Villages Health Care System

[Floridagal]

Thinking of joining TV Health. Are you happy with The Villages Health Care System? Would appreciate any pros or cons.

[MSGirl]

So far so good

[Bonny]

I love it. I started going as soon as they opened. I followed the NP that used to work with my Dr. I go to Santa Barbara location.

[NYGUY]

You might want to do a search (see the search link at the top of the page).

Here is one of many threads:

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/villages-health-care-system-137345/

[champion6]

I like it. It was the right choice for me.

[Philip Winkler]

My wife and I are both very pleased with The Villages Health Care System. I recently had a sinus infection and I was able to see my family doctor the same day I called.

[Cedwards38]

Access to the doctor is as good as anywhere else, and I love the facilities and the friendliness.

[alanmcdonald]

They bent over backwards to help me on New Year's Eve.

I tore half of my big toe nail off, they saw me without an appointment and they got a podiatrist up near Wal-Mart on 466 to stay open until I could get there.

We are part timers until September but signed up last summer to make sure we got a doctor in Pinellas. Very happy with the service and they take my and my wife's Georgia insurances.

[Villager Joyce]

My husband and I are very pleased at colony. Everyone is professional AND pleasant to seal with. Right decision for us.

[cromlich]

Love The Villages Healthcare System!

[sunnyatlast]

It's good to hear these positive reviews.

:BigApplause:

[jojo]

Pleased with the system. I use Colony. Professional, competent, responsive, efficient.

[dotti105]

Another positive response from us!

We go to Pinellas and love our NP and MD. I am a RN, so pretty picky. We are pretty healthy, so no serious issues to evaluate. But we love the quick response, ease of being seen, ease of referrals. Lab Results available online. Full disclosure.

We both love our health care here!!

[Avista]

Another positive response from us!

We go to Pinellas and love our NP and MD. I am a RN, so pretty picky. We are pretty healthy, so no serious issues to evaluate. But we love the quick response, ease of being seen, ease of referrals. Lab Results available online. Full disclosure.

We both love our health care here!!

We agree. Have been going to Colony for 2 years. Waits very minimal-- sometimes 5 or 10 minutes. Very pleased with care.

[Bonny]

Just had an appointment at Santa Barbara yesterday. Such wonderful care and always very thorough !! They really take the time to make sure everything is up to date and all your questions are answered.

[Villages PL]

I think it may be too soon to tell. It's still relatively new and, as with most new things, there's a lot of promotional excitement and this has been promoted by a full page of advertising every week.

Also, from my experience, bad reviews are frowned upon so you might not hear anything bad about The Villages Health Care System. But there have been some who expressed disappointment.

[duhbear]

The Healthcare Service is very good.

On the other hand, the United Healthcare Villages HMO is something else and all of the doctors other than PCPs (read most of the specialists) are not a part of it.

I recently switched to the United Healthcare Plan F. Still use the same PCP but now I can also go to the specialists in TV rather than driving down to Tavares.

[Villages PL]

We were talking about Medicare fraud on another thread and some good advice was to ask lots of questions. And that should be the case even if you feel sure there's no fraud.

It's my contention that it's vitally important to know who's paying the "generous salaries" for doctor's services because it has the potential to have a considerable impact on patient healthcare. (It was stated that the Village's Clinic doctors are receiving generous salaries.)

Example: Suppose (in any community) that generous salaries are being paid to doctors by a hospital. The hospital would stand to gain financially when those doctors refer patients for surgery. If a doctor doesn't refer enough patients, that doctor's employment contract will not be renewed when it expires. And those who do refer lots of patients are likely to get a salary increase.

Would you want an important decision, like whether or not to get surgery, to be based on the financial considerations of the doctor and the hospital? If not, you need to ask your doctor to prove his or her source of income, and the source shouldn't be a hospital. That goes for your PCP and your specialist. If your doctor refuses to answer the question by saying it's confidential, then you should know that there's likely a conflict of interest and you should try to find another source of healthcare.

BTW, none of the above is illegal. As a matter of fact, it's becoming more and more common all across the country. Large hospitals are buying small hospitals and then buying doctor's practices. As a consequence, more and more doctors are on hospital payrolls. The name of the game is to do as much surgery as possible because surgery is hugely profitable.

[graciegirl]

We were talking about Medicare fraud on another thread and some good advice was to ask lots of questions. And that should be the case even if you feel sure there's no fraud.

It's my contention that it's vitally important to know who's paying the "generous salaries" for doctor's services because it has the potential to have a considerable impact on patient healthcare.

Example: Suppose (in any community) that generous salaries are being paid to doctors by a hospital. The hospital would stand to gain financially when those doctors refer patients for surgery. If a doctor doesn't refer enough patients, that doctor's employment contract will not be renewed when it expires. And those who do refer lots of patients are likely to get a salary increase.

Would you want an important decision, like whether or not to get surgery, to be based on the financial considerations of the doctor and the hospital? If not, you need to ask your doctor to prove his or her source of income, and the source shouldn't be a hospital. That goes for your PCP and your specialist. If your doctor refuses to answer the question by saying it's confidential, then you should know that there's likely a conflict of interest and you should try to find another source of healthcare.

BTW, none of the above is illegal. As a matter of fact, it's becoming more and more common all across the country. Large hospitals are buying small hospitals and then buying doctor's practices. As a consequence, more and more doctors are on hospital payrolls. The name of the game is to do as much surgery as possible because surgery is hugely profitable.


No wonder some patients are "walked to the door".

[dbussone]

I'm not sure why VPL continues to refer to "generous" physician salaries. I'm posting some below for informational purposes. Let's also remember that these folks typically have 8-10 years of education/training beyond college and may start practice with a $100+K in student loans to repay.

People with Jobs as Physicians / Doctors Median Salary by Job
Job
National Salary Data (?)
$0$100K$200K$300K
Physician / Doctor, Internal Medicine
857 salaries
$170,322
Family Physician / Doctor
831 salaries
$160,848
Physician / Doctor, General Practice
504 salaries
$137,881
Physician / Doctor, Emergency Room (ER)
425 salaries
$209,183
Physician / Doctor, Radiologist
359 salaries
$290,353
Physician / Doctor, Neurologist
255 salaries
$197,228
Physician / Doctor, Oncologist
228 salaries
$242,260
Country: United States | Currency: USD | Updated: 7 Feb 2015 | Individuals Reporting: 5,134

[Villages PL]

I'm not sure why VPL continues to refer to "generous" physician salaries.

This is the way it has always been presented in statements emanating from those involved in its creation. There was a link put up not too long ago that contained the phrase "generous salaries". As you may have noticed I put the phrase in quotation marks in my post.

[Villages PL]

I don't believe one can tell if a health care system is good just by reading a short series of anecdotes. It would require more than that. You would need an observational study to look at large numbers of favorable versus unfavorable patient outcomes.

Unfavorable outcomes might average about 5 or 6%? perhaps? So you could get as many as 30, 40, or 50 people saying that patient care is great, while unfavorable outcomes might be as high as 10 or 12 %.

[graciegirl]

I don't believe one can tell if a health care system is good just by reading a short series of anecdotes. It would require more than that. You would need an observational study to look at large numbers of favorable versus unfavorable patient outcomes.

Unfavorable outcomes might average about 5 or 6%? perhaps? So you could get as many as 30, 40, or 50 people saying that patient care is great, while unfavorable outcomes might be as high as 10 or 12 %.

What would you consider good? A health care system that encouraged the diet that you use?

[gomoho]

My husband and I had a bad experience - misdiagnosis. My dear friend who is a RN went with her husband and the doctor would not listen. Now Dr. Noel, who I understand was one of the best has left the practice. I report - you decide.

[obxgal]

I don't believe one can tell if a health care system is good just by reading a short series of anecdotes. It would require more than that. You would need an observational study to look at large numbers of favorable versus unfavorable patient outcomes.

Unfavorable outcomes might average about 5 or 6%? perhaps? So you could get as many as 30, 40, or 50 people saying that patient care is great, while unfavorable outcomes might be as high as 10 or 12 %.

We aren't "reading a short series of anecdotes". Those answering your question have been there and seen the Doctors. Both I and my husband are happy with our doctor.

[dbussone]

What would you consider good? A health care system that encouraged the diet that you use?

Right down to the brand of olive oil.

[Villages PL]

My husband and I had a bad experience - misdiagnosis. My dear friend who is a RN went with her husband and the doctor would not listen. Now Dr. Noel, who I understand was one of the best has left the practice. I report - you decide.

I'm not sure I understand. Was it Dr. Noel who misdiagnosed your condition and wouldn't listen to your friend? And do you think she left the clinic because of patient's complaints?

[Villages PL]

We aren't "reading a short series of anecdotes". Those answering your question have been there and seen the Doctors. Both I and my husband are happy with our doctor.

I was referring to the purpose of the thread. The OP asked for pros and cons of The Villages health care system. That was her question, not mine. And, in that context, my advice is to be skeptical of a relatively small sampling of anecdotes.

If, for example, 10 or 12 patients out of 100 have a bad outcome that could be a bad sign. So 40, 50, or more people could show up on this thread giving a good review and it may not be the whole story. People of an advanced age with multiple health conditions can die from inappropriate care. And, if they do die, it's unlikely they will show up on this board to complain about it.

Also, we don't know if or how many of the responders to this thread work for The Villages Health Care System. We can only assume that all replies are above board. That alone eliminates any certainty.

[gomoho]

I'm not sure I understand. Was it Dr. Noel who misdiagnosed your condition and wouldn't listen to your friend? And do you think she left the clinic because of patient's complaints?

No it was not Dr. Noel - I have only heard wonderful things about her which concerns me that she left.

The two situations of misdiagnosis were done by two different doctors. The doctor I had was let go - my friend's misdiagnosis was just recently done.

[luckygirl]

I was happy with the Villages Health Care System, but I am know considering finding a local doctor out of their network (recommendations are appreciated) I am in the middle of a health issue, have seen the doctor several times in the last month, have gone for blood work twice. The latest blood work was done on Feb 13th. Finally saw the results in my patient portal on Feb 17th; called that morning to discuss, emailed the doc on the 18th asking them to call me to discuss, called again this morning asking to speak with someone about the results - still waiting for a call back. This is no way to treat a patient. I have gone from very upset to very mad. Has anyone else experienced this with the villages health care system?

[Villager Joyce]

We have only had good experiences at Colony. The doctor as well as her assistant spend time with you and both listen. Labs were posted on the portal within a coiple days. Referrals were sent in same day. Drugs refills must have been sent same day because they were ready for pickup at publix next day. We are both pretty healthy for old farts. Msybe we would feel differently if we had health issues.

[JoMar]

I would drive over there and demand to see the Director. Not sure you are guaranteed something similar won't happen at another practice so I would try and fix the problem first....in person and with force.

[tekcormn]

I will be at the TV soon and need to find a new Dr and Dentist.
Anyone care to recommend one or both ?
Thanks,
Rick

[dbussone]

I will be at the TV soon and need to find a new Dr and Dentist.
Anyone care to recommend one or both ?
Thanks,
Rick

Angel Tafur, MD - internist - 352.350.6241
Don Burbank, DDS - 352.753.5789

[Villages PL]

I believe I must have been the first one to ever ask who pays the doctors who work for The Villages Clinics.

Are you ready for this? It's United Healthcare!

They pay each doctor monthly, so much per patient, and I assume it must be only for the HMO members. Example: If a doctor has 1,250 HMO patients and gets $10. per month for each one, his/her gross salary would be $150,000.00 per year. But remember, that's just an example. I wasn't told the exact amount.

This leads to other questions such as, "How does this arrangement affect patient care?" Suppose a doctor orders multiple tests or refers the patients to multiple specialists? That might be bad, financially, for the HMO. Would the doctor's salary be reduced accordingly. Will doctors get a bonus for giving the least amount of care possible? Remember, HMOs are all about business.

[NYGUY]

I believe I must have been the first one to ever ask who pays the doctors who work for The Villages Clinics.

Are you ready for this? It's United Healthcare!....

I would like to see your support for this information. Could you please provide a link in your response?

[gerryann]

I believe I must have been the first one to ever ask who pays the doctors who work for The Villages Clinics.

Are you ready for this? It's United Healthcare!

They pay each doctor monthly, so much per patient, and I assume it must be only for the HMO members. Example: If a doctor has 1,250 HMO patients and gets $10. per month for each one, his/her gross salary would be $150,000.00 per year. But remember, that's just an example. I wasn't told the exact amount.

This leads to other questions such as, "How does this arrangement affect patient care?" Suppose a doctor orders multiple tests or refers the patients to multiple specialists? That might be bad, financially, for the HMO. Would the doctor's salary be reduced accordingly. Will doctors get a bonus for giving the least amount of care possible? Remember, HMOs are all about business.

HMO patients never get the same care. The Dr's get paid for all patients that are assigned to him, weather they see them or not. The same check every month. weather the Villages Health care is considered an HMO, I have no idea......well, I do have an idea...I think it is, but I'm not sure. Personally, I would only use a PPO, so I can see any Dr in network....weather here in TV or another state. Same cost as the advantage HMO's (the amount Social Seecurity takes out).

[Villages PL]

I would like to see your support for this information. Could you please provide a link in your response?

Ha! A link? Are you kidding? They are not going public with this if they can help it. I went to a recent lecture and asked the question, and there will be many more lectures to come. If you would call the USF Health office, I'm sure someone there would be able to help you. Be sure to lets us know what you find out.

[dbussone]

HMO patients never get the same care. The Dr's get paid for all patients that are assigned to him, weather they see them or not. The same check every month. weather the Villages Health care is considered an HMO, I have no idea......well, I do have an idea...I think it is, but I'm not sure. Personally, I would only use a PPO, so I can see any Dr in network....weather here in TV or another state. Same cost as the advantage HMO's (the amount Social Seecurity takes out).


One of the UHC relationships is a de facto HMO. Another is a fairly standard PPO. If you have traditional Medicare with a UHC supplement then you can select any practitioner or facility as long as they accept Medicare. The physician and dentist I noted above are in individual private practices and I personally use them.

[Carla B]

Well, I think it makes sense. Someone has to pay the salaries and to me the insurance company would seem to be the most logical party. If not UHC, who else would pay the salaries?

[dbussone]

Well, I think it makes sense. Someone has to pay the salaries and to me the insurance company would seem to be the most logical party. If not UHC, who else would pay the salaries?


A hospital or large private practice would typically employ physicians. If UHC does employ certain physicians that would be an unusual relationship.

[Bonny]

I believe I must have been the first one to ever ask who pays the doctors who work for The Villages Clinics.

Are you ready for this? It's United Healthcare!

They pay each doctor monthly, so much per patient, and I assume it must be only for the HMO members. Example: If a doctor has 1,250 HMO patients and gets $10. per month for each one, his/her gross salary would be $150,000.00 per year. But remember, that's just an example. I wasn't told the exact amount.

This leads to other questions such as, "How does this arrangement affect patient care?" Suppose a doctor orders multiple tests or refers the patients to multiple specialists? That might be bad, financially, for the HMO. Would the doctor's salary be reduced accordingly. Will doctors get a bonus for giving the least amount of care possible? Remember, HMOs are all about business.
So, if you have no clue & and you were told no amount, why did you post this ? Just askin' .

[Barefoot]

Ha! A link? Are you kidding? They are not going public with this if they can help it.

So, if you have no clue & and you were told no amount, why did you post this ? Just askin' .

I was wondering the same thing. :confused:

[dbussone]

I was wondering the same thing. :confused:

Whoops.

[NYGUY]

Ha! A link? Are you kidding? They are not going public with this if they can help it....I went to a recent lecture and asked the question, and there will be many more lectures to come

Could you please provide the date, place, and lecturer's name and affiliation that told you who pays The Villages Health physicians?

[Avista]

We are so pleased with Villages Health. Not really into nitty gritty of payment methods. All I know is I am cared for well and promptly. Would never want to go back to old way of long waits in waiting room (often with sick people). So pleased with the docs. And should you not care for a particular doctor just change to another--not a problem!

[Villages PL]

Well, I think it makes sense. Someone has to pay the salaries and to me the insurance company would seem to be the most logical party. If not UHC, who else would pay the salaries?

Up until now, most people thought the developer was the most logical party.

[Villages PL]

A hospital or large private practice would typically employ physicians. If UHC does employ certain physicians that would be an unusual relationship.

It would be unusual because I think it hasn't been done since Humana Gold Plus (HMO) tried it many years ago. I can't give exact dates but I believe it was around the mid to late 80s when I first became aware of it.

I was operating a small business at the time and I kept hearing about it from my customers. They kept saying how great it was so I got my mother interested and she joined.

I'm sure it doesn't work the same today as it did then because, hopefully, they have learned from past mistakes. Back then the doctors were all employed (under contract) by the HMO. The doctors were given a certain amount of money to take care of each patient. The money was supposed to be more than enough to cover all treatment expenses and whatever money was left over the doctor would keep for himself or herself. So less treatment expense would mean a bigger salary, and, conversely, more treatment expense would mean a smaller salary.

Well, it worked fine a long as my mother was in good health. When she started having symptoms, they would say it was just part of the aging process. Failing memory, lack of balance and incontinence etc. was all part of normal aging according to them (at about 81). After about a year they started saying it was congestive heart failure. I asked if she could see a heart specialist and was told it wouldn't be necessary.

We tried changing to another doctor within the same clinic and it only got worse. The new doctor was wise to what was going on and wouldn't even say hello to my mother when she entered the exam room. She knew she would be acquiring a liability that some other doctor no longer wanted.

So I got her back into regular Medicare and took her to a heart specialist. And after the doctor examined her, he said, "she definitely doesn't have congestive heart failure." It took another year before we got an accurate diagnosis for her symptoms. She had fluid pressure on the brain which required a neurologist.

[Villages PL]

So, if you have no clue & and you were told no amount, why did you post this ? Just askin' .

Maybe you were not around for previous discussions but up until now everyone thought it was the developer who paid the "generous salaries". And, of course, any thinking person could only wonder what his motivation might be for doing so. Why would the developer pay generous salaries?

Well, it was thought that he was doing so because he was simply a generous man who cared about Villagers.

Of course he was generous and of course he cared about villagers but he was also a good business man, and paying all those generous salaries made no economic sense.

Besides, it didn't fit what usually would happen when he was generous. When he donated land for the library and fire stations he got plenty of recognition for it. There was never any recognition for paying "generous salaries".

So now we have another piece of this new healthcare puzzle.

Think about these questions: Medicare money is our money, so why shouldn't we be able to know how the money is being used? Is it working for us, or against us? It might be difficult to decide if we don't know what's going on. If someone doesn't get good results at a clinic, is it because they just happened to get a "bad" doctor or is it the system that's bad? Don't we deserve to know how our money is being used?

[Villages PL]

Could you please provide the date, place, and lecturer's name and affiliation that told you who pays The Villages Health physicians?

The person who answered my question might not have been authorized to divulge the information, therefore, I don't want to take the chance of puting that person's job at risk.

The person I speak of is affiliated with USF Health. And USF Health has an office in The Villages. That's why I suggested you call that office.

[TheVillageChicken]

I have seen my primary care doctor a number of times, another doctor once, the radiation tech, a physician's assistant, and several CMA's. All my treatment has been high quality, and I don't give a hoot who signs their paychecks.

[NYGUY]

The person who answered my question might not have been authorized to divulge the information, therefore, I don't want to take the chance of puting that person's job at risk....

:jester: Too Funny!!!

[Villages PL]

:jester: Too Funny!!!

It's funny how people will put me under pressure for answers but won't dare put anyone else under pressure. You should call them, they won't bite.

:jester:

[Avista]

I have seen my primary care doctor a number of times, another doctor once, the radiation tech, a physician's assistant, and several CMA's. All my treatment has been high quality, and I don't give a hoot who signs their paychecks.

Exactly the way I feel.

[Bizdoc]

I suspect that if you have an HMO plan, the center receives a flat monthly fee from the HMO for functioning as PCP. For non-HMO patients, the center receives a fee from the insurance and/or Medicare for each visit. Pretty standard arrangement. Nothing interesting here folks.

[dbussone]

I suspect that if you have an HMO plan, the center receives a flat monthly fee from the HMO for functioning as PCP. For non-HMO patients, the center receives a fee from the insurance and/or Medicare for each visit. Pretty standard arrangement. Nothing interesting here folks.


Your supposition is quite accurate. For HMO patients the docs typically receive a set amount per patient per month (pppm). PPO patients are paid to the docs on a reduced fee basis, and most others on an insured negotiated basis.

[Villages PL]

Your supposition is quite accurate. For HMO patients the docs typically receive a set amount per patient per month (pppm). PPO patients are paid to the docs on a reduced fee basis, and most others on an insured negotiated basis.

The Villages Clinics are NOT typical. It was said over and over that this is a NEW (revolutionary) system of healthcare that would eventually be the model for the rest of the country to follow. There's nothing typical about it according to those who have been promoting it. So we can only imagine what the financial arrangement is between the doctors and the HMO. But we do know that the doctor's salary has been called "generous", whatever that is.

[dbussone]

There is nothing revolutionary about TV Clinics. It is a model used by ACOs, hospital systems and specialty physician groups seeking to increase their referral base. For example, a hospital might employ geographically dispersed groups of PCPs to assist in capturing patients for an ACO. St. Vincent's in JAX has employed PCPs in several counties for this purpose.

Carolinas Health System has many located throughout NC to capture patients for its numerous hospitals and specialists. The physician who established TV Clinic system had pretty much done the same thing in PA where he was CEO of the Lehigh Health System.

There are numerous ways physicians can be paid, there are numerous ways to form a model and involve insurance companies.

Little twists and turns create interesting nuances that can be applauded but not regarded as revolutionary.

[Villages PL]

Here's the way it was presented to be revolutionary:

1) They (the developer and others) said PCPs have usually been paid for volume. In the case of volume they needed about 2,500+ patients and would have to rush each office visit. It was quantity but not quality, said the developer. In this new (Village Clinics) system each PCP would have no more than 1,250 patients. There would be no waiting, the doctor might spend as much as a half hour with you and you could even drop in without an appointment if you felt the need.

2) So this question followed: How will PCPs make enough money with less than half the patients they would normally have? And the answer to that, given by the developer: They will be paid "generous salaries" so they won't have to rush. Quality will be rewarded rather than quantity.

3) The promotion of "electronic record sharing" between PCPs and specialists was a big part of why federal grant money was given in the first place. Eventually, one's medical records could be shared with any doctor in the U.S., not just locally.

You can look at it from the point of view of certain typical aspects if you like, but it definitely wasn't promoted as typical. The three points above were given as distinguishing features that would make it like nothing ever tried before. Although, they said it would be reminiscent of the TV character, Marcus Welby, M.D. who knew all of his patients well and spent lots of time chatting with them.

Was it all just a slick marketing campaign, in your opinion?

[sunnyatlast]

Was it all just a slick marketing campaign?

Those who envy and loathe the developers because of their earned wealth will claim that all of TV is just a slick marketing campaign. But they buy homes by the thousands here anyway, because obviously, they don't find anyplace else like it for overall customer satisfaction and the gracious, healthy lifestyle.

If the patients like the healthcare theyre getting for the price they pay, it really doesnt matter whether it is 'a slick marketing campaign'.

All I know is, if The Villages builds and runs an enterprise, they deliver the goods every time..

Only when slop artists buy out a working, solvent business here do we see decline in services and product. That is why many of us want the developer to continue managing most of TV. If it ain't broke, dont fix it!

[dbussone]

Was it all just a slick marketing campaign?

Those who envy and loathe the developers because of their earned wealth will claim that all of TV is just a slick marketing campaign. But they buy homes by the thousands here anyway, because obviously, they don't find anyplace else like it for overall customer satisfaction and the gracious, healthy lifestyle.

If the patients like the healthcare theyre getting for the price they pay, it really doesnt matter whether it is 'a slick marketing campaign'.

All I know is, if The Villages builds and runs an enterprise,they deliver the goods every time..

Only when slop artists buy out a working, solvent business here do we see decline in services and product. That is why many of us want the developer to continue managing most of TV. If it ain't broke, dont fix it!

I'm not slamming the developer, or the clinic system. And I certainly hope they are providing the best quality of care they can. The only truly unusual aspect (unusual, not revolutionary) was and is the developers role in establishing the clinic system. My comments were factual and not intended in a negative way. I believe people have a right to understand how healthcare can be (and is) delivered, and that was my intent. And I am a fan of the Developer and what has been accomplished here.

[sunnyatlast]

I'm not slamming the developer, or the clinic system. And I certainly hope they are providing the best quality of care they can. The only truly unusual aspect (unusual, not revolutionary) was and is the developers role in establishing the clinic system. My comments were factual and not intended in a negative way. I believe people have a right to understand how healthcare can be (and is) delivered, and that was my intent. And I am a fan of the Developer and what has been accomplished here.

Not sure why you quoted my post with the above response. I was addressing VPL's question on whether it was all "just a slick marketing campaign".

[dbussone]

Just following up on your post. I support your opinion of the developer. No confusion was intended.

[Villages PL]

dbussone, here's the reply to your post above.

This is the way it was presented to be revolutionary:


1) They (the developer and others) said PCPs have usually been paid for volume. In the case of volume they needed about 2,500+ patients and would have to rush each office visit. It was quantity but not quality, said the developer. In this new (Village Clinics) system each PCP would have no more than 1,250 patients. There would be no waiting, the doctor might spend as much as a half hour with you and you could even drop in without an appointment if you felt the need.

2) So this question followed: How will PCPs make enough money with less than half the patients they would normally have? And the answer to that, given by the developer: They will be paid "generous salaries" so they won't have to rush. Quality will be rewarded rather than quantity.

3) The promotion of "electronic record sharing" between PCPs and specialists was a big part of why federal grant money was given in the first place. Eventually, one's medical records could be shared with any doctor in the U.S., not just locally.

You can look at it from the point of view of certain typical aspects if you like, but it definitely wasn't promoted as typical. The three points above were given as distinguishing features that would make it like nothing ever tried before. Although, they said it would be reminiscent of the TV character, Marcus Welby, M.D. who knew all of his patients well and spent lots of time chatting with them.

Was it all just a slick marketing campaign, in your opinion?

[dbussone]

I don't believe it was slick marketing. I think the business oriented and intelligent developer absolutely believed what he wrote in his letter about the clinic system. His knowledge base and expertise did not include healthcare at the operational/business model level. As I noted before I'm not attempting to downplay the clinic system and its value to our neighbors.

Thanks for asking. This is a short answer to what should be a multi-day seminar.

[sesack1]

My cat took a bite of my hand, in a playful way of course and lo and behold an infection. I went to an urgent care center and was treated with abx. The care was quick and appropriate. These centers are very good for quick care.

[Bonny]

My cat took a bite of my hand, in a playful way of course and lo and behold an infection. I went to an urgent care center and was treated with abx. The care was quick and appropriate. These centers are very good for quick care.
Good morning. I see you are fairly new on here. The topic is about the Villages Health Care System, not Urgent Care Centers. Always some debating about the Villages Health Care. However, we do have some good Urgent Care Centers around the Villages. :) I'm glad they were able to take care of your infection.

[gego3650]

I just checked Publix for a pescriptiiont and they want and they quote $415.53 for 30 days.I check with inter net Canada and the price is $ 81.00 .what is the system doing to us.

[dotti105]

The pharmaceutical companies will stick it to you every time. They recoup their research and development expenses here in the US with high drug prices. Yes, across the border in Canada or Mx the same drugs are available at drastically reduced prices.

I am a RN who worked in Drug Research for a short time. The amount of $$ spent to wine and dine researchers and staff was A-MAZ-ING!! Then the drugs come to market priced sky high, until generics or competition comes up with a clone and then the prices in the US come down.

Shop around. We get quite a few of our meds from Canadian and Indian pharmacies. I have done my homework and know what I am getting. But even here there are differences between the local pharmacies, Sam's and the grocery stores.

Don't accept a price that high without comparison shopping!

[dotti105]

Regarding the Villages Health Care System and UHC Medicare Advantage, we have been very pleased.

The efficiency at the Villages clinics is terrific and they are very thorough. Through UHC Medicare Advantage we have been able to see the specialists that we need to see, and want to see. We are seen in a timely manor at the villages clinics, their information is up to date and thorough.

As a RN, I understand the value of electronic medical records. So don't complain about your provider having his/her face in their computer. That computer allows them to have every iota of medical information on you in one concise program which can easily be shared instantly with the specialist you need/want to see.

I will be having knee replacements soon. FUN!! I have done my research and know the 2 docs that I will see first. Both are available to me on the UHC Villages plan. I was certain that my first choice, who practices in Maitland, would not be available to me under our plan. But he is. as is the 2nd choice in Ocala. Neither of them are "with UHC Villages Health Care", but available to us.

My cost will be $250 per day in the hospital. There is no charge, that is ZERO $$, for the professional fees. That includes the prosthesis, the surgeon, anesthetist, meds in the OR etc.

I just finished 8 weeks of PT, the UHC Villages plan has a co-pay per visit, but I had no limit to the number of visits covered.

My hubby has had several epidural steroid nerve blocks for his sciatica. Those are pricey procedures. His co- pay was $80 for a procedure that costs over $1K.

We are not limited to the few specialist here in The Villages. If you have that impression you are clearly mistaken. Call UHC and ask. You will see that you are covered all over the state and in most states across the country.

Are we pleased with our UHC Villages Medicare Advantage plan?? You betcha!!

[Avista]

Regarding the Villages Health Care System and UHC Medicare Advantage, we have been very pleased.

The efficiency at the Villages clinics is terrific and they are very thorough. Through UHC Medicare Advantage we have been able to see the specialists that we need to see, and want to see. We are seen in a timely manor at the villages clinics, their information is up to date and thorough.

As a RN, I understand the value of electronic medical records. So don't complain about your provider having his/her face in their computer. That computer allows them to have every iota of medical information on you in one concise program which can easily be shared instantly with the specialist you need/want to see.

I will be having knee replacements soon. FUN!! I have done my research and know the 2 docs that I will see first. Both are available to me on the UHC Villages plan. I was certain that my first choice, who practices in Maitland, would not be available to me under our plan. But he is. as is the 2nd choice in Ocala. Neither of them are "with UHC Villages Health Care", but available to us.

My cost will be $250 per day in the hospital. There is no charge, that is ZERO $$, for the professional fees. That includes the prosthesis, the surgeon, anesthetist, meds in the OR etc.

I just finished 8 weeks of PT, the UHC Villages plan has a co-pay per visit, but I had no limit to the number of visits covered.

My hubby has had several epidural steroid nerve blocks for his sciatica. Those are pricey procedures. His co- pay was $80 for a procedure that costs over $1K.

We are not limited to the few specialist here in The Villages. If you have that impression you are clearly mistaken. Call UHC and ask. You will see that you are covered all over the state and in most states across the country.

Are we pleased with our UHC Villages Medicare Advantage plan?? You betcha!!

Great post, and I couldn't agree more! (Another RN)

[teresadyer15@gmail.com]

Our first appointment is in May. The maximum number of patients on the doctors' profile include seasonal, temporary people. I think that's totally unfair. the numbers don't change when the seasonal people aren't here. Full time residents should be given priority. So far not pleased with current doctor outside the network, so will give this a shot.

[villagerjack]

"...............

[villagerjack]

Our first appointment is in May. The maximum number of patients on the doctors' profile include seasonal, temporary people. I think that's totally unfair. the numbers don't change when the seasonal people aren't here. Full time residents should be given priority. So far not pleased with current doctor outside the network, so will give this a shot.

The bias against seasonal residents has no boundaries. Even health insurance? My God...

[villagerjack]

Our first appointment is in May. The maximum number of patients on the doctors' profile include seasonal, temporary people. I think that's totally unfair. the numbers don't change when the seasonal people aren't here. Full time residents should be given priority. So far not pleased with current doctor outside the network, so will give this a shot.

Would you also agree to refund my Association Fees for the six months I am away?

[dbussone]

Would you also agree to refund my Association Fees for the six months I am away?

You did a nice job biting your tongue on #74. Not all of us full timers have problems with our seasonal friends. I think "you know who" has other problems as well. Like trying to bypass the line at the deli counter?

[Loudoll]

I was happy with the Villages Health Care System, but I am know considering finding a local doctor out of their network (recommendations are appreciated) I am in the middle of a health issue, have seen the doctor several times in the last month, have gone for blood work twice. The latest blood work was done on Feb 13th. Finally saw the results in my patient portal on Feb 17th; called that morning to discuss, emailed the doc on the 18th asking them to call me to discuss, called again this morning asking to speak with someone about the results - still waiting for a call back. This is no way to treat a patient. I have gone from very upset to very mad. Has anyone else experienced this with the villages health care system?

Yes. Both my husband and I have experienced this and worse. At our ages we have enough history with doctors to know the difference between good and bad care. I thank God we're out of that system.

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by luckygirl

I was happy with the Villages Health Care System, but I am know considering finding a local doctor out of their network (recommendations are appreciated) I am in the middle of a health issue, have seen the doctor several times in the last month, have gone for blood work twice. The latest blood work was done on Feb 13th. Finally saw the results in my patient portal on Feb 17th; called that morning to discuss, emailed the doc on the 18th asking them to call me to discuss, called again this morning asking to speak with someone about the results - still waiting for a call back. This is no way to treat a patient. I have gone from very upset to very mad. Has anyone else experienced this with the villages health care system?

Yes. Both my husband and I have experienced this and worse. At our ages we have enough history with doctors to know the difference between good and bad care. I thank God we're out of that system.

As always, excellent doctors and nurses can unknowingly gain a bad reputation without doing anything wrong, based on what the office staff does or does NOT do.

And everyone working in the office can be made to look bad by what does or does not show up on their computer screens at the right time via electronic medical records. Office staff and software can "make or break" a medical office practice.

[JoMar]

Isn't it great to have choices...:a040:

[dbussone]

Isn't it great to have choices...:a040:

Amen

[villagerjack]

You did a nice job biting your tongue on #74. Not all of us full timers have problems with our seasonal friends. I think "you know who" has other problems as well. Like trying to bypass the line at the deli counter?

I have lived a pretty long life for a " temporary" person.:) it blows my mind sometimes how some really believe that because they live here full time that everyone who doesn't is a second class, or worse, citizen. Played golf with two the other day who came right out and said to my wife and I that "snowbirds" well....the're OK....they keep our costs down but I can't wait until it is 'less crowded'. Our group got 'locked out' of OUR T time last week" it is a good thing I have a hearing problem. My wife had the good sense not to tell me what he said until we were done.

As for the Villages a Healthcare, so far I am very impressed.

[villagerjack]

Amen

Second that!