[kathy1516]

All PAs and ARNPs work under the umbrella of a physician. I prefer them to a doctor every time. They spend more time with you and actually listen to you. They’re knowledgeable and their expertise is outstanding. If your issue is above their heads, they will refer you to a physician or specialist. I trust them more than I do the physicians in Florida. I’ve had ARNPs save my life where the doctor didn’t catch the problem on more than one occasion. I’m a retired RN.

[YouNeverKnow]

Originally Posted by JonWilliams

Medicare & Medicaid maintain a list of practitioners not eligible to submit claims for service. You can find it at Search the Exclusions Database | Office of Inspector General I ran a search for John Santos, Adam Santos, Santos Urgent Care and 441 Urgent Care LLC and none of them came up.

I've used this clinic for years and been happy with the service. But before I go again I will call them to verify whether they take Medicare and my secondary provider.

I called my insurance today and they said as of July 30th all of the 441’s are on the Medicare preclusion list and would not be covered. (They said it wasn’t just one specific one since there wasn’t a specific location or doctor named.) Sounds like there is an inconsistency of information about what is really happening after July with these facilities. I hope the information gets verified soon. Good advice to call to verify coverage before you go to one of these facilities.

[Jbarberio]

Must be two John Santos because the one my wife and I have seen, at the 44 urgent care clinic, over the past 5 years is the exact opposite of what you are saying. He has always been cordial and friendly to us and treated our medical condition correctly. I have had no problems with John. Don’t care if he doesn’t get along with his brother.

[hyamsinmiami@aol.com]

My husband was a physician for over thirty years and I am a retired Medical Technologist. We know good health care and I would like to say how happy we have been using 411 Urgent Care at Colony. We moved to the Villages over a year ago and have used Urgent Care at Colony at least five times. We have been impressed with the overall service from the friendly office staff to the medical professionals.

The person who implied that because their advantage plan would not cover the 411 Urgent Care facilities that something was wrong with the facility. They need to understand that it has nothing to do with the facility but it is their Advantage plan ( which is an HMO) that is trying to save money. By restricting medical service they save money and that is the bottom line.

Double billing is a strong accusations- maybe they don’t understand that most visits require a follow up visit or visits. When my husband cut his finger and he needed 8 stitches, he had to go in at least three times to make sure it was healing properly. Going over results is another important reason a person would be asked to come back for an additional appointment. Overall we are very happy that 411 Urgent care is available at Colony.

[jet10s]

Originally Posted by blueash

I have no thoughts about the care or the billing you experienced. I do wish to comment on the terms "Doctor" "PA" and "ARNP'

Firstly a PA is a physician assistant. This person did a 4 year college program in any field then a two year PA training program. So 2 years of medical training in total.

APRN is Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. This requires a master's degree in nursing. Most commonly the person got an undergrad degree in nursing but that is not required. The undergrad degree can be in any field but to get the master's degree will then require a few extra science courses. The master's degree is 2 years for most programs. There is also a requirement for clinical experience. Some fields are more intense such as nurse anesthetists.

Compare that training with MD training. Undergrad in any field then 4 years of medical school with about half those 4 years spent in hospital or clinical training. Then at least 3 years of intensive hospital and outpatient training before going into practice. Some fields require much more. Child psychiatry is a five year residency after 4 years of medical school. 9 years post college. That psychiatric NP who "does the same job" , 2 years and I believe 500 clinical hours which is 3 months.

And coming soon, many NP programs are changing the degree being awarded from a Master's degree to a doctorate. So these graduates will now have a doctorate in nursing, no additional work, just a different name for the degree. And when they get introduced to you as a Dr. Jones it will be true but the doctorate will not be in medicine. The time is near when you will need to ask directly whether your doctor is a medical doctor or some other doctorate. If you don't care, that is fine but I can tell you the amount of training difference between that received by an MD and a doctor of nursing is huge. YMMV

you are so off base on so many points -- it doesn't pay to even try to explain -- someday you will require a mid-level healthcare provider to SAVE YOUR LIFE AS THAT IS THE WAY HEALTHCARE IS GOING...
'

[Carla B]

Originally Posted by jet10s

you are so off base on so many points -- it doesn't pay to even try to explain -- someday you will require a mid-level healthcare to SAVE YOUR LIFE AS THAT IS THE WAY HEALTHCARE IS GOING...
'

Care to explain why you think the post by Blueash is "off base?" Maybe you quoted the wrong post?

[jet10s]

Originally Posted by Carla B

Care to explain why you think the post by Blueash is "off base?" Maybe you quoted the wrong post?

no I did not criticize the wrong post -- like I SAID -- blueash is wrong on so many explanations of mid-level providers --
their experience, education, protocols, certification, etc. - -- blueash knows not of what she speaks and I don't want to waste my time trying to disprove 90 percent of this post -- just saying -- not my circus - not my monkey --

[dadspet]

I've been to 441 Urgent Care on 44 a few times in the past and have no real complaints. Actually I was very happy there were there and available and I didn't have to wait for hours in the hospital emergency room.

[Brad-tv]

We have been to Urgent Care many times over the last 4 years and Adam Santos is a big part of the reason we always go back. Obviously they can see you immediately and no need to make a appointment and wait for a doctor. He really cares and has genuine concern for your health needs.
Another great note about Urgent Care is you have 2 weeks to come back as many times as you want with no additional charge. We are self pay and do not have health insurance so this is a huge savings.
I haven't met Adams brother but my wife has and is very happy with his bed side manner. I know these guys work really hard and very long hours. I will continue to support their business.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by jet10s

you are so off base on so many points -- it doesn't pay to even try to explain -- someday you will require a mid-level healthcare provider to SAVE YOUR LIFE AS THAT IS THE WAY HEALTHCARE IS GOING...
'

Blue Ash IS an M.D. with a stellar reputation. In my opinion he is not off base on any point he made. I have great respect for his medical expertise.

[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by jet10s

no I did not criticize the wrong post -- like I SAID -- blueash is wrong on so many explanations of mid-level providers --
their experience, education, protocols, certification, etc. - -- blueash knows not of what she speaks and I don't want to waste my time trying to disprove 90 percent of this post -- just saying -- not my circus - not my monkey --

What a cop out. You go out of your way to tell someone that they're wrong then won't justify your post by telling us what you don't agree with. Therefore your opinion is rendered worthless.

[kanoa1kale2]

Originally Posted by blueash

John Santos has never been your primary care physician. He is not a physician. He is not trained to be a physician. He never went to medical school. He is not licensed to be a physician. He is not subject to the ongoing training and education requirements to keep up to date that a physician must follow.

The confusion in identification of the training of the people wearing white coats and carrying a stethoscope is ongoing.

My insurance considers him my primary. Where I lived previously, I had better support from the Advanced PA's than the primary. I don't get all that tied up over terminology, only results. My results here have been very good. Btw, down by Cincinnatti I take it. I worked on a computer system for the city there.

[kanoa1kale2]

Originally Posted by Chellybean

He is not a doctor!

Neither is Adam. They both work under a physician. I understand you have issues with John and sorry to hear that. It is not how I've been treated. I have been treated by both Adam and John and have no issues with either of them.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Blue Ash IS an M.D. with a stellar reputation. In my opinion he is not off base on any point he made. I have great respect for his medical expertise.

I wouldn't dispute any of the educational requirements for PAs, NPs, or any other medical providers. But, I view it from a different perspective. I know some people will disagree, but I consider a physican and/or medical doctor as someone who has devoted their life to the practice of medicine and helping people. To most of them that I have known, they are dedicated to continual education, and, even though they make a lot of money, the money part is secondary to their identity and reputation as a "doctor", the person who is in charge and who patients look up to. I don't view non-physican providers as having the same level of dedication. How can someone who is called a physican's "assistant" or "nurse" be compared to a real physican? They may have a lot of training, but they don't have the same level of accountability or reputation at stake as a medical doctor.

[TraceyMooreRN]

Originally Posted by blueash

I have no thoughts about the care or the billing you experienced. I do wish to comment on the terms "Doctor" "PA" and "ARNP'

Firstly a PA is a physician assistant. This person did a 4 year college program in any field then a two year PA training program. So 2 years of medical training in total.

APRN is Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. This requires a master's degree in nursing. Most commonly the person got an undergrad degree in nursing but that is not required. The undergrad degree can be in any field but to get the master's degree will then require a few extra science courses. The master's degree is 2 years for most programs. There is also a requirement for clinical experience. Some fields are more intense such as nurse anesthetists.

Compare that training with MD training. Undergrad in any field then 4 years of medical school with about half those 4 years spent in hospital or clinical training. Then at least 3 years of intensive hospital and outpatient training before going into practice. Some fields require much more. Child psychiatry is a five year residency after 4 years of medical school. 9 years post college. That psychiatric NP who "does the same job" , 2 years and I believe 500 clinical hours which is 3 months.

And coming soon, many NP programs are changing the degree being awarded from a Master's degree to a doctorate. So these graduates will now have a doctorate in nursing, no additional work, just a different name for the degree. And when they get introduced to you as a Dr. Jones it will be true but the doctorate will not be in medicine. The time is near when you will need to ask directly whether your doctor is a medical doctor or some other doctorate. If you don't care, that is fine but I can tell you the amount of training difference between that received by an MD and a doctor of nursing is huge. YMMV

Actually, A doctorate in nursing- once a ARNP; is approximately one-two more years including 1 year of clinical in your focus field. So, yes, less than a doctor-but not simply a doctorate degree in nursing for "no additional work" not "just a different name for the degree".