[rxatkin]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

You are very fortunate to have been accepted. I would love for us to be patients there. Unfortunately they have always only accepted certain kinds of insurance.


I have a feeling that this isn't a change, just their way of doing business and only certain kinds of insurance participate and are accepted.

I got into the program about two weeks ago. My wife had to wait until she was Medicare eligible and they called her to tell her she couldn't participate now. It is a definite change in the program as outlined in The Daily Sun today. Of course, they left out the part of excluding Medicare and Tricare For Life as primary and secondary payers. Another knife in the back of Veterans and their families.

[rxatkin]

Originally Posted by Navy (SSBN 633)

Medicare and Tricare for Life are still listed on their web site as acceptable insurances they accept.

Believe me, try to do it now. Their web site is probably changed by now.

[rxatkin]

Originally Posted by bimmertl

There is still plenty of room for new patients if you sign up with United Health Care Medicare Advantage. It's the only Medicare Advantage plan accepted by The Villages Health network. (It's Medicare Advantage, not plain Medicare, a big difference)

Accepted Insurance by The Villages Health

Two inserts in the Daily Sun already this week in addition to the weekly Sunday paper pages devoted to the product. Look at the brochure and see how many neighborhood meeting are being held from October 13 through December 3. It lists 52 different locations with multiple meetings at each location. In addition, you can walk into one of three UHC Medicare Stores located in the Villages. Based upon the numbers of meetings and unlimited access to sales personnel there is plenty of room for more patients in UHC Medicare Advantage.

As stated in the brochures, "United Healthcare pays royalty fees to Holding Company of the Villages, inc.". So there is always room for more patients as long as Morse makes a profit, otherwise SOL.

You got it!

[rxatkin]

Originally Posted by bimmertl

Be sure to read the article in todays Daily Sun on page C1 title Villages Health Takes An Important Step . It states "Effective immediately the grassroots health care organization (Villages Health) will accept only United Healthcare Medicare Advantage plans for new patients."

So yes, there is room for new patients as long as you belong to the only Medicare Advantage plan that pays commissions to Morse. Nobody else can get in.

So don't believe the BS about Villages Health having to many patients. There's plenty of room if Morse gets a cut.

That's pretty much it in a nutshell!

[rxatkin]

Originally Posted by deemelvin1@gmail.com

I'm interested to know how our veterans feel about the article in the paper today announcing changes to The Villages Health. This includes that they will will no longer be accepting new patients covered by military healthcare (Tricare to include Tricare for Life/Medicare). I called to verify this was correct and was told it is. I personally feel this is just another example of groups paying lip service to supporting our troops when, in fact, they do not.

That's the way this Air Force retiree sees it as well.

[sirknor]

I'm happy with UHC.

[outlaw]

This is what is referred to as "turning the screws".

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by outlaw

This is what is referred to as "turning the screws".

Perhaps. Or perhaps it has to with federal regulation pertaining to ACOs. Just as the federal regulators have decided that 80% of homeowners have to be over 55 to qualify as an adult community, there MAY be a regulation requiring a certain percentage of enrollees in an ACO have a medicare advantage plan. As TV Health aims to be an ACO, they may need to meet a requirement. I don't know if it is true, but certainly possible.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Perhaps. Or perhaps it has to with federal regulation pertaining to ACOs. Just as the federal regulators have decided that 80% of homeowners have to be over 55 to qualify as an adult community, there MAY be a regulation requiring a certain percentage of enrollees in an ACO have a medicare advantage plan. As TV Health aims to be an ACO, they may need to meet a requirement. I don't know if it is true, but certainly possible.

GE - I'm not certain about that either. The Feds announced their plan to eliminate Advantage plans over the next several years.

[Navy (SSBN 633)]

Originally Posted by rxatkin

Believe me, try to do it now. Their web site is probably changed by now.

you are correct..web site changed....Retired Military booted...ugh

[dillywho]

I prefer to choose my own doctors.....not have them chosen for me. No, thank you.

As for not taking military insurance, not good at all. These people devoted themselves to taking care of us, protecting our freedoms, etc. and this is how they are repaid? Yes, they were protecting the very freedom that VHC is exercising, but that doesn't make it right.

[graciegirl]

...

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by dillywho

I prefer to choose my own doctors.....not have them chosen for me. No, thank you.

As for not taking military insurance, not good at all. These people devoted themselves to taking care of us, protecting our freedoms, etc. and this is how they are repaid? Yes, they were protecting the very freedom that VHC is exercising, but that doesn't make it right.

Do you know if they are just no longer taking NEW patients with Tricare or also ditching existing patients. It looks as though they are not taking ANY new patients other than UHC Villages Medicare Advantage, but they sent us a letter stating not to worry, they are keeping us with our existing insurance (not Tricare)

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by Navy (SSBN 633)

you are correct..web site changed....Retired Military booted...ugh

I don't see this as Vets being booted, rather than the plans being booted. I know many retired vets that are in the health system but they have acceptable plans. Some posts seem to suggest that the Villages Health Care is the only provider that does not accept Tricare and that is false, there are many providers that do not accept Tricare. Why? Seems the "negotiated rate" that Tricare is looking for is below the minimums the provider can accept. I suspect that VHC has made a business decision with UHC that is in it's best interests while Tricare and other health care plan providers try to do the same thing in negotiating rates. As a vet, I understand that I am not entitled to stuff but that if the government or other businesses provides opportunities I have a choice to take advantage of it or not. Health care providers run a business and they have every right and an obligation to run their business's in a profitable profile. VHC made a decision on what works in their interests and decided to get in bed with UHC. You as an individual made a decision on what works in your interest and decided to get in bed with Tricare. Since there are other doctors and providers in the area that do accept medicare and tricare you can still receive services.

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by JoMar

I don't see this as Vets being booted, rather than the plans being booted. I know many retired vets that are in the health system but they have acceptable plans. Some posts seem to suggest that the Villages Health Care is the only provider that does not accept Tricare and that is false, there are many providers that do not accept Tricare. Why? Seems the "negotiated rate" that Tricare is looking for is below the minimums the provider can accept. I suspect that VHC has made a business decision with UHC that is in it's best interests while Tricare and other health care plan providers try to do the same thing in negotiating rates. As a vet, I understand that I am not entitled to stuff but that if the government or other businesses provides opportunities I have a choice to take advantage of it or not. Health care providers run a business and they have every right and an obligation to run their business's in a profitable profile. VHC made a decision on what works in their interests and decided to get in bed with UHC. You as an individual made a decision on what works in your interest and decided to get in bed with Tricare. Since there are other doctors and providers in the area that do accept medicare and tricare you can still receive services.

makes sense to me!!!