Premier Medical vs The Villages Health

[Vikingjunior]

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?

[Rose Ann Vinci Igoe]

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?

I have been with Premier Medical for 11 yrs and have had excellent care .

[Debfrommaine]

Not a Premiere Health fan, can never get in touch with them. Villages Health has served me very well.

[Nucky]

Sorry Viking Jr. So far it's The Villages Health hands down.

The Villages Hospital was fantastic.

The Villages Emergency Room was anything but an Emergency.

Every since they centralized the phone system it has been a challenge. Speak with the coordinator at your location and they will straighten things out for you. Good Luck.

[gatorbill1]

Some good doctors there including Dr Sundeep Shah, but office not so good. Had to leave to follow Dr Gegaj, who opened his own office, and is as good as they come.

[vintageogauge]

Premier has or had some good doctors but their clerical staff is worthless, got rid of them 2 years ago, picked up a primary that accepts Blue Cross supplement and use The Villages specialists when needed as they do accept original Medicare and BC.

[villagetinker]

The Villages Hospital is NOT part of the Villages Health. Also you need to very carefully research Medicare ADVANTAGE versus Medicare and supplemental, IMHO, I would never use an advantage plan.

[Northwoods]

I love The Villages Health. I have an excellent Doctor. I can ask questions and get an answer in less than 24 hours on the Patient Portal. If I have an issue on the weekend I can call, leave a message, and I get a call from a physician the same day. If I have an issue I can get in to see a PA or Nurse Practitioner in less than 24 hours. My physician spends at least 30 min with me when I have my 6 month physical.
What's not to love??

[N44125]

We’ve used Premier Medical for 10+ years…Doctors and PAs are very good…clerical staff at the St Barbara office are terrible however the staff at LSL are excellent.

[Jnjguy]

The Villages Hospital is NOT part of the Villages Health. Also you need to very carefully research Medicare ADVANTAGE versus Medicare and supplemental, IMHO, I would never use an advantage plan.

I have a Medicare Advantage Plan as a retirement benefit from my employer. It has very comprehensive coverage. Curious as to why you would never use an Advantage Plan.

[Beepart]

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was? when I arrived here I chose Premier. I started with one doctor. Then he or she would leave then another, and another. But the worst part was their billing. All you would see would be a bunch of codes and and a dollar amount. No explanation. I had enough and went to United Healthcare and The Villages Health. I am very happy!

[34gunner]

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?

Good Doctors. Terrible staff. Telephones need to be staffed by English speaking personnel. Appointments are never on time, have walked out twice because of excessive wait times.

[llmcdaniel]

After 11 years, we’ve had it with Premier. My husband just had a knee replacement on Friday. We still do not have physical therapy set up even though we started this onerous process over two weeks ago. Two drs at Premier are insisting he come in tomorrow to fill out a form, and then they will fax it to his insurance. With a sore leg and Covid all around, they will not allow a virtual meeting. They also expect us to find home health. Insurance tells us this is all bs. They just need a faxed request from dr, and they’ll immediately ok it. Insurance was so frustrated on Thursday that they asked the surgeon’s office to call so they could get pt assigned.

[Travelhunter123]

The Villages Hospital is NOT part of the Villages Health. Also you need to very carefully research Medicare ADVANTAGE versus Medicare and supplemental, IMHO, I would never use an advantage plan.

May I ask why?

[NotGolfer]

Guess you'll get a mixed response here. My S.O. used to go to Premier when we 1st arrived 12 yrs ago. We both switched to TVH in 2012 and we do go to Santa Barbara---have had NO issues there. We've been very happy with our switch. Premier consistently has had bad reviews on social media with the office help not being so on top of things. I think that speaks volumns.

[Earlride]

I used Premier when I first moved here. The first doctor they assigned me wasn't even board certified. When I complained they gave me another who was well trained but doctors are limited in the time they can spend with a patient - max 15 minutes then there is a knock on the door to move on. The office staff is incredibly poor. Messages are not returned, difficult to contact doctor either because they are not transmitted or they are transmitted incorrectly due to their poor command of the English language. It seems their primary focus is keeping costs low rather than patient care. I switched to Villages Health and am very happy with the organization's team approach that gets answers and prescriptions quickly and help whenever you need it.

[Professor]

Advantage plan works well if you remain local for your treatments, but if you travel extensively, as we do, there can be some real issues with out of network coverage without getting pre-approved. Regular medicare is no issue, but we will have to switch to healthcare outside The Villages Healthcare system once I lose my company health care coverage since they won't accept regular medicare.

[Miriam2940]

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?

My neighbors had a bad experience with them. I’ve not heard good reviews of them in general. I am very happy with my primary doctor: Felix Agbo 352-753-2224

[Zenmama18]

The Villages Hospital is NOT part of the Villages Health. Also you need to very carefully research Medicare ADVANTAGE versus Medicare and supplemental, IMHO, I would never use an advantage plan.

We went with Original Medicare plus Medigap because none of my husband's specialists take any Advantage Plan.

[Blackbird45]

Since we've been down here we have used Village Health. What we love is the village health portal. You have all your record and appointment with a finger stroke. Whenever we've had a question for a specific doctor the site gives you a list, you send your question and usually they respond within the hour.

[Bridget Staunton]

Premier has or had some good doctors but their clerical staff is worthless, got rid of them 2 years ago, picked up a primary that accepts Blue Cross supplement and use The Villages specialists when needed as they do accept original Medicare and BC.

What primary doctor did you choose

[lwmilo]

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?

Left Premier about a little over a year ago, office staff not as knowledgeable as they should be. Yearly physicals are a joke. Switched over to Cleveland Heath , Dr , Gegaj

[Keninches]

The Villages Hospital is NOT part of the Villages Health. Also you need to very carefully research Medicare ADVANTAGE versus Medicare and supplemental, IMHO, I would never use an advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage is anything but an Advantage. If you are over 65 and have any major health issues.

[OhioBuckeye]

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?

There’s Pro’s & Con’s on Premier Medical too! But you’re right, choose wisely.

[Keninches]

Not heard anything good about Premier. There are other doctors, Lakeview Medical has several doctors and specialists and several locations, Dr. Gegaj is in Lake Sumter Landing under Cleveland Health. And others.
The Villages Health is very limited and you have to have Medicare Advantage if you are 65 and over. Which is a mistake. Very limited.

[Blackbird45]

I'm curious what is the main issues with Medicare Advantage?
There are a number of post here stating that Medicare Advantage is a problem.

[TomPerry]

My wife and I both switched to The Villages Healthcare Medicare Advantage when we moved here in 2016 (after extensive research) and have been very happy with our doctors, Health Care Center staff and services and our healthcare in general. In 2018 I had a triple by-pass and this April my wife had a L3-L4 fusion and we both had excellent care. Our appointments have always been on time and very prompt! My only small complaint is that when I have an appointment, I never have enough time in the waiting room to read anything!

[pinballwizard]

Dr. Sundeep Shah is top notch, Premier's office staff is very questionable as is their online portal. Tough to get an appointment quickly - they usually suggest you visit an Urgent Care if you need to see a doctor quickly. I used to be with Village Health but when I turned 65 I decided to not go with an Advantage Plan and then chose Dr. Shah at Premier.

[Laurel Maryland]

The OP didn't mention whether he was using a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage Plan. I recommend this video to anyone thinking about switching insurance plans.

No Premium "FREE" Medicare Plans | You Get What You Pay For - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REYZuAHbNb0)

[fastboat]

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?

Been with Premier since moving here in 2009. Great care, no complaints, certainly would recommend them and I often do. Only downer is their office staff, hard to deal with but the doctors and APRNs are top notch.

[Carolynphelps]

Totally agree! I have been with The Villages Health for 10 years and I am very happy with them.

[Heritage]

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?

I left Premier. Not able to see a doctor when I needed them. Am very satisfied with Village health. Portal questions answered promptly, nurse practitioners and physician's assistants are always available and are competent.

[allsport]

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?

My GYN was bought by The Villages and recently that has been a disaster. My provider who was great left and I was assigned a new one. She was very nice but the billing department was a total mess. I was told they were doing a new way of billing and while I have excellent insurance they called me prior to a visit for a Prolia injection telling me I had to pay the bill in advance. I called my insurance and was told that my contract with them did NOT require me to do that and I should wait to be billed after the insurance took care of my part. This was in June, it is now August I am still arguing with the billing people because they did not go thru the specialty care pharmacy to get the medication as I instructed them to do prior to the injection, they billed my insurance for a procedure that did not happen and they billed my insurance for a visit that was not my free well woman's visit. I could go on and on but I did print my progress note and pointed out to the insurance company and the billing department that I never had the procedure and they did correct that but I am still arguing about the medication payment. I am an RN so I know what it is supposed to say and what was not done, I pity the people that do not understand what should be done and do not argue about what could be called insurance fraud.

[BEETHOVENMIKEY]

When we moved here we started going to Premier. We felt like we were handled as,, and shuffled through like cattle.
With no real medical issues, we found our doctor putting us through every imaginable test and procedure their own system could handle, whether justified or not. We finally put a end to it.
We finally had enough of it, and canceled the remaining tests, and ultimately started looking elsewhere.
About that time, we found out that a couple of Premier's younger doctors were leaving the practice as well and started their own. One we knew from a family member who had her and lived her care. We immediately dumped Premier and went to her practice and love it.

[BostonRich]

I go to Premier Medical. Had a problem. Saw my doctor who I like. Got an x-ray. No one ever called me back about the issue. After three weeks I called them. They transferred me to my doctor's nurse. She said the x-ray doesn't show anything. That's all she said. So I had to ask what's causing the problem. She said do you want me to have someone set up an appointment with the doctor. Yes I said. Never heard back from them.

[toeser]

The OP didn't mention whether he was using a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage Plan. I recommend this video to anyone thinking about switching insurance plans.

No Premium "FREE" Medicare Plans | You Get What You Pay For - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REYZuAHbNb0)

Excellent link. Thanks.

[Mrprez]

The guy in that video is a Medicare supplement salesman. Take what he says with a grain of salt. Medicare supplement plans are not the end all be all of insurance plans. If you are over 65 1/2 and have an existing condition, you may not qualify. I was denied coverage for being on blood pressure meds and metformin. The guy denied my coverage right there during the telephone interview but told me that everything looked good for approval. You also need to purchase a Plan D coverage for your prescriptions.

If you are interested in going to TV Health and are on Medicare, they only take UH MA and Florida Blue MA. So far, for me, the care has been excellent. I’ve never had to sit in the waiting room for my appointment. They are right on time. Every time. Compare the two plans. They differ a bit in copays and which hospitals you can go to. As of right now, I have spent $110 in copays. But, I am not the type to run to the doctor every time I have a small issue. I’d rather stay out of the doctors office. YMMV.

There is a service in TV called SHINE. They are an unbiased source of information and will work with you to find you the best coverage for your needs. They are not salespeople like the guy in that video.

[jimjamuser]

The Villages Hospital is NOT part of the Villages Health. Also you need to very carefully research Medicare ADVANTAGE versus Medicare and supplemental, IMHO, I would never use an advantage plan.
My wife works in health care and she dislikes the advantage plans.

[TimeForChange]

Not a Premiere Health fan, can never get in touch with them. Villages Health has served me very well.

I have probably called Premier ten times in the last two weeks. NO problem getting through. Check you phone.

[Trish Miller]

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?

I’ve been going to PMA ever since I moved here 10 years ago. Granted my doctors have switched but that’s ok 👍 The only complaint I have is that I struggle to understand the people on the phone and in the office. But other than that, I do recommend PMA.

Hope this helps 😃

[TimeForChange]

Been here nine years. Out of the five Dr's we have used the one at Premier whom we use now is the best yet. He is so good I do not want to mention his name because I will just have to wait longer for an appt. The problem with the staff especially at the North location by the Hospital is they seem overworked and some have heavy Indian accents that I have trouble understanding but my Dr. is so good it does not concern me.

[jimjamuser]

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?
Went from using the VA 100% to going with Premier. Just because as I got older, it became a hassle always driving to the Gainsville VA for many tests and procedures. Have had no problems with Premier. Doctors seem more thorough than the VA was.

[Villages Kahuna]

We’ve been with Villages Health for 6-8 years, since we switched from Medicare supplement insurance to a Medicare Advantage plan. Big savings on premiums—ZERO premium on Medicare Advantage. Lower maximum out-of-pocket. And other perks not often mentioned, like a free membership at MVP health club, significant free items at Walgreens, etc.

We love our doctors (both graduates of U.S. med schools and residencies, whose first language is English!), the nearby offices, RN’s to talk to if needed, availability of walk-in visits with a doctor if needed, availability of e-mailing questions to my doctor, always with an answer within 24 hours, etc. The hour-long appointments shouldn’t be overlooked. It gives your doctor the opportunity to really get to know you. Our appointments with our previous pay-for-service doctors were seldom longer than 10 minutes, driven by what Medicare pays them to see a patient, unlike the Villages Health plan.

What’s not to like?

[RealtorKaren]

I have a Medicare Advantage Plan as a retirement benefit from my employer. It has very comprehensive coverage. Curious as to why you would never use an Advantage Plan.
People don’t realize that Medicare Advantage plans are NOT insurance policies. They are Medicare management plans, and that’s all. I had a terrible expensive shock after Switching to the Humana Medicare Advantage plan. There is no Medigap coverage! So I was left paying a lot of expenses that I was unprepared for. For instance, I had to go to the hospital in an ambulance after an accident, and my Humana Advage Plan only paid half of it, I had $253 to pay! Like I had any choice of which ambulance to take to Ocala hospital! I had to pay half of the cost of an MRI. I switched back to my Medicare supplemental police, for more coverage , no surprises!

[Frank495]

Sorry you are so misinformed, the villages hospital is in the lower quarter of all hospitals. The worst thing about the Villages is the absence of quality healthcare. I have 35 years of hospital administrative experience.

[Gmaf6]

We're very happy with FHV (Florida Heart and Vascular)> we love all the drs. we've gone to. We opted not to go with the Advantage plan and are so happy we have BCBS supplement. We travel to see family often and I've had 2 emergency hospital visits and one emergency surgery. They would not have accepted our Advantage plan so very happy not to be saddled with a high bill! It truly depends on your needs.....

[Kensan1]

I had to switch from Premier and Dr Sundeep Shaw. They outsource everything. The office help doesnt care they never sent my paper work to lab I made call after call and had to wait for four hours. THe nurse at Lab said they are the worst.

[SharonW]

Love my BSBS Advantage PPO

[Jensor17]

I just switched to primary care Dr. Florian Gegaj. But he seems to let his new nurse practitioner Aubrey Canal run the new office called Cleveland Health Center . I only saw Gegaj at introduction for three minutes and have not seen him since .
As for negligent Hospitals, on 6/7 Paramount urgent care sent me by ambulance to The Villages Regional hospital on 27/441– It was a disaster for me . The Villages Regional Hospital computers were down for a whole week , the ambulance crew knew hospital was NOT equipped to take care of patients, and left me there anyway!!!. VILLAGES REGIONAL ER and The hospital had no beds available, and no doctor for over 13 1/2 hours— when I was suspected of having a Stroke.
I just opened Mail showing $6445 6/7-6/8/21 ER bill to my Medicare. I Intend to immediately obtain my medical record because MEDICARE WAS BILLED FOR iTEMS I NEVER RECEIVED. I can’t wait to see record for a CT SCAN I NEVER HAD, THOUSAND$ FOR LAB WORK THEY NEVER PERFORMED BECAUSE MY IV LINE WAS CLOTTED AND FOR MEDICATION THEY DID NOT ADMINISTER TO ME … if their computers were down for a week. And no beds for ER & inpatients, Ambulances should GO ELSEWHERE- Not Drop off patients to Die there.

FOLKS, DON’T EVER ENTER INTO THE VILLAGES REGIONAL HOSPITAL.
UF HEALTH ‘TAKEOVER’ HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THIS DEBACLE.

[villagetinker]

I have a Medicare Advantage Plan as a retirement benefit from my employer. It has very comprehensive coverage. Curious as to why you would never use an Advantage Plan.

There were way too many limitations on available doctors, and specialists. Also, once you go to an advantage plan you may not be able to get back to Medicare and supplemental without going through underwriting. If you have significant medical problems or conditions this can be a very big deal.

[Mrprez]

There were way too many limitations on available doctors, and specialists. Also, once you go to an advantage plan you may not be able to get back to Medicare and supplemental without going through underwriting. If you have significant medical problems or conditions this can be a very big deal.

Anyone that matches your last sentence would not be able to get into a Medicare supplement program due to underwriting.

[Blueblaze]

There were way too many limitations on available doctors, and specialists. Also, once you go to an advantage plan you may not be able to get back to Medicare and supplemental without going through underwriting. If you have significant medical problems or conditions this can be a very big deal.

Maybe I'm missing something, but for me the solution to both problems was an Advantage PPO instead of HMO. It also makes it possible to use an Advantage plan when you travel.

A PPO lets you go out of network. Yes, you will pay higher co-pays, but you're also backed up by the out-of-pocket maximum. When I did the math, I realized I would pay much more under a supplemental plan, even compared to going out of network, simply because the supplemental plans I looked at were like Medicare itself -- there is no out-of-pocket maximum. When you add-in another $300 premium per person, I couldn't figure out how they manage to sell the things. But like I say, I'm no expert. Maybe I'm missing something.

And, by they way, this thread is the first I've heard of someone being turned down by an Advantage plan for pre-existing conditions. I take a statin and a blood pressure pill, and my wife has had half her thyroid removed for cancer, not to mention a history of diabetes. We were on Humana in Texas and United here, and neither one even asked about pre-existing conditions.

[PugMom]

After 11 years, we’ve had it with Premier. My husband just had a knee replacement on Friday. We still do not have physical therapy set up even though we started this onerous process over two weeks ago. Two drs at Premier are insisting he come in tomorrow to fill out a form, and then they will fax it to his insurance. With a sore leg and Covid all around, they will not allow a virtual meeting. They also expect us to find home health. Insurance tells us this is all bs. They just need a faxed request from dr, and they’ll immediately ok it. Insurance was so frustrated on Thursday that they asked the surgeon’s office to call so they could get pt assigned.

wow, that's terrible. villages health had a therapist come out 2 days after i was released from the hosp., (they came 3x a week). they also had a trained nurse come out & see me a few times. no out of pocket costs

[bobthegolfer]

I have gone to The Villages Health group since they opened their Doors (at least 10 years ago, or more). I have always been happy with my care. I have had a couple doctors that were not a good match for me and I asked the Manager to change me to someone else I chose and she did that. As for Medicare Advantage, I've had it many years with no problem. The thing is, you have to be careful which PLAN you choose. I always choose the PPO plan which means I can go to any doctor I please. I do not need a referral. Most of my doctors are in my Plan, only one is not, which means I have to pay $40 when I see him. Also, yes, you can go back to Medicare if you wish to switch. I did it for one year, had a supplement that cost me $300 a month, and at the end of that year I switched to UHC where I do not pay a monthly fee. I have been seen at three Health Centers (my Doctor moved and I followed her). All three have been very professional and competent. I don't have anything but praise for my care. At present, I am at the Santa Barbara Center. The Staff and Front Desk Ladies are excellent.

[Keninches]

That’s the main reason to not have Medicare Advantage. So many doctors don’t accept Advantage. If you want your choice of doctors go with Regular Medicare

[biker1]

My Supplemental Plan runs me $1700 per year in premiums. For this, I can see any provider that accepts Medicare.

Maybe I'm missing something, but for me the solution to both problems was an Advantage PPO instead of HMO. It also makes it possible to use an Advantage plan when you travel.

A PPO lets you go out of network. Yes, you will pay higher co-pays, but you're also backed up by the out-of-pocket maximum. When I did the math, I realized I would pay much more under a supplemental plan, even compared to going out of network, simply because the supplemental plans I looked at were like Medicare itself -- there is no out-of-pocket maximum. When you add-in another $300 premium per person, I couldn't figure out how they manage to sell the things. But like I say, I'm no expert. Maybe I'm missing something.

And, by they way, this thread is the first I've heard of someone being turned down by an Advantage plan for pre-existing conditions. I take a statin and a blood pressure pill, and my wife has had half her thyroid removed for cancer, not to mention a history of diabetes. We were on Humana in Texas and United here, and neither one even asked about pre-existing conditions.

[Keninches]

There were way too many limitations on available doctors, and specialists. Also, once you go to an advantage plan you may not be able to get back to Medicare and supplemental without going through underwriting. If you have significant medical problems or conditions this can be a very big deal.
You are 100% right. If you have major medical problems you are not given the best doctors. Which we prefer.

[Mrprez]

If you’re referring to me, I wasn’t denied coverage on an Advantage plan, it was a supplemental plan.

[coffeebean]

Good Doctors. Terrible staff. Telephones need to be staffed by English speaking personnel. Appointments are never on time, have walked out twice because of excessive wait times.

I've never had that experience, ever. The Villages Health at Creekside are aces in my book. Everyone!

[taruffi57]

I walked in to Villages health 2 wks. ago to get an appt. for hip pain. Within 30 mins. they had Xray'd that hip. No waiting.

[Robyn1963]

I like the care at Premier but their billing dept is awful. If you switch make sure you are visits are coded correctly. And check all your bills

[nn0wheremann]

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?
Premier has excellent doctors, but the support staff generally has been terrible. Screwed up lab orders, fouled up testing and X-ray arrangements, unbelievable. Like thr Little Rascals meets the Keystone Kops. Also, they do not like sick people. If you catch something they want you to go to urgent care. Their telephones were answered in Jamaica, then the Philippines, God only knows where now. But the doctors, if you can get to them are excellent.

[Marie Bailey]

It’s an easy fix...be willing to pay a fair wage to get competent employees.

I went to Premier and saw Dr. Shaw. He is a wonderful doctor but it was difficult to see him. I don’t mind a nurse practitioner, but in the end, I want to see a doctor. I was treated for months for upper respiratory infection, when, in fact, it was a much more serious issue. That’s when I left and went elsewhere.

[Quixote]

I had to switch from Premier and Dr Sundeep Shaw. They outsource everything. The office help doesnt care they never sent my paper work to lab I made call after call and had to wait for four hours. THe nurse at Lab said they are the worst.

Premier has excellent doctors, but the support staff generally has been terrible. Screwed up lab orders, fouled up testing and X-ray arrangements, unbelievable. Like thr Little Rascals meets the Keystone Kops. Also, they do not like sick people. If you catch something they want you to go to urgent care. Their telephones were answered in Jamaica, then the Philippines, God only knows where now. But the doctors, if you can get to them are excellent.

It’s an easy fix...be willing to pay a fair wage to get competent employees.

I went to Premier and saw Dr. Shaw. He is a wonderful doctor but it was difficult to see him. I don’t mind a nurse practitioner, but in the end, I want to see a doctor. I was treated for months for upper respiratory infection, when, in fact, it was a much more serious issue. That’s when I left and went elsewhere.

This was exactly our experience at Premier Medical! Sundeep Shah is one of the best doctors we’d ever had the pleasure to know—both competent and compassionate—but our messages never reached him, what were supposed to be his messages to us were never delivered, paperwork was routinely screwed up, and making the rounds of office manager and higher authorities made no difference. With both of us dealing with significant health issues—and with much regret—we felt we had no choice but to leave Dr Shah.

On the other issue addressed in this thread, Advantage plans may be economical for those who have no health issues, but inevitably we will all be dealing with “stuff.” We know better than to be enticed by slick salesmanship and offers of free over-the-counter products and membership in a gym (all of which we encountered while doing our research). Our Medicare Supplement is pricey, true, but absolutely everything is covered, including ALL copays. I once became ill while traveling overseas, and even that was covered! And as other posters have said, it is extremely difficult to impossible to switch back to Medicare from an Advantage plan. This is a really serious and significant caveat!

The only drawback is the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans, created in 2003 and put into effect in 2005. They are terrific plans—for the insurance and pharmaceutical industries—not so much for seniors…. One of our doctors prescribed the only medication available for a particular issue, explaining regretfully that a one-month supply would cost between $400 and $500! Not to worry, we told him; we bought the identical brand-name drug from a Canadian mail order pharmacy for about $165 for a THREE-month supply.

Our medical care system has problems—and I’m getting off my soap box….

[JayK!]

I did the opposite. My Premier Dr. was great. The office staff was overwhelmed.
I have nit had an issue with The Villages Health System this last 2 years.

You have to be your own health advocate whomever you have…it’s the ‘Sign of the Times’

[Clarkee]

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?
I use PMA. Lots of docs. Appointments easy to get. since I changed to PMA no problems.

[bp243]

I love The Villages Health. I have an excellent Doctor. I can ask questions and get an answer in less than 24 hours on the Patient Portal. If I have an issue on the weekend I can call, leave a message, and I get a call from a physician the same day. If I have an issue I can get in to see a PA or Nurse Practitioner in less than 24 hours. My physician spends at least 30 min with me when I have my 6 month physical.
What's not to love??
Wow…impressive! Who is your doctor?

[bp243]

We’ve been with Villages Health for 6-8 years, since we switched from Medicare supplement insurance to a Medicare Advantage plan. Big savings on premiums—ZERO premium on Medicare Advantage. Lower maximum out-of-pocket. And other perks not often mentioned, like a free membership at MVP health club, significant free items at Walgreens, etc.

We love our doctors (both graduates of U.S. med schools and residencies, whose first language is English!), the nearby offices, RN’s to talk to if needed, availability of walk-in visits with a doctor if needed, availability of e-mailing questions to my doctor, always with an answer within 24 hours, etc. The hour-long appointments shouldn’t be overlooked. It gives your doctor the opportunity to really get to know you. Our appointments with our previous pay-for-service doctors were seldom longer than 10 minutes, driven by what Medicare pays them to see a patient, unlike the Villages Health plan.

What’s not to like?

Any chance that you would PM me your doctors’ names? Still looking for a good match. Thanks in advance.

[BobTina]

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?

I did use The Villages Health then I switched to The Premier. Hated Premier service and especially the doctors not staying long enough to discuss abt my health. Switched back to The Villages Health and am happier. I’ve learned to switch doctors until you find the one you like.

[Villages Kahuna]

I always ask medical professionals who I come in contact with, what do you think of The Villages Hospital?

I’ve received amazingly consistent responses—“It’s a bad hospital, don’t go there”. An RN friend who is a nursing supervisor at TV Hospital answered, “…only come here if it’s something simple and whatever you do, don’t stay overnight”. The infection and re-admission rates are among the worst in the state. A friend in the health insurance business said “…after more than ten years in operation they still make the same mistakes which should have been corrected after their first year of being open.”

A primary care doctor told me, “… if you ever wake up and find yourself in TV Hospital, call a taxi!”

[jchase]

I left the Villages when I turned 65 (or should say they kicked me out) because I could only get Medicare A & B. Went to Premier Medical. I liked my a doctor (Dr Shah). The office is a dump. The staff is inadequate. Nobody never answered the phone. I left and went to Dr. Fairiborz Delbakhsh. He opened a new office on 466A just west of Powell Road. Been very happy with him, staff and his new office.

[Northwoods]

Wow…impressive! Who is your doctor?

I go to The Villages Health and Dr. Cloukey is my physician. BUT - I know people who go to Dr. Perez, Dr. Wood, Dr. Ojha, Dr. Sudduth, and Dr. Roethlisberger... I hear amazing comments about all of them.
I understand the comments about traditional Medicare. But... I want a primary care physician who can identify an issue and get me on the right course of care. I am very picky about my primary care physician. I'm extremely pleased with The Villages Health.
If you read all the comments on this thread... people who go to The Villages Health are overwhelmingly very happy with their care. People who have traditional medicare warn you about an Advantage Plan... but people on that plan feel they are receiving excellent care.
So... you just have to decide what is right for you.

[mikebama]

The Villages Hospital is NOT part of the Villages Health. Also you need to very carefully research Medicare ADVANTAGE versus Medicare and supplemental, IMHO, I would never use an advantage plan.
Any chance you could be more vague in your explanation?🍻

[villagetinker]

I'm curious what is the main issues with Medicare Advantage?
There are a number of post here stating that Medicare Advantage is a problem.

My suggestion, contact SHINE and ask them, but the short answer is ADVANTAGE plans tend to have limitations unless you go for a top tier coverage, Medicare does not have these limitations.

[Dan9871]

is ADVANTAGE plans tend to have limitations unless you go for a top tier coverage, Medicare does not have these limitations.

By law all Medicare Advantage plans cover all the medical services that Regular Medicare does and gives you the same rights and protections that Regular Medicare does. Almost all Advantage provide additional services that regular Medicare does not.

Things to know about Medicare Advantage Plans | Medicare (https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/types-of-medicare-health-plans/things-to-know-about-medicare-advantage-plans)

However Advantage plans typically, but not always, have a limited list of providers to choose from, but here in Florida it's a pretty big list. If you need a procedure that is only available from a provider outside that list, the plan must make that provider available to you... that's happened to my wife once and it was no big deal to use the provider she needed. In fact one time she went to a provider outside of the plan just because it was more convenient just by asking without any hassle.

Even so Advantage isn't for everyone for many reasons. It's a good idea to get info about Advantage vs. Regular from as many sources as you can, including Shine and agents that sell Medicare, and the Villages Health (even though the agents an TVH are, in effect, trying to sell you something) and anywhere else you can find.

Free Medicare Class | Florida OEP | The Villages Health (https://thevillageshealth.com/medicare-resources/medicare-simplified-class/)