The Villages Eye Institute

[Mimivillager]

Has anyone gone to The Villages Eye Institute?
It is my new opthalmologist for Preferred Care Ins since they dropped Mid Florida Eye like a hot potato.
I need a retina specialist.
Can you recommend this one?
I sure hope I can soon get settled in with a permanent eye dr-missing my drs from back home.

[Mimivillager]

Any recommendations?

[VillagesFlorida]

Has anyone gone to The Villages Eye Institute?
It is my new opthalmologist for Preferred Care Ins since they dropped Mid Florida Eye like a hot potato.
I need a retina specialist.
Can you recommend this one?
I sure hope I can soon get settled in with a permanent eye dr-missing my drs from back home.

I am being referred to the opthalmologist at Villages Eye Institute, just to have a more comprehensive exam due to diabetes. In January we saw an optometrist, Dr. Heidi Gonzales there and we were happy with her. I believe the opthalmologist is Larry Perich. The Villages Eye Institute is a new location of the Perich Eye Center, which has at least 3 other offices south of The Villages.

My research on line has turned up some disturbing information on this doctor:

Pasco: Eye clinic owner also faces charges (http://www.sptimes.com/2007/03/13/Pasco/Eye_clinic_owner_also.shtml)

http://www.circare.org/fdawls3/perich_20081201.pdf

I may wait to see if St. Lukes will take our insurance. Their new office is currently under construction in the Lake Sumter Landing area. Their reputation is stellar from all I know. I have sent them an e-mail, asking if they will be taking this insurance and if I get an answer I will come back to post it here.

[NotGolfer]

THAT is disturbing!!!! With only ONE clinic that PCP will pay for that's going to affect a whole lot of folks! Think a visit to the PCP office is going to happen on Monday followed up by phone-calls to their 800#. I have an appointment in a couple of weeks with this practice...so glad you informed us of this.

[VillagesFlorida]

THAT is disturbing!!!! With only ONE clinic that PCP will pay for that's going to affect a whole lot of folks! Think a visit to the PCP office is going to happen on Monday followed up by phone-calls to their 800#. I have an appointment in a couple of weeks with this practice...so glad you informed us of this.

Kindly let us know if you get any new information from Preferred Care Partners. At the moment I am just a bit disappointed in them. We also were patients at Mid-Florida Eye and they are gone. Our oncologist, who we loved, is off the plan now. These are important specialists and they will be difficult to replace, given the small list of providers in our area. The next appointments on our calendar are with Dr. Fischer, the dentist at Sumter Landing. He gets one opportunity to impress us and I hope he does because the pickin's are mightly slim when it comes to dentists (unless we want to travel to Ocala). At this time I am not ruling out making a change to some other insurance this fall. It all depends on what United Healthcare does, now that they have purchased PCP.

[NotGolfer]

Kindly let us know if you get any new information from Preferred Care Partners. At the moment I am just a bit disappointed in them. We also were patients at Mid-Florida Eye and they are gone. Our oncologist, who we loved, is off the plan now. These are important specialists and they will be difficult to replace, given the small list of providers in our area. The next appointments on our calendar are with Dr. Fischer, the dentist at Sumter Landing. He gets one opportunity to impress us and I hope he does because the pickin's are mightly slim when it comes to dentists (unless we want to travel to Ocala). At this time I am not ruling out making a change to some other insurance this fall. It all depends on what United Healthcare does, now that they have purchased PCP.

I would have to say I agree with you on all counts! I did see Dr. Fischer...it was o.k. but I'd have to say I've had more thorough and better check-ups than he gave. His hygenist probably did a better job then him! I will post what I find out from the PCP folks...and they better offer some alternatives is all I can say! I'd say if these things continue they'll have alot of folks leaving!!!

[NotGolfer]

I was just thinking PCP subscribers, we all should be up in arms about this thing about limited providers in The Villages! We ALL should be on the phone on Monday and/or stop by their offices and ask about our eye, and while we're at it, dental coverages!! We don't need providers leaving the system but new AND good ones staying!! I know that doctors hate insurance and all the paperwork it causes but we're the ones, really who are more greatly affected. Don't be apathetic....advocate for your care!!!!!

[Mimivillager]

Thanks for all the input-very disturbing!
I need to pay PCP Office a visit.

[VillagesFlorida]

Thanks for all the input-very disturbing!
I need to pay PCP Office a visit.

I would love to go with you but we are leaving tomorrow for a 2-3 week trip out west. I hope you'll let us know if you find out anything that sounds encouraging! I'll be on my laptop and will check here so see if you have an update!

[NotGolfer]

Even if you aren't in The Villages...you could still call the 800# for PCP and/or send them an e-mail as well. Though I did that sometime ago re: something and never received an answer. All of us who are with PCP should rattle their cage a bit as it's the grease on the squeaky wheel that gets results (is that the correct metaphor?) Anyway... if enough of us complain perhaps we'll get results to our benefit!!!

[Mimivillager]

Not so sure we can grease this squeaky wheel since they are selling out at the end of the year. They simply don't care.
My Medco pharmacy is all fouled up too with my online prsecription. Says I have no refills but the bottle that came says I have one.

[NotGolfer]

Not so sure we can grease this squeaky wheel since they are selling out at the end of the year. They simply don't care.
My Medco pharmacy is all fouled up too with my online prsecription. Says I have no refills but the bottle that came says I have one.

GAH!!!! THAT'S horrible! I wasn't impressed when I called Medco early on!! I only get one RX through them anyway...so it's good so far. We'll see what United Healthcare has to offer! BUT you can bet I'll be looking into other alternatives just for general purposes! Maybe I'll stay, maybe I won't!

[dee1940]

Any recommendations?

i go to mid florida eye and they r to be on with preferred care august. i would wait to talk with them. didn't hear any good comments on the village eye. hope this helps

[Avista]

My husband and I had an eye exam by Dr Heidi Gonzales. Everything went well. They are near Billy's cafe on 441 and across the street from Aldi's.

[NotGolfer]

Lay any qualms aside...I have been there twice and found that they're just as good as any I've gone to prior. Even though busy the practioners seem to take time to answer questions along with the check-up. One thing though is you can expect a wait (it's not a quick in and out)....so bring a book! :)

I saw Dr. Heidi Gonzalez and the 2nd visit...can't remember the gentleman's name.

[dee1940]

Has anyone gone to The Villages Eye Institute?
It is my new ophthalmologist for Preferred Care Ins since they dropped Mid Florida Eye like a hot potato.
I need a retina specialist.
Can you recommend this one?
I sure hope I can soon get settled in with a permanent eye dr-missing my drs from back home.

no won't go there read too much about it. mid Florida eye told me last week they will be back the first of august with preferred care. so hang in there::

[Mimivillager]

We got our letter from Preferrred Care today in the mail listing new drs in the plan and yes, Mid Florida Eye is on the list for Aug 1. We do have to get authorization though to have Dr Meizell, the retina specialist. Called right away to get an appt and start the process. Hubby needed a procedure in March and was denied because they dropped Mid Fla Eye so now he can get it done.

[jojo]

We got our letter from Preferrred Care today in the mail listing new drs in the plan and yes, Mid Florida Eye is on the list for Aug 1. We do have to get authorization though to have Dr Meizell, the retina specialist. Called right away to get an appt and start the process. Hubby needed a procedure in March and was denied because they dropped Mid Fla Eye so now he can get it done.

It appears that the doctors at Mid-Florida Eye are all in Mt. Dora. Is that your read?

[Mimivillager]

No, Jojo,Look in Marion County at Summerfield(just past Walmart on 441. )on your list from Preferred Care.

[NotGolfer]

Rats! I'd hoped to go to Mid-Florida Eye! Well, next time!!! I was happy with the other group but then didn't have anything too serious.

[jojo]

No, Jojo,Look in Marion County at Summerfield(just past Walmart on 441. )on your list from Preferred Care.

Oh yes - I missed that on the list. We are looking for an ophthalmologist. Does anyone know of Dr. Charles or Goldey or Panzo at Mid-Florida in Summerfield?

[Mimivillager]

Yes, my hubby had Panzo at Summerfield and we really liked him.

[Mimivillager]

Rats! I'd hoped to go to Mid-Florida Eye! Well, next time!!! I was happy with the other group but then didn't have anything too serious.

When I said NO, I meant not just Mt Dora. Yes they are back in-yeay!