[cromlich]

As we see article after article about exceptional medical available to us in The Villages, I would like to share with everyone a huge medical nightmare. I will start off by saying I love The Villages and never want to live anywhere else, however I was involved in a golf cart/car accident on Feb 13, 2014 as a passenger in the golf cart. The car turned immediately in front of us and I took the entire impact with numberous injuries resulting with an ambulance ride for a day trip to the ER. The car 's insurance company has assumed 100% responsibility for the accident.
I have a serious knee/leg injury (both) resulting in excruciating pain. I was referred to an Ortho doc by the ER. After numerous calls to numerous Ortho docs from Ocala, The Villages and Leesburg I have been denied even being seen (even with using my health insurance cards) because I was involved in "an accident". I still have been unable to find a way to get the help I need and was just told by my primary care doc that they, also, will not address the injuries from the wreck. What am I to do? My pain in getting worse as I fight this ridiculous attitude of docs who took oaths! Anyone out there have anything to share? There is not an Ortho doc out there who cares. So much for having available to us exceptional medical care. I am ashamed of our medical field especially the Ortho docs.
I was even told by an office person at a Leesburg Ortho office that she hated these calls because it hurts her to turn down people who need help but she has no choice. She said she has talked with people who need immediate care and can't get it. The hospital only wants to bandage you up and send you on your way to travel this nightmare.

I pray no one else has to experience this. On top of everything else I feel like having a nervous breakdown. Please PM me if you have any ideas or help. It doesn't matter if you have great health insurance or guaranteed payment. Believe me. We have tried.

[tucson]

Hi cromlich, I sent you a PM...

[oldyeller]

I,'m not clear on why they are refusing treatment what is their reasoning?

[Bogie Shooter]

Call Bogan, Munns and Munns. For the People!

[JB in TV]

Why are they refusing treatment? Have you called the insurance company that is accepting responsibility? Maybe they can refer you to a doctor?

[784caroline]

If I had to guess, they probably dont want to be involved in the paperwork and time associated with any potential lawsuit or supeana. Weak excuse!

[BarryRX]

They will treat you if you guarantee payment. Many docs will refuse to treat accident victims because they sometimes do not get paid for it. What happens is that your insurance company may refuse to pay the doctor because they think that the insurance company of the other people in the accident are responsible for payment. As a previous poster stated, you may want to contact a personal injury lawyer. They can recommend a doctor that will treat you. Keep in mind that if you do sue someone because of the accident and win a cash award, that due to a clause in your insurance called subrogation, you will probably have to pay back the insurance company for money they spent on your medical claims.

[jnieman]

Are you not being seen because you need to be seen immediately or because the injuries were from an accident? Have the ortho doctors been willing to give you an appointment for the future (a few weeks away)? If so, possibly your family doctor or an urgent care will prescribe some pain meds so you can wait for your appointment. I was a little confused reading your post. If no one will see you period that is horrible and I've never heard of such a thing.

[Cirezz]

hi...it is SO SAD & DISTRESSING to try & deal with orthopedics in this area!!!WHEW!!!We moved here from Maryland in August & have had HORRIBLE experiences with orthopedics...There are THREE in The Villages & One Orthopedic DR in Ocala (who accept my Insurance Plan) that REFUSED...absolutely REFUSED to see me...I FINALLY found two in OCALA who were very helpful...Let me know if you need more info...*GOOD LUCK!!!*

[texasfal]

Seriously you need a lawyer. Call TIm Babiarz at 2057599. His office is in Oakland Hills on 441. I worked for Tim for 6 yrs, he can refer you to an ortho who will take your PIP insurance. Call him right away and get the help you need. Tell him Judy sent you. God bless.

[gomoho]

I personally would not be comfortable using an ortho doc simply because he was willing to treat accident victims. I would make an appointment with my doctor and go through with my regular insurance so I could get the treatment I was looking for than have an attorney take care of collecting for damages.

[rubicon]

It would seem that Florida's PIP would kick in??????????????

[golf2140]

It may be because after an accident, Morgans and the Danny's of the state will then require them to come to court to testfy in the civil actions.

[texasfal]

That's part of the reason, also PIP only pays a portion of the bill. Its inline with what medicare pays and then the providers usualyy have a long wait for their reduced fee. But it sounds like the Op may have a claim for pain & suffering which isn't covered by PIP. IMHO?

[zonerboy]

You can thank the legal profession for this unfortunate situation.
Doctors want to treat injuries and illnesses. They do not want to be involved in needless and time consuming paperwork and court appearances which are required by greedy liability lawyers who are mainly interested in making large amounts of money by inflating damages (since they will take 25 to 33 percent of any settlement amounts)