Villages Health Referral & Advanced Urology

[Iaudit2000]

Thought I would share my Villages Health referral experience. I still am with the Villages Health at Pinellas and was referred to Advanced Urology for a consult since I was previously treated for prostate cancer. After going to Advance's office to fill out papers to have previous records sent there, was notified two weeks ago that Dr. Dersch did not want me as a patient and that I should go to my primary care doctor. I explained that my primary care referred me there and also had the villages health at Pinellas contact them. Despite this, I was notified today that they still do not want me as a patient.
I guess Advanced Urology is not interested because my PSA has been undetectable for so long after being treated and there is no money to be made with yearly exams. This also might speak to the relationship the Villages Health has in certain types of referrals.
Frustrating experience but sure am glad I am not having some type of urological problem right now. Any suggestions on a good urologist not with Advaced Urology would be appreciated.

[graciegirl]

Thought I would share my Villages Health referral experience. I still am with the Villages Health at Pinellas and was referred to Advanced Urology for a consult since I was previously treated for prostate cancer. After going to Advance's office to fill out papers to have previous records sent there, was notified two weeks ago that Dr. Dersch did not want me as a patient and that I should go to my primary care doctor. I explained that my primary care referred me there and also had the villages health at Pinellas contact them. Despite this, I was notified today that they still do not want me as a patient.
I guess Advanced Urology is not interested because my PSA has been undetectable for so long after being treated and there is no money to be made with yearly exams. This also might speak to the relationship the Villages Health has in certain types of referrals.
Frustrating experience but sure am glad I am not having some type of urological problem right now. Any suggestions on a good urologist not with Advaced Urology would be appreciated.

I can't imagine a professional M.D.s office saying anything close to " We don't want you as a patient". Perhaps they would not accept your insurance? Perhaps their practice was full?

[golfing eagles]

Thought I would share my Villages Health referral experience. I still am with the Villages Health at Pinellas and was referred to Advanced Urology for a consult since I was previously treated for prostate cancer. After going to Advance's office to fill out papers to have previous records sent there, was notified two weeks ago that Dr. Dersch did not want me as a patient and that I should go to my primary care doctor. I explained that my primary care referred me there and also had the villages health at Pinellas contact them. Despite this, I was notified today that they still do not want me as a patient.
I guess Advanced Urology is not interested because my PSA has been undetectable for so long after being treated and there is no money to be made with yearly exams. This also might speak to the relationship the Villages Health has in certain types of referrals.
Frustrating experience but sure am glad I am not having some type of urological problem right now. Any suggestions on a good urologist not with Advaced Urology would be appreciated.

Sounds like they handled it very badly. But if your PSA is 0 for a long time and you're not having any urologic issues, what were you looking for from a urologist and why did your primary even refer you?

[Bonny]

Thought I would share my Villages Health referral experience. I still am with the Villages Health at Pinellas and was referred to Advanced Urology for a consult since I was previously treated for prostate cancer. After going to Advance's office to fill out papers to have previous records sent there, was notified two weeks ago that Dr. Dersch did not want me as a patient and that I should go to my primary care doctor. I explained that my primary care referred me there and also had the villages health at Pinellas contact them. Despite this, I was notified today that they still do not want me as a patient.
I guess Advanced Urology is not interested because my PSA has been undetectable for so long after being treated and there is no money to be made with yearly exams. This also might speak to the relationship the Villages Health has in certain types of referrals.
Frustrating experience but sure am glad I am not having some type of urological problem right now. Any suggestions on a good urologist not with Advaced Urology would be appreciated.
I would think this is an insurance issue.

[billethkid]

I can't imagine a professional M.D.s office saying anything close to " We don't want you as a patient". Perhaps they would not accept your insurance? Perhaps their practice was full?

The most likely scenario minus emotional spin (emotional spin is not intended as a negative...it happens to us all....it is how we see or choose to see something).

[Sonny39]

I was also referred to Dr Dersch about 8 months ago for a urology problem. I had been previously been treated by another Dr at the same practice for Bladder Cancer in 2007 but had not seen him for 2 or 3 years due to him referring me a Dr at Moffett for a follow up on the cancer. The urology problem I was seeking treatment for had zero relationship to bladder cancer, still after explaining this several times to advance urology Dr Dersch he still refused to see me...Insurance was not the issue, Advance Urology accepts all the WHC Hmo plans.

[golfing eagles]

I was also referred to Dr Dersch about 8 months ago for a urology problem. I had been previously been treated by another Dr at the same practice for Bladder Cancer in 2007 but had not seen him for 2 or 3 years due to him referring me a Dr at Moffett for a follow up on the cancer. The urology problem I was seeking treatment for had zero relationship to bladder cancer, still after explaining this several times to advance urology Dr Dersch he still refused to see me...Insurance was not the issue, Advance Urology accepts all the WHC Hmo plans.

Maybe this guy doesn't want to deal with urologic malignancies??? We had a gynecologist in our town up north who wouldn't even look at a patient if there was any chance of cancer. In any case, I think this practice owes its patients an explanation, before they get a real bad reputation

[Iaudit2000]

I can't imagine a professional M.D.s office saying anything close to " We don't want you as a patient". Perhaps they would not accept your insurance? Perhaps their practice was full?

Here is the message from the Villages Health:

"Good morning, I just spoke with their office and they state Dr Dersch just won't see you. His suggests you follow up with your primary and I explained we are the primary referring you and the office says they won't schedule you. I will talk with Dr xxxxx to see if he wants to try to talk with Dr Dersch or if he wants to refer you elsewhere. I will let you know what we are going to do. Thank you, xxxxx LPN"

My primary Doctor felt it was important to be monitored by a local urologist since I have a history of prostate cancer. Insurance has nothing to do with it unless these doctors are going to stop accepting Medicare and AARP supplement.

Does anyone know of another urology practice that has a doctor they have confidence in? Thanks in advance.

[golfing eagles]

Here is the message from the Villages Health:

"Good morning, I just spoke with their office and they state Dr Dersch just won't see you. His suggests you follow up with your primary and I explained we are the primary referring you and the office says they won't schedule you. I will talk with Dr xxxxx to see if he wants to try to talk with Dr Dersch or if he wants to refer you elsewhere. I will let you know what we are going to do. Thank you, xxxxx LPN"

My primary Doctor felt it was important to be monitored by a local urologist since I have a history of prostate cancer. Insurance has nothing to do with it unless these doctors are going to stop accepting Medicare and AARP supplement.

Does anyone know of another urology practice that has a doctor they have confidence in? Thanks in advance.

Wow, looks like he blew off your PCP as well. I doubt this urologist will be getting any more referrals from your PCP, MDs in his group, and possibly many others as the word spreads through the medical community. Referrals are the lifeblood of specialists, this guy seems to have an attitude problem (as the story has been told). Then again, many surgical subspecialists have an attitude problem.

Best advice is to sit tight until your PCP gets back to you, I'm sure he'll have an alternative urologist, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of urgency in this case. Good luck!

PS: My mother's PCP off the deep end like this, it turned out he had a brain tumor, so maybe I shouldn't be so harsh

[jojo]

My husband was referred to the Advanced Urology group - Dr. Sher by our Villages Health Physician and we had an excellent experience. It is disconcerting that this urologist made the decision he did. This is a very large practice so I would hope that Villages Health can refer you to someone else in the practice.

[Ragman]

My husband was referred to the Advanced Urology group - Dr. Sher by our Villages Health Physician and we had an excellent experience. It is disconcerting that this urologist made the decision he did. This is a very large practice so I would hope that Villages Health can refer you to someone else in the practice.

Agree completely about Dr. Sher.

:agree:

[Bonsai Golfer]

My wife just had a problem with a BIG kidney stone. She was referred to Advance by VHC and saw Dr. Edward King. She was very pleased with the way he treated her, giving her plenty of time and attention. He explained everything about what needed to be done and answered all our question and took care of her problem. We would recommend him and wouldn't hesitate to go back to him.

[USCFCAT1]

The OP should call and talk with someone OTHER than Scheduling. If that does not work send an email to Emily Callaway CAO; ecallaway@cfusllc.com and tell his issues.