[Clinster]

BEWARE OF THE VILLAGES HEALTH
Last summer my wife was diagnosed, by a doctor employed by The Villages Health, with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. We were both devastated by this diagnosis, and it very negatively affected our lives. During the same time, this same family doctor, informed me that my sodium level was somewhat low, and suggested that I eat more pretzels! This very casual suggestion, to eat more pretzels, left us with the impression this was not a very serious situation.
At the same time, this same doctor, changed another medication that I was taking to a different medication, which included HCTC (a known diuretic), which unbeknown to us seriously decreased my already low sodium level. Without a doubt this doctor should have known that prescribing a diuretic at the same time my sodium level was low was potentially a very dangerous situation, which could, without monitoring, cause drastic consequences.
For a several month period this very low sodium level caused my physical and mental abilities to deteriorate tremendously. My mental capabilities during this time were directly responsible for substantial medical costs to us (with insurance paying a much larger portion) and drastically affected our relationship, including my contemplating suicide on several occasions. Financial decisions made by me at this time resulted in substantially more expenses, beyond just medical. In essence, for several months I basically lost my mind. After I personally changed my own medication, to not include HCTC, my mental capabilities gradually returned to normal, and have remained there since.
Also during this same time my wife, upon herself, underwent additional testing for Alzheimer’s, and it was determined that the original diagnosis was NOT correct.
This family doctor, whom we both utilized and is employed by The Villages Health, is personally and directly responsible for two very serious medical decisions that had very severe, totally unnecessary, and potentially dangerous, consequences.
In early November of last year my wife contacted the Chair of The Villages Health requesting reimbursement for the unnecessary medical bills we incurred due to the poor decisions made by our family doctor. Over two months later we received an email from the Chief Medical Officer for The Villages Health, requesting copies of the medical bills we had incurred, and stating, “we will look at them.”
We immediately sent him copies of all the medical bills that I had incurred in dealing with this situation, amounting to several thousands of dollars. We waited for almost three months with no response, and in April we sent an additional letter inquiring about the status of this matter. It has now been almost five months since he requested copies of our incurred medical bills and we have not even had the courtesy of a response.
We would strongly recommend that all Villagers think twice about utilizing the services of The Villages Health!
Clell & Claudette Whelchel 1487 Brier Creek Circle The Villages, FL 32162 1631pbs@comcast.net

[Villageswimmer]

Sorry to hear of all the troubles you experienced. That must have been a very difficult time for both of you. So glad to hear your wife does not have Alzheimer's. I hope you're both feeling much better now.

For all it's difficulties including the insurance debacle, I don't think it's fair to blame TVH for the actions of one doctor.

Would you be willing to share his/her name since others may wish to avoid him/her?

We belong to TVH (for the next few months, anyway). We have been very pleased with our doctor, Mariel Gonzales. We've been treated very well and will miss her and the staff there. Wish we could stay but more glad we have great insurance we wouldn't part with.

Good luck to both of you.

[Bjeanj]

Seems like the doctor should be reported to the AMA, also.

[billybye]

A doctor's diagnosis is just the doctor's opinion of what is wrong (educated guess). A second opinion is always an option. I am not a patient of TVH, but believe there are both good and not so good doctors both in TVH and in other practices around town. You have to be your own advocate.
People who think all the doctors in TVH are the best, have their head in the sand and the kool aid in their hand. The doctors in TVH are the ones who decided to work for the salaries being offered, I do not know if the salaries are high or low compared with competition.

[CritterLover]

I've never experienced anything but the utmost in professionalism, care, and concern from everyone I've ever dealt with in any of The Villages Health centers. I hope you find physical and emotional comfort from new doctors.

[gap2415]

Originally Posted by Clinster

BEWARE OF THE VILLAGES HEALTH
Last summer my wife was diagnosed, by a doctor employed by The Villages Health, with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. We were both devastated by this diagnosis, and it very negatively affected our lives. During the same time, this same family doctor, informed me that my sodium level was somewhat low, and suggested that I eat more pretzels! This very casual suggestion, to eat more pretzels, left us with the impression this was not a very serious situation.
At the same time, this same doctor, changed another medication that I was taking to a different medication, which included HCTC (a known diuretic), which unbeknown to us seriously decreased my already low sodium level. Without a doubt this doctor should have known that prescribing a diuretic at the same time my sodium level was low was potentially a very dangerous situation, which could, without monitoring, cause drastic consequences.
For a several month period this very low sodium level caused my physical and mental abilities to deteriorate tremendously. My mental capabilities during this time were directly responsible for substantial medical costs to us (with insurance paying a much larger portion) and drastically affected our relationship, including my contemplating suicide on several occasions. Financial decisions made by me at this time resulted in substantially more expenses, beyond just medical. In essence, for several months I basically lost my mind. After I personally changed my own medication, to not include HCTC, my mental capabilities gradually returned to normal, and have remained there since.
Also during this same time my wife, upon herself, underwent additional testing for Alzheimer’s, and it was determined that the original diagnosis was NOT correct.
This family doctor, whom we both utilized and is employed by The Villages Health, is personally and directly responsible for two very serious medical decisions that had very severe, totally unnecessary, and potentially dangerous, consequences.
In early November of last year my wife contacted the Chair of The Villages Health requesting reimbursement for the unnecessary medical bills we incurred due to the poor decisions made by our family doctor. Over two months later we received an email from the Chief Medical Officer for The Villages Health, requesting copies of the medical bills we had incurred, and stating, “we will look at them.”
We immediately sent him copies of all the medical bills that I had incurred in dealing with this situation, amounting to several thousands of dollars. We waited for almost three months with no response, and in April we sent an additional letter inquiring about the status of this matter. It has now been almost five months since he requested copies of our incurred medical bills and we have not even had the courtesy of a response.
We would strongly recommend that all Villagers think twice about utilizing the services of The Villages Health!
Clell & Claudette Whelchel 1487 Brier Creek Circle The Villages, FL 32162 1631pbs@comcast.net

This must have been horrible for both of you. It reminds us all to get a second opinion when something is serious. I'm sure some TV doctors are not as portrayed but all don't graduate at the top of their class. As well, a kindly thoughtful manner is not necessarily evidence of ability nor is a brusque manner. Check things out. We all need to be our own advocates of healthcare in these days. There are many reasons to become a physician some noble. Many of us grew up with this image of what a doctor can do in our heads, yet they are limited and human with the usual frailties. Thanks for reminding us.

[goodtimesintv]

The original post is another wake-up call that you should not go with an HMO plan, but with a PPO plan, so that you can choose amongst various doctors and specialists, and to get a second opinion.

Also, it's a mistake to stereotype and brand all the doctors in the entire practice for the apparent neglect of a single one.

If they haven't paid the bills by now, I'd seek a reputable, not rabid, medical malpractice lawyer.

Malpractice lawyers have plenty of good reasons to be here, in NYC, Boston, Miami, L.A., Houston, Jacksonville, Orlando, Rochester, MN.......and anywhere.

From the TV Health website:

"If you are eligible for Medicare, we want you to know that the only Medicare Advantage plans The Villages Health participates in are those offered by UnitedHealthcare®.

UnitedHealthcare® The Villages® MedicareComplete® (HMO) Plan 1
UnitedHealthcare® The Villages® MedicareComplete® (HMO) Plan 2
AARP® Medicare Complete Choice® (Regional PPO)
AARP® Medicare Complete Choice® (HMO)
United Healthcare® Medicare Advantage Dual Complete

We continue to Participate with the following Commercial Insurances:

Avmed
Blue Cross & Blue Shield
Cigna
Multiplan
Private Healthcare System/PHCS
Tricare Standard
United Healthcare"

[Bonny]

I'm very happy with the VHC. I have a few health issues that have put me in the hospital a few times and I require a specialist. My VHC Dr. always makes sure I get good care.
I also do homework on my own as well.
When getting a new med, it's always a good idea to look it up and see what all it used for & what the side effects are.
If there is a serious issue, it's always good to get a second opinion.

[RickeyD]

I'm not a big fan of any organization medical or not that claims to be paternalistic. I'd rather pick and choose at will whatever my needs may be. Promises, unless put into writing mean absolutely nothing. I'll not be a patient at TV Health when I'm 65.

[biker1]

My concern with the move by TVH to a MA plan is the exclusion of facilities such as Mayo in Jacksonville and UoF/Shands in Gainesville. These are places in FL that you may want to consider for a 2nd opinion when the local Drs. can't diagnose/fix you.

Originally Posted by goodtimesintv

The original post is another wake-up call that you should not go with an HMO plan, but with a PPO plan, so that you can choose amongst various doctors and specialists, and to get a second opinion.

Also, it's a mistake to stereotype and brand all the doctors in the entire practice for the apparent neglect of a single one.

If they haven't paid the bills by now, I'd seek a reputable, not rabid, medical malpractice lawyer.

Malpractice lawyers have plenty of good reasons to be here, in NYC, Boston, Miami, L.A., Houston, Jacksonville, Orlando, Rochester, MN.......and anywhere.

From the TV Health website:

"If you are eligible for Medicare, we want you to know that the only Medicare Advantage plans The Villages Health participates in are those offered by UnitedHealthcare®.

UnitedHealthcare® The Villages® MedicareComplete® (HMO) Plan 1
UnitedHealthcare® The Villages® MedicareComplete® (HMO) Plan 2
AARP® Medicare Complete Choice® (Regional PPO)
AARP® Medicare Complete Choice® (HMO)
United Healthcare® Medicare Advantage Dual Complete

We continue to Participate with the following Commercial Insurances:

Avmed
Blue Cross & Blue Shield
Cigna
Multiplan
Private Healthcare System/PHCS
Tricare Standard
United Healthcare"

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by RickeyD

I'm not a big fan of any organization medical or not that claims to be paternalistic. I'd rather pick and choose at will whatever my needs may be. Promises, unless put into writing mean absolutely nothing. I'll not be a patient at TV Health when I'm 65.

The person I see was actually a NP with the Dr. I had been seeing for 9 years and I really liked her. I followed her when she went to VHC. She works with one of the Drs. there, but I always make my appointment with her.