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Originally Posted by dotti105
The Villages Health System is rather unique. They do limit the number of patients that each Dr can have. They also provide a Physician's Assistant and a Nurse Practitioner on each MD's team. This team of 3 works together to provide care. I am a RN and very serious about good health care providers. I must say that I think this system is great! We have always been able to be seen on the same day if needed, by the PA or the NP. We have found them both to be excellent. In fact I will often schedule my 6mo check up with my NP, and my yearly PE with my MD. I have a great deal of faith in each of these providers.
If you are in the VHS and find that you do not like your provider, you can change providers. But you do need to understand that each MD works with a team and they you will NOT always be seem by your MD.
Another misunderstanding I often hear about United Health Care Advantage is that you can only go to VHS physicians. That is entirely false. There are many physicians in Florida that take Medicare. The United Health Care Advantage plan is a Medicare plan. We have seen 2 of the best surgeons in the country for medical conditions my husband had. I did the research and found each in the Orlando area, and YES, they took our UHC Advantage. Orlando has many outstanding physicians and most people can find the specialists that they need there if they can't find one here. YOU ARE NOT LIMITED TO ONLY RECEIVING CARE FROM VHS PHYSICIANS. That is a Huge misunderstanding!
Just because you live in The Villages does not entitle you to receive care at the Village clinics. They only accept United Health Care and you have the choice to pick the health insurance you wish. We have many neighbors who are paying $700+ a month for their insurance because their former employer offers it and will pay a portion. What they seem to not understand is that most of us qualify ( by income) to receive UHC Advantage at no cost. The amount that we would pay for standard Medicare instead goes to UHC for the Advantage program. There is no deductible. There is a co pay for specialists. But My husband's most recent surgery at Dr Phillips Hosptial showed a statement of $87,000. Of course that is before contracted services are taken into consideration. He spent one night in the hospital following his surgery and the TOTAL cost, out of pocket for us was $275.00. Not 20% or a deductible to be met. This is a excellent plan. They are now offering additional plans at slightly higher costs that include Shands at UofF in Gainesville and Mayo in Jax.
All the UHC plans provide dental exams and cleaning 2x a year, gym memberships, free visits with your provider or his coworkers. We even get gift cards for being good compliant patients and keeping our appts with PCP and specialists. They have Home Health RNs who will come to your home to help you assess for risks and offer information about self care and how to allow easy medical record access for EMTs if needed.
They have come up with a great system here. It has had some growing pains, and may continue to. But it certainly beats the health care we received while employed and covered by both State Insurance from my hubby's job and my insurance from my RN job.
I think if more people understood how this model works and it's benefits, there wouldn't be ridiculous complaints that just don't make sense.
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Thank you for this very informative post. Coming from the perspective of a health care professional such as yourself, as well as someone who actually uses the system, I hope others find your post valuable as well. Some of the details you provided make The Villages Health System appear to be a viable option to consider. Thank you for taking the time to post.