[big guy]

Originally Posted by champion6

Based on your comment, I'm not sure the link is the one you intended to post.

But "4.1 billion in profits last year"??? The video was uploaded on Dec 27, 2007. They may still be making money, but this source is outdated.

It's The Villages Health Care that is losing money NOT United Health Care.

[jampbell]

The other complication that many don't recognize is that roughly 40 doctors are no longer accessible to traditional Medicare patients. Consequently the number of physicians is significantly reduced and will have an impact on the quality of care we can access. So much for TVH making the Villages one of the healthiest towns - apparently only if you use their plan

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by rxatkin

I called The Villages Health Care and spoke to a woman who said I'd be fine with my Medicare and Tricare For Life. Now, after "reading the fine print" I'm thinking I was misinformed. I'll have to do some more research on this subject. I guess the SHINE people would be a good first step.

Yes, you were misinformed. I was "misinformed" three different times. At the time, I sensed I was lied to, but I wanted it to be true. So I signed up. Now, after getting the letter, I'm looking for a new PCP in the area. TVH sucks. All of you that think you're grandfathered in, wait until fall, when they drop the hammer on you.

[RErmer]

Originally Posted by rxatkin

I called The Villages Health Care and spoke to a woman who said I'd be fine with my Medicare and Tricare For Life. Now, after "reading the fine print" I'm thinking I was misinformed. I'll have to do some more research on this subject. I guess the SHINE people would be a good first step.

Tricare for Life (over 65) are still in. Participants are being encouraged to switch to the UHC Medicare Advantage plan(s) but DO NOT need to do so. Tricare Prime (under 65) is a different story, must go with UHC Medicare Advantage plan at 65, or leave the system with their Tricare for Life. (Info from SHINE)

[cats821]

Totally agree with you. The "grandfathered in" was a lie and it's all about greed!

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by cats821

Totally agree with you. The "grandfathered in" was a lie and it's all about greed!

It's only a lie if you are in possession of a written statement from the time you enrolled that stated your insurance as of that time would forever and in perpetuity be accepted regardless of changes at TVH, UHC or national healthcare policy. Do you have such a statement???

I doubt it, since only Forrest Gump would write such a thing.

As far as greed goes, can I assume you worked for free your whole life? Do you believe that Publix is "greedy" because they charge for their food? It's hard to accuse TVH of being "greedy" when they have lost $$$ since they started.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by cats821

Totally agree with you. The "grandfathered in" was a lie and it's all about greed!

It is definitely about money, "not" greed.
There are nurses, Drs & staff to pay, equipment to pay for and maintain, buildings to pay for and maintain, utilities, supplies and the list goes on and on. It takes money to pay for these things. The Villages does not owe us anything.
They created the VHC and it's a wonderful thing but they certainly aren't going to pay out of pocket. This is a business and money needs to be made to pay for everything. It may not work for everyone. That's how it is in life.

[RickeyD]

greed
rd/
noun
intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food.
synonyms:avarice, cupidity, acquisitiveness, covetousness, rapacity; More
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[bimmertl]

Originally Posted by Bonny

It is definitely about money, "not" greed.
There are nurses, Drs & staff to pay, equipment to pay for and maintain, buildings to pay for and maintain, utilities, supplies and the list goes on and on. It takes money to pay for these things. The Villages does not owe us anything.
They created the VHC and it's a wonderful thing but they certainly aren't going to pay out of pocket. This is a business and money needs to be made to pay for everything. It may not work for everyone. That's how it is in life.

So you apparently believe that UHC Medicare Advantage is the only company that pays Drs etc.? Amazing how other clinics and providers survive by not exclusively using UHC?

Only way to make VHC profitable was to get everybody in UHC Advantage. And now Lowenkron, who ran the failed plan for USF, works for Morse. So much for Marcus Welby!


USF pulls out of its $4 million specialty care clinic at the Villages | Tampa Bay Times

[biker1]

It would appear that TVH carries more costs than other primary care facilities. I believe we can only speculate on why this is. They are doing what many businesses do when they lose money: they are trying to concentrate on higher margin customers and are willing to lose low margin customers to hopefully improve their bottom line (via the move to MA). Another option would be to try to figure out why their costs are high and address that. Perhaps they have done that and there is no place to go.

Full disclosure: We use TVH, are happy with them, and are not being forced to make a choice as we are not on Medicare yet. I suspect, however, we will not be using them for much longer, which will be a shame.

Originally Posted by Bonny

It is definitely about money, "not" greed.
There are nurses, Drs & staff to pay, equipment to pay for and maintain, buildings to pay for and maintain, utilities, supplies and the list goes on and on. It takes money to pay for these things. The Villages does not owe us anything.
They created the VHC and it's a wonderful thing but they certainly aren't going to pay out of pocket. This is a business and money needs to be made to pay for everything. It may not work for everyone. That's how it is in life.

[Bonny]

When we were in Michigan, one of the Doctors I went to stopped taking my insurance. The reason being, my insurance was paying less on the bill than other insurance companies. They stayed with the companies that reimbursed the most. So, yes, I had to find another Dr.
It's called profitable business.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by bimmertl

So you apparently believe that UHC Medicare Advantage is the only company that pays Drs etc.? Amazing how other clinics and providers survive by not exclusively using UHC?

Only way to make VHC profitable was to get everybody in UHC Advantage. And now Lowenkron, who ran the failed plan for USF, works for Morse. So much for Marcus Welby!


USF pulls out of its $4 million specialty care clinic at the Villages | Tampa Bay Times

That doesn't really make a lot of sense. Since they are losing money with their current payer mix, it only makes sense to change the mix. Besides, they may have been made an offer they couldn't refuse.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

That doesn't really make a lot of sense. Since they are losing money with their current payer mix, it only makes sense to change the mix. Besides, they may have been made an offer they couldn't refuse.

UHC is a smart organization. When they bought a very profitable HMO in Las Vegas, the existing management was left in place. They know how to run their businesses.


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[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Bonny

When we were in Michigan, one of the Doctors I went to stopped taking my insurance. The reason being, my insurance was paying less on the bill than other insurance companies. They stayed with the companies that reimbursed the most. So, yes, I had to find another Dr.
It's called profitable business.

Exactly. That is real life. The "victims" have a problem with this. It is real life.

[AliceInWonderland]

The Marcus Welby concept was Too good to be true. Our past visionary has passed away....so, too, has this concept of including all TV residents on whatever insurance they had...or didn't have.
I got my letter. Now forced to go outside Village Health System. We cannot afford to Throw Away our previous employers insurance coverage. We need to protect our quality of life. I am disappointed in TV land.