Mayo Clinic's approach

Mayo Clinic has the testing and medical expertise to help decide which treatment option is appropriate for you. Because of Mayo Clinic's status as a Medicare-approved lung transplant center, lung volume reduction surgery qualifies for Medicare reimbursement.

Teamwork

You are cared for by doctors, nurses and therapists who specialize in lung diseases and work together in the same clinic and hospital unit.

Mayo will continue to oversee your care through a rehabilitation center closer to your home. Mayo Clinic works with your hometown doctor to make sure your continuing care is well coordinated.

Expertise

Mayo Clinic surgeons are experienced in doing lung volume reduction surgery by making several small incisions using a special scope, known as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, or by making a large incision, known as a thoracotomy.

Technology

Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota has a state-of-the-art Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, which is key to the success of lung volume reduction surgery.

Expertise and rankings

Overall, Mayo Clinic is one of the largest and most experienced practices in the U.S., with campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. Staff skilled in dozens of specialties work together to ensure quality care and successful recovery. The Division of Pulmonary Medicine has a dedicated practice to evaluate lung volume reduction candidates. They work closely with thoracic surgeons to select the best treatment option for each person.

Doctors work together across medical specialties to make decisions, including whether to go ahead with surgery. Specialists in thoracic surgery perform lung volume reduction surgery. They work closely with doctors who specialize in pulmonary medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation to care for people before and after surgery. Patient choice is a key part of all decision-making.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for pulmonology by U.S. News and World Report.

Locations, travel and lodging

Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.

For more information on visiting Mayo Clinic, choose your location below:

Costs and insurance

Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.

In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.

Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.

Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.

More information about billing and insurance:

Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota

Mayo Clinic Health System

Dec. 16, 2023
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  2. Goldman L, et al., eds. Interventional and surgical approaches to lung disease. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Elsevier; 2024. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 8, 2023.
  3. Hospital rankings by specialty. U.S. News & World Report "Best Hospitals" rankings, 2023-2024. https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings. Accessed Sept. 29, 2023.
  4. National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT). National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/science/national-emphysema-treatment-trial-nett. Accessed May 8, 2023.
  5. Martinez FJ. Lung volume reduction surgery in COPD. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 8, 2023.
  6. Lung volume reduction surgery. American Lung Association. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/lung-volume-reduction-surgery. Accessed May 8, 2023.
  7. Jones H, et al. Thoracic trauma and related topics. In: Grainer & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 8, 2023.
  8. Criner GJ, et al. Multicenter RCT of Zephyr Endobronchial Valve Treatment in Heterogeneous Emphysema (LIBERATE). American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2018; doi:10.1164/rccm.201803-0590OC.
  9. Endobronchial valve (EBV) therapy. American Heart Association. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/ebv-therapy. Accessed Nov. 6, 2023.
  10. Reck dos Santos PA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Nov. 3, 2023.
  11. D'Cunha J (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. July 10, 2023.
  12. Sakata KK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Nov. 3, 2023.

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