Dots, it sounds like the left hand isn't talking to the right hand, so to speak.

Anne, I am not sure that insurance should cover all of our whims. To them, it may appear as if this is just Dennis wanting a second opinion outside of his network of providers. Since we live in a large metro area, we do have many providers.

What they don't know is the type of service that is delivered at the Mayo, and how it is a completely different experience than what we get here.

For example, when we go to his neurologist here, she spends 10 minutes giving Dennis the same test as always. Then we are allowed to ask 2 questions. The visit lasts 20 minutes. If we try to push it, she gets behind and that takes time from another patient.

At Mayo, the first visit scheduled lasts 2 hours, minimum. Then one test is ordered, and you have another 2 hours with the doctor going over the results and determining what the next step may be. They are thorough in a way that most doctors are not allowed to be these days.

We were able to get into his local doc today, and we will politely point out why we desire to go to Mayo. She is a bit arrogant, being that she runs a prominent Parkinson's clinic herself, but she also admits that she has not properly diagnosed Dennis. We need her on our side to help convince the insurance company that this will be cheaper in the long run. We could see many specialists here, and not get a diagnosis, or we could go to Mayo and have done with it.

We will get there. We just have to continue to fight fair.