In 2005, I took my oldest daugher to Mayo in MN twice. I had United Health Care that year through work. It was out of network. I had to meet my out of pocket for out of network and then pay 35% of the charges. I don't believe anything was over the usual and customary charges...she only had doctor visit charges and quite a bit of blood work and some overnight monitoring of her heart. I think in the end, it cost me around 2-3G for the piece of mind the specialist gave me about her condition. The endrocrinologist in my Illinois hometown couldn't provide me with enough information on what her problem was and what the cause was. At Mayo, they were able to pinpoint the disconnect in the particular endocrine cycle, explain it thoroughly to me and confirm she was on the correct medication. She has to take meds the rest of her life which is why I wanted a second opinion from what I consider a top facility. Of course, in 2006 to present, I have BCBS and Mayo is in their network! The real pisser of this entire thing was when we tried to purchase her private health insurance when she graduated from college and would no longer be covered under my plan. I had a friend in the insurance business ask several carriers if they would provide coverage for a 22 yr old with her diagnosis... the answer was NO. Thankfully, after graduating from college, she found a job that provides health ins and the problem is solved...for now.
