Does Mayo Clinic Accept Medicare? What You Need to Know

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

Mayo Clinic is an in-network provider for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) at its locations in Rochester, Minnesota; Jacksonville, Florida; and Phoenix, Arizona. This means Medicare will cover your care there the same way it covers care at other hospitals and clinics in the Medicare network. You will pay your normal Medicare deductibles and coinsurance, and Mayo will bill Medicare directly for most services.

However, "accepts Medicare" does not mean all your costs are covered. You are responsible for your Part B deductible (which resets each year), coinsurance on outpatient services, and any services Medicare does not cover. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare, your coverage at Mayo depends on your specific plan — some Advantage plans include Mayo in their network, and others do not.

Key Takeaways

Mayo Clinic's three major locations (Rochester, Jacksonville, and Phoenix) are in-network for Original Medicare, meaning Medicare pays its share and you pay your coinsurance.
You will owe your annual Part B deductible and coinsurance on outpatient visits, even though Mayo is in-network.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your plan documents or call the plan to confirm Mayo is in your network before scheduling.
Mayo's smaller clinics and satellite locations may have different Medicare participation status, so confirm before your visit.
You can call Mayo directly at 1-507-284-2511 (Rochester) or ask your doctor's office to verify your coverage before your appointment.

How Medicare coverage works at Mayo Clinic

When you arrive at Mayo with Original Medicare, the clinic will ask for your Medicare card and any secondary insurance you carry. Mayo will submit your claim to Medicare, and Medicare will pay its portion (usually 80% of the approved amount for most outpatient services after you meet your deductible). You will receive a bill for the remaining 20% coinsurance, unless you have a Medigap or other secondary insurance that covers it.

For inpatient hospital stays, Medicare Part A covers your care after you pay the Part A deductible. The deductible amount changes each year. Mayo will not ask you to pay the full bill upfront — they bill Medicare and you pay your share when you receive the bill.

If Mayo orders a test or procedure that Medicare does not cover, Mayo must tell you in advance. You will sign a form called an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) that explains you are responsible for the cost if Medicare denies it. This protects you from surprise bills.

Medicare Advantage plans and Mayo Clinic

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), your coverage at Mayo depends on whether Mayo is in your plan's network. Some major Advantage plans, like UnitedHealthcare and Humana, include Mayo in their networks in certain regions. Others may not. Your plan documents will list in-network providers, or you can call your plan's customer service number (on the back of your card) to ask whether Mayo Clinic is covered.

If Mayo is in your Advantage plan's network, you will typically pay a copay for office visits and coinsurance for hospital stays, just as you would at any other in-network provider. If Mayo is out of network, you may pay much more or the plan may not cover the visit at all. Some Advantage plans allow out-of-network emergency care, but routine visits out of network are usually your responsibility.

What to do before your Mayo appointment

Call Mayo Clinic's scheduling line or ask your referring doctor's office to verify your Medicare coverage before your visit. Have your Medicare card and any secondary insurance cards ready. Tell them whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.

If you have Original Medicare, ask whether the specific service you need (such as a particular imaging test or procedure) is covered by Medicare. Some advanced or experimental treatments may not be. If you have an Advantage plan, ask the plan directly whether Mayo is in-network for your specific location and service.

If you are being referred to Mayo from another hospital or clinic, ask that facility to send your records ahead. This can speed up your appointment and reduce the chance of duplicate tests that Medicare might not cover twice.

Mayo Clinic locations and Medicare participation

Mayo's three major medical centers — Rochester, Jacksonville, and Phoenix — all participate in Medicare. However, Mayo also operates smaller clinics and satellite locations in other states. Not all of these smaller locations have the same Medicare participation status as the main campuses. Before scheduling at a Mayo clinic outside the three major centers, confirm with that location that it accepts Medicare.

You can find Mayo's clinic locations on its website or call 1-507-284-2511 to ask about a specific location. If you are traveling to Rochester, Jacksonville, or Phoenix for care, you can be confident that Medicare will be accepted.

If Mayo bills you incorrectly or denies your claim

If you receive a bill from Mayo that seems wrong, ask for an itemized statement. Compare it to the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) that Medicare sends you. Your EOB shows what Medicare approved and paid, and what you owe.

If Medicare denied a claim and you disagree, you have the right to appeal. You can file an appeal through Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. Keep copies of all bills, EOBs, and correspondence with Mayo. If Mayo is billing you for something Medicare should have covered, tell them you want to appeal before you pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral from my doctor to see someone at Mayo Clinic?

No, you do not need a referral to schedule at Mayo Clinic. However, some Medicare Advantage plans require a referral for coverage. Check your plan documents or call your plan to be sure. If you have Original Medicare, you can call Mayo directly to schedule.

Will Mayo Clinic charge me more because I have Medicare?

No. Medicare sets the approved amount for services, and Mayo must accept that amount as payment in full (plus your coinsurance). Mayo cannot charge you extra because you have Medicare. This is called the "limiting charge" rule.

What if I have both Medicare and Medicaid?

Mayo accepts both. Medicare is your primary payer, and Medicaid may cover some of your coinsurance if you may have access to. Tell Mayo at check-in that you have both, and they will bill in the correct order.

Can I use my Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance at Mayo?

Yes. If you have Original Medicare plus a Medigap policy, Mayo will bill Medicare first, then your Medigap plan for your coinsurance. Bring both cards to your appointment.

What happens if Mayo is out of network for my Advantage plan?

You can still receive care there, but you will likely pay more out of pocket. Some Advantage plans cover emergency services out of network. For non-emergency care, contact your plan before your visit to understand your costs.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.