[Avista]

Those of you who have been using theVillages Health Care Program, Does it meet your expectations? Do you feel you made a good decision to transfer into it? Any disappointments or regrets?

[NotGolfer]

So far, it's met ALL of mine! I don't feel like I'm just a number (and they want my $$$$$). I'm not sent around for a bunch of unnecessary tests and I actually feel like I have a dialogue with my provider! I don't know why folks are looking for a "bomb" to drop! This system beats what was "available" BEFORE it became into being!

[Bizdoc]

DW and I both use it and really like it. We like our doc and have found the clinic to be super responsive to our needs.

[LeeM]

What is the Villages Health Care Program? Is it insurance?

[champion6]

Originally Posted by LeeM

What is the Villages Health Care Program? Is it insurance?

It's doctors offices - primary care physicians. Website: The Villages Health

[Avista]

Originally Posted by LeeM

What is the Villages Health Care Program? Is it insurance?

This explaines iit pretty well!

http://www.thevillageshealth.com/

[gomoho]

I have been highly critical of the Village Health System, but they got rid of the bad apple so I believe I will give them another try. My husband has abandoned ship and found another doctor, but I strongly believe in what they are trying to accomplish so will hang in there.

[skyguy79]

We see Dr. Noel at Colony Clinic and have had no regrets or disappointments what-so-ever as well as being impressed with their responsiveness when needed!

One week ago today I was brought in quickly having broken out with a massive spread of hives and constant annoying itching from my knees up to the hair line in my neck. Cutting to the short, the PA I was saw even brought in a doctor that was on duty that day for further evaluation. I was given direct personal attention for more than an hour and the final prognosis was that it was probably caused by a new medication I had just started with about a week prior. I was given a steroid shot, a prescription to take for a two week period for the problem, instructed to stop the medication. The hives and itching were completely gone within 3 days following that appointment. I follow up with another appointment next Friday.

Even nicer, I can obtain my pain medication I've been on for roughly 8 years without much inconvenience. Besides having a legit need, I had to sign an agreement called "Informed Consent & Controlled Substance Agreement" which confirms to State Law on pain medication and includes requirements for dedicated CPM (Comprehensive Pain Monitoring) appointments every three months with urine drug testing in association to those appointment.

So YES Avista, there is a Sa.... er, I mean we are very happy patients with The Villages Health Care Program.

[bachfan]

We also go to Colony Care Center and see Dr. Hildner. We are more than happy with the overall operation. From the "Living Rooms" that they have you sit whlle you wait to the fact that everyone there is so friendly and seem to really care about you as a person. I have worked in Medical Offices for 35 years and have seen the worst and the best in that time, for us we thinks that its the best.

[Livingthedream]

I was pleased with my initial visit to the Colony health care facility as well as my new doctor ......that is until today!
I had scheduled my upcoming appointment (10/17) six months ago after my last visit. However, I just received a message that my DOCTOR needed to reschedule because she has a meeting that afternoon. Okay...not a big deal. I get that these things come up.
When I called today to reschedule my appointment I was told that the earliest appointment she had available (anytime or anyday) wasn't until December 4th!!
I can't believe that a medical facility that has marketed itself as a facility where patients will be able to see their physicians within a reasonable time, can't reschedule me for two months! In all my years of scheduling Dr. Appointments I have never had to wait two months to be seen. Particularly for an appointment that was canceled by my physician!
I also got the impression from the person I spoke to that I'm not the only one to express frustration over this situation. I'm guessing this has happened to others. Perhaps their desire to provide a "Marcus Welby" style health care where villagers can see their doctor in a reasonable timeframe, was overly optimistic on their part! Not a great way to start off a new medical facility.

[gomoho]

Ohhhhh I hate hearing this. I started out with a terrible experience, they got rid of the bad apple and I thought I'll give them another try 'cause I believe in what they said they wanted to do. I finally had my billing problem resolved after 7 months of frustrating calls and now I'm wondering is it true "if it sounds to good to be true it probably is"??? Maybe I should put this behind me and find a good doctor in a small practice.

[pbeinetti]

I am not sure how I feel yet. I have had several bad experiences -- perhaps it was due to start-up, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for awhile. Yes, they are trying to rein in costs, and have the primary doctor (or PA in my case) be the person providing the main health care -- vs.a specialist. But, two things happened over the last couple of months that have me concerned. I have had terrible pain in my hands due to an accident several years ago. I went to my VHC PA and she said to use arthritis gel. I did that for several weeks with no improvement. I finally decided to go to a hand specialist, and she said my problem was treatable with cortisone shots. She gave me two shots over a two week period and my pain was gone, and is still gone. Unbelievable after living with the pain for years. I went back to my PA a few weeks later because I had abdominal pain, and she ordered a CT. I went back to her for the results and she said I have a double hernia. She did not think it was a problem, and suggested I do nothing. Also, when I told her about getting shots from the hand doctor she said, "Oh, I could have done that". I'm beginning to think the VHC is cutting specialists out of the equation based on these two incidents. Seems pretty obvious that they want Marcus Welby to get the business.

[jimmy D]

Originally Posted by Livingthedream

I was pleased with my initial visit to the Colony health care facility as well as my new doctor ......that is until today!
I had scheduled my upcoming appointment (10/17) six months ago after my last visit. However, I just received a message that my DOCTOR needed to reschedule because she has a meeting that afternoon. Okay...not a big deal. I get that these things come up.
When I called today to reschedule my appointment I was told that the earliest appointment she had available (anytime or anyday) wasn't until December 4th!!
I can't believe that a medical facility that has marketed itself as a facility where patients will be able to see their physicians within a reasonable time, can't reschedule me for two months! In all my years of scheduling Dr. Appointments I have never had to wait two months to be seen. Particularly for an appointment that was canceled by my physician!
I also got the impression from the person I spoke to that I'm not the only one to express frustration over this situation. I'm guessing this has happened to others. Perhaps their desire to provide a "Marcus Welby" style health care where villagers can see their doctor in a reasonable timeframe, was overly optimistic on their part! Not a great way to start off a new medical facility.

So will you be leaving for another Dr. or try to work it out

[Bizdoc]

When I had Kaiser HMO in the DC area, it was pretty normal to have to wait 1-3 months for a routine appointment with an MD. Then they laid off their PAs and ARNPs and the wait got even longer. They also managed to misdiagnose several problems for both DW and me (and that was our board certified internal medicine specialist!).

So far, every time that I have needed to see a provider, I get in within a day. In order to do that, I may have to either see a PA or a different doc if my doc has no openings left.

I'm still a happy camper.

[ActsOfKindness]

[Bthe problem i see in a nutshell is....they are raving about the doctor/patient relationship we will have in this new villages health care system..meanwhile..it took me 3 months to see the physician at colony....late november..3 months out for an appt...and my neighbor 4 months out. big deal you get hives..and you can get in right away>> you can do that for an urgent care facility.hello? you see a PA...that is NOT your primary care physician. i feel that this will be the lot of many villagers..that need to see their pcp through the villages health care system.....that they signed up with ..with the new united health care products that are accepted by the developers villages health care system that he partnered with usf and united health. they are all in liason with each other..and that is not to say it will be a horrible setup. contrary. its nice to have more doctors on board......here in the villages..through these care centers which by the way do not just accept the two medicare advantage plans thru united health (the only TWO ACCEPTABLE PLANS BY THE WAY..that are medicare advantage) they also accept if you go to their website..villageshealth.com others like blue cross and opm like mailhandlers etc. THE PROBLEM lies in too many village patients...being signed up thru the open enrollment now...and want to use the villages health care system which they are entitled to..through the united health care plans....but there are only right now i believe 2 care centers in the entire villages. to come on board shortly will be lake sumter landing and the specialty clinic in spanish springs, in the month of november.
there are 8 people on staff for 7 care health offices in the villages..you do the math..even if less than half go on board....thats thousands of patients for this amount of doctors??
of course you will be seeing a PA if you read other posts in this health forum.
the doctors cannot or will not see you on a regular basis....
its very misrepresentative of the villages to tout how wonderful the new villages health care system will be..when you cant even get in to see a regular doctor.
PA ...baloney.
we dont need PA's no matter how nice or wonderful or good they are
that is not what we signed up for sorry.
we chose a primary care physician.
how is there a patient doctor relationship with a PA..
please who ever reads my post..even if you disagree with every word i typed here...check things out for yourself.
to reiterate, it took me 3 months to get this appointment through a villages health care provider..in colony care center.
that is insane.

im signing up for pup rewards.
i may not be going on ......the villages healtah care system
they do not accept pup ...as one of their medicare advantage folks...only united health..medicare advantage plans
but so what
im still getting back my $90 rebate on premium b every month
my doctors i had with preferred care are still on board with pup
i have a wellness on wheels doctor who comes to the house unbelievable.
and ten transportation round trips a month they provide for if i cannot drive..etc.
i dont sell or promote pup for any reason..it may be a lousy plan...
but im signing up for anyhow.
at least i know i can get in to see my primary care physician.[/B]