Villages Health Care System

[Warren Kiefer]

Is anyone pleased with the Villages United Health Care as your provider ?? I do not have this coverage but today we requested an appointment with a orthopedic surgeon that we have been patients with for more than 10 years. A year ago the particular doctor joined the Villages Health Care. We were told we could not see this doctor without referral even though we were his patients for at least 10 years.

[shcisamax]

There are those who swear by it. But we got out of it. We felt it failed completely.

[NotGolfer]

You're going to get a plethora of "points of view" I'm sure but we've had them since they started and have been VERY happy with them so far. We're seen the same day we call (if we've had that need) ...not always with our provider but it's always been excellent care IMHO.

[Carla B]

Do you have a Medicare supplement or an Advantage plan? Your insurance most likely determines the provider you can see.

[Bizdoc]

Are you asking about The Villages Health Care system (as in the primary care clinics) or The Villages United Health Care Medicare Advantage plan? Two very different animals.

[Warren Kiefer]

Do you have a Medicare supplement or an Advantage plan? Your insurance most likely determines the provider you can see.

HI Carla, I do have a medicare advantage plan, but thru the Villages health care system. My is with a Illinois group. I am mostly disappointed that we cannot see a doctor we have been with for a long time without a referral. I suppose it is a rule set up by the Villages United Health Care.

[Warren Kiefer]

Are you asking about The Villages Health Care system (as in the primary care clinics) or The Villages United Health Care Medicare Advantage plan? Two very different animals.

I am sorry to say that I am unfamiliar with both plans. My question was generated because we were 20 year patients of a doctor who was in private practice. He is now in the Villages system I believe is now called "Villages Health".

[NYGUY]

Is anyone pleased with the Villages United Health Care as your provider ?? I do not have this coverage but today we requested an appointment with a orthopedic surgeon that we have been patients with for more than 10 years. A year ago the particular doctor joined the Villages Health Care. We were told we could not see this doctor without referral even though we were his patients for at least 10 years.

I am afraid your gripe is with the Doctor. He/She has apparently decided to affiliate himself with a different insurance carrier than the one you have and previously they accepted.

[The Buckeyes]

To us the advantage plan has no advantage. You have to be in network. We selected United healthcare plan f standard supplemental without having to stay in network. Because of our meds also choose United healthcare stand alone Part D. Everyone will have different opinions as everyone has different needs and financial capability play into it also.

[Biker Dog]

Are you asking about The Villages Health Care system (as in the primary care clinics) or The Villages United Health Care Medicare Advantage plan? Two very different animals.

They are in fact one and the same... You can not see TVHC primary physician without being enrolled in TVUHCMA plan. Therefore they are one and the same.:wave:

[Bizdoc]

They are in fact one and the same... You can not see TVHC primary physician without being enrolled in TVUHCMA plan. Therefore they are one and the same.:wave:

Not true. I (as many others) do not have TVUHCMA. It is true that it is the only Medicare Advantage plan which they take. They also take a large range of non-Advantage insurance plans.

You do have to become a patient of The Villages primary care system to be seen by their physicians. They, like many other doctors, do not take "walk-in" patients. They have a cap on the number of patients which each doctor is responsible for so as to keep wait times for appointments and in the office within reasonable limits.

[Avista]

We have been in The Villages Health Care System over a year. Our experience has been very positive. We are so thankful to have them. PM me with any questions.

[NYGUY]

Not true. I (as many others) do not have TVUHCMA. It is true that it is the only Medicare Advantage plan which they take. They also take a large range of non-Advantage insurance plans.

You do have to become a patient of The Villages primary care system to be seen by their physicians. They, like many other doctors, do not take "walk-in" patients. They have a cap on the number of patients which each doctor is responsible for so as to keep wait times for appointments and in the office within reasonable limits.

That is true. Also, UHC has both a HMO, and PPO Medicare Advantage Plan that are accepted by The Villages Health. It should be noted that the HMO plan includes the words "The Villages" in its name, which makes some think The Villages is somehow the insurer. It is not (nor is AARP)....UHC is the insurer.

[Warren Kiefer]

I am afraid your gripe is with the Doctor. He/She has apparently decided to affiliate himself with a different insurance carrier than the one you have and previously they accepted.

Doctors don't usually affiliate themselves with any singular health insurance provider. Most accept a multitude of insurance providers. This doctor is now part of Villages Health Care which is not the same as the Villages United Health Care.

[Warren Kiefer]

They are in fact one and the same... You can not see TVHC primary physician without being enrolled in TVUHCMA plan. Therefore they are one and the same.:wave:

Not true, we have and are seeing physicians associated with TVHC and we definitely ARE NOT enrolled in TVUHCMA.

[Avista]

They are in fact one and the same... You can not see TVHC primary physician without being enrolled in TVUHCMA plan. Therefore they are one and the same.:wave:

I am on Medicare Supplement Plan F and go to the Villages Health at Colony. Love going there. Super docs.

[pbkmaine]

My understanding is that Villages Health accepts only United Healthcare, but that can be The Villages Medicare Advantage HMO or PPO, a plain old (non Villages) United Heathcare Medicare Advantage plan or the AARP Medigap plans, which are also United Healthcare.

[champion6]

Wow, so much misinformation in this thread. Their website clearly shows that they accept many healthcare plans: Accepted Insurance by The Villages Health (http://www.thevillageshealth.com/insurance.php)

Accepted insurance

If you are eligible for Medicare, we want you to know that the only Medicare Advantage plans The Villages Health participates in are those offered by UnitedHealthcare. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company is the same Medicare insurance provider that many Villagers already rely on for AARP Medicare Plans.

Traditional Medicare
UnitedHealthcare The Villages® MedicareComplete (HMO)
AARP® MedicareComplete Choice (Regional PPO)

We also accept most major health insurance plans:

Accountable Health Plan
AARP
Avmed
Blue Cross & Blue Shield

• Federal
• Blue Options
• Empire
• Health Options
• Preferred Patient Care
• Traditional

BCE Emergis
CCN
CCN/One Source
ChampVA
Cigna
Evolutions Healthcare
Great West
Interplan
Multiplan
NALC
One Health Plan
Pacificare
Private Healthcare System/PHCS
Proamerica
Railroad Medicare
Southcare
Tricare for Life
Tricare Standard
Up & Up
United Healthcare

Most major Preferred Provider Organization Plans

[Avista]

Wow, so much misinformation in this thread. Their website clearly shows that they accept many healthcare plans: Accepted Insurance by The Villages Health (http://www.thevillageshealth.com/insurance.php)

Accepted insurance

If you are eligible for Medicare, we want you to know that the only Medicare Advantage plans The Villages Health participates in are those offered by UnitedHealthcare. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company is the same Medicare insurance provider that many Villagers already rely on for AARP Medicare Plans.

Traditional Medicare
UnitedHealthcare The Villages® MedicareComplete (HMO)

AARP® MedicareComplete Choice (Regional PPO)

We also accept most major health insurance plans:

Accountable Health Plan
AARP
Avmed
Blue Cross & Blue Shield

• Federal
• Blue Options
• Empire
• Health Options
• Preferred Patient Care
• Traditional

BCE Emergis
CCN
CCN/One Source
ChampVA
Cigna
Evolutions Healthcare
Great West
Interplan
Multiplan
NALC
One Health Plan
Pacificare
Private Healthcare System/PHCS
Proamerica
Railroad Medicare
Southcare
Tricare for Life
Tricare Standard
Up & Up
United Healthcare

Most major Preferred Provider Organization Plans

Thanks for posting this. So much misinformation on this thread!

[rubicon]

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

[bilcon]

If you have United Health Care like my wife and I have as our Part B, you can get in. Our doctor is great, but don't get sick on Saturday or Sunday because they are closed. Four centers and not one doctor on duty weekends. Not good!

[Mimivillager]

Hubby and I signed up for Villages Health Care when they opened at Colony. We were not happy with our primary care physician at the time so that was not a problem. We can get there by golf cart. (close to home-a plus as we get older)68 and 70 now. We like the doctors we each chose-I chose a lady, my hubby chose one who is a DO(osteopathy).
We like the convenience of lab work as well(done right there-no papers needed, they already have our dr request when we arrive for the blood test.(in and out in 10 to 15 min for the test has been our experience so far)
When we have needed to see the dr for a cold, etc we get in the same day. Once I saw a PA, the last time I saw my dr an hour after my call.
Hubby needed a rheumatologist and we are extremely happy with Dr Lafferty whom he was referred to in the system.(also not far from home)
Our insurance is UHCCompleteThe Villages. We are extremely happy with that as well. Prescriptions are reasonable(some will be even less than before in 2015).
We get lab results on our computer in several days. We also have other communications by email.
I can not say enough about how pleased we are since we joined The Villages Health Care.

[Avista]

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

I find this post quite negative. My doctor has diagnosed two conditions that had been overlooked by previous physicians. Both have now been treated. When I have an appointment either with my doc or for lab work, I get in and out promptly. This is so different from other physicians where I experienced long waits. I have confidence in my doctor and the health system.
My husband's doctor also picked up a condition with him previous docs missed. Bottom line is; we couldn't be more pleased.

[cromlich]

They are in fact one and the same... You can not see TVHC primary physician without being enrolled in TVUHCMA plan. Therefore they are one and the same.:wave:

I'm not sure if I understood what you are saying but I have BCBS and love The Villages Healthcare System. Have had wonderful care there. You do not have to have The Villages United Health Care MA plan. They accept many insurances.

[champion6]

Well The Villages Health Care System advertised in 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. <snip>You are correct that they state this, but I can tell you from my personal experience that I am very happy with the availability of my doctor at the Colony Care Center. When I called with a problem, I was able to get an appointment the next day with my primary physician. I have Medicare, not The Villages Healthcare Insurance.

[rubicon]

I find this post quite negative. My doctor has diagnosed two conditions that had been overlooked by previous physicians. Both have now been treated. When I have an appointment either with my doc or for lab work, I get in and out promptly. This is so different from other physicians where I experienced long waits. I have confidence in my doctor and the health system.
My husband's doctor also picked up a condition with him previous docs missed. Bottom line is; we couldn't be more pleased.

Hi Avista: first i am truly pleased that you are pleased with your health care needs here. That indeed is a blessing and a good sign.

My intent was not be be negative but factual about the state of healthcare generally speaking. You mentioned that two conditions had been overlooked by previous doctors.... and that is my concern, given that doctors are being pressured by the gov't, insurance companies and must do even more administrative work which in total, interferes with their ability to heal the sick. Essentially what you tërm negative I view as reality.

Personal Best Regards

[rubicon]

You are correct that they state this, but I can tell you from my personal experience that I am very happy with the availability of my doctor at the Colony Care Center. When I called with a problem, I was able to get an appointment the next day with my primary physician. I have Medicare, not The Villages Healthcare Insurance.

Hi champion6: My brother told me the same thing last night. I am very pleased to hear this because if it was not the case i would view such pre-conditions discriminatory

Personal /Best Regards:

[Buddy134]

Im asking is there a Health Care System for Villagers for primary care. If so, what insurance companies allow you to choose your own doctors.