I agree. NPs and PAs do not have the same level of experience, knowledge, and accountability as MDs, and the copays and insurance reimbursement should be substantially less.

You can request that....I don't agree that you only see a NP or PA following a hospital stay neither. This hasn't happened with my spouse. I prefer my NP as I saw her prior to TVH and followed her. She knows me and my issues. Most of the folks complaining, I will agree with the OP that stated this---are doing so because they carried ins. here from their employer or spouse's ins. and didn't want to change that. That's fine but it's not a reflection on TVH. What changed was an ins. issue and not anything to do locally. Stuff is changing nationally....so far we're happy to be here and it's been great to have our records following us if we see a specialist etc. Also the hospital can access them as well and you don't have to fill out MORE paperwork. You might if you continue seeing doctor's outside.

So I assume you are now outside the system and don't use either of the Central Florida Health facilities?

I agree 100 %! We hate the thought of moving back to the cold but in New England we don't have to wait to see a specialist. My husband just got out of the hospital after being transported from Urgent care. Unfortunately his appointment was with the specialist the day after he was admitted was given to another patient. That was 4 weeks ago and he still hasn't been able to reschedule until the end of this month. The last thing the doctor at the hospital said to him was to see a specialist. He is still sick and this is NOT right..Oh yes they had him see a PA nurse that works at the Gastrologist office but was no help scheduled an appointment for the end of July! This is just so unbelievable-my husband should not have to suffer. The Villages keeps growing yet the medical profession is so screwed up.

My spouse and I are both with The Villages Health. We're extremely happy with the plan and with our Primary Care Physicians. We've both had health issues and surgeries in the past 2 years - we picked the surgeon we wanted and felt we received excellent care. In the future if we have major heart issues we can go to The Cleveland Clinic... if cancer is in our future we can go to MD Anderson in Houston (both 'in network" and both are arguably the top center for that condition in the US). I'm sure there are good physicians around The Villages that aren't part of The Villages Healthcare. It's a personal choice. I'm just extremely selective about my PCP because I want someone very smart who will find issues early. I've found that at The Villages Health. I don't want to search locally to see if I can find someone as good outside of TVH. But again... people have found physicians they like. So it is a personal choice.