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Originally Posted by Carla B
We (husband and I) were enrolled with The Villages Health System until they changed the policy regarding patients 65 and over. Being skeptical of having an insurance company manage our health care, we kept our supplemental insurance and went with a doctor outside the system.
The medical system has changed over the years. Lake Imaging (who the doctors like to use) went from readily available appointments to a 3-week delay in our case, probably caused by the population explosion in this area. So we simply called another imaging center (in Ocala) and went there the next day. This happened more than once. Having Original Medicare allowed us to do this.
Having Original Medicare also allows for choosing one's doctors, but it can be a rocky path, too. GP's (and specialists) must juggle Medicare's rules, maintain a competent and polite office staff (different every time we go), and make enough income to maintain the practice, plus, hopefully, diagnose patients promptly and correctly. I remember way back when I went for a yearly physical it was a real hands-on workout. Now, it is a twice-a-year blood test, followed up in person by a quick discussion with the doctor.
TVHS was established with the promise that their doctors would not be burdened with an excessive patient roster; that would allow sufficient time devoted to each patient. Has that changed? When I was a patient, my only complaint was that my doctor would never remain with TVHS very long. They were fairly young, so something about this place or method of practice must not have been to their liking. My husband's doctor was older and he remained there.
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I have the TVH AARP Medicare Advantage PPO plan and like you can go to
other imaging centers. I have frequent ultrasounds and have used three different imaging centers here in TV with no problem. I also have the imaging done in New York State with no issue. Probably different than you I have a deductible up to out of pocket amount but then again I don't have a supplemental premium.Given my health I would probably financially be better off with picking Medicare and a supplemental at 65. However like you I was in TVH health and had to go on their acceptable Advantage Plans or leave the system. We liked TVH system so much we decided to stay with them. I still do not regret that decision.We also have had no problems with being on the advantage ppo plan (we are snowbirds). We have had 100's of thousands of $'s of claims with no problem in Florida and New York State.
I have been lucky with my primary doctor. I have the same primary I started with 11 years ago. My spouse has been in the same system with me but has had her primary changed 3 times.