Don't hesitate to call PCP regarding a good specialist. I believe that Perich Eye, which is technically The Villages Eye Institute, has some very good ophthalmologists on staff. MY doctor is referring me to one there (I have diabetes (well-controlled) but she feels that the optometrist there did not give me a comprehensive enough exam. I DO believe that on PCP we must see an optometrist before we can go to a specialist.

You are correct re: needing a referral! I too have diabetes (type 2 and well-controlled) and have had to be monitored in the past for high pressure which is now in the "normal" range. Also have cataracts so we'll see when my appointment takes place what happens. I've never been to an optometrist, only opthamologists, so this should prove "interesting".

If the optometrist doesn't refer you on to the specialist you should ask your primary care doctor to do it. In fact, I am not sure if it is the optometrist who refers or if it HAS to be our primary care doc.?? MY doctor was calling The Villages Eye Institute to get the appointment in the works.

I think it could be either! Maybe the primary would have a bit more clout!

I'm sorry but I'm a firm believer in " you get what you pay for". Medical care is a REAL challenge here in TV and I need to be armed with the best insurance I can afford!

This should be interesting.He was already seeing the specialist and they stopped the ins to that office. I hope he does not have to start over with Primary care-then Optomotrist-then Ophthomologist! Oh dear!

anyone with PCP ever go to Walmart in summerfield? I understand they are in net
work

Yes, husband is picking up new lenses today.....will post as to how they work out.......PCP only covered about $55 of his progressive, polarized lenses.....no new frame since he loves his current sunglass frame.

Yes, We were treated wonderfully there. Very happy with the service and the price.

Husband's new lenses didn't work out today at Wal-mart.....something is wrong with the Rx.......they are going to remake them using his old prescription, which is just fine......I think I am going to call the optometrist's office to see if he can be examined again........I will say that doing new lenses was not a problem for Wal-mart, even though this most likely was not their fault.

Walmart has a good optomotrist as well.

Husband turning 65 in the next few months and is seriously considering PCP. He is in good health with no special needs at this point. How difficult is it to a)find a competent doctor and b)get an appointment. Will you stay with PCP when enrollment time comes?

I came on to PCP at the 1st of this year....just a bit skeptical as I'd been happy with my former supplemental. I will attest that so far I'm very happy with PCP. My former primary is in network which makes me very happy. I've now been out to the eye clinic twice since my former posts. I was very happy with my care there. I have eye issues but nothing that needs to be addressed immediately. I was worked in for an emergancy issue that had developed and was warned I'd have to wait---so I brought my own reading material. Read but also had some good conversations with others in the waiting room. I think I will "re-up" when the new enrollment begins!!

I had a similar experience. We are very pleased with our primary doctor. My husband just had surgery, and he was pleased with his surgeon. We also went to the Eye institute and felt we had good checkups. If everything continues to go well, we will sign up again next year.

We will not stay with PCP in Jan. They keep dropping drs that we use,but we cannot drop them in the middle of the year. unfair. :mad:They dropped our wonderful eye dr and our great dentist. Had to go home to Pa to get a second opinion and get the necessary work done ($600 instead of $4,000.)Dr Fisher said 5 crowns were needed and Our Pa dentist said none were needed(only a few fillings).
We have been ok with medical dr though. Prescriptions are OK.
You could try them for 6 months if you want to and change if necessary in Jan if you don't care about dentist or eye dr.