[Viperguy]

Not sure about that but I am in the same situation. I have TFL and when I approached a Villages provider they said they would accept me but I had to file claims with Tricare. They would not do it. Medicare files claims automatically with Tricare so you usually have nothing to worry about. Checking out doctors on the Medicare.gov website is a nightmare. Really easy to find providers but getting one that is good or taking new patients is another. So far I have seen two and they are terrible. Unorganized staff and usually from some far away country. I really believe that The Villages is in some sort of agreement with UHC to force people into their system. $$$? maybe. Something to consider for us planning to spend the rest of our lives here.

[Viperguy]

Most insurance companies allow you to "suspend" coverage. You are locked out for a year but can rejoin. My wife is in a government program and plans to do that the end of the year to rejoin my Tricare program. She can return after a year if she so desires. I think?

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by cgilcreast

Most insurance companies allow you to "suspend" coverage. You are locked out for a year but can rejoin. My wife is in a government program and plans to do that the end of the year to rejoin my Tricare program. She can return after a year if she so desires. I think?

My understanding is that once you go with medicare advantage for over a year, you will have to "qualify" for supplemental insurance if you want to go back to medicare part b. By qualify, I mean the insurance companies will take into account your medical/health condition and age, and base your premium on those factors.

[John_W]

I have a retired cardiologist in my workout class at MVP and he had Medicare Advantage with TV at Colony. I asked him today how he liked his doctor. He said because of all the traveling he does, he's concerned with the limited coverage when he leaves Florida. He has a medigap plan F that is much better and that he had talked to the folks at the new 441 Urgent Care Center that recently opened in the small strip center on 44 across from Powell Rd where O'Shea's used to be. They told him they are getting a fulltime family doctor on staff in October and will be taking patients soon. He said he's going to drop his Villages plan and go with his plan F at the Urgent Care Center.

Here is the address if you're not sure of where it's at, it's across from the Grand Traverse Shopping Center before Sparr Building Supplies.

Suite 101, 4669 FL-44, Wildwood, FL 34785

[Villager Joyce]

Originally Posted by John_W

I have a retired cardiologist in my workout class at MVP and he had Medicare Advantage with TV at Colony. I asked him today how he liked his doctor. He said because of all the traveling he does, he's concerned with the limited coverage when he leaves Florida. He has a medigap plan F that is much better and that he had talked to the folks at the new 441 Urgent Care Center that recently opened in the small strip center on 44 across from Powell Rd where O'Shea's used to be. They told him they are getting a fulltime family doctor on staff in October and will be taking patients soon. He said he's going to drop his Villages plan and go with his plan F at the Urgent Care Center.

Here is the address if you're not sure of where it's at, it's across from the Grand Traverse Shopping Center before Sparr Building Supplies.

Suite 101, 4669 FL-44, Wildwood, FL 34785

Are you saying he has Advantage AND Plan F?

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by flredhead

Dr. Martizez-Cruz located in The Summit on 466 750 6650 hours start at 7 in the am until the middle of the afternoon and his office is also open every other Saturday morning. Listens to your problem and then answers in a manner you will know what is wrong and what can be done about it. You will like him.

He also reads and answers emails twice a day, even on weekends. He did his residency at Mass General in Boston and came across some very unusual conditions; as a consequence, he was able to diagnose and treat my husband for an uncommon condition before he sustained organ damage.

Dr. M-C is not board certified because he chooses not to be. We discussed this with him and accepted his reasons. He will accept patients with no medical insurance for a flat fee. He goes out of his way to find people of limited means the least expensive way to treat their conditions, including the buying in bulk and undercharging for medical pressure socks when he found out how much they were being sold for in area stores, as well as advising where some prescription drugs can be bought for the least $.

I could go on. His WIFE is his office manager. He has an autistic child and does much work for autism. But give his office a call and go in to talk to him. Make your own decision.

He's the best doctor we've ever had. He spends much time with you during a visit and doesn't overbook. So my only hesitation in recommending him now and in the past is the hope that he will not become swamped.

[John_W]

Originally Posted by Villager Joyce

Are you saying he has Advantage AND Plan F?

Yes, that is what he said, I didn't quiz him on his details. He's a retired doctor 78 years old. He stayed with TVHS and enrolled in Medical Advantage. With his traveling he has concerns, his wife just returned from 3 weeks in Europe, so he has been looking for a way to use his supplement plan. He liked what he saw and what they told him at 441 Urgent Care on Hwy-44. So he switching to them and dropping his Advantage plan, then he'll also be able to travel and have complete coverage.

[joebjwb]

Dr. Agbo with Sinai Med was a great find for my wife and I he's knowlegable friendly and easy to access.

[pszakacs]

Originally Posted by goingtothevillages

My wife and I are 2 of the over 10,000 villagers being kicked-out of the Villages Health Care system. Health Insurance is part of our retirement benefits and we can't afford to pay additional funds for something that won't provide any additional benefits. So, we are now looking for a new Internist or General Practitioner before December 31. Does anyone have any suggestions of a good internist or general practitioner? Thanks

I have had good luck with referrals to Dr. Felix Agbo of Sinai Medical at Lake Sumter Landing. He is the only doctor - so you can develop a relationship. He also has a Nurse Practitioner in his office to assist.

[lpaul530]

Dr. Marivic Villa (352)561-6299

[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by goingtothevillages

My wife and I are 2 of the over 10,000 villagers being kicked-out of the Villages Health Care system. Health Insurance is part of our retirement benefits and we can't afford to pay additional funds for something that won't provide any additional benefits. So, we are now looking for a new Internist or General Practitioner before December 31. Does anyone have any suggestions of a good internist or general practitioner? Thanks

I go to Dr. Fairborz Delbakhsh, they just call him Dr. Dell, he's internist & he does have a great General Practitioner working for him & as far as I know he is taking new patience. I'm on Medicare & my secondary Ins. is BC/BS. He's on 441/27.

[LynnWM158]

Originally Posted by goingtothevillages

My wife and I are 2 of the over 10,000 villagers being kicked-out of the Villages Health Care system. Health Insurance is part of our retirement benefits and we can't afford to pay additional funds for something that won't provide any additional benefits. So, we are now looking for a new Internist or General Practitioner before December 31. Does anyone have any suggestions of a good internist or general practitioner? Thanks

I owned a medical practice management company for years and could see the handwriting on the wall when we received the change or else notice last year. When the notice came this year to change or else I found a new physician with Florida Heart Specialists. They have internal medicine physicians as well as heart and sleep disorder physicians. There are several offices in and close to TV and, as of a week ago, they still had some new patient openings. I'm sure those slots will fill up when the snow birds arrive so I wouldn't wait too long before finding another physician.
This move will probably hurt The Villages Healthcare system for a while but eventually newcomers to the area will fill the appointment books. Personally I feel this has placed a blemish on the reputation of TV.

[OhioBuckeye]

I wish I understood this issue a little more about what's going on with this Ins. thing. Can someone put it in a nutshell & make it simple about why these Dr. won't except these 10,000 people. Sorry I'm so out of touch about these things. I guess since I'm not one of them, maybe that's why I never took more interest in it.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye

I wish I understood this issue a little more about what's going on with this Ins. thing. Can someone put it in a nutshell & make it simple about why these Dr. won't except these 10,000 people. Sorry I'm so out of touch about these things. I guess since I'm not one of them, maybe that's why I never took more interest in it.

The 10,000 retirees on Medicare plus a supplemental plan used to be part of The Villages Health system, but they had different kinds of insurance than TVHS wants to accept as of January 1. Those people now must either change to the Medicare Advantage plan TVHS will accept or find a new doctor outside of TVHS's system who will accept their insurance.

[Retired and happy]

Originally Posted by goingtothevillages

My wife and I are 2 of the over 10,000 villagers being kicked-out of the Villages Health Care system. Health Insurance is part of our retirement benefits and we can't afford to pay additional funds for something that won't provide any additional benefits. So, we are now looking for a new Internist or General Practitioner before December 31. Does anyone have any suggestions of a good internist or general practitioner? Thanks

We have lived in The Villages for almost five years and have looked long and hard for a good GP. We had to kiss a few "frogs " before finding the wonderful, compassionate, and experienced Dr. Martinez- Cruz. We have been under his care for two years. I have had to see him for more than just general reasons, and when I met him for the first time, I found him to be a doctor who takes his time to listen carefully. He gave me his business card and pointed out his personal email address which he checks at least twice a day and qiuickly resonds to questions (I have written to him and he responds as promised); his cell phone number is also on the card, and if he doesn't answer immediately, he calls back quickly. His willingness to be available to his patients is amazing in this day and age. He has his own practice and has a an office staff who are just like him: committed to the patient's needs and very responsive to any requests. His office hours are Monday- Saturday....7:30-2:30 ( not sure about the Saturday hours)

This is his information: 352-750-6650. 781 Highway 466. Lady lake ( Summit Plaza. Near intersection of Rolling Acres and Rt 466)