[JBarracks]

My wife and I signed up with Dr. Hawley at Colony care in late June (we just moved to the Villages). We had an appointment with Dr. Hawley for Oct 22. I thought this was rather odd to wait 3 months to see a Dr. for the first time. However, we stayed with the appointment because we could drive our golf cart to the Dr's office.

Today, we get a call that Dr. Hawley is unavailable on Oct 22, and the next available appointment is 8 Dec. Is this normal for TV care? And, is there an Internist Dr. somewhere else in TV or the local area that one can get an appointment within 30 days?

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by JBarracks

My wife and I signed up with Dr. Hawley at Colony care in late June (we just moved to the Villages). We had an appointment with Dr. Hawley for Oct 22. I thought this was rather odd to wait 3 months to see a Dr. for the first time. However, we stayed with the appointment because we could drive our golf cart to the Dr's office.

Today, we get a call that Dr. Hawley is unavailable on Oct 22, and the next available appointment is 8 Dec. Is this normal for TV care? And, is there a primary Dr. somewhere else in TV or the local area that one can get an appointment within 30 days?

Getting an appointment with a primary care dr. as a new patient is getting tougher all over the country, due to the existing and growing shortage of primary care doctors. (This article explains a lot of it: The health reform law’s biggest threat: 30,000 too few doctors - The Washington Post )

If I were you, I'd stick to the plan to see a dr. at Colony (maybe another one has openings sooner). Everyone I know is happy overall with their doctors and care there. It is a feat to attract and hire the number of drs. they are getting, and the salary subsidies they are getting to pay them well and still have time for each patient cannot be done by many practices (if any)....medicare and insurance reimbursement is low and shrinking compared to costs of practice.

[Avista]

When I signed up, I was considering Dr Hawley, and was told she only works two days a week.

[rockyisle]

You could also call them and ask if another primary is available sooner as you are just getting established - and get on their cancellation list. You can also tell them that you'd be happy meeting with their PA (that's what I did) and you'll get an appointment faster. We had been patients of Belleview Family Doctors and loved our care there - They are now the foundation of the Villages Health Care System. We couldn't be happier with the coverage and care we are receiving from them. My husband had a horrible medical emergency last winter and they were on top of it - saving his life...

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by rockyisle

You could also call them and ask if another primary is available sooner as you are just getting established - and get on their cancellation list. You can also tell them that you'd be happy meeting with their PA (that's what I did) and you'll get an appointment faster. We had been patients of Belleview Family Doctors and loved our care there - They are now the foundation of the Villages Health Care System. We couldn't be happier with the coverage and care we are receiving from them. My husband had a horrible medical emergency last winter and they were on top of it - saving his life...

This is so good to hear!!

[wendyquat]

We had the same experience with the 3 month wait. I thought it had to do with Medicare requirements since we have routine visits every six months and had just had that done 3 months prior to our visit to Colony doctor.

[mickey100]

We've been using Dr. Aung, who's main office is in Summerfield, but has office hours once a week, I believe, at Laurel Manor which is golf cart accessible. I've never had to wait more than a week or two for an appointment. She is a board certified internist.