[Northerner52]

I still have my employer plan, over 65 but not on Medicare, and they accept my BC/BS

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by tagjr1

The Villages Health system take sonly the Villages Advantage Plan! This upset many people in the community because The Villages Health System demanded that you drop your present plan and buy their inferior plan.

They demanded nothing, only changed their business plan. You had the choice to get on or get off. It was always your choice. For some (me) it worked to my advantage to get on, for those that had employer paid plans it worked in their advantage to get off. Personal decision, nothing more than that.

[Down Sized]

Originally Posted by gadaboutgal

Well, honestly they didn't "demand" or make anyone drop their preferred health insurance. It just upset those who didn't want to lose the care they had come to expect right around the corner from their home.
Personally, I think it left a bitter taste in many mouths which to this day cannot say anything good about any of The Villages healthcare options-including The Villages hospital. I, on the other hand, can only say how pleased I have been including a significant issue handled at the hospital.

I AGREE!!!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Northerner52

I still have my employer plan, over 65 but not on Medicare, and they accept my BC/BS

Who is "they" that accepts Blue Cross? I have my employer Blue Cross and no Medicare, except Part A, and both are accepted by The Villages hospital. But, I don't believe the Blue Cross is accepted by The Villages Health care system. I understand that I would need The Villages Medicare Advantage Plan to use The Villages Health care system.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by tagjr1

The Villages Health system take sonly the Villages Advantage Plan! This upset many people in the community because The Villages Health System demanded that you drop your present plan and buy their inferior plan.

I don't find it inferior.

[Dan9871]

Here is what the VH web site says:

Primary Care Done Right - The Villages Health

I think what the site is saying is that if Medicare is going to pay for their services it has to be the UHC advantage plan. But if you are not using part B and have a commercial plan that covers primary care you can use that. But you have to talk with them to find out... never trust any web site to have up to date or clear information about anything you care about, ever :-)

[Marathon Man]

There are a few urgent care facilities right here in TV. Learn where they are, and use them as needed. Just my 2 1/2 cents.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Dan9871

Here is what the VH web site says:

Primary Care Done Right - The Villages Health

I think what the site is saying is that if Medicare is going to pay for their services it has to be the UHC advantage plan. But if you are not using part B and have a commercial plan that covers primary care you can use that. But you have to talk with them to find out... never trust any web site to have up to date or clear information about anything you care about, ever :-)

This thread has really confused me. I will now need to call The Villages Health office again for clarification. I am over 65, but do not have Medicare Part B because I do not want to pay the excessive monthly premiums. But, I do have the Federal employee Blue Cross plan, and Medicare Part A, which is free. My question is, will The Villages Health system accept my Blue Cross insurance? In the past, I have been told that they will not accept it, but their web site seems to indicate that they will. I wonder if anyone else is in same situation. And, if Villages Health will accept patients under 65 with a retired employee insurance plan, then why won't they accept patients over 65 who have the exact same insurance plan? Seems like age discrimination.

[mills3186]

Originally Posted by JoMar

Well that would indicated a change in policy wouldn't it

We couldn't change policy just yet, not quite medicare age and this is the only one available in the marketplace for those with pre-existing conditions.

[Dan9871]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

This thread has really confused me.

I've never been able to figure it out either...

We have a number of retired military neighbors who go to Villages Health and use Tricare, one of the plans listed on that page. I remember a couple of years ago there were a number of posts here about retired military not being able to use Tricare with VH but now they can.

Our own corporate retirement benefits, and I don't understand the hoops they make us jump through to do this, actually includes the UHC Villages Health plan. The plan itself is $0 premium but our corporate retirement ends up paying for part B for both of us when we choose the UHC plan.

[Hifred]

Wow what a coincidence. We are renting in TV for 3 months from July - September as well. We are retiring the end of June and will be looking for a home. We are renting from Jon and Vanessa in Pinellas while we search for a home. My husband and I both see specialists at home at Northwestern in Chicago. Our doctors gave us recommendations of specialists to see at UF Shands Hospital in Gainseville. We have Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and we contacted the Villages because we will also want a local doctor. They accepted our insurance. We are not on Medicare yet as we are 60 and 61. Will you be looking for a home as well? Over the last few years we have scoured the State of Florida looking at 55+ communities. We have decided on TV because other developers do no put in the recreation before they build the houses. Look at the mess at Margaritaville. Minto promised a beach club which has not started. They said they would build one after 500 homes were built. Then they decided not to put in phase 2 because of a disagreement in the cost of the infrastructure. So many amenities promised to those that built early will not happen. I know so many people who were disappointed by developer promises that never panned out. At GL Homes and at Del Webb there are no separate pool or activity areas for grand kids and we saw many 3 to 7 year olds climbing on fences around the pool and toddler crying and in the water wearing diapers. When we were at Del Webb Lakewood Ranch the changing rooms for the pool was full of grandchildren (boys and girls in the women's changing rooms) and there was no quiet area by the pool. Plus the bond fees for Lakewood ranch were much higher than the Villages. At Del Webb Tide Water there were hardly any activities and when they had yoga or meditation class you had to pay extra. When I looked at there schedule there was no line dancing at Tide Water. TV really seems to have it together with activities for both young and old by offering Camp Villages and pools where adults can enjoy themselves and kids can be kids.

[jimemac48]

Thanks all great info!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Dan9871

Here is what the VH web site says:

Primary Care Done Right - The Villages Health

I think what the site is saying is that if Medicare is going to pay for their services it has to be the UHC advantage plan. But if you are not using part B and have a commercial plan that covers primary care you can use that. But you have to talk with them to find out... never trust any web site to have up to date or clear information about anything you care about, ever :-)

I visited the Colony Care Center today and they told me the eligibility rules. If you are under 65, you can use the "Primary" Care Centers with most insurance plans. If you are over 65, you cannot use the Primary Care Centers unless you have the United Health Medicare Advantage plan. That is the only insurance they will accept for people over 65, even if you do not have Medicare Part B. However, if you are over 65, you can use the Villages Health "Specialty" Care Centers and use Blue Cross or other insurance plans and be treated by their specialists. There is a Specialty Care Center near The Villages hospital, and also one located in the Brownwood area behind Flippers.

[vintageogauge]

You can see any of TV Health System specialists without having to be on their insurance policy. We have Anthem Blue Cross and have seen several of their specialists with no problems and no long waits. Primary care is a little harder to find especially in the far southern villages.

[kathyspear]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

There are many doctors in the area who will accept Medicare and other insurance plans. However, if you are over 65, I don't think you can use the Villages Health System unless you have the Villages United Health Medicare Advantage plan. They won't accept regular Medicare Part B or other Medicare plans.

Not everyone over 65 is on Medicare. Some of us have private insurance and use VHS. I was warned, though, that if my situation changed (no private insurance and on Medicare) I would have to be on a Medicare Advantage plan or find a new doctor.

And as others pointed out, there is a long wait to get your first appointment. On the flip side, though, I was surprised at how efficiently the place is run (kinda like TV, ya know?)

kathy