The Villages Health - Survey

[trichard]

Today I received a letter from the so called " leadership" of The Villages Health. They start off by saying they are sorry for the disruptive decisions they made last year. TVH has contracted with a research firm out of Tampa to help them improve their services.

I am an Original Medicare patient who sought care elsewhere when they decided to exclusively accept only United Healthcare Medicare Advantage. They are running negative cash and losing millions. Could it be that they are looking for a diplomatic way to again accept Original Medicare Insurance?

[golfing eagles]

Today I received a letter from the so called " leadership" of The Villages Health. They start off by saying they are sorry for the disruptive decisions they made last year. TVH has contracted with a research firm out of Tampa to help them improve their services.

I am an Original Medicare patient who sought care elsewhere when they decided to exclusively accept only United Healthcare Medicare Advantage. They are running negative cash and losing millions. Could it be that they are looking for a diplomatic way to again accept Original Medicare Insurance?

Not a chance.

BTW, you KNOW they are running a negative cash flow and losing millions, how????

[rivaridger1]

Received the same letter and you did not mention the fact they also actually apologized which is a first. They asked for " candor and honesty " in responding to the survey. Since they gave the " boot " to both myself and my wife, they will receive a most candid response indeed. Okay " Golfing Eagles ", the perennial skeptic, why do you think they are apologizing and surveying all the pains in their posteriors they thoroughly irritated with their prior actions ? I am really quite curious.

[raynan]

My husband and I both also got the survey and "the boot". He's champing at the bit waiting to be contacted to give his "candor and honesty".

[golfing eagles]

Received the same letter and you did not mention the fact they also actually apologized which is a first. They asked for " candor and honesty " in responding to the survey. Since they gave the " boot " to both myself and my wife, they will receive a most candid response indeed. Okay " Golfing Eagles ", the perennial skeptic, why do you think they are apologizing and surveying all the pains in their posteriors they thoroughly irritated with their prior actions ? I am really quite curious.

I'm not at liberty to say

[manaboutown]

It's all about the money...

BTW - Where is The Villages Heath?

[CFrance]

I'm not at liberty to say
So why say anything at all? I know that when people complain about a company/doctor/dentist, etc., others chastise them for not naming who they're talking about. IMO, this is a similar situation.

If you know something, say something. I think you should tell these people why they should or should not fill out the surveys, based on what you know.

And if you know in advance you can't give an explanation, then maybe don't say anything at all. JMO

[Carla B]

Thought I read a couple months ago that they hired a pediactric physician... I couldn't figure out why, since Villagers don't have young children. Then someone said they are taking patients from the surrounding areas. Ironic, since the health system was started for Villagers, and now a large portion of us are excluded.

[manaboutown]

Thought I read a couple months ago that they hired a pediactric physician... I couldn't figure out why, since Villagers don't have young children. Then someone said they are taking patients from the surrounding areas. Ironic, since the health system was started for Villagers, and now a large portion of us are excluded.

Is a maternity ward in TV's future?

[villagetinker]

I had actually suggested before that if necessary, they (VHS) could offer a 2 tier care system, one based on Advantage plans and one based on Supplemental plans, no idea if this is a good idea or a practical idea. Anyway, after we both had to leave our PCP, who we really liked, we are looking forward to the survey with the hope that this will be opened to more insurance plans. Colony Plaza is much closer than Leesburg.

[ColdNoMore]

So why say anything at all? I know that when people complain about a company/doctor/dentist, etc., others chastise them for not naming who they're talking about. IMO, this is a similar situation.

If you know something, say something. I think you should tell these people why they should or should not fill out the surveys, based on what you know.

And if you know in advance you can't give an explanation, then maybe don't say anything at all. JMO

:thumbup:

[Buffalo Jim]

It's all about the money...

BTW - Where is The Villages Heath?

It is located where all of the best things and smartest people in the world are located ...

in New Jersey !

[manaboutown]

It is located where all of the best things and smartest people in the world are located ...

in New Jersey !

Well,:agree: since I was born in NJ I can hardly disagree!

[gomsiepop]

I am eagerly looking forward to learning what the outcome will be. Unfortunately, my husband and I were affected by The Villages decision to only accept Medicare Advantage. We now have another primary physician outside of The Villages. Would we return? You bet!! In a heartbeat. I am anticipating a favorable result after the survey is completed!! PLEASE

[Villageswimmer]

I am eagerly looking forward to learning what the outcome will be. Unfortunately, my husband and I were affected by The Villages decision to only accept Medicare Advantage. We now have another primary physician outside of The Villages. Would we return? You bet!! In a heartbeat. I am anticipating a favorable result after the survey is completed!! PLEASE

Although we really like our new doc, we'd likely return as well. We would want to feel fairly certain that history won't repeat itself, however.

[Villageswimmer]

I'm not at liberty to say


Seriously?

[justjim]

The only rational reason you would no longer serve "regular Medicare" residents (Thousands) is that under the so called "Marcus Welby" concept they were losing money and apparently a lot of it because of what Medicare would pay under that concept. I am only stating the obvious. Needless to say health care is a top priority for TV residents and to be told you are no longer welcome in the TV health care program was a major blow to many TV residents. Maybe this could have been handled better is an understatement.

[Buffalo Jim]

Well,:agree: since I was born in NJ I can hardly disagree!


Of course you would . And that`s why you chose the handle you are using -- perfect example . Having lived there for several years of my career I hold a much different opinion and now " they " are invading us here --- sadly !

Pushy , loud , over-opinionated , inconsiderate and oh so much more !

I try to live a life that is RESPECTFUL of others in all ways but it is difficult given the species which are growing rapidly in the Villages .

[NYGUY]

Interesting....can anyone post a copy of the letter?

[golfing eagles]

So why say anything at all? I know that when people complain about a company/doctor/dentist, etc., others chastise them for not naming who they're talking about. IMO, this is a similar situation.

If you know something, say something. I think you should tell these people why they should or should not fill out the surveys, based on what you know.

And if you know in advance you can't give an explanation, then maybe don't say anything at all. JMO

Seriously?

Yes, seriously, and no, this is not a know something say something situation, not without betraying a longstanding friend. Also, I didn't want to write a book, but now.......

First of all, NO ONE, NOT ONE PATIENT was "booted" out of TVH. They made a change in the insurance they would accept, and now YOU, THE PATIENT had a choice. You could keep your primary care doc and change to UHC MA, or you could change your doc. YOU COULD NOT HAVE BOTH. This is the same choice millions of Americans have EVERY January 1st, as providers decide which insurers they will continue to accept, and insurers decide which providers they will keep in network. This was not done as a personal affront to Villagers, it was a business decision. For those people who had a supplemental policy as a retirement benefit, there was a financial reason to leave.

The second problem was the misperception that the UHC MA plan had an extremely limited panel of specialists. This was simply not true, with over 20,000 doctors in network and over 150 hospitals. Shands and Moffitt are NOT in network, but there is nothing special that cannot be obtained in network. Also, the insurers are generally very liberal with approving out of network referrals with a good reason and a call from the primary care doctor. If you were already under treatment by a provider out of network, it would almost universally be approved. IMHO, many jumped to conclusions regarding UHC MA and specialty availability.

Third, someone posted that TVH is losing "millions". I'm not sure how this person would know that, I certainly don't. However, they are building a new primary care center at Brownwood and actively recruiting doctors, so that doesn't sound like they are cash poor.

Fourth, I got the same letter, although mine was a thank you for staying with them and an invitation to participate in the survey. I doubt the purpose was to change direction and start accepting traditional MA again; I'm not sure they could if they wanted to depending on the terms of the deal that was made

[Nucky]

Of course you would . And that`s why you chose the handle you are using -- perfect example . Having lived there for several years of my career I hold a much different opinion and now " they " are invading us here --- sadly !

Pushy , loud , over-opinionated , inconsiderate and oh so much more !

I try to live a life that is RESPECTFUL of others in all ways but it is difficult given the species which are growing rapidly in the Villages .

Being qualified because of 58 years in NJ I do agree with "Pushy , loud , over-opinionated , inconsiderate and oh so much more!" because now I have others to compare us Jorsey people against. We are Crude, Rude and Vulgar not because we want to be it is because it is a survival skill there. Pointing out these shortcomings of others is not being respectful to others. I have no beef with you whatsoever.

Jack Nicholson, "I don't want to be a product of my environment, I want my environment to be a product of me.":posting: I want to turn over a new leaf and be a product of my new community but it's a slow process. Someone signs their posts pardon my edge I'm from NJ....I understand.

So far I like my UHC insurance. I had great advisors.

[Bogie Shooter]

Thought I read a couple months ago that they hired a pediactric physician... I couldn't figure out why, since Villagers don't have young children. Then someone said they are taking patients from the surrounding areas. Ironic, since the health system was started for Villagers, and now a large portion of us are excluded.

What about the family villages?

[gomsiepop]

A previous poster states that patients of The Villages were not "booted" out of The Villages healthcare needs to get off his high horse. My husband and I were skeptical of joining The Villages healthcare. A friend of ours encouraged us to join because of her positive experience. After having The Villages for our care for approximately a year we were given the option to either join Medicare Advantage or leave the network. After careful investigation we opted to leave. That choice was very difficult. We had developed a trust in our Primary Physician that I found difficult to replace. For someone to state that those of us who chose to leave did so easily is to minimize the heartbreak that some of us experienced. My husband and I trusted our Primary Physician. Unfortunately, we were given information that was totally a lie. A year prior to being "booted" out I received a letter stating that because we currently had healthcare through The Villages we were "grandfathered" into their system. I for one am hoping that The Villages is possibly reconsidering their decision and will open the door for all of us to return.

[golfing eagles]

A previous poster states that patients of The Villages were not "booted" out of The Villages healthcare needs to get off his high horse. My husband and I were skeptical of joining The Villages healthcare. A friend of ours encouraged us to join because of her positive experience. After having The Villages for our care for approximately a year we were given the option to either join Medicare Advantage or leave the network. After careful investigation we opted to leave. That choice was very difficult. We had developed a trust in our Primary Physician that I found difficult to replace. For someone to state that those of us who chose to leave did so easily is to minimize the heartbreak that some of us experienced. My husband and I trusted our Primary Physician. Unfortunately, we were given information that was totally a lie. A year prior to being "booted" out I received a letter stating that because we currently had healthcare through The Villages we were "grandfathered" into their system. I for one am hoping that The Villages is possibly reconsidering their decision and will open the door for all of us to return.

No "high horse" involved, just reality. YOU WERE NOT KICKED OUT, YOU HAD A CHOICE. What's so hard to understand about that. No one said it was "easy", at least I didn't. In fact, from the other side, the hardest thing we ever did was to drop Empire insurance, because we knew it was the only insurance for a thousand or more of our patients. But Empire had dropped their reimbursement so low that we were actually losing money by seeing their enrollees. It was a BUSINESS decision.

Also, 2 years ago when these threads started, I challenged anyone, ANYONE to produce, in writing, from TVH a letter that essentially said---"No matter what the future brings, no matter changes in insurance company policies, no matter changes in national health care policy, that they would forever in perpetuity accept your specific insurance plan" I'm still waiting. I received that very same letter about "grandfathering", and didn't take it to mean my current insurance was locked in forever. I took it to mean I could be their patient forever, but not as a guarantee that I wouldn't have to change insurance.

You speak of trust in your PCP, and how it was heartbreaking to leave----Are we to take it you had even more love for and trust in you insurance plan???? Because that is the choice YOU made.

[Villageswimmer]

Seems this thread has strayed off topic. Why beat a 2-year old dead horse? (Or a high one)

The OP posted about the survey and the letter of apology. I think the question is: why would they send this letter and survey to FORMER clients for feedback? There's got to be a reason?

Unless I really missed something, this is mystifying (even if they're making tons of $ and don't want anyone back).

Would someone please post the letter? Like the farewell letter of times past, it will probably not be forwarded to us up North.

Namaste.

[jchase]

Yes, yes, I was booted out! If I choose Medicare Advantage I would have to drop my New York State Empire Plan. If I did that, and changed my wife (who is not 65) would be dropped from the Empire Plan, and I would have no secondary insurance. So, saying that, some people don't do their homework or don't know what they are talking about. Do your homework before making a post!

[golfing eagles]

Yes, yes, I was booted out! If I choose Medicare Advantage I would have to drop my New York State Empire Plan. If I did that, and changed my wife (who is not 65) would be dropped from the Empire Plan, and I would have no secondary insurance. So, saying that, some people don't do their homework or don't know what they are talking about. Do your homework before making a post!

No, No, you were NOT "booted out" You had a choice, and amazingly, you laid out your choice in your own post! You just didn't like the choice. Speaking of homework---you don't need a secondary insurance with a MA plan, so you should hit the books again. Your problem is that your wife would have to go out and get insurance in the individual marketplace, which would cost $500-900/ month. So, as I stated in the previous post, there are people who have insurance as a retirement benefit and therefore a financial incentive to leave TVH. I happen to think you made the right choice, but it was a CHOICE. Not knowing what I am talking about?---I thank you for a good laugh.

[dbussone]

Not a chance.



BTW, you KNOW they are running a negative cash flow and losing millions, how????



Well, GE, he doesn't understand how Medicare Advantage works does he. The economics of healthcare is complicated, and too many pretend to understand it. You are among the few who does.


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[dbussone]

It's all about the money...

BTW - Where is The Villages Heath?



All over The Villages

Easy to find: The Villages Health | America's Healthiest Hometown (https://www.thevillageshealth.com)

If you don't know where they are, how do you know what "it's all about?"


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[Villageswimmer]

Would someone please post the letter about the survey? I believe that is the topic of this thread.

[rivaridger1]

No, No, you were NOT "booted out" You had a choice, and amazingly, you laid out your choice in your own post! You just didn't like the choice. Speaking of homework---you don't need a secondary insurance with a MA plan, so you should hit the books again. Your problem is that your wife would have to go out and get insurance in the individual marketplace, which would cost $500-900/ month. So, as I stated in the previous post, there are people who have insurance as a retirement benefit and therefore a financial incentive to leave TVH. I happen to think you made the right choice, but it was a CHOICE. Not knowing what I am talking about?---I thank you for a good laugh.

I've only one thing to add with respect to Golfing Eagles never ending fervent defense of The Villages Health Systems prior actions. Horse Manure! It appears more than a few people disagree with you. We are not trying to change your mind on the topic. Why do you persist in enlightening the rest of us ?

[Villageswimmer]

I've only one thing to add with respect to Golfing Eagles never ending fervent defense of The Villages Health Systems prior actions. Horse Manure! It appears more than a few people disagree with you. We are not trying to change your mind on the topic. Why do you persist in enlightening the rest of us ?


As they say on Fargo, "ok, then."

[Moderator]

The topic is the recent Villages Health Survey letter, Please stay on topic and do not direct comments at other members or the thread will be closed.

Moderator

[Villageswimmer]

Thank you, Mod.
Could someone please post the letter re the survey?

[golfing eagles]

I've only one thing to add with respect to Golfing Eagles never ending fervent defense of The Villages Health Systems prior actions. Horse Manure! It appears more than a few people disagree with you. We are not trying to change your mind on the topic. Why do you persist in enlightening the rest of us ?

Here's a question for all those who agree with that premise---when you go to get your car fixed, do you argue with the mechanic over what is wrong and how to fix it? When you get a golf lesson, do you argue with the pro about the proper way to swing a club? Between DB and myself you have 2 experts on this subject with over 80 years experience as well, yet people want to argue the facts. It's not a case of changing OUR minds on the topic, very simply we're RIGHT and you're WRONG. Period. Now I can understand people having an emotional reaction to a change that affects their lives and their pocketbooks, but that's just what it is---an emotional reaction, one that does not hold water as a rational argument in a debate. This is like getting a speeding ticket and arguing with the radar gun or being told you're 15 minutes behind on the golf course by an ambassador and arguing with the clock. Except here people want to scream at the cop or the ambassador and call them names.

As far as "enlightening" anyone goes, I really don't care if some people want to wallow in ignorance, but if we can educate just a few of them, mission accomplished. And I hardly "fervently defend" TVH, I don't have a dog in this fight, but when they are right, they right. I do think they completely botched the rollout of the insurance change---THEY needed to educate their patients as to why the change, and what exactly their coverage would be, especially regarding specialty care. I don't think providing representatives from UHC and pointing to the UHC website was enough, especially in retrospect.

Sorry if this post comes off rather harsh, but sometimes the truth hurts, especially when it comes up against erroneous preconceived notions of a situation. Now, I guess I'll go feed my "high horse", do my "homework" and learn what "I'm talking about"---you see, this works 2 ways.

Back to the letter, I would also like to see a copy that people who left TVH received.

[Carla B]

Here is the letter in question:

[Villageswimmer]

Here is the letter in question:


Thank you for posting this, Carla B!

The question remains WHY?
Why would they incur expenses related to this survey, not to mention admitting mistakes??
I think feedback from the survey could very well result in major changes or policy reversals wrt accepted insurances. Many will be watching this closely.

I don't think anyone on this board knows. Period.

Wonder why there is no mention of this letter/survey on the unnamed online newspaper? Or did I miss it?

Very interesting topic. Thanks, OP.

[golfing eagles]

Thank you for posting this, Carla B!

The question remains WHY?
Why would they incur expenses related to this survey, not to mention admitting mistakes??
I think feedback from the survey could very well result in major changes or policy reversals wrt accepted insurances. Many will be watching this closely.

I don't think anyone on this board knows. Period.

Wonder why there is no mention of this letter/survey on the unnamed online newspaper? Or did I miss it?

Very interesting topic. Thanks, OP.

That is the best statement on this thread so far!!!!

But now for just a little reality checking:

This is the letter according to the link in the previous post:

"We understand that you may have found decisions made by The Villages Health last year to be disruptive. We sincerely apologize for this.
As we continuously look to improve our overall performance, including our customer service and business operations as well as a range of other issues, we humbly request your participation in a survey.
ln the very near future, you will receive an email invitation and online survey link from Study Hall Research (www.studyhallreseatch.com), a Tampa firm that has been retained by The Villages Health to conduct this research. We invite you to complete the survey with candor and honesty. All survey responses are anonymous. Any communication you receive from Study Hall Research is fully endorsed by The Villages Health.
We understand your time is valuable. As a thank you for completing the survey, you will have an opportunity - if you so desire - to be entered into a drawing for one of twenty $50 American Express gift cards from Study Hall Research! Contact information will be collected by Study Hall Research so winners can be notified, but this information will be totally confidential, separate from any survey responses, and maintained only until prizes are distributed.
Our goal is to enhance health care services and improve health outcomes for everyone in The Villages@ and surrounding communities. Thank you in advance for your participation"

Could someone please point out where they "admitted making mistakes"? I see that they stated "We understand that you may have found decisions made by The Villages Health last year to be disruptive" It does NOT state that those decisions were a "mistake".

WHY do this? Who knows. Maybe they are considering changing back, which I find doubtful. Maybe they realize their rollout of this change could have been better and want to avoid repeating that problem. Maybe they want to find out why many people rejected UHC MA and then try to recruit them back. It's anyone's guess.

I think that there was a lot of jumping to conclusions on this thread. I would not characterize this as a "letter of apology" They made a polite 5 word sentence apologizing for the disruptive effect the change had on many in the introduction of the letter, but the purpose appears to be to encourage participation in a survey. And to conclude this means they are going to change back to accepting traditional Medicare with a supplement is a huge jump. Nevertheless, time will tell.

[Villageswimmer]

IMHO the letter speaks for itself. It is vague by design.

I think they may be planning to rely heavily on results from the survey to make future decisions. Otherwise, why the survey?

These surveys cost thousands in administrative costs. Survey results are obviously very important to their decision-making process.

Oh, and there's nothing wrong with admitting mistakes. :22yikes:

[golfing eagles]

IMHO the letter speaks for itself. It is vague by design.

I think they may be planning to rely heavily on results from the survey to make future decisions. Otherwise, why the survey?

These surveys cost thousands in administrative costs. Survey results are obviously very important to their decision-making process.

Oh, and there's nothing wrong with admitting mistakes. :22yikes:

IMHO the letter speaks for itself. It is vague by design.

Curious, what part did you find "vague"?

I think they may be planning to rely heavily on results from the survey to make future decisions. Otherwise, why the survey?

Maybe, maybe not

Oh, and there's nothing wrong with admitting mistakes.

Not at all--I just don't see where they admitted making "mistakes"

Just a quick look at the bigger picture:


I have no idea what medical care in TV was like prior to TVRH and TVH. My guess would be that it needed improvement, especially with plans for massive growth in the wings. "The Developer" spent many millions to build a hospital and start outpatient medical centers, to recruit primary care physicians and now specialists. They are still building facilities. "THEY" are not the enemy. Are "they" perfect?---of course not. Do "they" have some kind of evil agenda or ill intent?---of course not. Do "they" have to do business in the real world of health care delivery?----Yes, and it isn't easy. Did "they" stir up a hornets nest with the insurance change?---Obviously. The whole concept from the beginning was to be a cutting edge model of a PCMH (Patient Centered Medical Home). This is a highly regulated concept that is difficult to attain. Part of the decision to go exclusively with UHC MA was probably that it dovetailed nicely with the PCMH model. Would everyone in TV want to be a part of it?---NO. Would some people be displaced by such a major insurance change?--YES. But this decision was not an attack on Villagers designed to p!$$ people off, so don't treat it as such.

[gomsiepop]

IMO if you weren't affected by the change in healthcare you don't have a stake in the outcome. My husband and I received the letter and we are both anxiously awaiting the survey and (hopefully) positive result.

[dbussone]

IMO if you weren't affected by the change in healthcare you don't have a stake in the outcome. My husband and I received the letter and we are both anxiously awaiting the survey and (hopefully) positive result.



I respectfully disagree. There are many who disagree with the outcome, but really don't understand why. Do you?

If you have paid attention to the posts by Golfing Eagles you should have learned quite a bit. If not, that will become a problem for you later. The survey won't solve anything IMHO.


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[zonerboy]

My wife and I were both recipients of "the letter". We were patients of TVHC from its inception when Medicare plus BCBS supplement were perfectly acceptable. Of course this letter was not an apology of any sort. They did nothing wrong in their, decision making, but if we found such decisions to be "disruptive" (our own personal decision), then they are very sorry about that. So it's all our own fault after all!
Ha! Apology not accepted.
As a retired physician myself, I am perfectly aware that docs must frequently make choices as to just which insurance plans they will or will not accept as payment for their services. In my experience, however it was extremely rare for a physician to choose to accept only ONE particular insurance plan and eliminate all others. I suppose in this particular case it was not the physicians themselves who made this decision to accept only the UHC medical advantage plan, but rather the corporation which employs all the primary care docs in The Villages Health Care system. Namely the developer himself (and his family) whom I am sure are reaping a healthy profit from United Health Care on account of this arrangement.
The letter states "Our goal is to enhance health care services and improve health outcomes for everyone..." BS. Their goal is to maximize profits for themselves.

[zonerboy]

By the way, the attitude of theposter who incessantly insists no one was booted out, it was all our own choice reminds me of an old joke we anesthesiologist used to tell among ourselves concerning surgeons.
It goes like this:
What's the difference between God and a Surgeon???
Answer...
Well God realizes that He's not a Surgeon!

[dbussone]

My wife and I were both recipients of "the letter". We were patients of TVHC from its inception when Medicare plus BCBS supplement were perfectly acceptable. Of course this letter was not an apology of any sort. They did nothing wrong in their, decision making, but if we found such decisions to be "disruptive" (our own personal decision), then they are very sorry about that. So it's all our own fault after all!

Ha! Apology not accepted.

As a retired physician myself, I am perfectly aware that docs must frequently make choices as to just which insurance plans they will or will not accept as payment for their services. In my experience, however it was extremely rare for a physician to choose to accept only ONE particular insurance plan and eliminate all others. I suppose in this particular case it was not the physicians themselves who made this decision to accept only UHC medical advantage plan, but rather the corporation which employs all the primary care docs in The Villages Health Care system. Namely the developer himself (and his family) whom I am sure are reaping a healthy profit from the arrangement.

The letter states "Our goal is to enhance health care services and improve health outcomes for everyone..." BS. Their goal is to maximize profits for themselves.



I disagree with you. I believe the decision was made by the practice leadership who are also physicians, but have a well founded understanding of the economics of their decision.

Most likely the developer will benefit by their decision, but he is also intelligent enough to delegate the decision to those who are able to understand how to make appropriate judgements. He is not doing well because he makes decisions from a lack of knowledge or support.

To your BS, I say the practice must certainly make decisions that allow it to survive. And I must ask, how was your practice doing when you retired? If you don't understand what the practice did here, and why, my guess is that you were not doing well. Or were you an employee of the practice and not involved in decision making?

Finally, you need to quit blaming the developer for decisions you don't care for, or fail to understand.

Alright, GE, what do you think?



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[zonerboy]

My practice did well enough to allow me to completely retire from medicine at the age of of 55, but thanks for your concern. I am now 74, by the way, and spent the last several years of my career as president of our 12 person anesthesia group.

A good part of my decision to retire involved insurance companies and other non medical entities trying to tell me how I should treat my patients, pharmacies telling me which drugs were "acceptable" and which weren't (based primarily on cost, of course), and hospitals telling me which surgeons I needed to work with and when.

Thank goodness I do not have to work in today's environment

And I don't particularly care what GE thinks.

[dbussone]

My practice did well enough to allow me to completely retire from medicine at the age of of 55, but thanks for your concern. I am now 74, by the way, and spent the last several years of my career as president of our 12 person anesthesia group.

A good part of my decision to retire involved insurance companies and other non medical entities trying to tell me how I should treat my patients, pharmacies telling me which drugs were "acceptable" and which weren't (based primarily on cost, of course), and hospitals telling me which surgeons I needed to work with and when.

Thank goodness I do not have to work in today's environment

And I don't particularly care what GE thinks.



I concur that i'm pleased not to have to work in today's environment.

In my last position I was responsible for 15 hospitals, and a few dozen owned practices. I can guarantee you that I was one of those telling contracted practices (radiology, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, etc.) what my expectations were.

You were what I called a hospital based practice. If you didn't like the terms of the contract you knew the consequences.

I'll let GE speak for himself, but I suspect you know well where I stand.


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[dbussone]

[QUOTE=dbussone;1424670]I concur that i'm pleased not to have to work in today's environment.

In my last position I was responsible for 15 hospitals, and a few dozen owned practices. I can guarantee you that I was one of those telling contracted practices (radiology, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, etc.) what my expectations were.

You were what I called a hospital based practice. If you didn't like the terms of the contract you knew the consequences.

I'll let GE speak for himself, but I suspect you know well where I stand.

Oh, and PS, you should know better than blaming the developer by now. If it's not the developer it's the insurance companies or the hospitals, or something else.

I'm pleased you were able to retire successfully but you really need to learn to enjoy yourself


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[rivaridger1]

Back to the letter. What is it that they want ? Some of the posters have assured us it is not to kiss and make up. They have also told us the only motivation driving the Village Health principals is associated with maximizing the economic benefits of their business model and generating profits. What could those former patients who elected to exit their business model because they did not want to buy the only acceptable insurance plan possibly tell them which would allow them to achieve additional economic benefit ?

I think someone told me the specialty practice they have been significantly beefing up will accept insurance plans other then the Advantage Plan they insist everyone purchase to access their primary practice. I might be incorrect about that, but speculate the referrals from the Village Health primary side might not be as many as needed to provide the economic support required to build the specialty practice. Deja' vu all over again ??? Hooray, they might take me back if I need a Urologist, at least until they achieve sufficient volume to again give me " the boot ". Such an action on the Village Health's part certainly would be justified acknowledging the economic reality of modern medicine as explained in depth in this post and others by many individuals.

Nah, that couldn't be their motivation. My imagination is just running away with me.

[Villageswimmer]

Back to the letter. What is it that they want ? Some of the posters have assured us it is not to kiss and make up. They have also told us the only motivation driving the Village Health principals is associated with maximizing the economic benefits of their business model and generating profits. What could those former patients who elected to exit their business model because they did not want to buy the only acceptable insurance plan possibly tell them which would allow them to achieve additional economic benefit ?

I think someone told me the specialty practice they have been significantly beefing up will accept insurance plans other then the Advantage Plan they insist everyone purchase to access their primary practice. I might be incorrect about that, but speculate the referrals from the Village Health primary side might not be as many as needed to provide the economic support required to build the specialty practice. Deja' vu all over again ??? Hooray, they might take me back if I need a Urologist, at least until they achieve sufficient volume to again give me " the boot ". Such an action on the Village Health's part certainly would be justified acknowledging the economic reality of modern medicine as explained in depth in this post and others by many individuals.

Nah, that couldn't be their motivation. My imagination is just running away with me.


I think you may be on to something. The deed was done. Why stir the pot?

Your theory is speculation but why would TVHS get former patients who have moved on riled up again? Let sleeping dogs lie.

Why would they spend time and money and risk additional negative optics (justified or not--not the topic here) for this Survey for no good reason? Doesn't make sense.

[Dan9871]

I think someone told me the specialty practice they have been significantly beefing up will accept insurance plans other then the Advantage Plan they insist everyone purchase to access their primary practice.

The speciality practice already accepts other health plans including traditional Medicare. That didn't change when TVH switched to MA only for primary care physicians.

From the TVH Speciality Care web page:

SPECIALTY CARE ACCEPTED INSURANCE:

The Villages Health Specialty Care accepts Medicare and Medicare Supplemental policies in addition to accepting all the plans listed above in Primary Care Accepted Insurance.

[Bonny]

IMHO the letter speaks for itself. It is vague by design.

Curious, what part did you find "vague"?

I think they may be planning to rely heavily on results from the survey to make future decisions. Otherwise, why the survey?

Maybe, maybe not

Oh, and there's nothing wrong with admitting mistakes.

Not at all--I just don't see where they admitted making "mistakes"

Just a quick look at the bigger picture:


I have no idea what medical care in TV was like prior to TVRH and TVH. My guess would be that it needed improvement, especially with plans for massive growth in the wings. "The Developer" spent many millions to build a hospital and start outpatient medical centers, to recruit primary care physicians and now specialists. They are still building facilities. "THEY" are not the enemy. Are "they" perfect?---of course not. Do "they" have some kind of evil agenda or ill intent?---of course not. Do "they" have to do business in the real world of health care delivery?----Yes, and it isn't easy. Did "they" stir up a hornets nest with the insurance change?---Obviously. The whole concept from the beginning was to be a cutting edge model of a PCMH (Patient Centered Medical Home). This is a highly regulated concept that is difficult to attain. Part of the decision to go exclusively with UHC MA was probably that it dovetailed nicely with the PCMH model. Would everyone in TV want to be a part of it?---NO. Would some people be displaced by such a major insurance change?--YES. But this decision was not an attack on Villagers designed to p!$$ people off, so don't treat it as such.
Well said. :clap2: I get tired of people bashing the Villages for decisions made regarding The Villages Health. This was a business decision.
Everyone is in business to make money. Lots of people, care centers, supplies, utilities, etc. to take care of.
The Villages / Morse family don't owe us anything. They do a great job of providing us what we need. We then make the decisions.

[Villageswimmer]

Well said. :clap2: I get tired of people bashing the Villages for decisions made regarding The Villages Health. This was a business decision.
Everyone is in business to make money. Lots of people, care centers, supplies, utilities, etc. to take care of.
The Villages / Morse family don't owe us anything. They do a great job of providing us what we need. We then make the decisions.


Completely agree. However, the insurance decision is not the topic of this thread. Neither is the developer.

The thread's topic is the recent letter and the survey. The Mod came on and reinforced this.

A rehash of the issue of the old decision may be very valuable for some. Perhaps a new thread on that topic should be started for those interested in a trip down memory lane. Let's stay on topic.

[Bonny]

Completely agree. However, the insurance decision is not the topic of this thread. Neither is the developer.

The thread's topic is the recent letter and the survey. The Mod came on and reinforced this.

A rehash of the issue of the old decision may be very valuable for some. Perhaps a new thread on that topic should be started for those interested in a trip down memory lane. Let's stay on topic.
Yes, I realize that, however, most of the posts are about insurance or refer to insurance.
I'm not "rehashing" just making a comment as I read all of the comments relating to insurance.
I'm sure the moderator will delete me if he/she wants.

[dbussone]

The speciality practice already accepts other health plans including traditional Medicare. That didn't change when TVH switched to MA only for primary care physicians.



From the TVH Speciality Care web page:



SPECIALTY CARE ACCEPTED INSURANCE:



The Villages Health Specialty Care accepts Medicare and Medicare Supplemental policies in addition to accepting all the plans listed above in Primary Care Accepted Insurance.



There is actually a very practical reason why the specialty practice accepts more insurance carriers. It takes more primary care docs (and their patients) to support specialists. In other words, the specialty docs need referrals from physicians who are not in The Villages Health to make their practice financially successful.

A good business decision pure and simple.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[rivaridger1]

What do they want from their former patients ? That's the crux of the matter. Have some refused to see The Village Health specialists when referred by primary doctors not associated with The Village Health. Have some of those former patients told those other doctors they want nothing further to do with The Villages Health and why ? If so, might the other physicians be reluctant to refer anyone to The Villages Health specialists ?

The Villages Health principals want something, that is obvious. Apologies are expressions of regret generally offered for wrongs including unjust, dishonest or immoral acts, if I can still read a dictionary correctly. ( No doubt we will soon be debating the meaning of " is " ) Other posters have convinced me any action undertaken by The Villages Health must involve pecuniary gain. What in the world might it be they hope to gain from the survey results ?

[Stdole]

Pauls final words of his commentaries ...

"Now you know the rest of the story"

(To be continued, after the survey....if they release)

[Villageswimmer]

What do they want from their former patients ? That's the crux of the matter. Have some refused to see The Village Health specialists when referred by primary doctors not associated with The Village Health. Have some of those former patients told those other doctors they want nothing further to do with The Villages Health and why ? If so, might the other physicians be reluctant to refer anyone to The Villages Health specialists ?

The Villages Health principals want something, that is obvious. Apologies are expressions of regret generally offered for wrongs including unjust, dishonest or immoral acts, if I can still read a dictionary correctly. ( No doubt we will soon be debating the meaning of " is " ) Other posters have convinced me any action undertaken by The Villages Health must involve pecuniary gain. What in the world might it be they hope to gain from the survey results ?


Bingo! These are the big unanswered questions, which is why I described the letter as vague.

And you're right, an apology is an apology.

Any way you slice it, this is an interesting, if mysterious, development.

[ggnlars]

The survey and hiring of the outside firm is indicative of some underling problem. A consideration to keep in mind is the change to Medicare plan C from plan A & B only impacts people over 65. The Medicare law has not changed. With few exceptions, all people in the US 65 and older are covered by one of the Medicare plans. The Villages is a 55+ community with many owners actually less than 55. These people with their insurance are still accepted by TVH. In fact, the average age of TV is around 67. So almost half are not on Medicare and can be treated with their current insurance. Yes, when you hit 65, you have to make choices on which Medicare options your going to take. But to have a system say I will only take one of the two sounds out of step.
I would guess the reason for the letter and the survey has more to do with the actual growth of the 65+ patients compared with the growth expected for the decision to make financial sense. With the growth in TV, the competition in the medical services field has to be huge. They have to have the infrastructure to provide the service, but they need to have the patient numbers grow to make it successful. These are the kind of things that can change decisions.

[golfing eagles]

The survey and hiring of the outside firm is indicative of some underling problem. A consideration to keep in mind is the change to Medicare plan C from plan A & B only impacts people over 65. The Medicare law has not changed. With few exceptions, all people in the US 65 and older are covered by one of the Medicare plans. The Villages is a 55+ community with many owners actually less than 55. These people with their insurance are still accepted by TVH. In fact, the average age of TV is around 67. So almost half are not on Medicare and can be treated with their current insurance. Yes, when you hit 65, you have to make choices on which Medicare options your going to take. But to have a system say I will only take one of the two sounds out of step.
I would guess the reason for the letter and the survey has more to do with the actual growth of the 65+ patients compared with the growth expected for the decision to make financial sense. With the growth in TV, the competition in the medical services field has to be huge. They have to have the infrastructure to provide the service, but they need to have the patient numbers grow to make it successful. These are the kind of things that can change decisions.

I agree, many of their underlings are a problem:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:
However, there may not be an underlying problem, they may simply be looking for information

[GregP]

Ok Where to start? I got the letter and so did my wife. This whole mess started when a friend of mind that I used to work with moved down here. Having the same Insurance as me (Top of the line BC & BS) asked me what Doctors I used. I recommended, “Village Health Care”. A few days later he came back to me saying they would not take him. Wondering what was going on I went to the center near me to find out. I met with the person in charge. When I asked what was going on, how come my friend could not get in I was told that they were only taking new patience’s with United Health Care. The person tried for about 10 minutes to get me to drop my BC&BS and join United. I said to her, “My wife has had 14 major operations and I have never seen a bill why should I change” Finally the person gave up. I was then told that it would NOT affect me I was grandfathered in. Out of curiosity I asked why they were doing this. I was told that the Doctors requested it so they could be paid easier. My response was OH???? I was under the impression that the Doctors worked for you and you paid them. I got no response she walked away. Then the bomb shell hit I was kicked out, BUT I was told that if I had “TriCare for Life” I could stay I would be grandfathered. (I do but they did not know that) There is no way that I would trust them. They are out for themselves not the individual. I am looking forward to the survey and so is my wife. Shame because we both liked who we were seeing. Our new Doctors are good.

[hillncea]

I'm interested to read how many people seem to be anxious to turn to TVHS after they've made the choice to leave (or "have been booted out", as they like to see.

My wife and I were both in TVHS and left. We both loved our primaries and it was an extremely difficult decision for us to go (although fortunately we have found another wonderful primary outside TVHS). I would not go back to TVHS, however, and it's not because it wasn't a wonderful system. It's because they've already demonstrated that they have the right, and will exercise the right, to change the rules at any time without warning regardless of the consequences to their patients. What's to keep them from changing their minds again and shutting the whole system down? And if you're in TVHS system and they shut it down, where are you going to go for a primary when tens of thousands of people are facing the problem the same time you are?

A major factor in satisfactory health care is trust. They earned that when they gathered together a group of primary physicians that I think most people have found to be uniformly excellent--but then they threw that all away with the curveball last year. I, for one, am out of the system for good. I could never trust TVHS again.

[Villagesgal]

People forget that they still take outside insurance for those under 65. I was with Bellevue Family Physicians long before they became the villages health. I will be told to leave if I choose a different medicare supplement plan when I turn 65. They accept most plans for those under 65. They are not a Villagers exclusive practice. As I am now 62 and have had my primary Dr. For 16 years. I hope they change their policy regarding outside insurance.

[earlehancock]

The decision to only accept UHC insurance is a greed based decision. Many patients left the villages health care system for good reasons, so many in fact that VHCS is looking to save face.
Some folks stated in this thread that we had a choice, stay and change insurance or leave. In my case my e-wife is insured by me and spends a great deal of time in Massachusetts, not possible for us. When I came to TV I rented for a year to give myself time to "check it out". I was impressed with the VHCS and my Doctor. There were many other things that I liked and some I didn't. The health care system was a big plus. So I purchased a home, then the health care system changed their insurance. Why?

[OhioBuckeye]

Today I received a letter from the so called " leadership" of The Villages Health. They start off by saying they are sorry for the disruptive decisions they made last year. TVH has contracted with a research firm out of Tampa to help them improve their services.

I am an Original Medicare patient who sought care elsewhere when they decided to exclusively accept only United Healthcare Medicare Advantage. They are running negative cash and losing millions. Could it be that they are looking for a diplomatic way to again accept Original Medicare Insurance?

I lost all respect for TVH when we first moved here 6 yrs. ago I just had a 5 way heart bypass in Ohio where I lived. It was only 6 weeks afterward that I had an issue in my mouth due to breathing tubes during my heart surgery. I was told never be around people that had any kind of viruses. When I went to the waiting room I sat in there for 5 1/2 hrs. with 3 people having puke buckets for severe cases of the flu. I told the them about it & they said they couldn't do anything about it. (that was their exact words) Then when I did see someone it was a PA & he said I had a cold sore, wrong. We got into see the CEO of the hospital & told her the lot longer story, my $4,000+ dollar bill was forgiven. So Tampa can improve them all they want but if want good health care go somewhere else. Besides TVH can't do anything to your heart, all they can do is stabilize you & send you to another hospital, if you can make it!

[FromNY]

I would be happy if they let me back in. I use the specialty group. But on July 1 got the boot for PCP. Not looking forward to finding another. Especially since they want you to use their specialist cohorts. Unfortunately it is about money and that is why our health care system is broken.

[golfing eagles]

I lost all respect for TVH when we first moved here 6 yrs. ago I just had a 5 way heart bypass in Ohio where I lived. It was only 6 weeks afterward that I had an issue in my mouth due to breathing tubes during my heart surgery. I was told never be around people that had any kind of viruses. When I went to the waiting room I sat in there for 5 1/2 hrs. with 3 people having puke buckets for severe cases of the flu. I told the them about it & they said they couldn't do anything about it. (that was their exact words) Then when I did see someone it was a PA & he said I had a cold sore, wrong. We got into see the CEO of the hospital & told her the lot longer story, my $4,000+ dollar bill was forgiven. So Tampa can improve them all they want but if want good health care go somewhere else. Besides TVH can't do anything to your heart, all they can do is stabilize you & send you to another hospital, if you can make it!

Interesting opinion, considering they do over 5,000 cardiac catheterizations/year most with stent placement.

[Boomer]

TOTV's format has a quirk. You can edit a post, but you cannot edit a thread title. A typo in a title can hang there forever. I don't know if a moderator can fix a title typo or if it has to be an admin. The OP can't fix it.

Please! Somebody, please fix the title of this thread.

A heath is an open area of uncultivated land with characteristic vegetation of heather and coarse grasses and overgrown with shrubs -- especially in Britain.

Yes, TV certainly is buying up land, but I think they are concentrating on just our continent, for now. And besides, TV would never do a survey asking if we think they should buy more land.

[kandmroberts]

Can't wait for the survey. I will be honest...........like where I told them to put their practice when they booted me. Now I have Michael Glick MD for my primary and do not intend to change. I sincerely hope they close up their fancy buildings and make more recreation centers out of them. LOL! MR

[golfing eagles]

Can't wait for the survey. I will be honest...........like where I told them to put their practice when they booted me. Now I have Michael Glick MD for my primary and do not intend to change. I sincerely hope they close up their fancy buildings and make more recreation centers out of them. LOL! MR

Here we go again. Must be the heat. Nobody "booted" you, you made a CHOICE, and "booted" yourself.

[Buckeye Bob]

The second problem was the misperception that the UHC MA plan had an extremely limited panel of specialists. This was simply not true, with over 20,000 doctors in network and over 150 hospitals. Shands and Moffitt are NOT in network, but there is nothing special that cannot be obtained in network. Also, the insurers are generally very liberal with approving out of network referrals with a good reason and a call from the primary care doctor. :a20:

I had DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) done at Shands for essential tremor by Dr. Kelly Foote who is one of the worlds best at this type of surgery. The insurer may approve going out of network but Shands will not accept the Advantage Plan. I wouldn't have trusted this brain surgery to anyone but him.

[Bonny]

Can't wait for the survey. I will be honest...........like where I told them to put their practice when they booted me. Now I have Michael Glick MD for my primary and do not intend to change. I sincerely hope they close up their fancy buildings and make more recreation centers out of them. LOL! MR
Booted you out, you mean you left, so now you want VH to close down? ReallY?

[golfing eagles]

:a20:

I had DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) done at Shands for essential tremor by Dr. Kelly Foote who is one of the worlds best at this type of surgery. The insurer may approve going out of network but Shands will not accept the Advantage Plan. I wouldn't have trusted this brain surgery to anyone but him.

First of all, if the insurer approves going out of network, it doesn't matter that Shands doesn't accept UHC MA---that's why they are out of network in the first place---the insurer pays them their usual fee or makes some sort of compromise arrangement.

Second, this is a rather unique treatment that is not available just anywhere---the odds are that the out of network referral would be approved. The only time that it wouldn't be is if there are many specialists in network who do the same procedure and you just WANT this particular doctor/hospital. And even then, in my experience, one phone call from your PCP to the medical director at UHC will get the approval.

Are you STILL ROFLYAO????????

[Bogie Shooter]

Can't wait for the survey. I will be honest...........like where I told them to put their practice when they booted me. Now I have Michael Glick MD for my primary and do not intend to change. I sincerely hope they close up their fancy buildings and make more recreation centers out of them. LOL! MR

That should help the resale value of your house. What were you thinking???

[golfing eagles]

That should help the resale value of your house. What were you thinking???

Best guess----he wasn't

[Aloha1]

When we moved to the Villages a year ago, one big reason was the proximity of good health care. Coming from Maui where health care is closer to a 3rd world country, we were hoping to find a good PCP. Then we learned that in order to use TVHC, we would need to buy a UHC supplemental. We are both covered by Medicare AND State of Michigan retiree BCBS supplemental. That insurance is a retirement benefit, covers medical expenses world wide, and costs us nothing. It is a superior plan to UHC, IMO, and we have never had a practitioner or facility not accept it. My hope is that the "powers that be" are potentially rethinking the UHC only decision. What intrigues me is the sentence in the letter that states " improving health care and outcomes for ALL Villages residents". Time will tell.

[Buckeye Bob]

First of all, if the insurer approves going out of network, it doesn't matter that Shands doesn't accept UHC MA---that's why they are out of network in the first place---the insurer pays them their usual fee or makes some sort of compromise arrangement.

Second, this is a rather unique treatment that is not available just anywhere---the odds are that the out of network referral would be approved. The only time that it wouldn't be is if there are many specialists in network who do the same procedure and you just WANT this particular doctor/hospital. And even then, in my experience, one phone call from your PCP to the medical director at UHC will get the approval.


Are you STILL ROFLYAO????????

Shands WILL NOT accept the Advantage plan even with the out of network approval or compromise arrangement. No different than the Villages not accepting my supplemental plan.

And yes, I'm still :a20:

[xNYer]

Here we go again. Must be the heat. Nobody "booted" you, you made a CHOICE, and "booted" yourself.

i have an excellent medicare supplement provided by my employer. As we all know, The Villages health decided that they would only accept that supplemental plan for those under 65.

Technically I made the choice to leave, however it really was a forced choice.

Think of the old Westerns, get out of town now or we shoot you. I guess leaving town is a choice you might make. :)

[golfing eagles]

Shands WILL NOT accept the Advantage plan even with the out of network approval or compromise arrangement.

And yes, I'm still :a20:

Was I writing in a language other than English? Shands will NOT accept UHC MA. The do not participate in it, if they did they would NOT be out of network!!! And "out of network approval" has nothing to do with Shands, it is a decision made by the insurer as to whether or not they will pay them their asking price or reimburse you. What you are saying is that a patient can show up at Shands, no insurance, but with a boatload of cash , and they won't see him. Unlikely.
Perhaps DB has some insight on how this works from a hospital administrator's point of view.

[golfing eagles]

i have an excellent medicare supplement provided by my employer. As we all know, The Villages health decided that they would only accept that supplemental plan for those under 65.

Technically I made the choice to leave, however it really was a forced choice.

Think of the old Westerns, get out of town now or we shoot you. I guess leaving town is a choice you might make. :)

Absolutely, and it most likely was the right CHOICE for your situation. Other people made other CHOICES that were right for their situations. My only argument is with those who insist they had NO CHOICE, or that they were "booted".

You made this choice for financial reasons, you did not want to give up a benefit worth thousands. Would you have left if it cost you $10??? $100? $1000? Basically there is a price point for those who left for financial reasons. And that point is different for you and I than it is for Bill Gates or Warren Buffet. Only you can decide what is right for you.

[Dan9871]

What you are saying is that a patient can show up at Shands, no insurance, but with a boatload of cash , and they won't see him.

Actually the Shands web site says that a patient who shows up with nothing but a boatload of cash will get a 45% discount on their bill.

[Don Wilson]

My wife and I opted out of the villages system because they would no longer accept medicare and our BC/BS plan F supplement insurances.
We reviewed our choices with someone on the staff that should know (will not divulge who for obvious reasons) and was told if you can afford those coverage's KEEP THEM!

[Boomer]

wow...

Choice? Choice you say? Well, I guess so, but only within the parameters of take it or leave it. Soooo, by pure definition, that's right, I guess, but.......

When I first heard about what TV was doing, by imposing the limitations of only one insurance choice for Medicare-age residents, I could not believe it. I remember asking some guy in a vendor booth at Brownwood the same question, 3 different ways. Basically, my question was, and still is, "Is this for real?"

There are those who claim to be so in the know about the business plans of TV and have the need, for whatever reason, to cling to their defense, even to the point of condescension, as if those of us who dare to question are pizzants. So let's expand the talk about business plans......pizzant though I may be.......

I always thought the basic business concept of TV was to build a place where regular people could have a very nice lifestyle in retirement. Obviously, that concept has been successful, even beyond what could have been imagined in the beginning.

But.......among those retirees who chose to buy in TV, there are many who have retired from the military or from state or federal or municipal jobs or big corporations -- jobs that provided reasonably priced or no-cost health insurance for retirees. Those people worked for a lot of years for good retiree benefits and planned their retirement budgets with the knowledge that healthcare costs were covered.

I feel pretty certain that none of those retirees, who helped to build TV into a huge success, could ever have imagined that the rug would be pulled out from under them by a business decision that smacks of never enough, never ever enough.........

The convenience, or even the possibility, of accessibility is often a very big deal as we age. Now that Medicare-age Villagers have to scramble for outside doctors or give up excellent insurance, accessibility can become more of a factor, especially considering the lack of publicly available transportation. (Anybody remember house calls?)

I have thought from the beginning that this TV insurance business decision was contradictory to the basic business concept of lifestyle in retirement that I thought was TV. TV has made things hard for a lot of people who bought in and made the place such a big success. I think there are many among us who have a perfect right to their ire.

And now, back to the survey. It will be interesting to see where it goes.


Addendum: There is information out there now that says as of 2020, the Plan F Supplement to Medicare will no longer be available unless you already have it. So there we have another possible factor to consider for those who might have given up that one and could be rethinking.

[Buckeye Bob]

Actually the Shands web site says that a patient who shows up with nothing but a boatload of cash will get a 45% discount on their bill.

Where do you see that on their website?

[Dan9871]

Where do you see that on their website?

Financial Assistance | Patient & Visitor Guide | UF Health Jacksonville | University of Florida Health (http://ufhealthjax.org/patient-care/financial-assistance.aspx)

"Uninsured patients who are not eligible for financial assistance under this policy may be eligible for a self-pay discount of 45% off gross charges. Any self-pay or financial assistance discount applied will be reversed if insurance, TPL, a settlement and/or other miscellaneous source is identified"

[Buckeye Bob]

Financial Assistance | Patient & Visitor Guide | UF Health Jacksonville | University of Florida Health (http://ufhealthjax.org/patient-care/financial-assistance.aspx)

"Uninsured patients who are not eligible for financial assistance under this policy may be eligible for a self-pay discount of 45% off gross charges. Any self-pay or financial assistance discount applied will be reversed if insurance, TPL, a settlement and/or other miscellaneous source is identified"

The key word in the above is "uninsured patients". Medicare is insurance regardless of your secondary coverage.

[golfing eagles]

wow...

Choice? Choice you say? Well, I guess so, but only within the parameters of take it or leave it. Soooo, by pure definition, that's right, I guess, but.......

When I first heard about what TV was doing, by imposing the limitations of only one insurance choice for Medicare-age residents, I could not believe it. I remember asking some guy in a vendor booth at Brownwood the same question, 3 different ways. Basically, my question was, and still is, "Is this for real?"

There are those who claim to be so in the know about the business plans of TV and have the need, for whatever reason, to cling to their defense, even to the point of condescension, as if those of us who dare to question are pizzants. So let's expand the talk about business plans......pizzant though I may be.......

I always thought the basic business concept of TV was to build a place where regular people could have a very nice lifestyle in retirement. Obviously, that concept has been successful, even beyond what could have been imagined in the beginning.

But.......among those retirees who chose to buy in TV, there are many who have retired from the military or from state or federal or municipal jobs or big corporations -- jobs that provided reasonably priced or no-cost health insurance for retirees. Those people worked for a lot of years for good retiree benefits and planned their retirement budgets with the knowledge that healthcare costs were covered.

I feel pretty certain that none of those retirees, who helped to build TV into a huge success, could ever have imagined that the rug would be pulled out from under them by a business decision that smacks of never enough, never ever enough.........

The convenience, or even the possibility, of accessibility is often a very big deal as we age. Now that Medicare-age Villagers have to scramble for outside doctors or give up excellent insurance, accessibility can become more of a factor, especially considering the lack of publicly available transportation. (Anybody remember house calls?)

I have thought from the beginning that this TV insurance business decision was contradictory to the basic business concept of lifestyle in retirement that I thought was TV. TV has made things hard for a lot of people who bought in and made the place such a big success. I think there are many among us who have a perfect right to their ire.

And now, back to the survey. It will be interesting to see where it goes.


Addendum: There is information out there now that says as of 2020, the Plan F Supplement to Medicare will no longer be available unless you already have it. So there we have another possible factor to consider for those who might have given up that one and could be rethinking.

You make an excellent point. I never said the choices offered were wonderful, just that you HAD a choice. If you are convicted as a serial murderer in Utah, you have the choice of death by hanging, death by firing squad, and death by electrocution. Not very appealing, but nevertheless, a CHOICE.

There was no "condescension" intended, nor are you considered a "pizzant". Anyone can have an opinion as to the meaning of life, or who was our best president, or who makes the best pizza. But if you argue that the pizzeria serves predominantly Ethiopian food, it is no longer an opinion, it is simply factual wrong. If someone points out that this is wrong, it is not "condescension" , it is just setting the facts straight. It doesn't make anyone a "pizzant", just wrong regarding one specific issue. There are specific issues that I have been wrong on as well. I am not the enemy of those who felt slighted by TVH insurance change, just trying to shed some rational light on the subject.

[Dan9871]

The key word in the above is "uninsured patients". Medicare is insurance regardless of your secondary coverage.

Right but the question was about a person with nothing but boatload of money.

In any case my guess is that they are just trying to prevent double dipping... where your insurance company direct pays you a $1000 for a procedure because that is what the bill said but Shands ends up charging you only $600 after the discount you get when you pay it.

Web sites are usually not a good place to get the real details about things like this. It really something that would require talking with Shands to figure out.

In any case a Medicare Advantage plan has to cover any procedure that is covered by regular Medicare. So if your surgeon was the only one in the area who was qualified to do your procedure (and from what GE said it sounds like that may have been the case) UHC MA would have figure out a way to get him and the hospital paid.

[dbussone]

I lost all respect for TVH when we first moved here 6 yrs. ago I just had a 5 way heart bypass in Ohio where I lived. It was only 6 weeks afterward that I had an issue in my mouth due to breathing tubes during my heart surgery. I was told never be around people that had any kind of viruses. When I went to the waiting room I sat in there for 5 1/2 hrs. with 3 people having puke buckets for severe cases of the flu. I told the them about it & they said they couldn't do anything about it. (that was their exact words) Then when I did see someone it was a PA & he said I had a cold sore, wrong. We got into see the CEO of the hospital & told her the lot longer story, my $4,000+ dollar bill was forgiven. So Tampa can improve them all they want but if want good health care go somewhere else. Besides TVH can't do anything to your heart, all they can do is stabilize you & send you to another hospital, if you can make it!



I think you may be confusing TVRH (The Villages Regional Hospital) with TVH (The Villages Health) the group of physician practices in various locations around TV. They are not related organizations.


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[golfing eagles]

DB---how does a provider, a hospital, and the insurer deal with reimbursement on an out of network referral????

[dbussone]

Was I writing in a language other than English? Shands will NOT accept UHC MA. The do not participate in it, if they did they would NOT be out of network!!! And "out of network approval" has nothing to do with Shands, it is a decision made by the insurer as to whether or not they will pay them their asking price or reimburse you. What you are saying is that a patient can show up at Shands, no insurance, but with a boatload of cash , and they won't see him. Unlikely.

Perhaps DB has some insight on how this works from a hospital administrator's point of view.



I always loved patients with cash!

Having said that, most hospitals will first try to negotiate with the insurer to reach an equitable agreement. This might look something like 80% of the usual and customary fee paid by the insurer and the remainder as an out of pocket by the patient.

It would be extremely unusual for a hospital to completely turn down a sincere effort by an insurer to cover an out of network patient. In fact most health plans have a summary document which explains to a patient what % of a bill they can expect to pay as an out of pocket fee. And that % is always greater then what a patient would pay if they had stayed in network.


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[golfing eagles]

The key word in the above is "uninsured patients". Medicare is insurance regardless of your secondary coverage.

I don't think that matter, as far as Shands is concerned, someone with UHC TV MA is uninsured. Let's see what DB has to say, he is the real expert on these type of referrals. All I can say is that I have made hundreds of out of network referrals, had 100% of them approved, and never had a patient give me feedback that they spent big bucks as a result.

Remember, UHC is an insurance company. They never lose. They look at their overhead, look at the cost of paying claims, look at their investment income then set a premium. What I've generally found is that any resistance comes from someone relatively low on the food chain that is guarding the insurer's money as if it were their own. Once you get to a higher level, you get a more reasonable response.

[dbussone]

Actually the Shands web site says that a patient who shows up with nothing but a boatload of cash will get a 45% discount on their bill.



A hospital would rather receive some payment than receive nothing. But, this assumes the care is delivered in an emergent situation. I doubt Shands would provide a significantly reduced payment for an elective procedure. However, even in an elective situation one can usually negotiate a firm price.

Cosmetic procedures come to mind. Many hospitals that perform these procedures have developed (with the docs) a package price which includes combined hospital and physician fees.


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[golfing eagles]

I always loved patients with cash!

Having said that, most hospitals will first try to negotiate with the insurer to reach an equitable agreement. This might look something like 80% of the usual and customary fee paid by the insurer and the remainder as an out of pocket by the patient.

It would be extremely unusual for a hospital to completely turn down a sincere effort by an insurer to cover an out of network patient. In fact most health plans have a summary document which explains to a patient what % of a bill they can expect to pay as an out of pocket fee. And that % is always greater then what a patient would pay if they had stayed in network.


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Now IF there is no provider in network that does the same procedure, and IF it is considered medically necessary to have that specific procedure, don't they cover it as though it were in network?

[dbussone]

DB---how does a provider, a hospital, and the insurer deal with reimbursement on an out of network referral????



Did my post # 91 above answer you? If not I'll take a crack at it again. So many posts I'm having trouble keeping up!


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[dbussone]

Now IF there is no provider in network that does the same procedure, and IF it is considered medically necessary to have that specific procedure, don't they cover it as though it were in network?



Yes, but the patient typically is still expected to pay a larger out of pocket fee by the insurer, since the insurer will almost always pay the out of network providers more than in-network providers. The former has no contract and the latter does, hence the difference in treatment.


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[golfing eagles]

Did my post # 91 above answer you? If not I'll take a crack at it again. So many posts I'm having trouble keeping up!


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I guess the big question that people, including myself, would like to know is whether the UHC MA plan $4400(option 1) or $1900(option 2) maximum annual out of pocket expense still applies if the costs were incurred as a result of an approved out of network referral. (I assume if you just go without approval, you're on your own)

[Buckeye Bob]

Don't know how many ways I can say the same thing. ������
1. Shands does not accept the Advantage Plan with or without an out of network approval.
2. Shands does not accept cash payments from an insured person.

[Dan9871]

I guess the big question that people, including myself, would like to know is whether the UHC MA plan $4400(option 1) or $1900(option 2) maximum annual out of pocket expense still applies if the costs were incurred as a result of an approved out of network referral. (I assume if you just go without approval, you're on your own)

The Medicare site says that an Advantage plan has to cover any procedure that traditional Medicare does.

"Medicare Advantage Plans must cover all of the services that Original Medicare covers. ...."

That's pretty unequivocal. If MA didn't work that way it seems like they would really be pretty iffy.

It also says

"The plan can choose not to cover the costs of services that aren't medically necessary under Medicare. If you're not sure whether a service is covered, check with your provider before you get the service."

The kinda' implies that UHC must pay for medically necessary services.

But the people who manage web site content are typically not the ones who write rules. But it seems like full Original Medicare coverage is what was intended for MA...

Medicare Advantage Plans cover all Medicare services | Medicare.gov (https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/medicare-health-plans/medicare-advantage-plans-cover-all-medicare-services.html)

[Dan9871]

BTW UHC MA allowed my wife go out of network for some small services (~800.00) just because the in network provider was inconvenient to go to. Covered 100% after co-pay.

[dbussone]

I guess the big question that people, including myself, would like to know is whether the UHC MA plan $4400(option 1) or $1900(option 2) maximum annual out of pocket expense still applies if the costs were incurred as a result of an approved out of network referral. (I assume if you just go without approval, you're on your own)



I believe you are correct. The key, as you note, is that the out of network referral is approved by the insurer and/or referring practice. It should work just as it would in a similar circumstance if an HMO referred a patient to a non network provider.


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[dbussone]

BTW UHC MA allowed my wife go out of network for some small services (~800.00) just because the in network provider was inconvenient to go to. Covered 100% after co-pay.



Was the co-pay greater than or the same as if she had stayed in-network? Interested as a point for personal education?


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[Dan9871]

Was the co-pay greater than or the same as if she had stayed in-network? Interested as a point for personal education?
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The same.

I was surprised. We literally told UHC that 45 min was to far to go when there was a provider in the bubble (well, The Villages) 15 min away. Took just two days to get it approved, no questions, no hassles.

[dbussone]

Don't know how many ways I can say the same thing. í*¾í´”
1. Shands does not accept the Advantage Plan with or without an out of network approval.
2. Shands does not accept cash payments from an insured person.



I could not find evidence of either point on the Shands website, but I did find the following information:

"1) Most health insurance companies, as well as Medicare, pay UF Health directly. Any portion of your hospitalization or care not covered by insurance will be your responsibility.

2) Coordination of Benefits (COB)
Coordination of Benefits, referred to as COB, is a term used by insurance companies when you are covered under two or more insurance policies. This usually happens when both husband and wife are listed on each other’s insurance policies, or when both parents carry their children on their individual policies, or when there is eligibility under two federal programs. This also can occur when you are involved in a motor vehicle accident and have medical insurance and automobile insurance. Most insurance companies have COB provisions that determine who is the primary payer when medical expenses are incurred. This prevents duplicate payments. COB priority must be identified at admission to comply with insurance guidelines. Your insurance may request a completed COB form before paying a claim and every attempt will be made to notify you if this occurs. The hospital cannot provide this information to your insurance company. You must resolve this issue with your insurance carrier for the claim to be paid.

3) Medicare
UF Health Shands Hospital and the University of Florida are approved Medicare providers. All services billed to Medicare follow federal guidelines and procedures. Medicare has a Coordination of Benefits clause. At the time of service you will be asked to answer questions to help determine the primary insurance carrier paying for your visit. This is referred to as an MSP Questionnaire and is required by federal law. Your assistance in providing accurate information will allow us to bill the correct insurance company. Medicare deductibles and co-insurance are covered by your secondary insurance. If you do not have secondary insurance you will be asked to pay these amounts or establish a payment plan. If you are unable to pay these amounts, we will help you determine if you qualify for a state-funded program."


Most hospitals will provide a list of insurances they accept, or the General type of information I found and noted above.

It would be very unusual for a major teaching hospital to NOT take MA plans. Teaching hospitals need educational material (I.e., patients) for Med students, residents, faculty and researcher.

I've run two, and know Shands well, but times change I guess.



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[dbussone]

The same.



I was surprised. We literally told UHC that 45 min was to far to go when there was a provider in the bubble (well, The Villages) 15 min away. Took just two days to get it approved, no questions, no hassles.



Interesting! That's good for patients though. Thanks.


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[LesPaul]

Besides being in or out of the TVH, do our amenity fees contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of the TVH medical facilities ?

[rivaridger1]

Examples of being given " the boot ":
1. You are a major in the USAF with a family and have been up for promotion for Lt. Colonel two times and did not make the cut. You have served 20 years. Your next posting is a weather station in Northern Greenland for the next 36 months, if you do not retire. You have been given the " boot ".
2. You are a 50 year old Vice President of Advertising of a company headquartered in Dallas with a fat expense account recently acquired by a much larger one. You are offered a position in Missoula Montana as part the restructuring program managing a training program for high school drop outs or an early retirement package. You have been given the " boot ".
3. You use The Village Health model for your primary medical care and are told if you do not change your perfectly good insurance plan, which was perfectly acceptable when they first solicited you to be a patient, to one in which you have no interest whatsoever, you will have to find a new primary care physician. You have been given "the "boot ".

In each instance you had a choice as has been pointed out numerous times. It does not change the fact that a size 14 has just connected with your nether region.

[golfing eagles]

Examples of being given " the boot ":
1. You are a major in the USAF with a family and have been up for promotion for Lt. Colonel two times and did not make the cut. You have served 20 years. Your next posting is a weather station in Northern Greenland for the next 36 months, if you do not retire. You have been given the " boot ".
2. You are a 50 year old Vice President of Advertising of a company headquartered in Dallas with a fat expense account recently acquired by a much larger one. You are offered a position in Missoula Montana as part the restructuring program managing a training program for high school drop outs or an early retirement package. You have been given the " boot ".
3. You use The Village Health model for your primary medical care and are told if you do not change your perfectly good insurance plan, which was perfectly acceptable when they first solicited you to be a patient, to one in which you have no interest whatsoever, you will have to find a new primary care physician. You have been given "the "boot ".

In each instance you had a choice as has been pointed out numerous times. It does not change the fact that a size 14 has just connected with your nether region.

Fascinating. In each instance you precisely laid out the available CHOICES, then proceeded to characterize it as being given "the boot", or no choice. Somewhere between getting from point A to point B you took an unscheduled left turn.

1) You can go to Greenland or retire----YOUR CHOICE
2) You can go to Montana or retire------YOUR CHOICE
3) You can change docs or insurance----YOUR CHOICE

Is there some new, secret definition of the word choice in the dictionary now that I am unaware of? Or is this common core vocabulary? Or maybe just fuzzy logic?

[OhioBuckeye]

Interesting opinion, considering they do over 5,000 cardiac catheterizations/year most with stent placement.

I never heard of that because my heart Dr. is right accoss 441/27 from TVH & he wants to put a stent in a bypass artery & he wants to do it in Leesburg, only because if there's any emergency that comes up while doing the stent the TV hospital isn't equip to handle it & personally I wouldn't want to be there if I had a heart attack or my heart stopped like it did when I had my heart bypass. If you want to let TVH work on you in a case like this go ahead. I've had to many people tell me TVH isn't the best place to be in an emergency. Leesburg I was told was the 5th best heart hospital in FL. TVH isn't even mentioned, I like life to much. TVH has lost a lot of Drs. Again just my opinion!

[rockyisle]

Thanks for the pdf.. Those of us who leave TV for the summer months won't receive this letter from VHS. We never received their "boot" letter either. Had to find out from our supplemental insurance company that we had been released from their care. VHS sends all their written communication via third class mail that isn't forwarded by USPS. Not the best way to reach out to your present and past customers. But it is what it is.
While we loved our doctor and NP at Santa Barbara, I've already written to the heads of VHS to express my opinions prior to the boot. There were so many other ways they could have handled this situation - but chose not to... So be it.
Thankfully, there are many other great doctors and groups in the area to fill the gap. I won't be returning to VHS even if they decided to reverse their decision to not use my supplemental - which is also from United Healthcare..

[OhioBuckeye]

Can't wait for the survey. I will be honest...........like where I told them to put their practice when they booted me. Now I have Michael Glick MD for my primary and do not intend to change. I sincerely hope they close up their fancy buildings and make more recreation centers out of them. LOL! MR

You know the first time I ever set foot in TVH, with someone playing the piano, I thought, WOW what a classy hospital. So I'm just wondering if the ones that see the inside of TVH are new residents here & just see the piano playing & how nicely the hall ways look are making their opinions about the care before really be admitted. When I first moved here I asked people about TVH that lived here 10 to 20 yrs. & most of them said it was just SO-SO. They might be able to put a stent in or a catheterization, but the real heart issues are actual heart surgery. Someone told me they do 5,000 stents a yr. so like most Dr. that only work out of 1 hospital will want to do stents before you actually have open heart. Again I'm only hearing old residents & they say go to Leesburg or Ocala for heart surgery.

[champion6]

I lost all respect for TVH when we first moved here 6 yrs. ago I just had a 5 way heart bypass in Ohio where I lived. It was only 6 weeks afterward that I had an issue in my mouth due to breathing tubes during my heart surgery. I was told never be around people that had any kind of viruses. When I went to the waiting room I sat in there for 5 1/2 hrs. with 3 people having puke buckets for severe cases of the flu. I told the them about it & they said they couldn't do anything about it. (that was their exact words) Then when I did see someone it was a PA & he said I had a cold sore, wrong. We got into see the CEO of the hospital & told her the lot longer story, my $4,000+ dollar bill was forgiven. So Tampa can improve them all they want but if want good health care go somewhere else. Besides TVH can't do anything to your heart, all they can do is stabilize you & send you to another hospital, if you can make it!

I never heard of that because my heart Dr. is right accoss 441/27 from TVH & he wants to put a stent in a bypass artery & he wants to do it in Leesburg, only because if there's any emergency that comes up while doing the stent the TV hospital isn't equip to handle it & personally I wouldn't want to be there if I had a heart attack or my heart stopped like it did when I had my heart bypass. If you want to let TVH work on you in a case like this go ahead. I've had to many people tell me TVH isn't the best place to be in an emergency. Leesburg I was told was the 5th best heart hospital in FL. TVH isn't even mentioned, I like life to much. TVH has lost a lot of Drs. Again just my opinion!

You know the first time I ever set foot in TVH, with someone playing the piano, I thought, WOW what a classy hospital. So I'm just wondering if the ones that see the inside of TVH are new residents here & just see the piano playing & how nicely the hall ways look are making their opinions about the care before really be admitted. When I first moved here I asked people about TVH that lived here 10 to 20 yrs. & most of them said it was just SO-SO. They might be able to put a stent in or a cauterization, but the real heart issues are actual heart surgery. Someone told me they do 5,000 stents a yr. so like most Dr. that only work out of 1 hospital will want to do stents before you actually have open heart. Again I'm only hearing old residents & they say go to Leesburg or Ocala for heart surgery.OhioBuckeye, I just want to point out that this thread is about a survey which will be sent by TVH - The Villages Health, which provides services by primary care physicians.

All of your observations are about TVRH - The Villages Regional Hospital.

These two businesses are separate and have different ownership, administration and staff.

[villagetinker]

Thanks for the pdf.. Those of us who leave TV for the summer months won't receive this letter from VHS. We never received their "boot" letter either. Had to find out from our supplemental insurance company that we had been released from their care. VHS sends all their written communication via third class mail that isn't forwarded by USPS. Not the best way to reach out to your present and past customers. But it is what it is.
While we loved our doctor and NP at Santa Barbara, I've already written to the heads of VHS to express my opinions prior to the boot. There were so many other ways they could have handled this situation - but chose not to... So be it.
Thankfully, there are many other great doctors and groups in the area to fill the gap. I won't be returning to VHS even if they decided to reverse their decision to not use my supplemental - which is also from United Healthcare..

It looks like they learned their lesson, ours was preprinted in the stamp area "Presorted FIRST class US postage paid, Ocala, FL, permit #100", so you should get it forwarded, if you do not, I would complain to the post office.

[NYGUY]

Fascinating. In each instance you precisely laid out the available CHOICES, then proceeded to characterize it as being given "the boot"

It should be noted that being given choices and being screwed are not mutually exclusive.

[rockyisle]

Thanks for the info. We will look for it in our forwarded mail and report in if it should come our way. I'm not holding my breath -

[rivaridger1]

Fascinating. In each instance you precisely laid out the available CHOICES, then proceeded to characterize it as being given "the boot", or no choice. Somewhere between getting from point A to point B you took an unscheduled left turn.

1) You can go to Greenland or retire----YOUR CHOICE
2) You can go to Montana or retire------YOUR CHOICE
3) You can change docs or insurance----YOUR CHOICE

Is there some new, secret definition of the word choice in the dictionary now that I am unaware of? Or is this common core vocabulary? Or maybe just fuzzy logic?

Okay, not quite a " Sophie's Choice " situation. Perhaps more of a Cornelian Dilemma. I got the " Cornelization " from Villages Health just does not sound as good as the " boot " though.

[golfing eagles]

Okay, not quite a " Sophie's Choice " situation. Perhaps more of a Cornelian Dilemma. I got the " Cornelization " from Villages Health just does not sound as good as the " boot " though.

Looks like we just found the common ground that we agree upon:beer3::beer3::beer3:

[Dan9871]

I don't want to make light of the choice VH gave a lot of their patients. But, as GE says, it's just a choice even though VH handled presenting the choice poorly. But it's a choice my wife an I have been given a number of times before we came to the Villages and how it is presented doesn't make it any less stressful.

I don't think the survey is being done because VH is thinking about moving away from Meidcare Advantage only. My guess, pure speculation actually, is that when they started VH based on the patient centered medical home concept they didn't realize that it wouldn't be viable based on orignal medicare. Once they finally did realize that they had to drop original medicare patients who didn't switch to MA.

And, more speculation, once they did realize this they hemmed and hawed and denied to themselves that they had a problem until at the last minute they had to executed a poorly planned transition to MA only.

And, as GE noted, doctors and insurance companies do this kind of thing all the time. All the management of VH are physicans who in the past had probably dropped or been dropped by insurance companies. There might be a few patients that gave them heartburn when that happened but they had survived that before.

Any yet more speculation... the survey is being done by VH because the heartburn was more than they expected and they wanted to know why. Any good company wants to do a post mortum, i.e. understand why, a process they used didn't work as expected.

I think the problem they had was that never clearly explained the patient centered medical home. That is they never gave a non-academic, non-conceptual explanation in terms of the practical benefits to patients, like same day appointments, hospitalists, the practical value of a PHP + team vs. a fee for service physician and so on.

To potential patients is was just another medical practice and all they had over other medical practices in the area was a nicer looking building. Why would anyone give up original medicare for that?

For my wife and I the transition to UHC MA actually was no big deal, but that's probably because of our life experience with health insurance.

In past 40 or so years before we came to the Villages the seemingly annual "Pick your health insurance event" we and a lot of other people go through due to employment changes or company policy changes or mergers and out of business events was always stressful and seemed to always resulted in less choices and more costs.

In that time we were given the "change your doc or change your insurance" choice 3 or 4 times. If the doc was our PCP we changed our insurance even if it cost more or had less options. If it was one of the specialists we saw we changed our doc.

Originally our insurance covered virtually any procedure from virtually any provider in the country. After a number of these "choice events" my wife had a serious medical problem but our coverage by then had restricted our choices and she couldn't go to the specialist she wanted. That was stressful but in the end the results turned out great and I doubt we could have found a specialist better that the one we ended up with from the insurance company's network. Over the years the limited selection of specialists never was an issue... maybe that is why we didn't view the limited network of UHC MA as a problem.

I thought most people have gone though the "change your insurance or change your doc" choice a number of times before coming to the Villages, but maybe that is not the case. I know we have some close friends who worked for a large utility for their entire working careers and we envied their health coverage and it's continuity. But most people we knew were in the same boat as us.

And one last piece of speculation, maybe wild speculation. I think VH's patient centered medical home and the change to MA only will be very successful. In fact... this is the wild part... at some point in the next 3 to 5 years all new patients of VH will have to switch to UHC MA. Yup, no under 65 patients any more except those that were "grandfathered in". The survey is going to help VH better explain what it is they are selling to make it attractive to potential patients. And until other practices in the area start patient centered medical homes new Villagers will be waiting in line to join.

[Villageswimmer]

It looks like they learned their lesson, ours was preprinted in the stamp area "Presorted FIRST class US postage paid, Ocala, FL, permit #100", so you should get it forwarded, if you do not, I would complain to the post office.

DH and I received ours yesterday in PA.

[gomsiepop]

My husband chose to remain in a job for 42 years knowing full well that the tradeoff in his lower salary allowed us to retire with benefits which would more than compensate us. One of those benefits was our current healthcare which is far, far superior to Medicare Advantage. To those of you who claim patients that refused to change their insurance to MA made a choice to do so should remember the promises The Villages made. It was published in their newspaper, The Daily Sun, that their healthcare would replicate that of a "Marcus Welby" philosophy. From what I remember from long, long ago, Marcus Welby was not only professional, he was an extremely thoughtful, knowledgeable physician who cared more about his patients than the almighty dollar. IMO The Villages didn't treat their patients with a caring attitude. First, they informed patients that although the healthcare was changing they would grandfather those people that already were being cared for by the VH. Again, I will say I for one am looking forward to a mutually, positive outcome of the "survey".

[golfing eagles]

My husband chose to remain in a job for 42 years knowing full well that the tradeoff in his lower salary allowed us to retire with benefits which would more than compensate us. One of those benefits was our current healthcare which is far, far superior to Medicare Advantage. To those of you who claim patients that refused to change their insurance to MA made a choice to do so should remember the promises The Villages made. It was published in their newspaper, The Daily Sun, that their healthcare would replicate that of a "Marcus Welby" philosophy. From what I remember from long, long ago, Marcus Welby was not only professional, he was an extremely thoughtful, knowledgeable physician who cared more about his patients than the almighty dollar. IMO The Villages didn't treat their patients with a caring attitude. First, they informed patients that although the healthcare was changing they would grandfather those people that already were being cared for by the VH. Again, I will say I for one am looking forward to a mutually, positive outcome of the "survey".

Once again, I will reiterate a 2 year old challenge: Could you please post a copy of the letter that stated you would be "grandfathered" in? No one has been able to do it so far, you could be the first!

[gomsiepop]

Once again, I will reiterate a 2 year old challenge: Could you please post a copy of the letter that stated you would be "grandfathered" in? No one has been able to do it so far, you could be the first!

Without being insulting Golfing Eagles I will answer your question simply by stating that a letter was sent by The Villages reassuring their patients that they would be retained in The Villages healthcare because they previously opted for their care. I was one of those patients. I didn't realize I should have kept that letter and used it as a "contract". I took them at their word.

[golfing eagles]

Without being insulting Golfing Eagles I will answer your question simply by stating that a letter was sent by The Villages reassuring their patients that they would be retained in The Villages healthcare because they previously opted for their care. I was one of those patients. I didn't realize I should have kept that letter and used it as a "contract". I took them at their word.

Yes, YOU would be retained. NOT your insurance. Nothing insulting about any of this, it is a debate over the facts of the letter.

[graciegirl]

Well said. :clap2: I get tired of people bashing the Villages for decisions made regarding The Villages Health. This was a business decision.
Everyone is in business to make money. Lots of people, care centers, supplies, utilities, etc. to take care of.
The Villages / Morse family don't owe us anything. They do a great job of providing us what we need. We then make the decisions.

Amen.

It boils down to people don't like people who have made a lot of money. It isn't shameful to make money unless you do something illegal or unethical.

[gomsiepop]

Yes, YOU would be retained. NOT your insurance. Nothing insulting about any of this, it is a debate over the facts of the letter.

The letter from The Villages also stated that they would continue to accept my insurance because I was "grandfathered" into their healthcare. BTW the title of this topic is the "SURVEY" and not your personal opinion on "CHOICE".

[rivaridger1]

If someone can actually come up with the letter which states our insurance was " grandfathered " I think we have the beginnings of a discussion with a good trial attorney. When the decision was first announced there were several threads on this forum and no one could produce a copy of a letter to that effect. I think the other poster who referenced the letter and said it stated we would be allowed to remain patients is correct, but with the proviso we switch to their Advantage Plan. Look, I am absolutely furious about what the Villages Health did and consider their action ill advised and quite amoral. I think they thought the bulk of their patient population would just roll over and switch to their Advantage Plan. Based on the responses on this thread and the actual apology asking we respond to the survey, it seemingly has dawned on them the rancor they invoked might not settling down as hoped. This thread has had thousands of views presumably including people just new to The Villages who now might be questioning whether they want anything to do with the Villages Health. I do not know what the survey will ask. I do know if the survey format allows, they will be told I still consider their actions reprehensible. I will also tell them as I meet new people in social situations who ask about medical service availability in The Villages, that I in good conscience would not recommend the Villages Health and why. Not the primary care side , nor the new specialty side. If they receive thousands of similar responses to their survey we might see some action beyond their worthless apology which was only designed to encourage the survey population to respond.

[golfing eagles]

The letter from The Villages also stated that they would continue to accept my insurance because I was "grandfathered" into their healthcare. BTW the title of this topic is the "SURVEY" and not your personal opinion on "CHOICE".

So, let's see "the letter". And I'm sure part of the survey will be to discover why people made the CHOICES that they did, so I think it is on topic. Besides, I didn't introduce the subject of choice, I just clarified the errors.

[OhioBuckeye]

OhioBuckeye, I just want to point out that this thread is about a survey which will be sent by TVH - The Villages Health, which provides services by primary care physicians.

All of your observations are about TVRH - The Villages Regional Hospital.

These two businesses are separate and have different ownership, administration and staff.

The point I'm trying to make is, I wouldn't take my dog to TVH in an emergency. My observation are from 10 to 20 yr. residents. I'm sure Tampa will turn TVH around some but I guess I'm thinking of myself & other people with heart issues. As far as different administrations, my family Dr. treats at both Leesburg & TVH. Thank you for your comment & yes I know I got off track with my comment!

[OCsun]

Now IF there is no provider in network that does the same procedure, and IF it is considered medically necessary to have that specific procedure, don't they cover it as though it were in network?

The answer is yes. However, that would be a very rare situation.

After directing customer service for large health care providers and selling health insurance to large group employers for thirty years, I've learned with all health insurance, the devil is in the details.

My concern with HMO's has always been the IF's you referred to. It was a no brainer for me to leave the Villages Health System with my current insurance.

Did I like The Villages Health System in general? Yes!
As a matter of fact I love the beauty and convenience of the facilities.

Do I think UHC offers a product through The Villages which is good basic affordable health care? Yes!

Does it make me sad when I point out the health care facilities built within our villages and have to say, "great concept - just not feasible for many of us." Yes!

At this point in my life, the most important choice I want to make is which provider has the most experience doing that procedure.

Would I return to the Villages Health Care System? Maybe! I never say never. But, only IF I have the ability to choose who will perform that most concerning medical procedure or where it will be performed. Which means keeping my current insurance.

After leaving the Villages Health System, I found a wonderful doctor who I trust as much as any of the doctors I met through their health system. I must say I love her so much, I think the Villages Health Care System did me a favor.

In a perfect world, my current doctor would have a private office in the beautiful health facility located in Pinellas and I could keep my current health insurance. :)

[villagetinker]

I will provide the following, I recall information stating that we would be 'grandfathered' in VHS. Unfortunately, I looked very hard for hard copy documentation and I could not find it. I looked at historic webpages from The Villages with the same results, but I know that both myself and my wife heard this, so I am thinking this was TOLD to us, but never SENT to us. There were several previous comments that we agree with.
1. We really liked our PCP doctor, he actually came for where we came from and my wife knew him from back up North.
2. We were sorry to leave, but there were limitations (or perceived limitations) with VHS that we were very concerned about.
3. Would we come back, OK we will need to see if there are any changes in accepted insurance, we still have concerns about Advantage plans in general, and once you drop Medicare, you may not be able to go back without going to underwriting.
4. And of course ALL of this is going to change with all of the confusion in the area of 'ObamaCare', my crystal ball (some what foggy now) indicates that once the dust has settled, there will be after effects on Medicare, and advantage plans. At that point in time I guess we will need to look over options to determine what is best.

[golfing eagles]

I will provide the following, I recall information stating that we would be 'grandfathered' in VHS. Unfortunately, I looked very hard for hard copy documentation and I could not find it. I looked at historic webpages from The Villages with the same results, but I know that both myself and my wife heard this, so I am thinking this was TOLD to us, but never SENT to us. There were several previous comments that we agree with.
1. We really liked our PCP doctor, he actually came for where we came from and my wife knew him from back up North.
2. We were sorry to leave, but there were limitations (or perceived limitations) with VHS that we were very concerned about.
3. Would we come back, OK we will need to see if there are any changes in accepted insurance, we still have concerns about Advantage plans in general, and once you drop Medicare, you may not be able to go back without going to underwriting.
4. And of course ALL of this is going to change with all of the confusion in the area of 'ObamaCare', my crystal ball (some what foggy now) indicates that once the dust has settled, there will be after effects on Medicare, and advantage plans. At that point in time I guess we will need to look over options to determine what is best.

I think you are right.
As to your preamble, TVH was flooded with phone calls, mostly answered by those who weren't "in the know" I called twice and couldn't get a straight answer until I spoke with someone much higher up. I don't recall if she specifically used the term "grandfathered", but one of the people I spoke with told me I could stay without changing insurance. But I'm under 65 and have Blue Cross. My wife is on Medicare and was told she either had to change to UHC MA or go elsewhere (a choice, NOT a boot). It certainly possible that the phone staff were playing "footloose and fancy free" with the word "grandfathered". I don't think all the people who believed that they were "grandfathered" are hallucinating, but I don't think that term ever appeared in written form.

As to your point #2:
I checked out the availability of network specialists and it is really quite extensive, but NOT ALL inclusive. People have posted they want "the best", but not even I can define what "the best" actually is. There are about 57,000 cardiologists in the US, and only one is "the best" But he (or she) cannot see 320 million patients, so someone gets second best, and third best, and someone gets 57,000th best. If you ever did get to see "the best", you would probably be profoundly disappointed. He would be some ivory tower academician who doesn't know how to talk to real people, much less relate to them. He would give you about 90 seconds of his time as he rushed off to his research lab, or to write his next article, or next teaching rounds with cardiology fellows. You would see his name plastered all over the textbooks and the literature, and he would be acclaimed as "the best", but in reality that is a title given to the biggest academic @$$ by other academic @$$e$. For me, give me the clinician who ranks 10-15,000th on the list and I'll be happy and well cared for.

As to your point #4:
Very true, healthcare delivery is a moving target. If you recall, about 8 years ago Advantage plans were all but declared dead. Then for some unknown reason, like the phoenix, they rose from the ashes and now are all the rage. I suspect this is because the QA programs associated with MA plans help support practices working towards becoming a PCMH, but then again this would imply that the healthcare policy wonks in D.C. have the slightest clue about what they are doing. Why's that? Because they get their advice from the academic @$$e$. Remember Jonathan Gruber????

[PennBF]

follow the money

[NotGolfer]

I just watched a video (from FoxNews) that someone posted on FB re: healthcare called "Draining the Healthcare Swamp". It was highly enlightening. The OP for that lives in the midwest where the Mayo conglomerate is "eating up" small town hospitals/clinics as they're the competition. There isn't a simple solution to any of this. It's going on ALL over the country.

[golfing eagles]

I just watched a video (from FoxNews) that someone posted on FB re: healthcare called "Draining the Healthcare Swamp". It was highly enlightening. The OP for that lives in the midwest where the Mayo conglomerate is "eating up" small town hospitals/clinics as they're the competition. There isn't a simple solution to any of this. It's going on ALL over the country.

This is not by accident. The policy makers in D.C. have been working for years to consolidate healthcare delivery down from 4000+ hospitals and 800,000+ doctors. Their goal is about 100 "Regional Heath Care Centers" where one dominant tertiary care facility owns about 40 or 50 hospitals and a couple thousand medical practices. Why??---it's all about regulation and control. It's easier to sit on 1 big center and make absurd regulations that that one hospital has to enforce down line, than the multitude of providers we have now. Why control and regulation? Because these bozos, advised by academic @$$e$, think that THEY, and only THEY, as auspices of big government, can do the job better that those who have trained for it and practiced it all their lives.

[dbussone]

This is not by accident. The policy makers in D.C. have been working for years to consolidate healthcare delivery down from 4000+ hospitals and 800,000+ doctors. Their goal is about 100 "Regional Heath Care Centers" where one dominant tertiary care facility owns about 40 or 50 hospitals and a couple thousand medical practices. Why??---it's all about regulation and control. It's easier to sit on 1 big center and make absurd regulations that that one hospital has to enforce down line, than the multitude of providers we have now. Why control and regulation? Because these bozos, advised by academic @$$e$, think that THEY, and only THEY, as auspices of big government, can do the job better that those who have trained for it and practiced it all their lives.


Right on doc.

And Jonathan Gruber is at the head of the list. He (from MIT) spoke famously about the stupidity of the the American people as he helped Obama push Obamacare.


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[gomsiepop]

This is not by accident. The policy makers in D.C. have been working for years to consolidate healthcare delivery down from 4000+ hospitals and 800,000+ doctors. Their goal is about 100 "Regional Heath Care Centers" where one dominant tertiary care facility owns about 40 or 50 hospitals and a couple thousand medical practices. Why??---it's all about regulation and control. It's easier to sit on 1 big center and make absurd regulations that that one hospital has to enforce down line, than the multitude of providers we have now. Why control and regulation? Because these bozos, advised by academic @$$e$, think that THEY, and only THEY, as auspices of big government, can do the job better that those who have trained for it and practiced it all their lives.
But isn't that exactly what The Villages is attempting to create?

[rexxfan]

But isn't that exactly what The Villages is attempting to create?

The difference is nobody is required to join TVH and can choose whatever health care services they desire. But I suspect you know that.
--
Bob C

[golfing eagles]

But isn't that exactly what The Villages is attempting to create?

Not even close. There's a huge difference between "PATIENT CENTERED Medical Home" and "GOVERNMENT controlled healthcare delivery". The PCMH brings all aspects of the patient's healthcare information under one roof---primary care, specialist referral, lab, x ray, medication and then applies a quality assurance program to the results while following evidence based medicine and best practice guidelines. This is how they achieve cost savings.

The government just wants control, at any cost. Just look at the current skyrocketing costs under Obamacare. If your desire is to achieve a totalitarian socialist country, you need to control the media, the jobs, the healthcare, and the "freebies" It doesn't hurt to have a national "enemy" either. We have plenty of freebies, the media is in the tank, Obamacare tries to control healthcare, and there are already over 3 million federal employees, not counting the military. Currently, the "enemy" appears to be climate change deniers and those who oppose transgender rights, subject to change. OK, we're 33 years past 1984, but maybe Orwell had a point.

[gomsiepop]

Not even close. There's a huge difference between "PATIENT CENTERED Medical Home" and "GOVERNMENT controlled healthcare delivery". The PCMH brings all aspects of the patient's healthcare information under one roof---primary care, specialist referral, lab, x ray, medication and then applies a quality assurance program to the results while following evidence based medicine and best practice guidelines. This is how they achieve cost savings.

The government just wants control, at any cost. Just look at the current skyrocketing costs under Obamacare. If your desire is to achieve a totalitarian socialist country, you need to control the media, the jobs, the healthcare, and the "freebies" It doesn't hurt to have a national "enemy" either. We have plenty of freebies, the media is in the tank, Obamacare tries to control healthcare, and there are already over 3 million federal employees, not counting the military. Currently, the "enemy" appears to be climate change deniers and those who oppose transgender rights, subject to change. OK, we're 33 years past 1984, but maybe Orwell had a point.

So, it's either The Villages' way or the highway. Medical care with their decision making. Right now I have a choice. In any case the similarities are alarming. Close enough for me. :crap2:

[golfing eagles]

So, it's either The Villages' way or the highway. Medical care with their decision making. Right now I have a choice. In any case the similarities are alarming. Close enough for me. :crap2:

Hmmmm.....
I can't really see how you got to that conclusion from my post---perhaps someone could explain that logic to me:confused::confused::confused:

[Dan9871]

Medical care with their decision making.

What decisions do you mean? In TVH there is no requirement to get a referral to go to a specialist... You don't even have to talk to your PCP about if you don't want to.

You are limited to the specialists in the network, but GE has pointed out that is not a practical limit, though you might not agree.

If you need a procedure that cannot be done by any of the specialists in the network UHC MA is required to pay for an outside network qualified specialist if original Medicare would.

If you just want a specialist outside of the network for whatever reason as long as you get an exception from UHC MA they will pay for it. Of course there is no guarantee but UHC most likely would approve.

[gomsiepop]

What decisions do you mean? In TVH there is no requirement to get a referral to go to a specialist... You don't even have to talk to your PCP about if you don't want to.

You are limited to the specialists in the network, but GE has pointed out that is not a practical limit, though you might not agree.

If you need a procedure that cannot be done by any of the specialists in the network UHC MA is required to pay for an outside network qualified specialist if original Medicare would.

If you just want a specialist outside of the network for whatever reason as long as you get an exception from UHC MA they will pay for it. Of course there is no guarantee but UHC most likely would approve.

That is the basis for my statement. "As long as you get an exception from UHC MA they will pay for it. Of course THERE IS NO GUARANTEE but UHC MOST LIKELY would approve". There are too many variables. Variables which don't sit right with me. After reading posts on both sides of the fence I am leaning towards responding to the survey with, take it and do with it as you will but, I don't want it any longer. That will be my privilege.

[rivaridger1]

:D Village Health applied the boot
A size 14 wore by a brute
Kicked us all right down the chute
So they could make much more loot
Justified with harp and lute
Expected us to stay quite mute
Didn't think we'd give a hoot
Dropped us all as a group
Don't let their action remain moot
We are old but not yet coots
Don't use your survey for Fido's poop
Respond and punch them in the snoot
Sometimes I wish I had a nuke

[golfing eagles]

:D Village Health applied the boot
A size 14 wore by a brute
Kicked us all right down the chute
So they could make much more loot
Justified with harp and lute
Expected us to stay quite mute
Didn't think we'd give a hoot
Dropped us all as a group
Don't let their action remain moot
We are old but not yet coots
Don't use your survey for Fido's poop
Respond and punch them in the snoot
Sometimes I wish I had a nuke

Very clever, I'm impressed.

Of course it has nothing to do with reality, so I'll file it under fictional poetry.

But impressive, nonetheless

[golfing eagles]

Just received the e-mail with a link to the survey. Haven't opened it yet, but this should prove interesting. I predict another 150+ posts on this thread.

[dbussone]

Just received the e-mail with a link to the survey. Haven't opened it yet, but this should prove interesting. I predict another 150+ posts on this thread.



Let's bet a lobster. Should I invite Barefoot to enter a bet?

P.S., at least 150.


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[golfing eagles]

Let's bet a lobster. Should I invite Barefoot to enter a bet?

P.S., at least 150.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Only if you want to go hungry:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Bogie Shooter]

Just received the e-mail with a link to the survey. Haven't opened it yet, but this should prove interesting. I predict another 150+ posts on this thread.

150+ with125 being meaningless jibberish.

[golfing eagles]

150+ with125 being meaningless jibberish.

If we bet a lobster, I'll make sure it reaches 150, even if 149 are meaningless gibberish:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Villager Joyce]

I'll take meaningless gibberish for 150, Alex.

[dbussone]

Let's bet a lobster. Should I invite Barefoot to enter a bet?

P.S., at least 150.


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This is Barefoot's bet by telepathy. I wouldn't bet against GE almost anything medical. Almost! [emoji41][emoji106]

But I would be honored to purchase a lobster for him.


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[Papa]

I just completed the Survey. Took about 20 minutes.
My take away...
They wanted to make sure that I understand: Medicare, The Advantage Option, the quality of care they provided, the coordinated care provided by TV, and whether, or not, the cost influenced my decision to leave, etc

[golfing eagles]

I just completed the Survey. Took about 20 minutes.
My take away...
They wanted to make sure that I understand: Medicare, The Advantage Option, the quality of care they provided, the coordinated care provided by TV, and whether, or not, the cost influenced my decision to leave, etc

You mean it wasn't an "apology"??:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[rubicon]

I am late to this discussion.

First, look at what the debate is primarily about. How do I (medical provider get paid ?)

Second, The Villages of Lake-Sumter, Inc> (TVLSI) doesn't disappoint in their ability to stir up controversy. Those of us that were around when TVLSI uprooted the Wellness Center understand my meaning.

Third, were members of TVHCS given a "choice", yes but it was a Hobson Choice in my view.

Fourth, TVHCS has been going on for a good number of years and for some reason they cannot get their act together. Why?

Fifth, a serious person would ask and probe deeper as to why an Advantage Plan is the only ticket to admission?

I sensed problems within TVHC early on and moved to the Munroe system which has never disappointed me, but then I am one of those residents that don't need no stinking golf cart access:D

TVHCS could be so much more but for whatever reason it simply can't get its act together and because I am not getting any younger I decided not to wait

Personal Best Regards:

[rockyisle]

Well, it's still not in the forwarded mail. When did you all receive the letter? Is there a link to the survey that we can use? If so, we'd love to respond to their survey - also telling them the letter from them via first class mail didn't arrive in NH... Thanks in advance

[villagetinker]

Just received the e-mail with a link to the survey. Haven't opened it yet, but this should prove interesting. I predict another 150+ posts on this thread.

My email and link has not arrived as of 7/21, I would have thought these would go out at the same time....

[gomsiepop]

My email and link has not arrived as of 7/21, I would have thought these would go out at the same time....

My husband and I received our email yesterday (7/20). Because there are 15,000 emails that have to be sent it won't happen at one time. Also, check your spam folder just in case. My take on the survey is there isn't anything enlightening. Same old, same old. It's going to be their way or the highway.

[champion6]

Just received the e-mail with a link to the survey. Haven't opened it yet, but this should prove interesting. I predict another 150+ posts on this thread.Please start a new thread. This one has spun hopelessly out of control. :loco:

[villagetinker]

My husband and I received our email yesterday (7/20). Because there are 15,000 emails that have to be sent it won't happen at one time. Also, check your spam folder just in case. My take on the survey is there isn't anything enlightening. Same old, same old. It's going to be their way or the highway.

I just called Village Health, and they said we should get the survey soon. I just expected in todays automated world, these would be sent out much more quickly.

[Boomer]

Please start a new thread. This one has spun hopelessly out of control. :loco:

Oh, but champ, this thread is pure theater, "full of sound and fury." If it gets closed down, whatever will I do during my morning coffee? ......."tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow."

[dbussone]

Oh, but champ, this thread is pure theater, "full of sound and fury." If it gets closed down, whatever will I do during my morning coffee? ......."tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow."



You can always visit the lobster thread. All comers are welcome there. Well, not quite ALL.


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[rivaridger1]

The Village Health ( whatever it is ) has always operated under the presumption anyone who did not take advantage of their largess and promptly see things their way basically constituted " The Village idiots ". It seems obvious based on the one post discussing the nature of the questions being asked not much has changed in this regard. Why they are bothering with the survey remains a mystery to me, but I would not mind hearing what others might think in this regard.

[golfing eagles]

The Village Health ( whatever it is ) has always operated under the presumption anyone who did not take advantage of their largess and promptly see things their way basically constituted " The Village idiots ". It seems obvious based on the one post discussing the nature of the questions being asked not much has changed in this regard. Why they are bothering with the survey remains a mystery to me, but I would not mind hearing what others might think in this regard.

Apparently local healthcare prior to TVRH and TVH was "questionable" at best. So, in a community of 120,000+ and an average age of 67, if the "developer" did not bring in a new hospital, 6 new primary care centers, 34 primary care doctors, a specialty care center and specialists, then one could argue that THEY were the "village idiots"

[rivaridger1]

Apparently local healthcare prior to TVRH and TVH was "questionable" at best. So, in a community of 120,000+ and an average age of 67, if the "developer" did not bring in a new hospital, 6 new primary care centers, 34 primary care doctors, a specialty care center and specialists, then one could argue that THEY were the "village idiots"

The history lesson was indeed necessary for I am indeed one of the " Idiots ".:bigbow: The question however was differently nuanced and the post did not really address it.

[NotGolfer]

Apparently local healthcare prior to TVRH and TVH was "questionable" at best. So, in a community of 120,000+ and an average age of 67, if the "developer" did not bring in a new hospital, 6 new primary care centers, 34 primary care doctors, a specialty care center and specialists, then one could argue that THEY were the "village idiots"

You hit the "nail on the head" once again! IF I'd have had "one" hesitation to moving to FL it would have been the health-care availablity due to what I'd read. Charlaton doctor's, doctor's who'd lost their licenses for many reasons, a friend in health-care ins. who told us FL and AZ were the worse to work with and many more reasons. I believe the developer truly was trying to help us and not hurt us! If you disagree then we have to agree to disagree on that one!

[villagetinker]

Question, was the survey ONLY for current members of VHS? The reason I ask was we both got letters (former members of VHS), but neither of us got the e-mailed link for the survey. Further, I called about this, and followed up with an email, with no results. So I am wondering if this was 'members only' survey, if anyone knows??

[rockyisle]

For what it's worth, we never got the letters, but I got the survey link. My husband didn't. Doesn't sound like they really have their act together. The survey was a joke (IMO). I went through it, but didn't bother to send it. Unless and until they invite me back with the insurance coverage I have chosen, then why bother responding to a self-serving survey.

[champion6]

From what I read above, there is no definitive pattern. In our case, we both are FORMER members of TVH and both got a letter. Only I received an email with a link to the survey.

[Dan9871]

Question, was the survey ONLY for current members of VHS?

We are members of Villages Health and did *not* get the letter or the link.

I'm sure you already did this but did you check the spam folder in your email client? Legitimate surveys sometimes end up marked as spam...

[Bonny]

Question, was the survey ONLY for current members of VHS? The reason I ask was we both got letters (former members of VHS), but neither of us got the e-mailed link for the survey. Further, I called about this, and followed up with an email, with no results. So I am wondering if this was 'members only' survey, if anyone knows??

I got the original letter that said they would be sending a survey, but I never got it. I belong to TVH.

[Carla B]

I got the letter and and the email survey link, to which I responded. My impression of the survey was that they were only trying (1) to figure out WHY they hadn't convinced those who left that UHC Advantage was superior to Original Medicare +, and (2) how to better market the Advantage plan. Nothing at all to do with reinstating Original Medicare.