[BuckeyeMom]

We're getting very close to our move to The Villages. A lot of decisions have been made - insurance, dentist, golf car ordered. lawn care, and cable/internet. My husband will be using the Villages Health Care system. Because of my medical insurance (Medical Mutual - in Florida it's First Health), I'll need to go elsewhere. I've used TOTV to help make many of our decisions so I'm hoping there will be some suggestions for me in terms of both a gynecologist and internal medicine. Some of the names I'm considering for internal medicine (all accept my insurance) are Dr. Agbo, Dr. Abrantes, Dr. Butt, Dr. Gegaj, Dr. Hawley and Dr. Zaidi (her name was in the booklet my insurance sent me although I've seen on TOTV mention that she is no longer practicing here). For a gynecologist, the names are Dr. Nwaubani and Dr. Steepy. Does anyone have any comments regarding these doctors or any other names you might recommend? Thanks in advance for your comments and we can't wait to be in The Villages soon!

[socrafty]

Hello from a fellow Buckeye! I am also with Medical Mutual/First Health since retiring from a school system. Finding a GOOD doctor was quite a chore for me. It took me almost 2 years to make a decision and give someone a try. I would see my Cleveland Clinic Doctor when we went back to check on our house in Cleveland. We are using Premier Medical, seeing Dr. Shah at the Santa Barbara location. I have been to him twice and he reminds me of my doctor of 15 years in Cleveland. My friend sees Dr. Gegaj and she likes him a lot, Dr. Butt is no longer there. I have heard the support staff (billing, returning phone calls, etc.) are not very helpful at Premier, but personally have not had to deal with them...yet. I can tell you if you need an appointment that day, they will refer you to the Urgent Care. Normally I would have a problem with that, but figure my doctor is in the same building should a big problem arise. I would recommend you try to set up appointments/meet and greets with some of the choices you have.

As for a GYN, as of March 1st, Dr. Nwaubani no longer takes First Health. I tried her a month ago. I am seeing Caroline Mathis, the PA in Dr. Steepy's office. I was told Dr. Steepy is only doing surgery. I really liked Ms. Mathis and felt very comfortable with her from day 1 (have been to her 2 times in the past month).

I tell my friends, my biggest problem in TV was finding a doctor and a hair stylist! I am keeping my fingers crossed that I have finally found both. I hope this helped some. If you have any more questions I may help with, feel free to send me a PM. Good luck!

[2BNTV]

Dr Felix Abo is an excellent choice, 910 Old Camp Rd Ste 144 753.2224

You can schedule a "meet and greet" with him at no charge.

My next appointment is tomorrow at 9:45 AM.

Trained in England and Mt Sanai in New York. Personable, and takes the necessary time, with his patients.

[Ohiogirl]

We also have Medical Mutual from OPERS (Ohio Public Employees Ret. System). Are you sure that Agbo and Premier Medical are preferred providers with Med Mutual?

My last visit at Premier was a $70 copay instead of $20 - I forgot to double check when I got added to my new husband's insurance - they "accept" Medical Mutual, but are not preferred providers. Dr. Agbo, sadly, was not on the list either. On the website, I recommended they add him and checked to be notified if he was. Haven't heard anything.

Villages Health Care System was a preferred provider in 2013, dropped Med Mutual in 2014.

So - still shopping. Let me know if you know anything differently.

[socrafty]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl

We also have Medical Mutual from OPERS (Ohio Public Employees Ret. System). Are you sure that Agbo and Premier Medical are preferred providers with Med Mutual?

My last visit at Premier was a $70 copay instead of $20 - I forgot to double check when I got added to my new husband's insurance - they "accept" Medical Mutual, but are not preferred providers. Dr. Agbo, sadly, was not on the list either. On the website, I recommended they add him and checked to be notified if he was. Haven't heard anything.

Villages Health Care System was a preferred provider in 2013, dropped Med Mutual in 2014.

So - still shopping. Let me know if you know anything differently.

I am with SERS, used Premier 3 months ago and paid my usual $25 copay. I could not use their in house lab without paying out of network costs. For bloodwork I went around the corner to Quest Diagnostics.

[Ohiogirl]

Originally Posted by socrafty

I am with SERS, used Premier 3 months ago and paid my usual $25 copay. I could not use their in house lab without paying out of network costs. For bloodwork I went around the corner to Quest Diagnostics.

Interesting. I had a visit a few months ago (2014), paid my $20 copay but was later billed $50 more since out of network. Don't know why they didn't tell me that at the actual appt. It was my fault, I hadn't checked since I changed insurance, should have. I just checked again to see if my doctor there is listed on the Med Mutual website, and he was not.

Maybe they just screwed up and didn't catch it? I'm still trying to find a doctor in TV, going to have my annual physical here in Ohio this summer and look again when we get back in Sept. Another 18 mos. to go before Medicare and really want to figure out what I'm going to do for Advantage or supplemental plan so I hopefully don't have to change again.