[Schneil]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Inappropriate title for the thread!!
Misleading!!!

Exactly, this was not a medical problem but a billing issue!

[John_W]

This is another reason to sign up for the Villages United Health Medicare Advantage Plan. You never pay a co-pay for a doctor visit, only when you see a specialist. Lab work is done in-house and is usually ordered a week before your visit so you can incorporate your labs and normal visit all together. There is also no premiums and MVP Health Club is free. To me, it's a no brainer if you're over 65 and need medical care. They also have several offices so you don't have to travel far, I believe it's nine offices. I go to the Brownwood location which is only about a year old.

[bmit16]

It has been my experience that insurance providers consider that a follow-up visit therefore a co-payment does not apply. I have been refunded when this occurs, but you should check your policy then notify the ins company if this happens. Reimbursements can take awhile.

[cathiehines]

I had to go to them two years in a row for respiratory/flu-type symptoms. They did have me return three times in a row and gave me a shot each time, plus they prescribed antibiotics. They certainly took care of my problem. I had been to my primary care doctor who gave me cough medicine. I highly recommend them.

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

"441 Urgent Care" is the name of the urgent care facility. They have 6 locations and one of them is at Buffalo Ridge.

Thank you for the clarification. I did not realize that. I hope the name "441 Urgent Care" does not confuse others when mentioning another location that is not on 441 proper.

[NavyVet]

I use Paramount for Urgent Care, always been treated very well there. I thank my lucky stars every day for my VA benefits; no copays, free meds, and free dental. For anything outside of VA purview, I also have Medicare/Tricare for Life. Spouse getting kicked out of Villages Health System turned out to be a good thing. Why on earth would we switch to a United Health Advantage plan when we have the holy grail of insurances? We like our current PCPs and all our specialists outside the compound, never have to deal with copays. Also, I will never leave Florida; the state's disabled Veteran benefits are better than any of the neighboring states.

[yankygrl]

First of all WHY didn't your PCP office draw the sample needed or better send you to Quest or Alliance? Second the results should have been sent to your PCP automatically and have you follow up with them NOT THE URGENT CARE who don't know you or your medical history

[Koapaka]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

I had a primary care physician here in TV (will not say his name) who ordered lab work during my visit with him. He then required me to come back to his office to discuss the results which would require another co-pay. I could easily afford to pay a second co-pay but it was principle that I should not have to do that. I told him "no thanks". I can view my results on my portal and figure out what is abnormal. If there were any abnormal results then I would consider discussing with him. Needless to say, I found another doctor who did blood work in advance of my appointment and then discusses results at that appointment........as it should be done.

OK, not trying to be difficult, truly trying to understand the situation. Most Dr's ALWAYS order ROUTINE labs before the apt, and if the patient complies, you are correct, they can discuss with you at the time of your apt....the ISSUE I see with your post this is that you stated your Dr ordered "STAT" bloodwork, which tells me there was an indication of a medical issue that potentially could require medical intervention...so two different animals completely. Urgent/problematic/complaint initiated medical care is TOTALLY different from "routine" labs and care. HOW would you expect your medical care team to be able to "preorder" STAT bloodwork that was based on your complaints/symptoms as a patient?? WHAT did you present with at the initial Dr office visit that caused him to order STAT bloodwork that required this visit? This does not sound at all like "routine" healthcare maintenance scheduled apt procedures.

[Denbal82]

Thank you for posting this thread regarding the 441 Urgent Care Centers.
I too went to them (Brownwood) about 5 days ago and got bloodwork for medical problems I was having. I just moved here and currently do not have a Primary Care Provider. After waiting 1.5 hours plus them taking patients that arrived after me, i finally saw a provider. The provider told me the results would be back tomorrow. I returned the next day and they told me I would have to pay ANOTHER co-pay just to get my results. I told the lady at the counter that this was a follow-up just to get my results of MY BLOODWORK and that I already paid my co-pay yesterday. She said your not going to get your results unless you pay again. I told her that was ridiculous and walked out. I then called my health Insurance (BCBS) but it was late Friday and didn't get back to me yet but he said that what I'm saying doesn't sound right and that he would call after speaking to 441 UC.

I could be walking around with a contagious condition or a life threatening condition and I can't get my results. So you are right, Beware of 411 Urgent Care. I will avoid them at all costs.