[Carol@TV]

I do not recommend Premiere Medical Associates! I was charged two co-payments to see Dr. Luis Alvarado in Lady Lake (no exam - just a consultation and then a second one to go over lab work), and then he never followed through with sending in my prescriptions. I called three times to ask about my prescriptions and they never got back to me and now I can't get my co-payments refunded. I ended up having to see another doctor before my prescriptions expired. I've called Premiere Medical Associates asking about refunding the charges, but they insist they were for services rendered. The two 2 minute appointments (which gained me nothing) were an expensive learning experience! I should have had some warning when they required me to make a second appointment just to go over lab work (with all labs in the "normal" range). I've never had a doctor require me to make an appointment to go over normal results. They are in it for the money.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I love my doctor at Premier and have had mostly positive experiences with other services there. I cannot say the same for the support staff. The people that work at the front desk, in records and billing are inconsistent at best. Fortunately my insurance is very good and rarely to I have to make a co-pay.

From what I've experienced this is fairly common with medical support staffs in this area. They tend to range from mediocre to horrible.

I've thought of leaving Premier several times but I have such a good relationship with my doctor that I've stayed.

[Babubhat]

Why are there so many complaints by first time posters?

[Carol@TV]

I'm new to The Villages, but this wasn't my first post. I made a prior post regarding Uhaul (positive experience).

[shut the front door]

Originally Posted by Carol@TV

I'm new to The Villages, but this wasn't my first post. I made a prior post regarding Uhaul (positive experience).

Counting is hard for some here. Don't let the usual curmudgeon suspects get you down.

[Blueblaze]

[QUOTE=Carol@TV;2119552]I do not recommend Premiere Medical Associates! I was charged two co-payments to see Dr. Luis Alvarado in Lady Lake (no exam - just a consultation and then a second one to go over lab work), and then he never followed through with sending in my prescriptions. I called three times to ask about my prescriptions and they never got back to me and now I can't get my co-payments refunded. I ended up having to see another doctor before my prescriptions expired. I've called Premiere Medical Associates asking about refunding the charges, but they insist they were for services rendered. The two 2 minute appointments (which gained me nothing) were an expensive learning experience! I should have had some warning when they required me to make a second appointment just to go over lab work (with all labs in the "normal" range). I've never had a doctor require me to make an appointment to go over normal results. They are in it for the money.[/QUOte

I think you will find that every doctor in this rather corrupt corner of the country maximizes profit by creating opportunities to charge you and your insurance, and whatever else they can get away with. I don't think we've had an appointment yet where I wasn't overcharged. They all seem to assume that PPO means I have to pay anything the insurance won't, regardless of their negotiated rates.

Just last month, I had a procedure at done at Advent hospital in Orlando. My copay was $250. A week later they sent me a bill for another $200. I called and complained that they were in-network and I didn't owe them another dime, and I'd already verified it with Humana. They backed down and said it must have been an "accounting error".

My wife just had a procedure on her eyelids at 'Eyes", which was also covered in-network. They made her come in 3 times for pre-op appointments -- the first just to diagnose the problem, the 2nd for an eye exam (which they filed incorrectly), and then for a $20 "before" picture, taken with an ordinary 35mm-style digital camera. We got hit with the copay for the 1st one, but stuck with the full bill on the other two. Humana told me I only owed them for the $35 copay, regardless of how many times they made her come in for the pre-op stuff. When I called to complain, I got a rash of BS about how the lady had been doing this for 30 years and I didn't know what I was talking about. She wouldn't back down. If they'd done it all in one trip my total would have been $35. Her response was that's what I get for buying crappy insurance like Humana.

You don't even want to get me started on our travails at The Villages Health and United, before we switched to PMA and Humana.

[wisbad1]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I love my doctor at Premier and have had mostly positive experiences with other services there. I cannot say the same for the support staff. The people that work at the front desk, in records and billing are inconsistent at best. Fortunately my insurance is very good and rarely to I have to make a co-pay.

From what I've experienced this is fairly common with medical support staffs in this area. They tend to range from mediocre to horrible.

I've thought of leaving Premier several times but I have such a good relationship with my doctor that I've stayed.

I go to Sham’s in Gainesville, hour drive but well worth the trip

[kansasr]

Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs ?

[Rwirish]

The Villages Health and UHC have been outstanding imo.

[hosegooseman]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Why are there so many complaints by first time posters?

How much time you need to be here in order to complaint?

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by babubhat

why are there so many complaints by first time posters?

be consoling
they just lost their virginity and are commiserating with the new disney ride people, "pirates of the villages"

[bowlingal]

Wisbad....it's Shands, not Shams

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by wisbad1

I go to Sham’s in Gainesville, hour drive but well worth the trip

"Sham" healthcare??

[fastboat]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I love my doctor at Premier and have had mostly positive experiences with other services there. I cannot say the same for the support staff. The people that work at the front desk, in records and billing are inconsistent at best. Fortunately my insurance is very good and rarely to I have to make a co-pay.

From what I've experienced this is fairly common with medical support staffs in this area. They tend to range from mediocre to horrible.

I've thought of leaving Premier several times but I have such a good relationship with my doctor that I've stayed.

Agree! I am VERY satisfied with my health care provider. She has always takes excellent care of me, always ready to refer me to a specialist if necessary. Been with her for 23 years and have never thought about changing. It's all about the person you choose. The support staff does need work.

[geobar]

Originally Posted by Carol@TV

I do not recommend Premiere Medical Associates! I was charged two co-payments to see Dr. Luis Alvarado in Lady Lake (no exam - just a consultation and then a second one to go over lab work), and then he never followed through with sending in my prescriptions. I called three times to ask about my prescriptions and they never got back to me and now I can't get my co-payments refunded. I ended up having to see another doctor before my prescriptions expired. I've called Premiere Medical Associates asking about refunding the charges, but they insist they were for services rendered. The two 2 minute appointments (which gained me nothing) were an expensive learning experience! I should have had some warning when they required me to make a second appointment just to go over lab work (with all labs in the "normal" range). I've never had a doctor require me to make an appointment to go over normal results. They are in it for the money.

,
A Doctor is entitled to charge you two times for 2 visits. Double billing is definitely a different story. A good Doctor will fill your prescription with a phone call.
.
Believe your warning should have been that you need to make a Co-Pay on every visit.
Perhaps your plan is working against your medical needs.
.
You most likely have a lower-cost plan such as a "Medicare Advantage Plan" which is for people who do not need a lot of medical services of course at a lowermonthly cost with Co-Pays. Remember that as we get older our medical needs do increase as do the
time and costs.
.
Remember you get what you pay for.
.
A Medicare Advantage Plan is for people who need virtually no services at monthly cost savings most with a Co-Pay increasing your monthly costs.
.
A Medicare Supplement Plan depending on the plan covers virtually all you medical expenses and at a higher monthly cost with no out-of-pocket Co-Pays.
.
We both have had a Medicare Supplement plan for about 14 years and never needed to make a Co-Pay to anyone. Nor do we need a pre-approval to see any Specialist.
.
Found this article for you to read:
"There are so many different plans and insurance companies, but first you need to know that there are two plan types – Medicare Supplement also known as Medigap, and Medicare Advantage. Once you know which type of plan you prefer, then you can look further into the specific plans under that category type to narrow your choices down to one or two plan options that should work for you".