Villages Health and Tricare

[Viperguy]

Just trying to figure out if anyone uses TV Health with Tricare secondary and if it works. Right now I have original Medicare with Tricare as a supplement. Most all say that TV health is fantastic IF you can find the correct physicians and their staff can figure out how to bill Tricare. The issue finding medical care points you to the Medicare website which is WORTHLESS often out of date or the doctors no longer take Medicare, incorrect contact information, etc. I have resorted to word of mouth recommendations with various results, some good, some bad. A common thread is over crowding, poor administration and lousy scheduling procedures. One can count on showing up on time, waiting at least 30-45 minutes to be seen and only a few minutes with a physician or PA. We came from Colorado with Kaiser HMO and I was never delayed and billing was always correct to Tricare. Never payed a cent with a major surgery and follow up radiation. All the docs had my complete history and I could email each one or get refills of scripts over the phone. This place is in the dark ages. JMHO Just wondering if The Villages Health will take Tricare secondary and handle the bills??

[villagetinker]

Here is my understanding, please contact VHS directly to confirm and SHINE to get unbiased information.
If you are UNDER 65 then as I understand it, you can use VHS, when you turn 65, you have no other option but to go with a Medicare ADVANTAGE plan to stay with VHS.
Hope this helps.

[Mikeod]

FWIW. We have Medicare with Tricare. But we were already on those when VHS decided to limit members to the Advantage plan from UHC. We have been allowed to stay this year, but there is no guarantee we can stay beyond December. They have been telling those with Tricare that they cannot stay when they turn 65 unless they switch to the UHC plan.

When I thought we were facing that decision, I called Tricare and was informed we could enroll in the Advantage plan and Tricare would be discontinued. If we dropped the Advantage plan later, Tricare would start back up. This was all verbal, not in writing. Since we were allowed to stay, I didn't pursue it.

[Viperguy]

Thanks for your reply. Let me get this straight, you currently are enrolled in the UHC plan with Tricare or just original Medicare/Tricare (Tricare for Life)? I understand that I can enroll in a UHC plan but am uneasy doing so as I don't know how they will handle claims with Tricare secondary. I am looking to see if there are people in both the UHC plan with Tricare and they are over 65. Thanks

[rcook715]

Over 65, Tricare for Life and Medicare works fine at Villages Health

I was grandfathered in when they went to UHC Advantage.

[Bonny]

I'm 65 and have medicare and TriCare for Life. I love the Villages Health. Never wait for an appointment & wonderful & thorough care. I was also grandfathered in. I have been there since they opened.

[alemorkam]

Same here. I'm 65, my wife is not, have medicare and tricare for life. Grandfathered in I believe. Never wait for appointments or medicine to be ordered. My wife only has tricare standard (no medicare) and no problem.

[Viperguy]

Thanks! Does that mean you went into the UHC Medicare plan first or just went to Villages health with TFL? You have a primary care physician as well? I think that as a new patient I have to enroll in a UHC plan first. Kind of confusing

[hansel]

Husband and I have basic medicare and tricare for life. We have had no problems with The Village Health Care system or the Villages Regional Hospital. So far not a penny out of pocket and NO paper work.

[kansasr]

You must be grandfathered in. My spouse has been in The Villages Health Care system with TriCare for life, however when I turned 65 and began Medicare/TriCare, I was unable to join the system.

[Mikeod]

That's the way they decided when they required the UHC advantage plan for Medicare eligible members. If you were already on Medicare with Tricare for Life, you could stay. But if you weren't already on those, you could not join or remain once you turned 65. However, there's nothing that says they have to continue to keep us enrolled, so every year I anticipate a letter ending our time with VHS.

[EPutnam1863]

I'm 65 and have medicare and TriCare for Life. I love the Villages Health. Never wait for an appointment & wonderful & thorough care. I was also grandfathered in. I have been there since they opened.

You mean you can walk in without making an appointment?

[Bonny]

You mean you can walk in without making an appointment?
I meant never wait longer than the time of your appointment. If my appt. was 3:00, I'm in by 3:00.
However, I did stop in one time when I was sick to make an appt. and they said they would be able to see me then. So I was able to get meds right away.

[PTennismom0202]

I have Medicare B and TFL now. One month before my 65th birthday last year TVH informed me that I would have to find another primary care practice. So if you were grandfathered into TVH, you might be safe. On the other hand, I have friends who are in TVH with Medicare B and TFL but they have been informed that TVH will make a decision at the end of the year whether they can stay. I suppose it depends on the results of the business case TVH makes.

[daveczo]

I had Tricare and supplement until day I turned 65. I was with Village health and was happy. The month of my 65th birthday they said could not use Tricare for Life and Medicare. Bye Bye Village health. Any retired military person would be INSANE to give up that package. Try Rivers Family practice, I feel that they are better than Village system and I am glad to be done with them in every respect.

[dok4933]

My wife and I have Basic Medicare and Tricare for Life. We were enrolled prior to all the changes. After talking to counselor, I was told that there is no guarantee after December of this year. It has worked out very well for us and seems to be very patient care oriented. We have not had out of pocket expenses for the last two years.
I hope we can continue. If there is requirement for UHC we will opt out because Tricare for Life is way better for us.

[mokey]

Did not know anyone was grandfathered in.

[Mstpac22]

We recently moved here. We were told there would be no problem with tricare. My husband has Medicare and TFL. I on the other hand have always had tricare prime. I can't find anyone who will take Tricare Standard here. The offices I have called tell me I must pay cash up front for everything. Tricare has recommended 3 in Leesburg but they seem to be "pain management " offices only. Any guidance or suggestions? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[jeriteri]

What is the reason you need to keep Tricare in your Health portfolio? All you need is The Villages Plan for healthcare. They have two plans. They don't take away your Medicare. Small co-pays. Wonderful facilities. Have been through the works paying only small deductibles. Go to a Medicare Store, there's one in Lake Sumter Landing and talk with them, you'll be surprised.

[Villageswimmer]

This is an extremely important decision. Please don't make it based on anecdotal information. Make an appointment with VHS and get info wrt Tricare in writing. Contact Tricare for same. Also talk with a SHINE counselor (no cost) for additional non biased info. Research is a pain, but you need to do due diligence.

If VHS works in your best interests and health circumstances, go for it. We really liked it but had to move on to keep our FEP BCBS. We found a new PCP who we are equally very happy with.

Good luck with your decision.

[wondr1]

Where are the Shrine counselors?

[champion6]

Where are the Shrine counselors?Is you google broken?

Here is what you want: SHINE - Sumter (http://www.floridashine.org/Counseling-Sites/Sumter.aspx)

[Inexes@aol.com]

What is the reason you need to keep Tricare in your Health portfolio? All you need is The Villages Plan for healthcare. They have two plans. They don't take away your Medicare. Small co-pays. Wonderful facilities. Have been through the works paying only small deductibles. Go to a Medicare Store, there's one in Lake Sumter Landing and talk with them, you'll be surprised.

The reason to keep Tricare in our health plan ??? NO co-pays and NO deductibles........ Medicare & TFL = NO out of pocket expenses.... period... sounds like a good reason to me and we can go anywhere we want for medical care...

[BobbyC326]

Yes, we do and it works great, we use AARP United Healthcare Medicare as primary and Tricare for Life as secondary. The Villages Healthcare has been great in handling billing for both. Over 200,000 in billing year to date, out of pocket has been under $250.00 - great program.

[Gabbie44]

My husband and I have Humana/Medicare PPO. Would we be able to use the VIllage Health primary Care Physicians?

[champion6]

My husband and I have Humana/Medicare PPO. Would we be able to use the VIllage Health primary Care Physicians?No, you won't. Link to accepted insurance plans: Primary Care Accepted Insurance - The Villages Health (https://thevillageshealth.com/for-patients/primary-accepted-insurance/)

[champion6]

My husband and I have Humana/Medicare PPO. Would we be able to use the VIllage Health primary Care Physicians?No, you won't. Link to accepted insurance plans: Primary Care Accepted Insurance - The Villages Health (https://thevillageshealth.com/for-patients/primary-accepted-insurance/)I should clarify the facts. If you qualify for Medicare, the answer is No. If you are younger than 65, then the answer is Yes.

[hfeatherston]

Just trying to figure out if anyone uses TV Health with Tricare secondary and if it works. Right now I have original Medicare with Tricare as a supplement. Most all say that TV health is fantastic IF you can find the correct physicians and their staff can figure out how to bill Tricare. The issue finding medical care points you to the Medicare website which is WORTHLESS often out of date or the doctors no longer take Medicare, incorrect contact information, etc. I have resorted to word of mouth recommendations with various results, some good, some bad. A common thread is over crowding, poor administration and lousy scheduling procedures. One can count on showing up on time, waiting at least 30-45 minutes to be seen and only a few minutes with a physician or PA. We came from Colorado with Kaiser HMO and I was never delayed and billing was always correct to Tricare. Never payed a cent with a major surgery and follow up radiation. All the docs had my complete history and I could email each one or get refills of scripts over the phone. This place is in the dark ages. JMHO Just wondering if The Villages Health will take Tricare secondary and handle the bills??
My husband has Medicare and Tricare for Life as his supplement, and goes to the Villages Health Care. It works perfectly. We haven't gotten a bill yet!

[Topspinmo]

Just when through this BS, Here's my take/Opinion.

Anybody that was grandfathered in and still in VHC with Tricare for life was over 65. If you under 65 and in VHC you will be booted or have to have UHC plan supplement cause VHC decided you have insurance change and with the signed agreement with UHC want you to take UHC plan. In my case I was grandfather in, but at 65 I had insurance change due to mandatory Medicare at 65 and TCFL. VHC decided if you have insurance change you will have to take there contracted plan or get booted. VHC is paid for each patient from UHC, plus what insurance money it collects the way I understand it. For me I will not Buy supplement for coverage I already have and Will NOT give up my TCFL. The OP I guess is under 65 and he will have insurance change at 65 thus the reason he's asking the questions. For all you that are over 65 and grandfather in, it had nothing to do with your situation cause OP is under 65.