I really hate to say this, but I've got to start over again. Searching for a doctor, this is.
 

It started when I got my bill from Mayo for Dr. A's appointment. I nearly flipped when I saw the $400 tab. I seriously didn't think that out-of-network costs were that much. I was prepared to pay $100; maybe $200 max. It got worse when I got the bill for M1 and M2… another $400. This all came in the mail around the same time I got my notice for a follow up appointment with M1. I'm going to have to cancel.
 

I've learned two things recently that will hopefully help with this out-of-control billing. My employer has a health advocate, that, among other things, can help with fee negotiation. Add to that, out of network charges can be applied to my deductible. So, although I'll be in debt to Mayo indefinitely, hopefully the fees won't be so high.
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I have to take issue with something my new, wonderful treatment team seems to think. Dr. A said, "It really doesn't matter what type of diabetes you have as long as you have an effective treatment method." While I mostly agree with him, I have to say that a lot of people with diabetes want the distinction; we want to know the label. Because even though the treatment method may be the same, it’s still different.

Despite me rattling off a list of drugs meant for people with Type 2 that I tried and that didn't work, and telling him my c-peptide result (<0.1), Dr. A still said, "I think you are Type 2."

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I have spent nearly 72 hours trying to figure out how to describe my appointment at the Mayo Clinic on Thursday. I just can't decide what to tell you first.

Although I arrived much earlier than I had been told to (it's hard to judge traffic patterns at off hours) and was getting ancy when numerous people were called back before I was, I was quite pleased when the nurse called me at 8:04 a.m.

No nurse came in to take my temp or blood pressure or ask me why I was there. I barely had time to observe my surroundings -- an actual desk with a computer, phone and other medical necessities including an ergonomic chair; a couch!; and other non-medical-feeling necessities -- before Dr. A came in. He shook my hand and we got down to business.

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The scheduling nurse from the Mayo Clinic called today and said the doctors have agreed to see me. And get this: I have an appointment in two weeks. Yep, two weeks! They're not squeezing me in, they're not making exceptions. I have a regular appointment.

So, I'm sort of stuck between really excited and fairly skeptical. I've made it pretty clear that I have high expectations for my endocrinologist. So on one hand I feel like the Mayo Clinic is the best of the best and my expectations will be met and on the other hand I feel like these people are still doctors in one of the largest cities in the country and likely see a ton of patients and why will they treat me any differently than Dr. S did?

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