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gatorbill1
11-10-2021, 03:57 PM
Had an appointment with UF Gainesville with an electrophysiologist set up two weeks ago for an appt next week. Got a call today and was told UF Health Gainesville Cardiology will not take UHC The Villages because it's under WellMed.
Both doctor and Shands Hospital were on my UHC website as in network.
When I called UHC, I was told they are "in network" but not for UHC The Villages HMO WellMed.
Got a quick appt with Ocala Health (Dr Acevedo). May be better off.
Was told if I called UF Financial Office, they would tell me why they won't take the insurance that you hear UHC bragging about having access to.

jdulej
11-10-2021, 04:06 PM
Had an appointment with UF Gainesville with an electrophysiologist set up two weeks ago for an appt next week. Got a call today and was told UF Health Gainesville Cardiology will not take UHC The Villages because it's under WellMed.
Both doctor and Shands Hospital were on my UHC website as in network.
When I called UHC, I was told they are "in network" but not for UHC The Villages HMO WellMed.
Got a quick appt with Ocala Health (Dr Acevedo). May be better off.
Was told if I called UF Financial Office, they would tell me why they won't take the insurance that you hear UHC bragging about having access to.

Just fyi, it is still open enrollment. You might want to think about switching while you can (closes in December I think) or you will be locked in for a year. IMO it's important to have access to at least one of the top-level hospitals just in case.

gatorbill1
11-10-2021, 04:20 PM
Just fyi, it is still open enrollment. You might want to think about switching while you can (closes in December I think) or you will be locked in for a year. IMO it's important to have access to one 3 or 4 of the top-level hospitals just in case.

I will probably stay with them because they have all my doctors and dentist in their system. Have never had a procedure denied also. My problem was thinking UF Gainesville would be a better choice for a procedure I need. May not be anyway.
BUT UHC should not push UF Gainesville is under plan, and should not be on UHC website as being in network.

TSO/ISPF
11-10-2021, 05:27 PM
I will probably stay with them because they have all my doctors and dentist in their system. Have never had a procedure denied also. My problem was thinking UF Gainesville would be a better choice for a procedure I need. May not be anyway.
BUT UHC should not push UF Gainesville is under plan, and should not be on UHC website as being in network.

Is this an advantage plan or supplemental ?? I have a AARP UHC plan F and wondering if that is what you are talking about.

gatorbill1
11-10-2021, 05:41 PM
Is this an advantage plan or supplemental ?? I have a AARP UHC plan F and wondering if that is what you are talking about.

UHC The Villages Advantage plan. They take all UHC plans except The Villages, which is the only advantage plan UHC will sell someone who lives in TV.

jdulej
11-10-2021, 05:48 PM
UHC The Villages Advantage plan. They take all UHC plans except The Villages, which is the only advantage plan UHC will sell someone who lives in TV.

This is where it gets confusing. I have UnitedHealthcare The Villages Medicare Advantage 1 (HMO) and I have access to Shands in Gainsville. The OP listed a slightly different name (UHC The Villages HMO WellMed).

gatorbill1
11-10-2021, 05:54 PM
This is where it gets confusing. I have UnitedHealthcare The Villages Medicare Advantage 1 (HMO) and I have access to Shands in Gainsville. The OP listed a slightly different name (UHC The Villages HMO WellMed).

Look at your card and it will probably say wellmed. I think this is something new, because they said my insurance was ok 2 weeks ago when I made appt,

Dana1963
11-10-2021, 06:02 PM
UHC The Villages Advantage plan. They take all UHC plans except The Villages, which is the only advantage plan UHC will sell someone who lives in TV.
That is not true I have aarp united healthcare plan F

gatorbill1
11-10-2021, 06:25 PM
That is not true I have aarp united healthcare plan F

That is not an advantage plan

BobTina
11-11-2021, 06:05 AM
I have UHC The Villages Medicare Advantage (HMO) and it doesn’t have “Wellmed” on it.

snhmhg
11-11-2021, 06:06 AM
Because I am going on Medicare and a UH supplement plan G I cannot see my primary at the Villages Health anymore. You have to have a Med Advantage plan, Villages requires it. I think Med plus the supplement G is the best way to go if you have health issues.

Rockyisle47
11-11-2021, 06:17 AM
Just to clarify this muddy water. We have AARP UHC plan F. While we can't use the villages health primary care docs, all the specialists ( think cardiologists) are available to us. Sadly, they don't have electrophysiologists as a specialty.
We were very disappointed when we were booted from the program because we wouldn't give up traditional Medicare with our supplement. But having access to the specialists has worked for us.

rsmurano
11-11-2021, 06:28 AM
IMO, the supplement plans (F, G, others) are the better way to go. My insurance broker told me last year these are the Cadillac plans (I have plan G). You can’t go to the villages health centers but from what I have heard, that’s a good thing.
Don’t take my word for this, do some checking yourself during the open period. I pay a small fee per month and have a small deductible (I think a couple hundred $$$ a year) but I don’t pay copays and can go anywhere where Medicare is accepted. The advantage plans you usually pay a copay for each visit, more restrictive on who you can see.

Bridget Staunton
11-11-2021, 06:28 AM
That is why I prefer regular Medicare I can go anywhere.

esteelenov
11-11-2021, 06:42 AM
I agree, I have plan F but I think it is no longer available. Plan G has taken its place.
Husband and I have both had to see specialists and have never had to pay a copay. Actually, we have never gotten a bill for any doctor or hospital. I have been hospitalized for kidney stones and husband has had operations and procedures (he has cancer).

Blackbird45
11-11-2021, 06:53 AM
I've been with United Health for years and always dealt with an agent out of Sumter landing. 2 years ago, she dropped out of the business. Last year I had some issues and had to deal with it over the phone with some stranger. This year the agent I used to see gave me a call, she is back, but now she is freelance. I have an appointment with her today. I'm going with a list of the doctor and facilities that I require and see what she can offer that will best fit my needs.

All I'm saying is maybe you should go to a pro to see what they have, if you don't like what they have you just get up and walk out.

bonrich
11-11-2021, 06:56 AM
I have Plan G, recently changed from F. We are primary in Florida and have a home in NYS. So, it was important to us to have a portable plan. We have United Health Care/AARP. Accepted anywhere the service accepts Medicare. Never a problem through the years of major health issues.

donfey
11-11-2021, 07:13 AM
UHC The Villages Advantage plan. They take all UHC plans except The Villages, which is the only advantage plan UHC will sell someone who lives in TV.

NOT SO. I have AARP Medicare Advantage with UHC. It's NOT an HMO, and TVHC takes it, but I'm free to go wherever I choose, including Mayo. My primary Dr. and several specialists are with TV, but some are not. IMO, you should meet with an INDEPENDENT agent who can advise you on what's available in your ZIP code.

Dlbonivich
11-11-2021, 07:15 AM
Dr. Acevedo is excellent. He took great care of my husband!

NotGolfer
11-11-2021, 07:22 AM
I didn't scroll all the responses but we have TVH and they now take, not only, the UHC-Advantage plan as in the past but also Florida Blue and another new one...Humana. Double check with your clinic but I do know now there are 3 accepted. We changed over early from the UHC/advantage to FL Blue and really are happy so far. I was hospitalized shortly after the change and our co-pay after the fact was only $300.00. There are also "perks" with FL Blue as well. I'm not familiar with what the OP says he has.

biker1
11-11-2021, 07:26 AM
If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan you are free to go anywhere you want but you won't be covered if they aren't in the network.

NOT SO. I have AARP Medicare Advantage with UHC. It's NOT an HMO, and TVHC takes it, but I'm free to go wherever I choose, including Mayo. My primary Dr. and several specialists are with TV, but some are not. IMO, you should meet with an INDEPENDENT agent who can advise you on what's available in your ZIP code.

aldeana
11-11-2021, 07:42 AM
If you have plan F that tells me you have freestanding Medicare with a Medigap (a supplemental policy-type F) and not an advantage plan. If you are not in an advantage plan, you don't have any network problems.

Bill1701
11-11-2021, 07:59 AM
I will probably stay with them because they have all my doctors and dentist in their system. Have never had a procedure denied also. My problem was thinking UF Gainesville would be a better choice for a procedure I need. May not be anyway.
BUT UHC should not push UF Gainesville is under plan, and should not be on UHC website as being in network.

What dentist do you see? Mine lost her hygienist so I am looking for a new one, The UHC website has no one listed in this area. Also, I have the 'UHC The Villages Medicare Advantage (HMO) WELM2' plan from AARP. From what I have heard from multiple sources is that it will not be accepted at several doctors and hospitals after this year. Something is going on with contracts not being renewed.

Larchap49
11-11-2021, 08:00 AM
Had an appointment with UF Gainesville with an electrophysiologist set up two weeks ago for an appt next week. Got a call today and was told UF Health Gainesville Cardiology will not take UHC The Villages because it's under WellMed.
Both doctor and Shands Hospital were on my UHC website as in network.
When I called UHC, I was told they are "in network" but not for UHC The Villages HMO WellMed.
Got a quick appt with Ocala Health (Dr Acevedo). May be better off.
Was told if I called UF Financial Office, they would tell me why they won't take the insurance that you hear UHC bragging about having access to.

Exactly why I have traditional Medicare and Humana plan F supplement. Go to any DR, any facility, anywhere in the USA. I pay the monthly premium and never another dime. I avoid all Villages facilities with their restrictive policies. One thing I won't let TV control is my health care. Their $0.00 premiums are not worth the restrictions on care centers, referrals, co-pays, wait times, etc. and when the UHC contract expires and it will expire, who will you get next. Again any DR any hospital anywhere except in TV. Why do you suppose TV restricts this when the top Doctors and hospitals in the country don't? I think their right to make another dollar goes too far when they dictate where you get your medical care.

Larchap49
11-11-2021, 08:06 AM
Because I am going on Medicare and a UH supplement plan F, I cannot see my primary at the Villages Health anymore. You have to have a Med Advantage plan, Villages requires it. I think Med plus the supplement F is the best way to go if you have health issues.

Exactly, then find the top specialist within reasonable driving distance and take control of your own care. TV should not be dictating what Doctors or hospitals you can go to.

Larchap49
11-11-2021, 08:09 AM
I agree, I have plan F but I think it is no longer available. Plan G has taken its place.
Husband and I have both had to see specialists and have never had to pay a copay. Actually, we have never gotten a bill for any doctor or hospital. I have been hospitalized for kidney stones and husband has had operations and procedures (he has cancer).

Depends on your age. You may be grandfathered in

Zenmama18
11-11-2021, 08:11 AM
Because I am going on Medicare and a UH supplement plan F, I cannot see my primary at the Villages Health anymore. You have to have a Med Advantage plan, Villages requires it. I think Med plus the supplement F is the best way to go if you have health issues.

Agree, my husband's 2 specialists do not take any Medicare Advantage plans, just traditional Medicare. Medicare Advantage is great if you're in generally good health, but if you have complex medical issues you may not have access to the best docs and facilities.

WindyCityzen
11-11-2021, 08:12 AM
Is this an advantage plan or supplemental ?? I have a AARP UHC plan F and wondering if that is what you are talking about.

Plan F is the Golden Ticket. Everyone takes it, no copays, no fuss/no muss. And once you’re in, never ever leave. You’re set for life.

Buckeye Bob
11-11-2021, 08:20 AM
That is not true I have aarp united healthcare plan F

You have a supplemental policy.

biker1
11-11-2021, 08:23 AM
Not exactly, it depends. In this area, Plan G, if you can make the change (i.e. pass underwriting, but that is not an issue with AARP UHC), will probably save you money. The only difference between Plan F and Plan G is the $200 Part B deductible but the difference in premium prices may be twice that amount. In other words, you could be paying approximately $400 each year to save yourself $200. Check the premium prices, with your insurance company, for Plan F vs. Plan G. Again, Plan F and Plan G are identical except that Plan F includes the $200 Part B deductible at a higher premium price.

Plan F is the Golden Ticket. Everyone takes it, no copays, no fuss/no muss. And once you’re in, never ever leave. You’re set for life.

Jayhawk
11-11-2021, 08:33 AM
Just fyi, it is still open enrollment. You might want to think about switching while you can (closes in December I think) or you will be locked in for a year. IMO it's important to have access to at least one of the top-level hospitals just in case.

Is Shands really that great or is that just perception? There are 489 reviews on Google and they average 3.2 * out of 5.0*

Just wondering.


UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital
3.2
489 Google reviews
Hospital in Gainesville, Florida

biker1
11-11-2021, 08:36 AM
Really? The Villages is dictating which Drs. and hospitals you can go to? The reality is that you can only use The Villages Health PCPs if you have elected a UHC or Florida Blue Medicare Advantage Plan. You can use any PCP that is in the insurance providers' networks. You can go to The Villages Health Specialty Drs whether you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or not. Any network restrictions are from the insurance providers and has nothing to do with The Villages.

Exactly, then find the top specialist within reasonable driving distance and take control of your own care. TV should not be dictating what Doctors or hospitals you can go to.

Koapaka
11-11-2021, 08:39 AM
Might want to check and see what changes are in effect starting 1 Jan 2022 regarding the Villages Health Care for those of you that might want to take advantage of open season. I read something in the paper this past week that states some swap over to Humana from something else (did not pertain to us, so just glanced at it) but remember wondering how many people this might effect here in TV since so many use Villages Hospital System. If it would be a problem with your current plan, open season might be a chance to fix it vs being unpleasantly surprised come 1 Jan 2022.

Topspinmo
11-11-2021, 09:06 AM
All of this is Insurance racketeering. What happens when you have lobbyists dictate who and what rules federal government applies. This should of been fixed when government took over health care coverage. It should be against law for any medical facility to refuse person because of their insurance plan. UHC good example.

Joeint
11-11-2021, 09:10 AM
That is why I prefer regular Medicare I can go anywhere.

Except The Villages Health.

Rose Ann Vinci Igoe
11-11-2021, 09:15 AM
ok, I'm under the same health plan... I called United Health Care Customer Service. We ARE covered to Shands as of Oct 1, 2021. They looked it up under the Zip code. Also, even if any doctor or hospital is out of network, you can submit a request to have them. I have done this at different times and always got it approved.

capecoralbill
11-11-2021, 09:53 AM
ok, I'm under the same health plan... I called United Health Care Customer Service. We ARE covered to Shands as of Oct 1, 2021. They looked it up under the Zip code. Also, even if any doctor or hospital is out of network, you can submit a request to have them. I have done this at different times and always got it approved.

First of all, get it in writing, do not trust a sales rep, unless he'll write it and sign it.

Secondly, I was in that situation, when i had UHC Villages Advantage plan, """any doctor or hospital is out of network, you can submit a request to have them""""
Think about it, when you are in extreme pain or disease I'll bet you won't feel like running around getting forms and writing letters to your Dr.'s office staff for an exception to their own policies. And even if you jump through all those hoops, there is no guarantee UHC will accept it, and you have just wasted several days or weeks.
Not much fun if you are dying or are having extreme pain, such as a kidney stone,
I switched to Original Medicate with Plan F right after that merry go round with UHC.
And dont forget, if you are on an Advantage plan for over 12 months, you will need togo through underwriting to be accepted back into an Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Original Plan

Blackbird45
11-11-2021, 10:01 AM
I post before about going to an agent.
I was just sent a reminder about my appointment today.
"Please bring a list of medications, list of doctors and your Original Medicare Cards".

Now I'm not saying the posting of people's recommendations are not valid, what I'm saying find a pro who is not affiliated to one company, tell them what you need and have them lay out everything that is available to you and again if you don't like what they have to offer get up and walk out.

It's FREE

twinklesweep
11-11-2021, 10:31 AM
This will be a long read, but IMO is extremely important!


Because I am going on Medicare and a UH supplement plan F, I cannot see my primary at the Villages Health anymore. You have to have a Med Advantage plan, Villages requires it. I think Med plus the supplement F is the best way to go if you have health issues.

From my experience and that of a fair number of others, find a new primary who is independent of TV's Health program.


IMO, the supplement plans (F, G, others) are the better way to go. My insurance broker told me last year these are the Cadillac plans (I have plan G). You can’t go to the villages health centers but from what I have heard, that’s a good thing.
Don’t take my word for this, do some checking yourself during the open period. I pay a small fee per month and have a small deductible (I think a couple hundred $$$ a year) but I don’t pay copays and can go anywhere where Medicare is accepted. The advantage plans you usually pay a copay for each visit, more restrictive on who you can see.

Don’t take my word for it either. I have heard the same about TV Health—that not going there is "a good thing." From what I've also been told, those who disagree are generally healthy, but inevitably as we grow older, it doesn't remain that way.


I agree, I have plan F but I think it is no longer available. Plan G has taken its place.
Husband and I have both had to see specialists and have never had to pay a copay. Actually, we have never gotten a bill for any doctor or hospital. I have been hospitalized for kidney stones and husband has had operations and procedures (he has cancer).

They have honored grandfathering in the past. We have Plan J, which has not been offered for quite a few years. I once became ill while traveling overseas, and much to my surprise, my overseas medical bills were covered by Plan J (even though original Medicare would not even look at them).


I have Plan G, recently changed from F. We are primary in Florida and have a home in NYS. So, it was important to us to have a portable plan. We have United Health Care/AARP. Accepted anywhere the service accepts Medicare. Never a problem through the years of major health issues.

Yes absolutely! If original Medicare is accepted—and it is accepted virtually everywhere throughout the US—the Medicare Supplement automatically kicks in.

If you have plan F that tells me you have freestanding Medicare with a Medigap (a supplemental policy-type F) and not an advantage plan. If you are not in an advantage plan, you don't have any network problems.

Absolutely true!


Exactly why I have traditional Medicare and Humana plan F supplement. Go to any DR, any facility, anywhere in the USA. I pay the monthly premium and never another dime. I avoid all Villages facilities with their restrictive policies. One thing I won't let TV control is my health care. Their $0.00 premiums are not worth the restrictions on care centers, referrals, co-pays, wait times, etc. and when the UHC contract expires and it will expire, who will you get next. Again any DR any hospital anywhere except in TV. Why do you suppose TV restricts this when the top Doctors and hospitals in the country don't? I think their right to make another dollar goes too far when they dictate where you get your medical care.

The level of greed is shocking—and that is exactly what it is.... This is not to say that no one is pleased with TV Health, but wait until those persons start developing the inevitable issues that come with age.

Agree, my husband's 2 specialists do not take any Medicare Advantage plans, just traditional Medicare. Medicare Advantage is great if you're in generally good health, but if you have complex medical issues you may not have access to the best docs and facilities.

You think "may not"? More likely "will not" have access to what you determine is the best care for what you're dealing with. You have no such choices with TV Health or any other HMO or Advantage plan or whatever new names they come up with to counter what becomes the stigma of the existing names!

Plan F is the Golden Ticket. Everyone takes it, no copays, no fuss/no muss. And once you’re in, never ever leave. You’re set for life.

Very true "no fuss/no muss." Your original Medicare automatically files the balance of your claims to the supplement, and the supplement then handles it from there. You do not have to deal with claim forms and such.


My two cents:

As far as supplement plans are concerned, Plan G is Plan G, spelled out by contract with Medicare. However, one insurance company may charge X dollars a month, while another company charges a considerably higher Y dollars a month. But the plans are by law identical! Many years ago, we "inherited" the plan that our employer had been paying for in our behalf, and we had always had a good relationship with its agent. When our employer quit the "health care for retirees" business and instead opted to pay retired employees a stipend, we went searching and discovered that that (again the identical) Plan J with a different company was a little over $100 difference in premium per month per person! Greed? So it appeared. When we went back to the formerly personable agent, his response bordered on nasty! We naturally changed companies!

Can an employer really opt out of health care for retirees? Evidently.... The only benefits that remain intact and cannot be touched were dental and vision (eyeglasses) coverage, and why? Because they were union-negotiated benefits!

We are constantly being enticed to sign on for an HMO or Advantage plan with so-called freebies—membership in a gym, free OTC drugstore supplies, coverage for prescription meds, zero premium (while the cost of original Medicare keeps going up), and more. But as pointed out above, with a supplemental plan there are zero deductibles and zero copays. Do an analysis of what one of these HMO or Advantage plans would cost you per year in contrast with no deductibles (including the $200 or however much it is nowadays each year for Medicare), and you might find it an eye-opener.

If you are relatively healthy, you may feel that financially there is a great advantage to an Advantage plan. But once you opt into one of these plans, it is extremely difficult to virtually impossible to be allowed to go back to original Medicare plus Medicare supplement.

And there are those of us who feel (nothing to document this ... yet) that when enough seniors are enticed into making this poor choice, the rest of us will then be told that the conventional original Medicare plus Medicare Supplement will no longer be available as of whatever the date will be. A profoundly scary thought!

gatorbill1
11-11-2021, 11:36 AM
ok, I'm under the same health plan... I called United Health Care Customer Service. We ARE covered to Shands as of Oct 1, 2021. They looked it up under the Zip code. Also, even if any doctor or hospital is out of network, you can submit a request to have them. I have done this at different times and always got it approved.

When I call UHC they agreed Dr WAS in network, but financial office decided not to accept UHC TV

curtmcgee
11-11-2021, 11:51 AM
Just called UHC The Villages Medicare Advantage HMO. Shands is now IN Network for us. Some doctors may not be, but the facility is. As a referral is not needed, a simple phone call to UHC (866-627-7806) to see if a specific doctor is covered is advised.

Carla B
11-11-2021, 11:54 AM
My first exposure to an "Advantage" program was when a friend bought one way back in the 80's. He described how Humana used his Medicare premium and assumed his costs for the year from then on. Six months later they went bust. From that time on, numerous advantage plans failed. The insurance companies must have figured out how to make money from advantage plans over the years. It seemed that about the time Villages Health adopted the UHC Advantage model around 2016, the Federal Gov't. appeared to "bless" Advantage plans. Why not, as they shift the risk to the insurance companies.

Here's hoping the Gov't doesn't disown Original Medicare for us who still use it. I found out that we will save $400/yr by switching to Plan G from Plan F.

Koapaka
11-11-2021, 11:57 AM
For those looking for help with this confusing mess of insurances and which is best for you once you are Medicare eligible, I understand that Craig Morrison is an excellent source in this area for helping you decide which option would best fit your individual needs. He offers free consultations to anyone requesting assistance. His number is 352-317-8992. It did not apply for us, but wanted to pass this on to anyone that it might help out. I do not know him, have never met him, but saw a video from one of the folks that do Villages Youtube segments.

Rose Ann Vinci Igoe
11-11-2021, 01:37 PM
This is where it gets confusing. I have UnitedHealthcare The Villages Medicare Advantage 1 (HMO) and I have access to Shands in Gainsville. The OP listed a slightly different name (UHC The Villages HMO WellMed).

yup, I have it too, called customer service to reverify and YES WE ARE COVERED WITH SHANDS... AND I'M GOING FOR SURGERY THERE... SO yup

wdst1
11-11-2021, 02:27 PM
Checked with my insurance agent and it is not true, misinformation being shared in a blog.

gatorbill1
11-11-2021, 02:41 PM
Checked with my insurance agent and it is not true, misinformation being shared in a blog.

What is confusing is you can use Shands with UHC, but not some of the doctors that use the hospital, even though they also may be in network. That is what happened to me, everything I stated is true. I was on phone with UHC for 3 hours and they did not understand why a doctor in network would not accept my insurance. Check Dr Kun Xiang and you will see he is in network, but will not take UHC TV advantage plan.

chicksinger
11-11-2021, 05:15 PM
I have Tricare for Life and United HC as my supplement. Wondering what other supplement we don't have to pay extra for and actually has access to real hospitals?]

Roron123
11-11-2021, 07:06 PM
You need to make sure you don’t have the HMO Plan as that is the one most are not on! Or call the offices before you sign up of the doctors you attend! UHC N is a good supplementary plus stay on Medicare and choose wherever and whoever you want! 🤪

HarleyDoc
11-12-2021, 06:25 AM
Had an appointment with UF Gainesville with an electrophysiologist set up two weeks ago for an appt next week. Got a call today and was told UF Health Gainesville Cardiology will not take UHC The Villages because it's under WellMed.
Both doctor and Shands Hospital were on my UHC website as in network.
When I called UHC, I was told they are "in network" but not for UHC The Villages HMO WellMed.
Got a quick appt with Ocala Health (Dr Acevedo). May be better off.
Was told if I called UF Financial Office, they would tell me why they won't take the insurance that you hear UHC bragging about having access to.


You will be in great hands with Dr Acevedo!

NotGolfer
11-12-2021, 07:53 AM
Just a question....Over and over I see folks saying "The Villages shouldn't dictate where I should go!" Shouldn't it be the insurance companies that are doing that? Last I knew you look at their list (ins. companies) and it will tell you what's covered. As some others on here stated, it's best to talk to an independent broker who doesn't have some adgenda in the decision.....then go from there.

nn0wheremann
11-12-2021, 09:13 AM
Had an appointment with UF Gainesville with an electrophysiologist set up two weeks ago for an appt next week. Got a call today and was told UF Health Gainesville Cardiology will not take UHC The Villages because it's under WellMed.
Both doctor and Shands Hospital were on my UHC website as in network.
When I called UHC, I was told they are "in network" but not for UHC The Villages HMO WellMed.
Got a quick appt with Ocala Health (Dr Acevedo). May be better off.
Was told if I called UF Financial Office, they would tell me why they won't take the insurance that you hear UHC bragging about having access to.
Sometimes the cheapest plan is the most expensive. Especially with HMOs. They are called managed care for a good reason. They manage your care to maximize their profit. If you can afford fee-for-service insurance, it usually offers the best protection.

jimh24444@gmail.com
11-12-2021, 01:09 PM
I have been going to one here in the villages who I think is terrific, Dr Vatsal Inamdar who is part of the Heart and Vein Clinic on 441 hwy. He is a electrical heart expert.

capecoralbill
11-12-2021, 01:31 PM
I found out that we will save $400/yr by switching to Plan G from Plan F.

Where did you get that $400 figure?,
and isn't $203 dollars of that 400 going to go the the Part B deductible, which is covered by Plan F?

Rose Ann Vinci Igoe
11-16-2021, 02:43 PM
Had an appointment with UF Gainesville with an electrophysiologist set up two weeks ago for an appt next week. Got a call today and was told UF Health Gainesville Cardiology will not take UHC The Villages because it's under WellMed.
Both doctor and Shands Hospital were on my UHC website as in network.
When I called UHC, I was told they are "in network" but not for UHC The Villages HMO WellMed.
Got a quick appt with Ocala Health (Dr Acevedo). May be better off.
Was told if I called UF Financial Office, they would tell me why they won't take the insurance that you hear UHC bragging about having access to.

As of 01 Oct 2021 Shands Hospital in Gainesville Fl is under United Health Care of the Villages.

gatorbill1
11-16-2021, 04:14 PM
As of 01 Oct 2021 Shands Hospital in Gainesville Fl is under United Health Care of the Villages.

Shands Hospital is - not uf doctors

New Englander
11-16-2021, 04:26 PM
Shands Hospital is - not uf doctors

That's ridiculous.

fdpaq0580
11-16-2021, 04:52 PM
That's ridiculous.

It is ridiculous, but not uncommon. Years ago DW had to go into hospital (not in Fla). Dr was covered by insurance. He gave us hospital and we checked her into her room. They wheeled her three doors down hall to x-ray room.
Long story shortened, x-ray tech, separate bill, x-ray equipment belonged to outside co, separate bill, anesthesiologist, separate bill, Dr and hospital, separate bills. Caused havoc with us navigating insurance claims. I want single pay point please, itemized bill.

fdpaq0580
11-16-2021, 05:05 PM
Shands Hospital is - not uf doctors

Trying to figure out who on the medical team caring for you is or is not an independent contractor, or what rooms and equipment belong to the hospital or other companies while you are suffering is impossible.