THe Villages Health .. Did they change/modify decision?

[Villageswimmer]

We belong to TVS and are North for a few months. We have yet to receive the ultimatum letter. There's been plenty of time for forwarding.

We thought we were on the hit list.

Is it possible they've changed their minds, maybe for specific insurances like BCBS?

[laceylady]

We have BCBS and we got our letters two weeks ago.

[ryno]

We also have not received a letter and are also north for a few months a year. After an insurance interview a couple of years ago, we were told our insurance was better, advised NOT to change and that we would be grandfathered in.

[NYGUY]

....Is it possible they've changed their minds, maybe for specific insurances like BCBS?

No...

[villagetinker]

Have not seen any retractions or changes announced. My suggestion, call villages health directly, and ask what is going on in your specific case. It APPEARS there may be some differences between below the age of 65 and above the age of 65, and the specific plans, no idea of the impact on MEDICADE age people.
Have you been getting your other mail forwarded, in a timely manner, there were some prior complaints about this service.
And finally, welcome to health care CHAOS. I went online today to the VHS portal, and found that NONE of the visit summaries were available, they were there 2 weeks ago.

[Carla B]

We belong to TVS and are North for a few months. We have yet to receive the ultimatum letter. There's been plenty of time for forwarding.

We thought we were on the hit list.

Is it possible they've changed their minds, maybe for specific insurances like BCBS?

Maybe you're not old enough to be on Medicare? If so, you shouldn't be affected until you reach age 65, at which time you'll need to decide to sign up for UHC Medicare Advantage or leave TVHS.

[Radioman41]

There was a post on the other news service that the letters were not sent out by first class mail therefore not forwarded to people away for the summer. We are away and did not get a letter. We have the original Medicare and BC/BS. I called TVH and they confirmed we were sent the famous letter, so we have been searching for a new provider.

[Dan9871]

Just checked myself and all visits and lab results are there (for the 2+ years we've been going there).

I went online today to the VHS portal, and found that NONE of the visit summaries were available, they were there 2 weeks ago.

[2BNTV]

Call them, 352.674.1740 and get your info from the horses mouth.

I hope your back during the enrollment period to do what you may need to do.

[golfing eagles]

Maybe you're not old enough to be on Medicare? If so, you shouldn't be affected until you reach age 65, at which time you'll need to decide to sign up for UHC Medicare Advantage or leave TVHS.

Was at TVHS this AM, and asked for second time' So....straight from the horse's "mouth"-----

65 and over-----UHC MA plan or hit the road

under 65----no change in accepted insurances

[Villageswimmer]

Thanks all for your help!

[goodtimesintv]

There was a post on the other news service that the letters were not sent out by first class mail therefore not forwarded to people away for the summer. We are away and did not get a letter. We have the original Medicare and BC/BS. I called TVH and they confirmed we were sent the famous letter, so we have been searching for a new provider.

We know what you mean by "provider". But as government-speak healthcare vocabulary transforms our vocabulary, it's wise to look for a "physician" who's board-certified in his/her specialty.

And, keep an eye on the ulterior motives that are seeking cheaper, more "cost effective" substitutes for the primary healthcare services we have known.

(Imagine the spendaholics in Congress being "cost effective" and perpetually running for office on their "cost-effectiveness" accomplishments....er......controls.)

Paramedics, EMT's, medical assistants, nursing assistants, phlebotomists and x-ray technicians are "providers" too.

But I don't want one as my primary-care physician.

[Villager Joyce]

Have not seen any retractions or changes announced. My suggestion, call villages health directly, and ask what is going on in your specific case. It APPEARS there may be some differences between below the age of 65 and above the age of 65, and the specific plans, no idea of the impact on MEDICADE age people.
Have you been getting your other mail forwarded, in a timely manner, there were some prior complaints about this service.
And finally, welcome to health care CHAOS. I went online today to the VHS portal, and found that NONE of the visit summaries were available, they were there 2 weeks ago.

We just checked and our records are there. Maybe the VHS site was acting up from everyone accessing their records to give to their new doctors.

[laceylady]

Maybe you're not old enough to be on Medicare? If so, you shouldn't be affected until you reach age 65, at which time you'll need to decide to sign up for UHC Medicare Advantage or leave TVHS.

I am not old enough for Medicare but I got a letter anyway.

[Debfrommaine]

Just checked myself and all visits and lab results are there (for the 2+ years we've been going there).

Ditto, all results are there for us as well.

[GypsySooners]

My wife and I talked to United and the rep of TVH yesterday and it's definite about the change at the first of the year. I'm a retired Federal employee and we have the FEP BCBS. I'm 68 and my wife is 63 so it'll be a year from Feb before we can cancel the BCBS and get the United Advantage plan so my wife can retain her coverage. I've decided to simply go a little over a year without seeing my doctor. I asked and was told that I'd be accepted back after that year. I'll still have coverage through BCBS is I need something. I'll just go to one of the little emergency clinics or the hospital.

And, btw..., the basic United plan has no monthly premiums and the yearly max is $4800. My part of our BCBS is $4200 a year. We're both in excellent health and the copay and deductibles would have only been a couple of hundred dollars, at the most, the past ten years if we'd been on the United plan all along so, for us, it'll save thousands.

If you're interested, the United Rep we talked to was extremely helpful. She is Deborah Pecoraro. He number is 407-341-4214. I'd suggest talking to her, or one of the other reps, before making a final decision. Honeslty, we went in thinking we'd be leaving TVH and now we're not going to.

[Villager Joyce]

I am not old enough for Medicare but I got a letter anyway.

What dud your letter say? I'm not 65 and received a letter saying I'm good til Medicare.

[Radioman41]

I am also a retired fed with BC/BS. I thought I was in perfect health until a serious problem surfaced. I would have paid many times the BC/BS premiums with co-pays and deductibles. Also with original Medicare and BC/BS you have a much wider choice of providers if the need should arise. If you spend summers away from TV you may find medical services very limited.

[Number 6]

I am also a retired fed with BC/BS. I thought I was in perfect health until a serious problem surfaced. I would have paid many times the BC/BS premiums with co-pays and deductibles. Also with original Medicare and BC/BS you have a much wider choice of providers if the need should arise. If you spend summers away from TV you may find medical services very limited.

As I prior post mentioned the MA plans all have a "maximum out of pocket."

[billethkid]

Was at TVHS this AM, and asked for second time' So....straight from the horse's "mouth"-----

65 and over-----UHC MA plan or hit the road

under 65----no change in accepted insurances

How accurately you have captured the caring of TV "Marcus "Welby" bait and switch by TV health care system!!!

[wendyquat]

Keep in mind the $4800 out of pocket seems worse if for instance you have to have chemo in Nov and Dec of one year and it flows over to treatments in Jan and Feb you could easily be facing $9600 out of pocket in a short period of time.

[GypsySooners]

I am also a retired fed with BC/BS. I thought I was in perfect health until a serious problem surfaced. I would have paid many times the BC/BS premiums with co-pays and deductibles. Also with original Medicare and BC/BS you have a much wider choice of providers if the need should arise. If you spend summers away from TV you may find medical services very limited.

Thank you, Radioman, this gives me something more to consider. It's a big jump off of a cliff that you can't climb back on to, huh? I'm just glad that my wife is over a year away from Medicare so we can't do anything until then anyway.

[GypsySooners]

Oh, and Radioman, who are you going to use now? Have you found someone else that takes our BCBS in the area?

[rubicon]

What a mess coming from the Friendliest and Healthiest Town in Florida. Sure makes those health pages in the Daily Sun persona non grata. Perhaps the Daily sun should pull them and replace them with real news. If you can't trust The Villages who can you trust:D

[trichard]

We belong to TVS and are North for a few months. We have yet to receive the ultimatum letter. There's been plenty of time for forwarding.

We thought we were on the hit list.

Is it possible they've changed their minds, maybe for specific insurances like BCBS?

Could it be that the superior management at TVH blew another one? The letters were mailed as bulk mail which does not get forwarded. Only first class mail gets forwarded.

[Radioman41]

GypsySooners, I sent you a PM.

[Bonnevie]

I also have Fed BC/BS and it is very expensive compared to the advantage plan. I am currently in good health and you can look at it as spending thousands more dollars for nothing. However, I am paying for "insurance". If I don't have any claims, then I am paying a lot for nothing. Right now, I'm paying a lot for nothing. But when I needed hearing aids, I paid nothing for them as they are covered under BC/BS. I'm not getting anything for the car insurance I pay every 6 months if I don't have any accidents. but, if something serious happens, I'm covered. Just like if I totaled my car.

[rivaridger1]

Sort of supports the supposition one of the unmentioned motives behind the decision is also to dump their chronically ill patients who of course are more costly to treat. If so, sort of despicable, isn't it ? What happens in the future to their now healthy patients who succumb to the maladies of aging ? Probably will tweak the acceptable. insurance plan to eventually force them out as well when the time comes to do so.

[trichard]

I also have Fed BC/BS and it is very expensive compared to the advantage plan. I am currently in good health and you can look at it as spending thousands more dollars for nothing. However, I am paying for "insurance". If I don't have any claims, then I am paying a lot for nothing. Right now, I'm paying a lot for nothing. But when I needed hearing aids, I paid nothing for them as they are covered under BC/BS. I'm not getting anything for the car insurance I pay every 6 months if I don't have any accidents. but, if something serious happens, I'm covered. Just like if I totaled my car.

You have it right!