The more I read in the Daily Sun about healthcare system in the Villages and the nice story about the hospital expansion, I have to wonder if we are getting the entire story or just a sales pitch with lots of happy talk. I was already living here when we were told the only way we would see an expanded hospital was if we supported a new tax to pay for it. The referendum was defeated because when all of the facts were made known people rejected it and soon after, money was found and construction began without the tax.

Yes, I'm 64 but I have been on Medicare for a few years.
I joined the Villages Health before they started taking patients.

If it's not too personal, how does one get on medicare before age 65? Just curious.

ssdi

Yes I have Tricare and will turn 65 in a few weeks. I got "the call". The Tricare drug benefit is far superior to United Healthcare Medicare Advantage a la Villages HMO. I called Tricare to verify that I would have no drug benefit with them if I opted for a Medicare Advantage program.

Maybe it's because it's late and past my bedtime, but somewhere in my mind (somewhere), I understood that hospital expansions, new hospitals, etc. must meet certain State of Florida criteria before anything can happen. Maybe that's where the tax part came in? Seems like in some respects, Florida is kind of a "Mother, may I?" state when he comes to healthcare and new/expanded facilities on if and where.

Can you or anyone else enlighten me?

As for TVHC, I like the doctors I already had before that idea came along. None of them participate and that is A-OK with me. I hate HMO's with a passion and how the rules can constantly change and then bite you where it hurts most. Seems like all of them are run by people (bureaucrats) who know about as much about health/patient care as my cat and care about as much. (To be clear: The bureaucrats, not the doctors/nurses.)

G'nite. I'll check back tomorrow for a possible answer to my question.

These are not nasty rumors. I received my letter today. Two months before I go on Medicare. I must use a Medicare Supplement Plan to be seen at Moffitt Cancer Center. If you want to choose second class cancer care, go with the Medicare Advantage Plan. Be my guest to put your health at risk!

Received my The Villages Health notice last week
 

You're smart.

I think the latest story in The Sun was meant to cushion the rash of Dear John letters being delivered to current patients. No help to those receiving the letters. Just more propaganda to the unsuspecting.

Why are you curious ? Just curious.

I have tried really hard to stay away from this thread. (Maybe I will delete this one before it posts, just like I deleted the one I wrote yesterday. Will see.).........

Anyway, golfing eagles, I must respectfully ask if you would mind citing your source for that "34% overhead" statement.

I also wonder why nobody ever mentions the fact that stockholders are in line to be paid out of that profit -- either behind or in front of, or right alongside those bloated CEOs.

And before somebody comes in here and calls me a commie pinko profit-hater or whatever, I will play a little offense and say that I am perfectly comfortable with the market......Gimme soap and toothpaste and maybe a little telecom on the side, but owning a piece of somebody's health needs just does not seem right to me.

I was at contract tables during the time when health insurance began to morph into the mess it is now. I can remember when we got those prescription cards. Ah, yes, there was great happiness in the land, no more saving receipts for rembursement, no more recordkeeping, just go forth clutching that convenient card. Never looking at what was happening to prescription prices. Never even thinking about looking at anything but the co-pay. That prescription card was a Trojan Horse. We rolled that Trojan Horse right in and fell asleep.

I predict this TV demand of Their-Way-or-the-Highway insurance for Medicare coverage will eventually affect not only patients but doctors as they have to put up with more and more intrusion into their decisions.

For those who are happy with their decision to go with this specific advantage plan, I sincerely respect that and wish you the best. The problem I have with this situation is the morphing. There are lots of retired military in TV and others who have worked many years to receive good retiree benefits and those who want the wider coverage of primary Medicare with a Plan F supplement who now are being booted out if their choice is not to accept a narrowly dictated HMO. Many who have been happy with their docs and with their insurance must feel like they have just had the rug pulled out from under them. It just does not seem right to me.......

wow....I do digress.....I could say more.......will I hit submit....oh whatthehell.......

Norma Rae Boomer

PS: I really do want to know the source of that 34% number. I am not being cantankerous. I like cited sources for comments I find interesting. I can listen and then think about stuff.......

My Wife and I just moved here 3 months ago. We have United Health Care with Supplement F. I sent the VHC an email this morning telling them what I had. They just called back-great service that way-and very kindly told me that after Oct you must have UHC Advantage to be accepted as a new patient. So, the search begins!

///

Was at Colony yesterday, no rumors. THIS IS HAPPENING...

I was sincerely interested in understanding and learning something new. I didn't know you could be on medicare until 65. No hidden agenda. Just confusion. I think GE answered it though; ssdi.