What You Think About "The Villages Health"?

[Yorio]

I am a guinea pig for the new Villages Health program. It is indeed a work-in-progress. Started at the new Pinellas Center. Met the doctor yesterday. Had a nice long conversation. He seemed genuinely interested in my well being. He listened to my problems and will get a blood test next week. Some friends told me they got blood test before meeting the doctor for the first. I kind of like how I proceeded as then the doctor will do the blood test based on our discussion rather than a general blood test. Will be meeting the doctor again in one month to discuss the result of my blood test. Have given his nurse reports from my precious GP so he can scan into my history. So far, so good. My wife and I have different doctor. She likes a doctor with a holistic view. Are you happy with the system so far?

[A-4 Skyhawk]

My wife and I have been going to our new Doc at Colony since right after they opened. Can't say enough good things about the whole operation. Have had to get in quickly and had to see his PA. The PA is just as good as the Doc. Referrals have been great. I wish the greeter would just say "Good Morning . . . . Let me know if I can help you".

[gomoho]

My wife and I have been going to our new Doc at Colony since right after they opened. Can't say enough good things about the whole operation. Have had to get in quickly and had to see his PA. The PA is just as good as the Doc. Referrals have been great. I wish the greeter would just say "Good Morning . . . . Let me know if I can help you".

What does the greeter say???

[Avista]

We are very pleased. My new doctor diagnosed a condition missed by other docs. So far they have been prompt. Did not have a wait.

[Yorio]

I said this whole program is still a work-in-progress. I did listen to their presentation last year of what they are planning to do. One thing I hate going to the doctor's office is to fill out the same old papers time and time again. Will see but they are supposed to have my data in computer so they don't need for me to repeat it every time I go for something. Technically if I take one blood test I don't need to take another test if a go and see a specialist. This is to avoid redundancies. Let's hope this is what happens. That's why I saiid I am being a guinea pig. I like the concept. Now it's the implementation just like Obamacare.

[SoccerCoach]

I am a guinea pig for the new Villages Health program. It is indeed a work-in-progress. Started at the new Pinellas Center. Met the doctor yesterday. Had a nice long conversation. He seemed genuinely interested in my well being. He listened to my problems and will get a blood test next week. Some friends told me they got blood test before meeting the doctor for the first. I kind of like how I proceeded as then the doctor will do the blood test based on our discussion rather than a general blood test. Will be meeting the doctor again in one month to discuss the result of my blood test. Have given his nurse reports from my precious GP so he can scan into my history. So far, so good. My wife and I have different doctor. She likes a doctor with a holistic view. Are you happy with the system so far?

My doctor, for over a year now is great. It's like novacane, just give it time, it always works.

[Mudder]

I agree with A4 skyhawk. The greeter aggravates me so I just do not make eye contact and go right to the desk to check in. I think most people know to go to the desk. The worst was when the greeter came into the waiting room and aasked us if we had checked in. My husband is more tolerate with the greeter than I am. However the rest of the operator there is great from doctors down.

[A-4 Skyhawk]

What does the greeter say???

Good morning . . . . My name is _________ and welcome to the Villages Health Care System at Colony Plaza. Can you tell me how we can help you?

I just say good morning and point to the desk. What I do like is that the greeter tracks you in the waiting room and if they don't think you are getting taken care of quick enough they blow the whistle on the medical staff.

Like I said earlier, I like the system very much.

[rockyisle]

We've been part of the system for a year. We are very pleased with every aspect of the program so far. Their medical staff is top notch and we (unfortunately) had a medical emergency last winter that was handled quickly and with the utmost care. Our doctor and staff responded swiftly and called in the experts when a diagnosis was identified immediately. We had a happy ending and feel confident that should we need help in the coming years (and we all know that is inevitable) that their medical staff will be there for us.
As an aside, I've used their audiologist - Dr. Waldo - for a new hearing aid last year and was very pleased with her approach and care. Nice to have this added benefit. They have state of the art equipment and she is top notch in my book.
We have standard Medicare and a supplemental insurance that isn't United Healthcare. We've had no problems with claims and coverage either.
It's helped us take that final step to become full-time residents. Coming from New England, we were spoiled and very snobbish about medical care in FL when we first visited here a few years ago. Thankfully, this new health care system has been created with top notch doctors and staff.

[BobandMarilyn]

With all that is going on in healthcare, an overly attentive greeter would seem to be the least of our worries. Good grief!

[bobofmanawa]

I agree. They are just trying to be helpful. Lighten up.

[BobandMarilyn]

If you want to be helpful, ask to speak to a manager, and politely suggest that the greeters be less aggressive. Discussing this issue on TOTV will not improve the situation.

This is similar to complaints about various restaurants, but not talking to the manager about your dining experience.

[Yorio]

Glad to hear that overall those participating seems to be happy with the progress being made with this program. Now I am in the system I can contact them in case of emergency. Previously unless a doctor has been assigned to me, I couldn't go to them. I had to visit Urgent Care across from Village Hospital. Since wife's appointment with the doctor won't be until February, she can't visit Health facility until then. Need to go to Urgent Care. Seems like a bummer since she is already registered with Village Health. Would be great if she can see any doctor for temporally care. Re greeter, I didn't have any problem. They were smiling as I entered. Guess it's like going to a good hotel. The receptionist as well as a doorman can make a difference with one's first impression. On the other hand I go to a gorgeous restaurant with great ambience but if the food was not great, it spoils the purpose of the visit. Clinic like this would be the care of the doctor and PA towards us. As I said, so far so good and those posting seem to agree. Look forward to the next step.

[NotGolfer]

We've been happy! I like how the records are in a "system" so that if we see another practioner or are hospitalized they can be up-loaded readily. Keep s from having to fill out yet another "book" of forms.

I recently had some medical concerns where I needed to be seen, called in and got a "same-day" appointment where they did a full work-up. I was impressed with the care that I was given. Not only did I see the ARNP but the doctor she worked under as well...who came in and together they collaborated on my symptoms! I also like they have "on-site" labs as well.

[Kdvogras]

I tried to go there and it seems they do not accept Blue Cross Blue Shield/Medicare insurance. So I guess it is not for everyone.

[SteveBressi]

Its ok for medicare people - but not good for us younger folks. The only insurance that they participate in is United Health Care. I think one is better off with a good independent doctor. There are some good practices in the Villages, it just takes some research.

[Sanbo]

Bobby and I have enrolled at Colony this summer. We both have the same doctor and and PA. We have nothing but good things to say about Colony Healthcare and the staff.

[NotGolfer]

Its ok for medicare people - but not good for us younger folks. The only insurance that they participate in is United Health Care. I think one is better off with a good independent doctor. There are some good practices in the Villages, it just takes some research.

Not entirely true! We have friends who are in their 50's who go there...don't know their insurance though. I know of other physician's in T.V. who have declined certain insurances so it's not "just" TVHC system.

[Birdie Dreamer]

Its ok for medicare people - but not good for us younger folks. The only insurance that they participate in is United Health Care. I think one is better off with a good independent doctor. There are some good practices in the Villages, it just takes some research.

You should contact them to verify, but this is not an accurate statement. They accept many private plans including all of the major plans. I am not on Medicare, but it is my understanding they only accept the United Health Care Medicare supplement plan. Check out their web site for a lengthy list of private plans that are accepted.

[champion6]

<snip> but it is my understanding they only accept the United Health Care Medicare supplement plan. <snip>I believe you mis-typed. The only Medicare advantage plans that they take are two from UnitedHealthcare. They accept many Medicare supplement plans, as wall as most major health insurance plans.

Your advise to contact them is spot on!

[tommy steam]

Time will tell how the villages health care system is working.

[obxgal]

I have Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage and hubby has Highmark Freedom Blue/Medicare insurance. Ours is PPO which may be the difference, but we've both been accepted.

[gomoho]

I am not on medicare and have Blue Cross Blue Shield and they accept my insurance.

[Ohiogirl]

We are still looking for a Villages doctor, both of us less than 2 years away from Medicare. Have Medical Mutual now, and Villages Health Care told me by phone that they accept it. What concerns me is that we don't yet know what we will choose for a supplement or Advantage plan. If we stay healthy, will likely go the Advantage plan route if I understand the choices correctly.

So - I have 2 concerns - we are snowbirds, although Florida residents, and must find a plan that has doctors we like in both places, preferably our current ones in Ohio. The other concern is don't want to start with the Villages Health Plan and then find out there are no doctors in Ohio in the United Health Care Advantage plan - someone here mentioned it is specific to Florida or The Villages? I need to do more homework, don't want to shop for doctors again in less than 2 years.

Another concern is that my husband's choices thru State of Ohio healthcare retirement plan are in flux as well. Used to be your only choice as a retiree was Humana, not sure that will be the case next year. Good thing we are retired and have the time to research all of this!

And, like has happened to others everywhere, the plans switch doctors and vice versa.

[Avista]

I would check with folks at the United Store in Sumter. They can tell you what would work in both Ohio and here.

[LoriAnn]

A few of the Medicare replacement plans pay the vendor (MD) exactly what traditional Medicare pays. However, most pay a greatly reduced payment. As low as 70% of what traditional Medicare pays for the same service. That is why many of the Medicare advantage plans are not accepted by MD's and specialists that are in great demand. When picking a Medicare replacement plan or advantage plan it is important to know how they pay the health care providers if you want access to the most in demand providers, specialists and treatments.

[Cedwards38]

I have Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage and hubby has Highmark Freedom Blue/Medicare insurance. Ours is PPO which may be the difference, but we've both been accepted.

Yes, I have Humana PPO and they take that. With PPO, you can go most anywhere.