care after the emergency may have different coverage rules depending on your plan. Contact your Medicare plan after your emergency visit to understand what ongoing care is covered.
Can I use my Medicare Advantage plan at Mayo Clinic if it is out of network?
You can receive care there, but you will likely pay more. Out-of-network care under an Advantage plan usually means higher copayments or coinsurance, or the plan may not cover it at all. Some plans allow you to request an exception for out-of-network providers. Contact your plan to ask whether an exception is possible for your situation.
Does Mayo Clinic accept Medicare in all three locations?
Yes, Mayo Clinic accepts Medicare at its Rochester, Jacksonville, and Phoenix campuses. However, not all services are available at all locations. Before you travel, confirm that the specific care you need is offered at the campus you plan to visit.