Villages healthcare? Yuck!

[gerryann]

Extremely disappointed in the healthcare here in the villages. It's not ALL of Florida...just here. I had very good healthcare in the the Naples/ft Myers/Bonita Springs areas. I'm beginning to think that the Dr's are tired of dealing with Medicare, therefore we don't get top notch Dr's here. We get the leftovers or the semi-retired.

[Love2cruise]

Extremely disappointed in the healthcare here in the villages. It's not ALL of Florida...just here. I had very good healthcare in the the Naples/ft Myers/Bonita Springs areas. I'm beginning to think that the Dr's are tired of dealing with Medicare, therefore we don't get top notch Dr's here. We get the leftovers or the semi-retired.

I am sorry to hear that. I love my Dr in Pinellas.

[Bonny]

Sorry you are having a hard time finding some good Doctors. There are some here. I have some really good ones here. I remember when we first moved here 14 years ago. Definitely hard finding a good doctor.

[mikeandnancy1112]

I also love my doctor in Colony!

[Down Sized]

I like my doctor and P A's at Colony. I've had very good luck every visit. Even when they forwarded me to a specialist. Are they the best doctors that I have ever been to? No.
For a small town of this size they do very well. Maybe most doctors don't want to live with all us OLD people in a small out of the way town. There for they have a harder time recruiting the BEST. Just thinking.

[gerryann]

I like my doctor and P A's at Colony. I've had very good luck every visit. Even when they forwarded me to a specialist. Are they the best doctors that I have ever been to? No.
For a small town of this size they do very well. Maybe most doctors don't want to live with all us OLD people in a small out of the way town. There for they have a harder time recruiting the BEST. Just thinking.

I agree with this. I will be going to someone new soon. He has been highly recommended here on TOTV. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Madelaine Amee]

Extremely disappointed in the healthcare here in the villages. It's not ALL of Florida...just here. I had very good healthcare in the the Naples/ft Myers/Bonita Springs areas. I'm beginning to think that the Dr's are tired of dealing with Medicare, therefore we don't get top notch Dr's here. We get the leftovers or the semi-retired.

I guess I must have been lucky because I have only had one medical person who I did not care for, the rest of my doctors are great. BUT, I go to no one without checking them out on the various health lines. I want to know where they graduated, where they did their residency and what area of the USA they came from. In the case of a doctor not born in this country I search to see what hospital took them on when they came here. It's the same as with anything else in life - research, research and then research again.

[gerryann]

I guess I must have been lucky because I have only had one medical person who I did not care for, the rest of my doctors are great. BUT, I go to no one without checking them out on the various health lines. I want to know where they graduated, where they did their residency and what area of the USA they came from. In the case of a doctor not born in this country I search to see what hospital took them on when they came here. It's the same as with anything else in life - research, research and then research again.

I do the same.....research, research.......

One thing that I find that is interesting here.......when going to docs up north....hometown wherever.....it seems that the Drs either went to school there, stayed and are in a practice in their home state. Some of the docs I went to school with, knew from childhood, etc.....When looking up docs here, seldom are they ever from Florida. They come from somewhere else ( which is not unusual for Florida).....however, they seem to have moved and moved and moved. ...from state to state...why is this?

[Madelaine Amee]

I do the same.....research, research.......

One thing that I find that is interesting here.......when going to docs up north....hometown wherever.....it seems that the Drs either went to school there, stayed and are in a practice in their home state. Some of the docs I went to school with, knew from childhood, etc.....When looking up docs here, seldom are they ever from Florida. They come from somewhere else ( which is not unusual for Florida).....however, they seem to have moved and moved and moved. ...from state to state...why is this?

This is just my own personal take on why they move here - for the same reason we have. The weather, the cost of living, the price of homes, quieter slower pace of life and plenty of people who need a doctor!

My primary care and my other doctor came from major teaching hospitals in Boston and NY. I am sure they had gone as far as they were going to go in their respective hospitals. The Administration must have been driving them crazy to cut costs and cut time with patients etc. etc. Also, there are huge numbers of young doctors coming out into the workforce who are up to date on the very latest technologies and are hired at lower rates of pay. If you have gone as far as you are going to go in your profession, why not move to Florida and live a slower pace of life in a great climate. Can you imagine trying to get to work every day in the traffic in Boston and NY? One of my doctors has five children and did not want to raise them in the big city atmosphere. And, that is my take on it all --------- which is probably very wrong!!!::smiley:

[Challenger]

We are from Maryland . Used a Johns Hopkins regional practice while there and long established specialists.
Was worried when moving here about quality of care. Am currently using a Cardiologist, Dermatoligist, two Opthalmologists, and an Internist. Very happy with their competence and manner.
Researched all on internet, and on TOTV . After 4 years and numerous proceedures, I am completely satisfied. Also found an excellent dentist.

[SoccerCoach]

Yes, it's RESEARCH, RESEARCH. There are fine doctors with the Villages Health Care. Reading what has been written here I would say that I and some others who have researched have been fortunate to select the fine doctors we have.

[missypie]

Very happy with the health care. I am my own advocate though.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I like my doctor a lot and I like the specialist that he's referred me to. I also am very happy with the service that I've gotten at the Urgent Care facility.

I had to have a procedure done at The Villages Hospital and I was very happy with the care that I got.

I do understand that the emergency room there is horrible but most of the complaints I've heard are about the wait and not the treatment.

[Bonny]

I spent 6 nights at the Villages Hospital in April. Then I spent 7 nights in the Villages Hospital end of May into June. I have to say, I had the best care I could ever ask for !!. Some of you know that I got sick in St. Maarten. I spent 3 days in the hospital there then I had to fly home on an ambulance jet. They flew me into Leesburg then I was taken by ambulance to the Villages. I am just thrilled at the care I received from everyone and many different Doctors in the Villages Hospital. I cannot thank them enough !!!

[gerryann]

I spent 6 nights at the Villages Hospital in April. Then I spent 7 nights in the Villages Hospital end of May into June. I have to say, I had the best care I could ever ask for !!. Some of you know that I got sick in St. Maarten. I spent 3 days in the hospital there then I had to fly home on an ambulance jet. They flew me into Leesburg then I was taken by ambulance to the Villages. I am just thrilled at the care I received from everyone and many different Doctors in the Villages Hospital. I cannot thank them enough !!!

Bonny, I'm certainly happy that you received good care and hope you are all better. I'm sure there are some good Drs here, I've just had some real bad luck finding them. I've had to see many specialist's.....not knowing this was going to happen, I had the worst insurance that one can have. As of July 1st, I'll have better insurance and hopefully better Dr's. I can only hope and pray.

[Bonny]

Bonny, I'm certainly happy that you received good care and hope you are all better. I'm sure there are some good Drs here, I've just had some real bad luck finding them. I've had to see many specialist's.....not knowing this was going to happen, I had the worst insurance that one can have. As of July 1st, I'll have better insurance and hopefully better Dr's. I can only hope and pray.

Hopefully better insurance will help you. I am lucky that I have medicare and tricare. I'm hoping they will pick up a little of the ambulance jet. They put $24,000 on my charge card for that jet ride back to Florida !!! :22yikes:

[George1938]

We are from Maryland . Used a Johns Hopkins regional practice while there and long established specialists.
Was worried when moving here about quality of care. Am currently using a Cardiologist, Dermatoligist, two Opthalmologists, and an Internist. Very happy with their competence and manner.
Researched all on internet, and on TOTV . After 4 years and numerous proceedures, I am completely satisfied. Also found an excellent dentist.
Would you be willing to share your list? Please PM me if you will. Thanks!

[sarick]

I have found the best doctor ever for my total knee replacement- Dr Steve V Nguyen!! It was minimal invasive -was walking the same day and was golfing 2 weeks after surgery. Caring and keeps up with the latest knowledge and technology. He goes in from the side and does not cut the muscle so quick recover time. Was very very pleased. Also Dr Scott clark great dermatology. So there are very good doctors out there- just need to check them out.

[OCsun]

Hopefully better insurance will help you. I am lucky that I have medicare and tricare. I'm hoping they will pick up a little of the ambulance jet. They put $24,000 on my charge card for that jet ride back to Florida !!! :22yikes:

Hi Bonny,
I worked for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Maryland for thirty years. I spoke to several people over the years regarding Air Ambulance Expenses.

Just wanted to pass on a possible lead which may provide some help with expenses. Many credit cards automatically provide coverage for unexpected medical expenses. Check with the credit card carrier you used when charging your trip to St. Maartin. They may just have some such automatic insurance. Let's hope! Pam

[Bonny]

That was the first thing we checked. Didn't cover that. :sad:

[Ohiogirl]

I am sure if you had it for this trip you have already checked it, but I am curious if something like your medical air ambulance would be covered on some trip insurance policies, and which one.

Never used to buy trip insurance, but I think in the future that whenever we go out of North America that I will be purchasing it, especially once we are on Medicare, which I understand only can be used in the U.S.? Is that correct? Wondering if there is a good, better, best policy. Anyone know?

[CFrance]

I am sure if you had it for this trip you have already checked it, but I am curious if something like your medical air ambulance would be covered on some trip insurance policies, and which one.

Never used to buy trip insurance, but I think in the future that whenever we go out of North America that I will be purchasing it, especially once we are on Medicare, which I understand only can be used in the U.S.? Is that correct? Wondering if there is a good, better, best policy. Anyone know?
This should probably be a separate thread, but... yes, it's true that Medicare does not cover foreign travel. We always buy medical + evac insurance for international travel. I use Medex, but there are a slew of companies if you google medical travel insurance. Amex used to have a fantastic, inexpensive one, but somehow they were forced to quit offering it, at least last I checked (November 2013).

There are a couple of supplemental (i.e., not advantage plans) plans that cover foreign travel, but they are very expensive. It's cheaper to just buy insurance for your trips.

[pattytracey]

where is a good dentist?

[CFrance]

where is a good dentist?
Do a search on the forum for "dentist." There are many recommendations. I suggest reading the most recent posts to get the newest information.

[asianthree]

we have office staff and doctors up north that are the same..so

[Halibut]

I've often wondered how doctors ended up here. Central Florida must be home to a small percentage, but unless they're Gerontologists I'm not sure they planned on working with so many seniors when they all finished their residencies. Eh, probably a hundred different reasons for a hundred different doctors. :)

I do believe the overall medical care here is equal to other communities of comparable size and sufficient for most needs. Not the best but not horrible and advanced teaching hospitals are not too far away.

[Iseeyou]

Well, that is a shame. However, you have the choice to take your business elsewhere. There are plenty of people who will take your place. Some of the doctors have a waiting list. TVH is not going anywhere anytime soon. They are competent doctors and staff who can and will take care of you. However, healthcare is what it is and you cannot expect them to roll the red carpet out for you every single time your back hurts or your hip hurts or you have the sniffles. Also, why is it folks move here and all of a sudden they forgot how to take care of themselves? I love my doctor here you should find someone you like even if it means leaving where you are at.

[Bonny]

I am sure if you had it for this trip you have already checked it, but I am curious if something like your medical air ambulance would be covered on some trip insurance policies, and which one.

Never used to buy trip insurance, but I think in the future that whenever we go out of North America that I will be purchasing it, especially once we are on Medicare, which I understand only can be used in the U.S.? Is that correct? Wondering if there is a good, better, best policy. Anyone know?

We sometimes get trip insurance. Didn't really think about it this time as we were staying at our timeshare.
Will definitely get trip insurance from now on !

[gerryann]

Well, that is a shame. However, you have the choice to take your business elsewhere. There are plenty of people who will take your place. Some of the doctors have a waiting list. TVH is not going anywhere anytime soon. They are competent doctors and staff who can and will take care of you. However, healthcare is what it is and you cannot expect them to roll the red carpet out for you every single time your back hurts or your hip hurts or you have the sniffles. Also, why is it folks move here and all of a sudden they forgot how to take care of themselves? I love my doctor here you should find someone you like even if it means leaving where you are at.

What a pleasant first post.

I don't believe anyone expects a red carpet rolled out for minor situations as you suggest. Why do you believe that folks here forget how to take care of themselves? This is a senior community. Unfortunately, very often with age comes health concerns. Why so bitter? I'm sure we're all pleased that you love your doctor.

[alanmcdonald]

We are new/part time Villagers and wanted to make sure we got hooked up with a doctor in Pinellas TV Health before they filled up their patient limit so we made appointments with Dr. Perez even though we have doctors back in Georgia until we get here full time next year.

We were amazed how much interest he took in each of us and his willingness to work with our hometown doctors. His examination and information gathering was extensive and time consuming.

We will be glad to have him a three minute cart ride from our home when we are full time Villagers.

[bean021]

We are from Maryland . Used a Johns Hopkins regional practice while there and long established specialists.
Was worried when moving here about quality of care. Am currently using a Cardiologist, Dermatoligist, two Opthalmologists, and an Internist. Very happy with their competence and manner.
Researched all on internet, and on TOTV . After 4 years and numerous proceedures, I am completely satisfied. Also found an excellent dentist.
I am new to the villages and going thru the process of finding Drs. Can you give the name of your dermatologist and internist??

[gamby]

How about giving Names of the good doctors ??
And why you think they are so good.

I notice when a doctor is bad people offer the name !

[Bonanza]

Extremely disappointed in the healthcare here in the villages. It's not ALL of Florida...just here. I had very good healthcare in the the Naples/ft Myers/Bonita Springs areas. I'm beginning to think that the Dr's are tired of dealing with Medicare, therefore we don't get top notch Dr's here. We get the leftovers or the semi-retired.

My husband and I are satisfied with our internist, however, have had a couple of lousy experiences with other doctors, also.

I truly believe that many doctors have come here for the $$$. They know there's over 100,000 people from which to draw as patients. They know we're all older. They know there's bound to be a lot of illness and other maladies. They know we're going to die sooner than later. And most of all . . . they know they'll get paid!

[mfp509]

My Dr's are Dr Salluck-Citrus Cardiology, Dr Jodi Armstrong-Ocala Eye, Dr Hilder-Dermatologist. Very satisfied with them. Am changing my primary to Dr Wald in the new Mulberry Medical Center - highly recommended by my neighbors so I will soon find out.

[rubicon]

The affect of the 3rd party payers and regulators have on healthcare along with the effect ACA is having on us all directly or indirectly has caused considerable anguish in the medical community. I certainly would be frustrated with insurance people and government officials interfering with my ability to treat my patient...........and I was an insurance guy

Having addressed that complication I wonder what an individual's definition of a good doctor is? For example my initial primary care doctor perhaps may have been good at doctoring but his personality was very offending and prevented the rapport I require in order to gain confidence. I went to another office and found that the primary care doctors ignored the incompetence of their clerical staff. A complaint that I later found was cited by many ex-patients. Obviously expectations based on previous experience with doctors from you home states factors in.

And I learned that even when a doctor refers you to the "doctor that doctors go to "is no guarantee that he can't error.

In my view I have gained more confidence in Munroe Medical Community

I will tell you there is an emergency room doctor( Dr. Stoner) at the Villages Hospital who treated me in the emergency room for well an emergency and I found him to be top shelf

[cromlich]

I've had wonderful care from The Villages Healthcare. Love my doctor. Maybe you should just ask to change doctors in the system. The problems are the same up North. You just have to find the right match.

[gamby]

Right on target BONANZA

[dbussone]

Sorry you are having a hard time finding some good Doctors. There are some here. I have some really good ones here. I remember when we first moved here 14 years ago. Definitely hard finding a good doctor.


Actually there are many good physicians here now - from PCs to specialists. You just have to do the research.

[Bonny]

Actually there are many good physicians here now - from PCs to specialists. You just have to do the research.
I meant it was harder 14 years ago. Much easier now. I have a great Dr. and some really good specialists. I'm very happy with my Drs. They're really good.

[cromlich]

Dr Massodi is wonderful at the Santa Barbara Villages Healthcare.

[shcisamax]

GerryAnn, I totally empathize. That said, I think a few things come into play. First, the entire health care industry isn't what it used to be. Not here, not anywhere. Doctors do not spend huge amounts of time with patients. It is all about the numbers and getting people in an out. So part of getting the most out of the appointment is being organized and having questions ready. That said, I personally have gone through several doctors. I am now looking outside the Villages Health system.

We just went through a crisis event causing us to go to the Village Hospital for the second time. Forget the emergency situation. As we all know, or most of us, it is a 50/50 chance of satisfaction. But you can't judge a hospital on emergency only. However, after I questioned a diagnosis from the doctor which seemed liked he was missing what was going on, they sent in a case worker to talk to me. In 12 seconds, the caseworker looked shocked at me and said, "He isn't ok." and left the room quickly. She went to talk to the doctor and he came back in and tried to backtrack. After he was checked in, it went downhill. Without going through the entire litany, after all the tests and couple days, they were going to operate but, as it turns out, would have done the wrong operation. I didn't realize it would be the wrong operation until we finally moved to Shands because I had lost confidence in the competence of TVH. After one simple question, (which TVH surgeon forgot to ask) it came out, oops, that would be the wrong operation to do. As it turned out, after reviewing the records, (and they ran a couple of their own to confirm) he didn't even need the operation. They could manage it through medicine. In fact, the suggested operation had nothing to do with the reason we were there. We found out at Shands that the meds that had been given through Colony Village Health were wrong. We found out there was so much that should have been tested for that never was. In fact, I had questioned the doctor's office about diabetes and was continually told not to worry. Borderline. No problem. Turns out after this, a glucose tolerance test was ordered and it was very apparent there was diabetes. Not a borderline issue. The BP medicine was way to low. Basically, all the meds that were germane were changed. From this experience, we have decided to move outside the medicare United Health Village system which dropped Shands and Moffitt. We have been looking for qualified physicians outside of TV. While I applaud Gary Morse for an amazing development, I think medicine is more than bottom line set design. It all seems so pretty and happy but, for us, very disappointing. We will be looking into the options for changing the medicare UH Villages advantage plan for this coming year.

I have hesitated to post this for some time as I don't like to air dirty laundry and I know some people are very happy. And as I said, I have great respect for the developer for the balance of TV. So, if you don't like what I said, please refrain from any complaint with this post.

[pbkmaine]

So, if The Villages UHC Medicare Advantage Plan is not the answer, has anyone found a Medicare Plan, Advantage or otherwise, that has good doctors, good hospitals and good care? Florida Blue Cross Blue Shield?

[Shidler]

I am thinking along the same lines as you. Have you found a good health plan? I am considering Humana Advantage. It includes Shands hospital; I need to research the doctors in the plan. Is anyone using Humana?

[Philip Winkler]

I am very happy with The Villages UHC plan; my family doctor at Pinellas is great!

[gerryann]

I am thinking along the same lines as you. Have you found a good health plan? I am considering Humana Advantage. It includes Shands hospital; I need to research the doctors in the plan. Is anyone using Humana?

I think it all boils down to your health "issues". I am currently using Humana PPO. I don't have to go through a PCP to see a specialist. Works for me since I haven't found a PCP that cares, so I don't have one. If you see an out of network Dr., it's not a whole lot more expensive than in network.

If you use an HMO, you're stuck with ONLY the Drs on the plan. I haven't heard good things about the villages HMO with United Health Care. A lot of very good Drs were dropped by UHC when the villages health care came about.

[NotGolfer]

So far....we've been very happy with TVHC system. We go to Santa Barbara and both of us have seen several folks there. IF you call and go in on that same day, you might not see your regular provider. It's of my opinion...you can be anywhere and have a bad experience. Dr's do what is called a "practice", like it or not. We all need to be our own advocates for sure. IF you think you can get far better care from somewhere else then go for it. But don't diss the whole system because of your personal experience.

Up north, we used to hear that the system in our small town was awful...that one should go up the highway to a larger "better" town and the care would be awesomely better. BUT that said on either spectrum we'd hear opposite comments. We stuck with the system in our town and never experienced any adverse care in our many years of living there.

[bettymg1866]

LOVE LOVE LOVE my DR at Colony!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VERY happy with the Villages Healthcare center!!!!

[mikeandnancy1112]

Ditto bettymg1866!

[Bonny]

Yep, I love mine at TVHC Santa Barbara !!

[PennBF]

In the real world a teaching hospital/clinic that is rated high on the list of the specific medical problem is the very best to use. A year or so ago we had a colonosphy by a local Dr. Dr. said they did not get one and needed surgery to get it out. Flew to MD Anderson in Huston, Texas. Net: Surgery was not needed and could be taken out without surgery. Done and out it one day. Have lived through a family member and was care taker for Hodgins and 15 years later stomach cancers. Always used a teaching hospital/clinic rated the highest for both. I do believe the Urgent Care at Lake Sumter is great for every days type of need. We have Mayo in Jacksonville, Sands, Cleveland Clinic available and for a few dollars in air fare the MD Anderson Hospital in Houston which is rated #1 in the world for cancer diagnosis. As a rather famous Dr once told me the critical part of an illness is diagnosis. Almost anyone can treat once there is a fix on the problem. Thus, major teaching Hospital/Clinic as first step in treatment. :mornincoffee:

[MSGirl]

My husband has Medicare with AARP United Healthcare Plan F as his supplement. He can use it anywhere. We were thinking of changing to Villages Medicare Advantage based on cost. But thanks to these posts he will remain with his current plan. He has Plan D for his prescriptions.

[NYGUY]

....We were thinking of changing to Villages Medicare Advantage based on cost. But thanks to these posts he will remain with his current plan....

A wise decision!!!

[dplars]

I feel our medical care here is top notch, one has the responsibility to do a little research and not by just one "word of Mouth". We all have different standards. Be responsible for your choices.

[CFrance]

In the real world a teaching hospital/clinic that is rated high on the list of the specific medical problem is the very best to use. A year or so ago we had a colonosphy by a local Dr. Dr. said they did not get one and needed surgery to get it out. Flew to MD Anderson in Huston, Texas. Net: Surgery was not needed and could be taken out without surgery. Done and out it one day. Have lived through a family member and was care taker for Hodgins and 15 years later stomach cancers. Always used a teaching hospital/clinic rated the highest for both. I do believe the Urgent Care at Lake Sumter is great for every days type of need. We have Mayo in Jacksonville, Sands, Cleveland Clinic available and for a few dollars in air fare the MD Anderson Hospital in Houston which is rated #1 in the world for cancer diagnosis. As a rather famous Dr once told me the critical part of an illness is diagnosis. Almost anyone can treat once there is a fix on the problem. Thus, major teaching Hospital/Clinic as first step in treatment. :mornincoffee:
I so agree with this, and also have personal experience with correct diagnosis from a teaching hospital, and excellent treatment results.

We face many medical uncertainties as we age. I would not want to limit myself to a healthcare plan that would charge me dearly for going to the experts for the latest knowledge and treatment.

[gerryann]

I feel our medical care here is top notch, one has the responsibility to do a little research and not by just one "word of Mouth". We all have different standards. Be responsible for your choices.

This statement may be true for one without medical problems. This is NOT the place to be if you are in need of a diagnosis.
As PennBF said....you need a good teaching/diagnostic medical facility. The Dr's here are fine for everyday common problems, but if you need anything beyond that......look elsewhere. That is what I am doing and hopefully once I have a DX, I will be able to find someone here that might care and will be able to help with treatment......fingers crossed.

[NYGUY]

This statement may be true for one without medical problems. This is NOT the place to be if you are in need of a diagnosis.
As PennBF said....you need a good teaching/diagnostic medical facility. The Dr's here are fine for everyday common problems, but if you need anything beyond that......look elsewhere. That is what I am doing and hopefully once I have a DX, I will be able to find someone here that might care and will be able to help with treatment......fingers crossed.

Best of luck!!!

[2BNTV]

I have found that finding all the doctors that one may need, takes time and effort.

I rely on my PCP to refer me to specialists that are covered by my plan. So far, so good. I was once referred to a doctor not in my plan but calling the office and restating that I needed a doctor within my plan, solved that problem.

I was going to switch plans this year, but my PCP was not covered in the new plan, so I decided to stay with the old plan. Still looking for an honest dentist in my plan. I can't seem to find a dentist to do a regular cleaning, They all want to do a deep cleaning, at $600 plus. OUCH!!!

I go to Felix Agbo, 910 Old Camp Rd in LSL, Ste 144, 753.2224.

Trained in England, and Mt Sanai, in New York. Listens to his patients and doesn't rush you out of his office. Very pleasant and smart too!!! Great office staff.

[cromlich]

I have had nothing but exceptional care from The Villages Healthcare. I adore my PCP. He was more genuinely caring then any doctor I have had in the past. So sorry you had a bad experience. It's a new system and probably will take time to iron out some things but all in all I think it has been a blessing to our community.