Villages Health System

[ConnecticutYankee]

Has anyone joined the Villages Health System? What has your experience been? Are you satisfied? Do you like your Doctor? Staff?

[SoccerCoach]

My doctor is with Villages Health System. Being a Connecticut Yankee myself, with fantastic doctors there I thought I would find the same here. Wrong! I changed primary care doctors three (3) times. I see Dr. Christopher Pead. He and his staff are just what I was looking for, professional, caring, punctual, easy to communicate with. His patient load may be maxed now, but check him out, perhaps there is opportunity. I also now have a cardiologist who also is about quantity and quality of life as well.

[Mudder]

Lots of previous posts about this subject. We like the system, like our doctor.

[Villageswimmer]

Can someone tell me what the advantages are other than convenience? I've reviewed the website. Appears the doctors have privileges only at TVRH.

Am I missing something? We called them a couple of weeks ago and the earliest appt we could get just to meet with someone was April 14. My husband needed a pre-op exam for surgery and was turned down since we didn't yet belong. That's ok, I guess. I am just looking for a list of the pros to see whether it's worth persuing.

[Birdie Dreamer]

As noted there have been a number of previous posts on this topic with varying opinions based on individual perspectives and expectations. Wife and I have had positive experiences in our short tenure. The fact that some physicians are already at max patient load and the long wait to get an introductory appointment ( which does not preclude being seen for acute issues) seems to me to be an indicator that it is working.

[Villageswimmer]

As noted there have been a number of previous posts on this topic with varying opinions based on individual perspectives and expectations. Wife and I have had positive experiences in our short tenure. The fact that some physicians are already at max patient load and the long wait to get an introductory appointment ( which does not preclude being seen for acute issues) seems to me to be an indicator that it is working.


Ya think? How does the fact that a lot of people belong indicate that "it's" working?

I don't have an opinion and am not saying it's not the greatest, just looking for specific advantages of

this system. I couldn't find any clear selling points, other than rah-rah team approach stuff, etc.

[NotGolfer]

My doctor is with Villages Health System. Being a Connecticut Yankee myself, with fantastic doctors there I thought I would find the same here. Wrong! I changed primary care doctors three (3) times. I see Dr. Christopher Pead. He and his staff are just what I was looking for, professional, caring, punctual, easy to communicate with. His patient load may be maxed now, but check him out, perhaps there is opportunity. I also now have a cardiologist who also is about quantity and quality of life as well.

We're in this same practice and will say the same thing that this poster said! I've had the privilege to also see the medical director of this clinic and his ARNP as well for a "same-day" appointment for a medical issue. Cannot be happier with this new system!!!

[skyguy79]

Can someone tell me what the advantages are other than convenience? I've reviewed the website. Appears the doctors have privileges only at TVRH. Unless the information I've found on the Leesburg Regional Medical Center's website is obsolete or changed, I found that my Villages Health System doctor, Karla Noel, MD has privileges at both The Villages Hospital and at Leesburg. It sounds reasonable that doctors could have privileges at Leesburg since both The Villages and Leesburg fall under the same organization, The Central Florida Health Alliance.

Also, I only found Dr. Noel and one other doctor listed at the site, but I think that the information needs to be updated and that there may well be more with privileges that need to be added.

See Dr. Noel's privileges indicated here: Dr. Karla Noel (http://leesburgregional.photobooks.com/directory/profile.asp?dbase=main&setsize=5&facility=3&city=&practice=The+Villages+Health+-+Colony+Care+Center&specialty=&pict_id=4068719)

To check about your physician's privilege status, call our their Physician Referral Service available 24/7:
Leesburg: (352) 323-1000
The Villages: (352) 751-8585
Toll-free: (800) 889-3755

[Finallyfree]

We use the Colony clinic, have had nothing but good results. When I got an early surgery schedule I called and they got me in within 45 minutes for labs, X-ray and back that afternoon for dr consult. Unfortunately/fortunately they discovered I had pneumonia so no surgery the next day but got the pneumonia treated ( I had no symptoms). Got another early surgery appt., same thing they got me in immediately and I had my surgery in Gainesville the next day. This is an example of the care. I popped in one day thinking I had a "UTI" they got a dr to do a request and labs, got antibiotics the next day. I cannot say enough good things about The Colony Clinic. Good luck on your search, but for your own health's sake, don't wait until you need a doctor to start the process.

[jimmy D]

Sorry but who ordered the surgery since you needed pre-op would not the person who is your doctor to all of that, not send you to a new doctor that you may not even know. and to all of you who have great Drs up North I may be wrong but you are not up North. There are many good Drs here and so not so good. If you are looking for miracles look in a church. Do some research and do not compare everything up North. sorry for all the trouble you are having but to much whining about everything.

[Finallyfree]

Surgery was in Gainesville, faster to have tests here and have them fax results. I had been seeing my dr. Here for several months, he knew all about the surgery. It was a shoulder replacement, not emergency stuff.

[Avista]

Dr Noel, Medical Director at Pinellas, diagnosed my parathyroidism first visit. It had been missed by previous docs. Had surgery in Tampa and now feel great.

[linda_sears]

Dr Noel is fabulous!

[trichard]

The Villages Health was established because of the overwhelming complaints about the quality of care in the area. The developer has invested in a system that brings quality physicians to The Villages. I am not sure how much money the developers have put up to support this business. However, this is an upscale operation; I would like to know when it will be supporting itself with positive cash flow.

[gomoho]

The Villages Health was established because of the overwhelming complaints about the quality of care in the area. The developer has invested in a system that brings quality physicians to The Villages. I am not sure how much money the developers have put up to support this business. However, this is an upscale operation; I would like to know when it will be supporting itself with positive cash flow.

Interesting point - huge overhead that I can't imagine could be covered by payments from Medicare especially since the number of patients each doctor can handle is limited.

[Steve & Deanna]

We are waiting for the Lake Sumter office to open but we want to make sure that the MD we choose has admitting privileges to Munroe and/or Ocala Regional as they are top rated surgical centers. We've found out that not all MDs have admitting privileges to the aforementioned.

[Bizdoc]

We are waiting for the Lake Sumter office to open but we want to make sure that the MD we choose has admitting privileges to Munroe and/or Ocala Regional as they are top rated surgical centers. We've found out that not all MDs have admitting privileges to the aforementioned.

Don't hold your breath. Why would they want privileges at a hospital that is 30+ minutes away? They would potentially have to travel 1+ hours per day just to make rounds on a single patient. Not very cost effective... Besides, if you need surgery, they will refer you to a surgeon. Most of the VHS docs are internists or geriatrics. Don't think that there is a surgeon among them.

[Philip Winkler]

Recently joined The Villages Health system; my doctor is in the Pinellas Center. Very positive experience!

[TexaninVA]

We're in this same practice and will say the same thing that this poster said! I've had the privilege to also see the medical director of this clinic and his ARNP as well for a "same-day" appointment for a medical issue. Cannot be happier with this new system!!!

Agree overall ... only difference is we see Dr. Betts

[indianavette]

My wife and I are looking for a recommended DR in the Pinellas Center who is taking new patients. Any suggestions?

[skyguy79]

My wife and I are looking for a recommended DR in the Pinellas Center who is taking new patients. Any suggestions?Currently there appears to be only 4 doctors available for new patients at Pinellas; Helene Aisenstat, MD (http://www.thevillageshealth.com/bios_pinellas.html#inline2), Robert Aisenstat, MD (http://www.thevillageshealth.com/bios_pinellas.html#inline3), Mariel Gonzalez, MD (http://www.thevillageshealth.com/bios_pinellas.html#inline7) and Tomas Perez, MD (http://www.thevillageshealth.com/bios_pinellas.html#inline8). I've heard some good about the Aisenstats, but the other two are fairly new and may be too soon for any recommendations or comments.

[irishamr]

Any reviews of Dr. Clifford??

[Bizdoc]

Any reviews of Dr. Clifford??

Dr Clifford is very good. Both DW and I are patients of his. However, his patient load is full.

[YouNeverKnow]

How about Dr. Steven Long at Colony? Any reviews or experience with him?

[trichard]

What's the big announcement today?

[Villages PL]

Do some research and do not compare everything up North. sorry for all the trouble you are having but to much whining about everything.

If you ever post about a problem in the future, how would you feel if someone characterized it as, "too much whining."

[Villages PL]

Interesting point - huge overhead that I can't imagine could be covered by payments from Medicare especially since the number of patients each doctor can handle is limited.

I believe the plan is to assign the healthier patients to see a physician's assistant. How PAs would be used in the system was not disclosed and some people are only just learning about it now. The ballyhoo was about getting the best doctors from all over the country. And that's why so many people rushed to join up. If you have multiple serious health issues you will see a doctor, as you should. But if you are relatively healthy, you are not going to see Dr. welby. You are going to see Dr. Welby's assistant.

That, in my opinion, is how they will deal with the "huge overhead". A physician's assistant should be able handle at least a couple thousand patients and will recieve a lot less money than a doctor. And if anyone complains about being in the care of a PA, they will say, "instead of complaining, you should be happy that you don't have any serious health issues."

[skyguy79]

The state of one's health does not in my experience appear to be a criteria in determining if you see a doctor or you see a PA, at least in most cases.

I've been a patient of the Villages Health Centers since the beginning and I have multi-health issues, and my primary physician is now a center's medical director . If I ask for an appointment with my doctor, I can get an appointment with my doctor. If I ask for an appointment with one of her PA's I can get an appointment with that PA. What I usually do, as well as my wife, is take an appointment with whichever provider had an opening closest to when I want an appointment, and I'm happy with that arrangement.

Overall, I've had more appointments with a PA than with a doctor, but that's because my appointments are based on who is available when I want my appointment and not, with rare exception, which provider they think I should see. I hope this clears some of the misconceptions about patient assignment that may be out there!

[Villages PL]

I believe the plan is to assign the healthier patients to see a physician's assistant. How PAs would be used in the system was not disclosed and some people are only just learning about it now. The ballyhoo was about getting the best doctors from all over the country. And that's why so many people rushed to join up. If you have multiple serious health issues you will see a doctor, as you should. But if you are relatively healthy, you are not going to see Dr. welby. You are going to see Dr. Welby's assistant.

That, in my opinion, is how they will deal with the "huge overhead". A physician's assistant should be able handle at least a couple thousand patients and will recieve a lot less money than a doctor. And if anyone complains about being in the care of a PA, they will say, "instead of complaining, you should be happy that you don't have any serious health issues."\

Skyguy79, I'm not saying that the above is going to be a hard-and-fast rule in all cases. No doubt there will be variations of it, depending on the doctor and depending on what patients ask for or demand. But the PAs are there for a reason and I believe it is to take some of the workload off of the doctors. This way they can handle many more patients than what was stated in the beginning. And this is part of the secret of how they will make it work financially.

A lot of people will be shy to ask for or demand a doctor if they think they might not need one. Some may think it looks like a rejection of the PA. And if they do ask for a doctor, they will probably get less time than if they see a PA. So the choice will likely be between getting a more knowledgeable person (a doctor) and getting "the bums rush" or getting more time but with a less knowledgeable person (a PA).

[Bizdoc]

Whenever we have called for an appointment, we've been asked what was wrong. When we clearly needed the experience of an MD, that's what we got. In a couple of cases, the problem was straightforward and after a quick evaluation, the PA-C or ARNP prescribed antibiotics and sent us on our way. On a couple of other occasions, we were offered a choice of an PA-C/ARNP today or the doc in a couple of days.

I've found their PA-Cs and ARNPs to be well trained and knowledgeable. They often deal with a narrower group of illnesses than an MD, but that doesn't make them less capable.

Part of the problem is what I call "The Cabinet Syndrome." If FEMA isn't on scene 20 minutes after a tornado, they should be! If I call for a doctor, he or she should be waiting for me. If I call 911, the police car should be parked down the block waiting for my call. TV has us all believing that everything can be fixed in 60 minutes or less.

If you feel the need for instant care by a doctor, you probably need to invest in a concierge doc (think $20-30K per year per person) or move next to a huge medical center (think Mayo or Johns Hopkins) where there will be an army of residents waiting for you to walk thru the door.

Is the Village Health System perfect. No. But then again, it has been up and running for less than 18 months. On the whole, it's working well. I think it will continue to improve over time.

[trichard]

Just found out that the USF Specialty Care Physicians will not be employed by USF effective July 1st. They and their staffs will be employed by The Villages Health.