New policy with The Villages Health

[PandG]

Is anyone aware that T.V. Health is quietly starting to roll out a new policy of charging for 2 separate office visits for lab work and the follow-up general visit with your primary doctor?

I just learned that today when I called to find out why I received a bill which I thought was paid. I verified with my insurance company (not on Medicare yet), and the gal said it should be considered one visit--as it was for me last year.

I spent time on the phone with my Villages Health Office, and learned that as patients book their lab appointments they will now receive a brochure stating there will likely be 2 separate office visit charges--one for the lab work and another for the doctor reviewing the results 2 weeks later. They do not plan to mail these brochures out to all of their patients!

From what I understand, they will do "more" at the lab visit, such as review med's, take blood pressure, etc. This is what they do when you see the doctor anyway! I told them I plan to get the blood work done (and pay the office visit), check the results on my online portal, and call the Dr. with any questions--instead of paying a co-pay for a visit to see the doctor.

Does this sound like a rip-off to anyone else? What would Marcus Welby think? :-)

[Bogie Shooter]

That's the way I have been charged in the past, nothing new.

[graciegirl]

Is anyone aware that T.V. Health is quietly starting to roll out a new policy of charging for 2 separate office visits for lab work and the follow-up general visit with your primary doctor?

I just learned that today when I called to find out why I received a bill which I thought was paid. I verified with my insurance company (not on Medicare yet), and the gal said it should be considered one visit--as it was for me last year.

I spent time on the phone with my Villages Health Office, and learned that as patients book their lab appointments they will now receive a brochure stating there will likely be 2 separate office visit charges--one for the lab work and another for the doctor reviewing the results 2 weeks later. They do not plan to mail these brochures out to all of their patients!

From what I understand, they will do "more" at the lab visit, such as review med's, take blood pressure, etc. This is what they do when you see the doctor anyway! I told them I plan to get the blood work done (and pay the office visit), check the results on my online portal, and call the Dr. with any questions--instead of paying a co-pay for a visit to see the doctor.

Does this sound like a rip-off to anyone else? What would Marcus Welby think? :-)



They do it in what I think of as a medical mecca, back home in Cincinnati.


I think it is common practice. Our doc orders labs at your check up and then wants to see you after you have them, if things change and changes need to be made to your meds. In some cases, it is taking a lesser dose. Or if bloodwork shows something, an increase in meds. At our age, this happens often.

[ladila2]

I told the technician at Colony that I did not want my blood pressure or weight taken. No problem. (Haven't gotten a bill yet, but was told I would not be charged for 2 "visits",

[graciegirl]

I told the technician at Colony that I did not want my blood pressure or weight taken. No problem. (Haven't gotten a bill yet, but was told I would not be charged for 2 "visits",



Does the Villages Healthcare system have a lab onsite? Our local doctors order labs at Quest, etc.

[skyguy79]

Does the Villages Healthcare system have a lab onsite? Our local doctors order labs at Quest, etc.No they don't. They've used Quest but mostly LabCore for my tests.

[jblum315]

My doctor has his own lab in the same building. Regardless, I get billed for the lab work and for the follow up visit. I thought that was common practice. Medicare pays, not me.

[NotGolfer]

Villages HealthCare sends the labwork out just as someone else here commented on. We have the Advantage plan so get billed a $13.00 co-pay for the labwork. No co-pay for the office visit to our primary.

[blueash]

It would seem to me that it is perfectly reasonable to ask that the doctor's office contact you to return if there is a problem. There is no medical reason for a visit to tell you everything is fine. There is of course a dollar reason. Some argue that we patients are emotionally incapable of handling the "there is a problem and we need to see you" phone call. For those in this emotionally challenged state, then you go ahead and ask for a follow up visit even if everything is fine. As to the attitude "I don't pay for it, Medicare does" somebody is paying for it, me, my kids, my grandchildren and the US economy. Does anyone have a routine visit after a mammogram to tell you it was normal?

[Vernster]

bluish,
I agree with you that "we all pay", and also there is no need for a follow up to discuss normal lab work.

In Ma I had just the most intelligent, caring and compassionate primary care physician. Unfortunately I have been unable to find the same here. My PC here has his own lab and I was being charged outrageous prices for blood draws and processing. I do not have Medicare and my insurance refused to pay for these extra charges. I now have my lab work done at Quest, which my insurance covers and, have a copy of the results faxed to both my physician and myself. This works out well and is reviewed at the next scheduled visit unless there is something unusual.

[tag460]

I have always been billed twice but I have the blood drawn before my annual physical.

[Vernster]

I have always been billed twice but I have the blood drawn before my annual physical.

You still should not be billed for 2 medical visits.

[gomoho]

This is a common practice to make more money. I think it is disgusting and even worse when people don't have a problem with it 'cause "Medicare pays not me". Where the hell do you think that medicare money comes from??? that's right your pocket and every one of us that pays taxes. Start being proactive and demand these practices be stopped - it's a baby step towards reforming this ridiculous way of doing business.

[Ohiogirl]

Interesting. We are not on Medicare yet. Our doctors in Ohio - Columbus, which has excellent medical facilities (we have 2 different primary physicians) draw the blood at their office as part of the regular annual physical (no extra charge for drawing blood) and send it out to a lab. Normal physical stuff labs are covered at 100% under the ACA as is the physical. Charged toward our deductible if there is any unusual lab work ordered. Have to review the lab bill carefully as sometimes the insurance co. doesn't pay what they are supposed to and we have to bring that to their attention - shouldn't have to do that. We get a phone call if normal results and no other follow-up visit or charge.

Even if slightly abnormal result (e.g., blood sugar trending up but not danger zone yet, or Vitamin D levels low), we get a phone call with discussion and Rx done over the phone. No extra visit to discuss results and no 2nd charge. Vit D levels monitored in 6 mos. When one of us first had a blood sugar reading trending up, we were referred to a dietician for counseling and advised how to home monitor.

I had one physical in Florida a couple of years ago - 2 visits, 2 charges, plus charges at lab. And - doctor wanted to see me again in 6 mos. With no issues. Was billed twice for the first visit - as a new patient with a diagnosis of Rosacea (which I see a dermatologist for already) and for the routine physical - over $600! Fought the charge and finally got the co-pay dropped. Wasn't easy. Wasn't happy and would have changed anyway, but this year they no longer take our insurance.

Was going to try The Villages Health, which took our insurance last year, but they don't this year. Still looking for a reputable doctor who takes our insurance and is likely to take whatever we have when we get to Medicare in 18 months, and also have to hope the doctor takes our non-Medicare insurance in 2015.

Meanwhile, going to schedule my physical in Ohio this summer and bring copies back with me, and make an appt. this fall to just meet and greet and hand over my records.