A hospital or large private practice would typically employ physicians. If UHC does employ certain physicians that would be an unusual relationship.

So, if you have no clue & and you were told no amount, why did you post this ? Just askin' .

I was wondering the same thing. :confused:

Villages Health Care System
 

Whoops.

Could you please provide the date, place, and lecturer's name and affiliation that told you who pays The Villages Health physicians?

We are so pleased with Villages Health. Not really into nitty gritty of payment methods. All I know is I am cared for well and promptly. Would never want to go back to old way of long waits in waiting room (often with sick people). So pleased with the docs. And should you not care for a particular doctor just change to another--not a problem!

Up until now, most people thought the developer was the most logical party.

It would be unusual because I think it hasn't been done since Humana Gold Plus (HMO) tried it many years ago. I can't give exact dates but I believe it was around the mid to late 80s when I first became aware of it.

I was operating a small business at the time and I kept hearing about it from my customers. They kept saying how great it was so I got my mother interested and she joined.

I'm sure it doesn't work the same today as it did then because, hopefully, they have learned from past mistakes. Back then the doctors were all employed (under contract) by the HMO. The doctors were given a certain amount of money to take care of each patient. The money was supposed to be more than enough to cover all treatment expenses and whatever money was left over the doctor would keep for himself or herself. So less treatment expense would mean a bigger salary, and, conversely, more treatment expense would mean a smaller salary.

Well, it worked fine a long as my mother was in good health. When she started having symptoms, they would say it was just part of the aging process. Failing memory, lack of balance and incontinence etc. was all part of normal aging according to them (at about 81). After about a year they started saying it was congestive heart failure. I asked if she could see a heart specialist and was told it wouldn't be necessary.

We tried changing to another doctor within the same clinic and it only got worse. The new doctor was wise to what was going on and wouldn't even say hello to my mother when she entered the exam room. She knew she would be acquiring a liability that some other doctor no longer wanted.

So I got her back into regular Medicare and took her to a heart specialist. And after the doctor examined her, he said, "she definitely doesn't have congestive heart failure." It took another year before we got an accurate diagnosis for her symptoms. She had fluid pressure on the brain which required a neurologist.

Maybe you were not around for previous discussions but up until now everyone thought it was the developer who paid the "generous salaries". And, of course, any thinking person could only wonder what his motivation might be for doing so. Why would the developer pay generous salaries?

Well, it was thought that he was doing so because he was simply a generous man who cared about Villagers.

Of course he was generous and of course he cared about villagers but he was also a good business man, and paying all those generous salaries made no economic sense.

Besides, it didn't fit what usually would happen when he was generous. When he donated land for the library and fire stations he got plenty of recognition for it. There was never any recognition for paying "generous salaries".

So now we have another piece of this new healthcare puzzle.

Think about these questions: Medicare money is our money, so why shouldn't we be able to know how the money is being used? Is it working for us, or against us? It might be difficult to decide if we don't know what's going on. If someone doesn't get good results at a clinic, is it because they just happened to get a "bad" doctor or is it the system that's bad? Don't we deserve to know how our money is being used?

The person who answered my question might not have been authorized to divulge the information, therefore, I don't want to take the chance of puting that person's job at risk.

The person I speak of is affiliated with USF Health. And USF Health has an office in The Villages. That's why I suggested you call that office.

I have seen my primary care doctor a number of times, another doctor once, the radiation tech, a physician's assistant, and several CMA's. All my treatment has been high quality, and I don't give a hoot who signs their paychecks.

:jester: Too Funny!!!

It's funny how people will put me under pressure for answers but won't dare put anyone else under pressure. You should call them, they won't bite.

:jester:

Exactly the way I feel.

I suspect that if you have an HMO plan, the center receives a flat monthly fee from the HMO for functioning as PCP. For non-HMO patients, the center receives a fee from the insurance and/or Medicare for each visit. Pretty standard arrangement. Nothing interesting here folks.

Your supposition is quite accurate. For HMO patients the docs typically receive a set amount per patient per month (pppm). PPO patients are paid to the docs on a reduced fee basis, and most others on an insured negotiated basis.

The Villages Clinics are NOT typical. It was said over and over that this is a NEW (revolutionary) system of healthcare that would eventually be the model for the rest of the country to follow. There's nothing typical about it according to those who have been promoting it. So we can only imagine what the financial arrangement is between the doctors and the HMO. But we do know that the doctor's salary has been called "generous", whatever that is.

Villages Health Care System
 

There is nothing revolutionary about TV Clinics. It is a model used by ACOs, hospital systems and specialty physician groups seeking to increase their referral base. For example, a hospital might employ geographically dispersed groups of PCPs to assist in capturing patients for an ACO. St. Vincent's in JAX has employed PCPs in several counties for this purpose.

Carolinas Health System has many located throughout NC to capture patients for its numerous hospitals and specialists. The physician who established TV Clinic system had pretty much done the same thing in PA where he was CEO of the Lehigh Health System.

There are numerous ways physicians can be paid, there are numerous ways to form a model and involve insurance companies.

Little twists and turns create interesting nuances that can be applauded but not regarded as revolutionary.

Here's the way it was presented to be revolutionary:

1) They (the developer and others) said PCPs have usually been paid for volume. In the case of volume they needed about 2,500+ patients and would have to rush each office visit. It was quantity but not quality, said the developer. In this new (Village Clinics) system each PCP would have no more than 1,250 patients. There would be no waiting, the doctor might spend as much as a half hour with you and you could even drop in without an appointment if you felt the need.

2) So this question followed: How will PCPs make enough money with less than half the patients they would normally have? And the answer to that, given by the developer: They will be paid "generous salaries" so they won't have to rush. Quality will be rewarded rather than quantity.

3) The promotion of "electronic record sharing" between PCPs and specialists was a big part of why federal grant money was given in the first place. Eventually, one's medical records could be shared with any doctor in the U.S., not just locally.

You can look at it from the point of view of certain typical aspects if you like, but it definitely wasn't promoted as typical. The three points above were given as distinguishing features that would make it like nothing ever tried before. Although, they said it would be reminiscent of the TV character, Marcus Welby, M.D. who knew all of his patients well and spent lots of time chatting with them.

Was it all just a slick marketing campaign, in your opinion?

Was it all just a slick marketing campaign?

Those who envy and loathe the developers because of their earned wealth will claim that all of TV is just a slick marketing campaign. But they buy homes by the thousands here anyway, because obviously, they don't find anyplace else like it for overall customer satisfaction and the gracious, healthy lifestyle.

If the patients like the healthcare theyre getting for the price they pay, it really doesnt matter whether it is 'a slick marketing campaign'.

All I know is, if The Villages builds and runs an enterprise, they deliver the goods every time..

Only when slop artists buy out a working, solvent business here do we see decline in services and product. That is why many of us want the developer to continue managing most of TV. If it ain't broke, dont fix it!

I'm not slamming the developer, or the clinic system. And I certainly hope they are providing the best quality of care they can. The only truly unusual aspect (unusual, not revolutionary) was and is the developers role in establishing the clinic system. My comments were factual and not intended in a negative way. I believe people have a right to understand how healthcare can be (and is) delivered, and that was my intent. And I am a fan of the Developer and what has been accomplished here.

Not sure why you quoted my post with the above response. I was addressing VPL's question on whether it was all "just a slick marketing campaign".

Just following up on your post. I support your opinion of the developer. No confusion was intended.

dbussone, here's the reply to your post above.

This is the way it was presented to be revolutionary:


1) They (the developer and others) said PCPs have usually been paid for volume. In the case of volume they needed about 2,500+ patients and would have to rush each office visit. It was quantity but not quality, said the developer. In this new (Village Clinics) system each PCP would have no more than 1,250 patients. There would be no waiting, the doctor might spend as much as a half hour with you and you could even drop in without an appointment if you felt the need.

2) So this question followed: How will PCPs make enough money with less than half the patients they would normally have? And the answer to that, given by the developer: They will be paid "generous salaries" so they won't have to rush. Quality will be rewarded rather than quantity.

3) The promotion of "electronic record sharing" between PCPs and specialists was a big part of why federal grant money was given in the first place. Eventually, one's medical records could be shared with any doctor in the U.S., not just locally.

You can look at it from the point of view of certain typical aspects if you like, but it definitely wasn't promoted as typical. The three points above were given as distinguishing features that would make it like nothing ever tried before. Although, they said it would be reminiscent of the TV character, Marcus Welby, M.D. who knew all of his patients well and spent lots of time chatting with them.

Was it all just a slick marketing campaign, in your opinion?

Villages Health Care System
 

I don't believe it was slick marketing. I think the business oriented and intelligent developer absolutely believed what he wrote in his letter about the clinic system. His knowledge base and expertise did not include healthcare at the operational/business model level. As I noted before I'm not attempting to downplay the clinic system and its value to our neighbors.

Thanks for asking. This is a short answer to what should be a multi-day seminar.

My cat took a bite of my hand, in a playful way of course and lo and behold an infection. I went to an urgent care center and was treated with abx. The care was quick and appropriate. These centers are very good for quick care.

Good morning. I see you are fairly new on here. The topic is about the Villages Health Care System, not Urgent Care Centers. Always some debating about the Villages Health Care. However, we do have some good Urgent Care Centers around the Villages. :) I'm glad they were able to take care of your infection.

I just checked Publix for a pescriptiiont and they want and they quote $415.53 for 30 days.I check with inter net Canada and the price is $ 81.00 .what is the system doing to us.

The pharmaceutical companies will stick it to you every time. They recoup their research and development expenses here in the US with high drug prices. Yes, across the border in Canada or Mx the same drugs are available at drastically reduced prices.

I am a RN who worked in Drug Research for a short time. The amount of $$ spent to wine and dine researchers and staff was A-MAZ-ING!! Then the drugs come to market priced sky high, until generics or competition comes up with a clone and then the prices in the US come down.

Shop around. We get quite a few of our meds from Canadian and Indian pharmacies. I have done my homework and know what I am getting. But even here there are differences between the local pharmacies, Sam's and the grocery stores.

Don't accept a price that high without comparison shopping!

Regarding the Villages Health Care System and UHC Medicare Advantage, we have been very pleased.

The efficiency at the Villages clinics is terrific and they are very thorough. Through UHC Medicare Advantage we have been able to see the specialists that we need to see, and want to see. We are seen in a timely manor at the villages clinics, their information is up to date and thorough.

As a RN, I understand the value of electronic medical records. So don't complain about your provider having his/her face in their computer. That computer allows them to have every iota of medical information on you in one concise program which can easily be shared instantly with the specialist you need/want to see.

I will be having knee replacements soon. FUN!! I have done my research and know the 2 docs that I will see first. Both are available to me on the UHC Villages plan. I was certain that my first choice, who practices in Maitland, would not be available to me under our plan. But he is. as is the 2nd choice in Ocala. Neither of them are "with UHC Villages Health Care", but available to us.

My cost will be $250 per day in the hospital. There is no charge, that is ZERO $$, for the professional fees. That includes the prosthesis, the surgeon, anesthetist, meds in the OR etc.

I just finished 8 weeks of PT, the UHC Villages plan has a co-pay per visit, but I had no limit to the number of visits covered.

My hubby has had several epidural steroid nerve blocks for his sciatica. Those are pricey procedures. His co- pay was $80 for a procedure that costs over $1K.

We are not limited to the few specialist here in The Villages. If you have that impression you are clearly mistaken. Call UHC and ask. You will see that you are covered all over the state and in most states across the country.

Are we pleased with our UHC Villages Medicare Advantage plan?? You betcha!!

Great post, and I couldn't agree more! (Another RN)

Our first appointment is in May. The maximum number of patients on the doctors' profile include seasonal, temporary people. I think that's totally unfair. the numbers don't change when the seasonal people aren't here. Full time residents should be given priority. So far not pleased with current doctor outside the network, so will give this a shot.

"...............

The bias against seasonal residents has no boundaries. Even health insurance? My God...

Would you also agree to refund my Association Fees for the six months I am away?

You did a nice job biting your tongue on #74. Not all of us full timers have problems with our seasonal friends. I think "you know who" has other problems as well. Like trying to bypass the line at the deli counter?

Yep
 

Yes. Both my husband and I have experienced this and worse. At our ages we have enough history with doctors to know the difference between good and bad care. I thank God we're out of that system.

As always, excellent doctors and nurses can unknowingly gain a bad reputation without doing anything wrong, based on what the office staff does or does NOT do.

And everyone working in the office can be made to look bad by what does or does not show up on their computer screens at the right time via electronic medical records. Office staff and software can "make or break" a medical office practice.

Isn't it great to have choices...:a040:

Amen