Quote:
Originally Posted by Villages PL
The Marcus Welby model calls for a long term doctor/patient relationship so that the doctor gets to know the patient really well. This is supposed to lead to better disease prevention and medical treatment of illness. And this is what has been suggested by The Villages Health Care Clinics.
But they are now accepting those who belong to Preferred Care Partners. The very nature of HMOs is that people change from one plan to another as financial benefits change. I don't see that as being conducive to any long term relationship. Are they saying one thing and doing another?
They can say, "if you switch plans that's your fault; don't switch to another plan. But I chose Preferred Care Partners simply because they refund the monthly medicare premium. If they stop refunding it, and some other plan beats their deal, I would be foolish not to switch plans. But then I would lose the long term doctor/patient relationship.
I suspect that The Villages Health Care Clinics (and WellCare) will try to get as many patients from Preferred Care Partners as they can, and then they will eventually stop refunding the medicare premium. That would represent a loss to each member patient of $1,200.00 per year. And by that time there will be few other choices to switch to as most people will belong to The Villages Health Care Clinics. And perhaps the clinics will have absorbed all the best doctors (brain drain). My current doctor may not survive in this environment where everyone is being sold on joining one of the clinics. It's as though we are about to play the game of "musical chairs".
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There is absolutely no reason for you to worry about this issue. Because you are on this diet, you will outlive any doctor you consult.
Now. That's settled.