The Villages Health

[HoosierPa]

We have our initial consultation with Dr. Sudduth and Dr. Kaplan in a couple of months and curious about the quality of care experienced through The Villages Health Care system and these Doctors in particular if there are any experiences we should know about. We are not on Medicare so not concerned about all the insurance issues I have read about surrounding Medicare Advantage, etc. Thanks for any insight.

[Bonny]

I have been with the Villages Health Care since day one. I actually always see the NP that is with my Dr. because she is awesome. I love that I can get in quick if I'm sick. That day or the next day depending on how sick I am. I also like that they allow a lot of time for the appointments which allows you to go over many things and get all the answers to any questions you have.

[CritterLover]

Great choice! I'm with Creekside, but every encounter with any member of the group as a whole have been A+! As a newbie, don't be afraid to ask a question about literally anything.

[Bonny]

I'm at The Santa Barbara Health Center next to the Hospital.

[2BNTV]

I'm at The Santa Barbara Health Center next to the Hospital.

Me too! I just started this year and so far, I am impressed with the level of care and follow-up. You feel like your walking into a palace. I really like they take you in at appointment time, without having to wait. Last time I got there, I arrived at 8:20 AM and was taken in at 8:25 AM. Appt was 8:30 AM.

Although I haven't had a need to use it yet, I like the fact that if you call after hours, they have a doctor on call. Never had concierge type service before.

I also like they give you a write up of everything that was done. Overall, very impressed!

[Bonny]

Me too! I just started this year and so far, I am impressed with the level of care and follow-up. You feel like your walking into a palace. I really like they take you in at appointment time, without having to wait. Last time I got there, I arrived at 8:20 AM and was taken in at 8:25 AM. Appt was 8:30 AM.

Although I haven't had a need to use it yet, I like the fact that if you call after hours, they have a doctor on call. Never had concierge type service before.

I also like they give you a write up of everything that was done. Overall, very impressed!
I definitely feel that they really care and listen to everything you say. It's a very calming place even when you're sick. :)

[HoosierPa]

Really pleased to hear all the positive comments. Thanks for the feedback.

[spuds51]

Great place !! My wife and I both go there. Best run medical office I've been around. Wish we could stay but unfortunately we are both turning 65 this year and there is no way we are going on Medicare Advantage

[John_W]

My wife and I have been with the Villages Health at Pinellas only since last July. They follow through quite a lot. For example, I suffered a stiff back after a round of golf on Feb 3rd. They sent me to Lake Imaging for an x-ray, and then a couple of weeks later they sent me back to Lake Imaging for an MRI. Since then, they have referred me to Dr. Clumm, a pain management doctor in Ocala.

My wife had a physical last month and the doctor said she didn't hear a good pulse in her lower legs. They then sent her to Lake Imaging for an ultrasound on her legs. The amount of follow-up testing I have never experienced anywhere else and especially from the VA, who I also receive medical care.

[jojo]

My husband and I have experienced exceptional medical care since we moved to The Villages Health. The medical team makes it work - same day appointments with the Nurse Practitioners and the staff is tremendous at following up with referrals and prescriptions. We appreciate the longer appointments. Our worry is that we have a supplement plan and just hope they don't kick us out.

[spuds51]

If I understood them correctly you won't be kicked out if you was with them before they change the rules the first of the year.

[jojo]

If I understood them correctly you won't be kicked out if you was with them before they change the rules the first of the year.

That is correct. I'm just worried that down the road they will get enough patients who are all on the Advantage plan and will dismiss all others.

[dotti105]

We love our providers at Pinellas too. I am a RN and pretty picky about our health care.

I will say that we have also been super pleased with Medicare Advantage through The Villages/ United Health Care. Great choice of providers. No problem with coverage by the specialists of our choice. The cost is such a surprise! In a good way. Medicare is so much better than I ever believed possible.

Now if only we could get "Medicare for all". Like the rest of the developed nations.....but that's another topic entirely!

[Avista]

We love our providers at Pinellas too. I am a RN and pretty picky about our health care.

I will say that we have also been super pleased with Medicare Advantage through The Villages/ United Health Care. Great choice of providers. No problem with coverage by the specialists of our choice. The cost is such a surprise! In a good way. Medicare is so much better than I ever believed possible.

Now if only we could get "Medicare for all". Like the rest of the developed nations.....but that's another topic entirely!

There should be a "Like" button.

[outlaw]

If I understood them correctly you won't be kicked out if you was with them before they change the rules the first of the year.

That is only if you are already on medicare. If you are with them, but not on medicare, when you become eligible for medicare you will get the letter. Unless, of course their policy changes before then.

[spuds51]

We love our providers at Pinellas too. I am a RN and pretty picky about our health care.

I will say that we have also been super pleased with Medicare Advantage through The Villages/ United Health Care. Great choice of providers. No problem with coverage by the specialists of our choice. The cost is such a surprise! In a good way. Medicare is so much better than I ever believed possible.

Now if only we could get "Medicare for all". Like the rest of the developed nations.....but that's another topic entirely!

With Medicare Advantage it's not a question about the number of providers or the cost of the premiums. It's will the insurance pay for procedures prescribed or will they deem them "Not Medically Necessary". As long as all you do is go for check ups it's great. You being an RN you must be familiar with the term medically necessary.
The cost is great, but as one person said if you need an knee replacement or something the insurance may not agree with you and your doctor. They may feel it's just not necessary.

[HoosierPa]

Has anyone had experience with the 2 Doctors mentioned in the original post ?

[Avista]

With Medicare Advantage it's not a question about the number of providers or the cost of the premiums. It's will the insurance pay for procedures prescribed or will they deem them "Not Medically Necessary". As long as all you do is go for check ups it's great. You being an RN you must be familiar with the term medically necessary.
The cost is great, but as one person said if you need an knee replacement or something the insurance may not agree with you and your doctor. They may feel it's just not necessary.

As an RN, I am more concerned about unnecessary procedures being done.

[spuds51]

Free unbiased information from someone that does not have an agenda. Like did you know that Plan F and Plan C are to be discontinued in 2020? Everyone that is going on Medicare for the first time or thinking of changing plans should watch this.


https://medigapseminars.org/

[Steve & Deanna]

We are quite happy at Creekside and with Dr. Smita Ojha who is quite thorough and seems to know her business.

[CritterLover]

We are quite happy at Creekside and with Dr. Smita Ojha who is quite thorough and seems to know her business.

She and her team are wonderful!