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Well The Villages Health Care system advertised n the Daily Sun that only patients carrying Villages Health Care Insurance (AARP sponsored) would get same day appointments. They may take other insurance but it seems you go to the back of the line.

As an overview I see some troubling developments. Medical organizations all over the country are putting private practice physicians out of business as these doctors are leaving private practice to join ACO's like hospitals; coupled with the influence of the government (Medicare/Medicaid) and insurance companies have over medical practices and medical fees doctors may say they put patients first but the financial guys are pulling the strings. You may not notice this at first but eventually you will.

For example my cardiologist has an independent practice with four other doctors. Medicare began cutting their fees 4 years ago and in addition medicare is cutting all fees across the board 20% more. This caused my cardiologist practice to post notice to patients that given the cuts and the demand for electronic medical records is creating a heavy financial burden and they don't know if they can continue. Hence many doctors facing this same dilemma are leaving self employment and becoming employees for hospitals ,etc.

Now you can draw any conclusion you choose but I have to wonder whether doctors can or will do what is in the best interest of the patient or what is economical feasible according to their guidelines. At the very least it leaves the perception of a conflict of interest. Medicine is not as precise as we like to think it is so often it is a toss up as to whether a certain treatment is necessary etc.

In closing I find the fact that telling people they will get priority if they sign up for their insurance model and also employing treating doctors a little scary. As much as we do not like to admit it the health care industry is no different than any other and profit is the bottom line. And while this industry goals will be honorable and they would not deliberately do anything to harm patients there are far too many factions intervening in the care and treatment of patients