Moffet Center no longer affiliated with The Villages Hospital

[784caroline]

Im surprised there was no reaction to the announcement in yesterdays paper about the Moffet Center pulling out of the Villages Hospital. If you remember a couple of years ago this was BIG news and we Villagers even were asked to make donations to buy equipment until it was determined it was a "for profit business operation"....which burst the bubble.

At least the equipment that the Villagers purchased is staying. Does anyone have any experience with the replacement organization...Cancer Center of Central Florida??

[dillywho]

"The initial understanding was that over time, additional services gradually would be added to reach the goal of a comprehensive cancer treatment center in The Villages -- similar to what Moffitt provides in the Tampa area".

Moffitt notified officials that their plans have changed and that is no longer going to happen. As a result, the operators of Central Florida Health Alliance (which operates Leesburg and The Villages Hospital) reached out to Florida Cancer Specialists, one of the largest providers in the U.S. As a result, the services will be expanding much as Moffitt had in mind when they came here. The equipment purchased, with the help of some of the Villagers and others, will remain in place. Also, one of their Board Certified Radiation Oncologists, is transitioning to FCS and remaining. He will be working with most of the same ones on board with the Moffitt contract. Other doctors in the field will also be added. Apparently, patients remain with Moffitt in Tampa if they wish.

This says to me, that this is a very positive outlook for all Villagers and those in the surrounding area having to receive cancer treatments. Sounds like a win-win and will perhaps avoid some now battling this illness having to use two facilities -- here and Tampa.

[rubicon]

Im surprised there was no reaction to the announcement in yesterdays paper about the Moffet Center pulling out of the Villages Hospital. If you remember a couple of years ago this was BIG news and we Villagers even were asked to make donations to buy equipment until it was determined it was a "for profit business operation"....which burst the bubble.

At least the equipment that the Villagers purchased is staying. Does anyone have any experience with the replacement organization...Cancer Center of Central Florida??

784caroline: insightful. Perhaps the new plan is a better fit?

[NYGUY]

"The initial understanding was that over time, additional services gradually would be added to reach the goal of a comprehensive cancer treatment center in The Villages -- similar to what Moffitt provides in the Tampa area".

I did not realize that The Villages facility was expected to reach the status of a large cancer research hospital as Moffit is in Tampa.

[dbussone]

I did not realize that The Villages facility was expected to reach the status of a large cancer research hospital as Moffit is in Tampa.


If that was the expectation it would never have happened. There are fewer than 70 in the country, and fewer than that which can handle the range and degree of competence required in so many areas. Such an enterprise would have easily become the largest employer in the area, with an insufficient population base to support the necessary research and patient care/teaching requirements. It would also be highly unlikely that the appropriate faculty and research staff could have been recruited.

Per NIH, there are only 45 comprehensive cancer centers in the U.S. of which Moffitt is one. Either Moffitt's expectations, or TVRH's, or both were extremely unrealistic.

Such a shame that so many may have been mislead or misunderstood.

[NYGUY]

If that was the expectation it would never have happened. There are fewer than 70 in the country, and fewer than that which can handle the range and degree of competence required in so many areas. Such an enterprise would have easily become the largest employer in the area, with an insufficient population base to support the necessary research and patient care/teaching requirements. It would also be highly unlikely that the appropriate faculty and research staff could have been recruited.

Per NIH, there are only 45 comprehensive cancer centers in the U.S. of which Moffitt is one. Either Moffitt's expectations, or TVRH's, or both were extremely unrealistic.

Such a shame that so many may have been mislead or misunderstood.

Absolutely right!!

[justjim]

So much duplication in the "Health Care Field". It's probably the major reason costs are so high.

[villagetinker]

I can only go from what I read in the paper, and it appears the new entity will be providing many more services locally than are currently being provided. Although not stated I am sure that travel will be involved for more extensive treatments. This seems like a good balanced approach.

[dbussone]

I can only go from what I read in the paper, and it appears the new entity will be providing many more services locally than are currently being provided. Although not stated I am sure that travel will be involved for more extensive treatments. This seems like a good balanced approach.


It will be interesting to watch the new group develop, as well as to see what additional services are added.

[vette]

"The initial understanding was that over time, additional services gradually would be added to reach the goal of a comprehensive cancer treatment center in The Villages -- similar to what Moffitt provides in the Tampa area".

Moffitt notified officials that their plans have changed and that is no longer going to happen.

I think it would be interesting for all of us to understand WHY Moffit felt it was not feasible to expand their services as originally proposed. Personally I would be very upset if we found out that it was money/cost related. Especially if the rental terms became increasingly burdensome preventing Moffit from operating the center in the black.

[downeaster]

I think it would be interesting for all of us to understand WHY Moffit felt it was not feasible to expand their services as originally proposed. Personally I would be very upset if we found out that it was money/cost related. Especially if the rental terms became increasingly burdensome preventing Moffit from operating the center in the black.

Yes vette, it sure would be interesting to know why. However it is unlikely we ever will. Actually I had a feeling things were not going well. They had all that super publicity for a while then all of a sudden the marquee went dark only to be lit up again with the partnership with USF then it went dark again only to be lit up with The Villages Health and it has stayed bright on that subject ever since.

Curiouser and curiouser, cried Alice.

[dbussone]

Yes vette, it sure would be interesting to know why. However it is unlikely we ever will. Actually I had a feeling things were not going well. They had all that super publicity for a while then all of a sudden the marquee went dark only to be lit up again with the partnership with USF then it went dark again only to be lit up with The Villages Health and it has stayed bright on that subject ever since.

Curiouser and curiouser, cried Alice.

I have no idea of the rental terms or contractual obligations among the parties involved. But I have had experience in similar relationships in other states. To me the handwriting was on the wall when the vaunted relationship with USF deteriorated and the USF specialist physicians left. We do not have a closed medical system here in TV (and I am not suggesting we need one). That is, the existing physician community had established relationships prior to USF arriving. I surmise those existing relationships were not altered significantly in USF's favor. USF's expectations - financially and patient volumes - were therefore unlikely met as well.

Back to Moffitt. Moffitt is on the campus of USF. Moffitt is largely staffed with physicians who are on the USF faculty, and therefore somewhat answerable to USF as well as the Moffitt organization. The Moffitt experience in TV was likely the same as the specialty docs from USF.

I have tried to simplify a very complex set of relationships, very complex. From negotiating with a few very well known cancer centers, I know their expectations can be very unrealistic. They typically wish to receive several million $ a year (read franchise fee here), as well as paid faculty physician salaries, etc. In addition, they typically want the equipment and space provided at no or low cost, and they want to program the space and equipment to their specs (normally a good idea since they are the end user; however, you can imagine how things go when the end user doesn't have to pay for their wants.)

I will again oversimplify these relationships by noting that many academic medical faculty organizations see hospitals as prospective sources of funds they wish to get their hands on. That is my tainted view. Hospitals, especially, are living in a brave new world where crossing the line with a physician or group can land the hospital in deep trouble. Everything must be handled in an arms length manner at fair market value. In my experience the faculty physician/academic organizational view of fair market value cannot be substantiated by a third party expert.

There are other factors that influence these relationships as well but I am trying to keep this at an understandable level. Bottom line - I doubt that Moffitt made a decision to leave based on some thing either the developer or hospital has done. Their decision, IMO, was made based on their own expectations (in a variety of areas) that simply were not met.

The Orlando Regional System had, until recently, an affiliation with M.D. Anderson. It ended recently as well, after several years of what seemed to be a good match. You have probably seen television commercials that note UF has filled the vacuum left by M.D. Anderson. I know that ORMC has had some financial issues and decided they need to examine their financial contractual relationships across the board.

I hope this might help in your understanding of how some things work in healthcare.

[dillywho]

I have no idea of the rental terms or contractual obligations among the parties involved. But I have had experience in similar relationships in other states. To me the handwriting was on the wall when the vaunted relationship with USF deteriorated and the USF specialist physicians left. We do not have a closed medical system here in TV (and I am not suggesting we need one). That is, the existing physician community had established relationships prior to USF arriving. I surmise those existing relationships were not altered significantly in USF's favor. USF's expectations - financially and patient volumes - were therefore unlikely met as well.

Back to Moffitt. Moffitt is on the campus of USF. Moffitt is largely staffed with physicians who are on the USF faculty, and therefore somewhat answerable to USF as well as the Moffitt organization. The Moffitt experience in TV was likely the same as the specialty docs from USF.

I have tried to simplify a very complex set of relationships, very complex. From negotiating with a few very well known cancer centers, I know their expectations can be very unrealistic. They typically wish to receive several million $ a year (read franchise fee here), as well as paid faculty physician salaries, etc. In addition, they typically want the equipment and space provided at no or low cost, and they want to program the space and equipment to their specs (normally a good idea since they are the end user; however, you can imagine how things go when the end user doesn't have to pay for their wants.)

I will again oversimplify these relationships by noting that many academic medical faculty organizations see hospitals as prospective sources of funds they wish to get their hands on. That is my tainted view. Hospitals, especially, are living in a brave new world where crossing the line with a physician or group can land the hospital in deep trouble. Everything must be handled in an arms length manner at fair market value. In my experience the faculty physician/academic organizational view of fair market value cannot be substantiated by a third party expert.

There are other factors that influence these relationships as well but I am trying to keep this at an understandable level. Bottom line - I doubt that Moffitt made a decision to leave based on some thing either the developer or hospital has done. Their decision, IMO, was made based on their own expectations (in a variety of areas) that simply were not met.

The Orlando Regional System had, until recently, an affiliation with M.D. Anderson. It ended recently as well, after several years of what seemed to be a good match. You have probably seen television commercials that note UF has filled the vacuum left by M.D. Anderson. I know that ORMC has had some financial issues and decided they need to examine their financial contractual relationships across the board.

I hope this might help in your understanding of how some things work in healthcare.

As you stated, like it or not, healthcare is a business. That being said, businesses make changes, etc., and unless it is a well known name such as Moffitt or M.D. Anderson, most people don't even pay attention to what changes transpire.

Why should everyone be privy to any businesses reasons for changes, and especially financial decisions if that is what drives or partially drives those changes? I don't see what difference it makes if it is Moffitt or whatever organization. The goal should be top-notch healthcare and if that can better be accomplished by some other well-known, top-notch company, then so be it. From reading the article, it seems that the incoming company is just that.

JMHO

[dbussone]

As you stated, like it or not, healthcare is a business. That being said, businesses make changes, etc., and unless it is a well known name such as Moffitt or M.D. Anderson, most people don't even pay attention to what changes transpire.



Why should everyone be privy to any businesses reasons for changes, and especially financial decisions if that is what drives or partially drives those changes? I don't see what difference it makes if it is Moffitt or whatever organization. The goal should be top-notch healthcare and if that can better be accomplished by some other well-known, top-notch company, then so be it. From reading the article, it seems that the incoming company is just that.



JMHO


"The goal should be top-notch healthcare and if that can better be accomplished by some other well-known, top-notch company, then so be it."

well stated.

[trichard]

Will the new group accept United Healthcare Medical Advantage?

[Avista]

Will the new group accept United Healthcare Medical Advantage?

Great question!

[dbussone]

Will the new group accept United Healthcare Medical Advantage?


I don't know but you could call one of their current locations to find out.

[dp000]

My oncologist is with Florida Cancer Specialists. They are wonderful !! Yes, they accept my United Healthcare Medicare Advantage.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

"The initial understanding was that over time, additional services gradually would be added to reach the goal of a comprehensive cancer treatment center in The Villages -- similar to what Moffitt provides in the Tampa area".

Moffitt notified officials that their plans have changed and that is no longer going to happen. As a result, the operators of Central Florida Health Alliance (which operates Leesburg and The Villages Hospital) reached out to Florida Cancer Specialists, one of the largest providers in the U.S. As a result, the services will be expanding much as Moffitt had in mind when they came here. The equipment purchased, with the help of some of the Villagers and others, will remain in place. Also, one of their Board Certified Radiation Oncologists, is transitioning to FCS and remaining. He will be working with most of the same ones on board with the Moffitt contract. Other doctors in the field will also be added. Apparently, patients remain with Moffitt in Tampa if they wish.

This says to me, that this is a very positive outlook for all Villagers and those in the surrounding area having to receive cancer treatments. Sounds like a win-win and will perhaps avoid some now battling this illness having to use two facilities -- here and Tampa.

Sounds like it's all being handled very well as are most things here in TV.