I.m one of the TV being dumped. This not the way it was advertised in the beginning, but its obvious the United Healthcare and the Villages are out to make money and we the dumpee's they could care less about. Real Hometown freindly????

I received the letter today and would like to know if I currently have Medicare and United Healthcare (not an Advantage Plan) as my secondary am I ineligible to remain with the Villages Healthcare?

I don't know how many people are being dumped, but I question if they have enough United Health Advantage participants to keep them in business. Once the UHA have a major illiness, they will be jumping ship theirselves.

As I read it you won't. You can call and ask for sure but it seems pretty clear. If you don't have UHC Medicare Advantage you're out.

I believe you can go back during the open enrollment period each year but you will be subject to underwriting.

No.

Here is The Letter
 

Attached is a scan of the now infamous letter from TVH.

My birthday is in July and was put on medicare/Freedom blue through my husbands benefits plan.

A few years ago I had a doctors appointment in November and being I went on medicare/Freedom Blue in July,
they would not take me for my November visit, I had to sign up for the UHC and reschedule my appointment to
January after the UHC insurance took effect. So if your 65th birthday is coming up between now and December 31st
they will not honor you currant insurance.

I have been wondering the same thing. My gut tells me that in about two years, we will receive "We Want You Back" letters.

No!

Exactly! When the grandfathering issue was brought up TVH denied having said it and, if they did, things change!

I have a United Healthcare Supplemental Plan and just got a letter today from TV Health Systems stating I have to switch to an Advantage plan or find other doctors outside their system. So much for being grandfathered.

I have AARP Medicare Complete Choice Plan 2 (Regional PPO)

I got my own letter today (telling me I was OK). It also said if you "would like to provide feedback" to call 352-674-8789. Sounds like an opportunity to voice you displeasure.

Who said that?? 😃

If all of us still "grandfathered" leave now maybe they will decide differently when they can't pay the providers without payments from our better insurance companies?

I got the notice today that I can switch to Big Brother's cash cow or get out. When I signed on, as a client to TV Health System's their association with one Medicare Advantage plan looked too cozy. I asked my doctor (Dr. Welby) if I was going to be squeezed out later. "Oh no. perish the thought.)

Here is the message to all the Doctors and staff of TV Health: Marcus Welby is FICTIONAL! A COMPANY THAT WILL MISLEAD AND DECEIVE ITS PATIENTS WILL MISLEAD AND DECEIVE ITS EMPLOYEES. This is a MARKETING-based company not a VALUES-based company. You are a cost column in their spreadsheet and sooner or later they will find a way to move money from your cost column to the profit column.

Certainly not The Villages Health!!

They don't care about your displeasure. Decision is made.

I read much displeasure about The Villages dictating what medical plan you must have and also understand they have gone back on their word about grandfathering. What I don't understand is if you like The Villages health system why not switch to United Healthcare Medical Advantage ? Is there something bad about this plan?

If you want superior healthcare you will want to take original Medicare. Otherwise, UHC's MA is okay.

I don't understand - I thought any policy that replaces Medicare must have equal or better than coverage by law.

Covered services are equal. MA is great as long as you do not have serious health issues. Then access to the best specialty physicians and hospitals in the country is limited.

Medicare Advantage
 

I have said from the start that this would be the end result. Villages Health gets payed per head. They want you to join, but not show up for treatment - that is how this system makes money.This is a capitation plan. You do not get something for nothing. There are copays, and the biggest problem, most of the good specialists do not participate. That is why we know people who have to travel to Cleremont, Tavares, etc. to get treatment. Have been on tradational Medicare with supplement for 6 years, and have never payed a penny for anything. Know patients in the Villages Health who pay $500-1000 out of pocket as their copay for treatment.

Help me - What plan do you have and how much is it? How much is United Healthcare Advantage and what is different about it Vs. your plan ?

As much as I love living in TV, I am so irritated at this latest change. I wish when TV announced that they were building medical facilities, they would have made room for medical providers to set up their practices within them. Much needed easy access to primary care within our villages is still going to be missing.

That's exactly right. "Easy access" is the main thing we have liked about going to the The Villages Health.

See:

Medicare Advantage | The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

I think the question has been answered several times.... Why not stay with TVH under their new plan (gimmic)? If you switch you give up your ability to pick the very best Physicians at Mayo..Cleveland Clinic .. Johns Hopkins and other teaching hospitals.. Where you now have that option... To choose. If we you remain fairly healthy doing your lifetime and only need your ankles checked and routine blood work well for heavens sake you would be a fool not to go with their system...

This is sadly probably all about the money.

I hope the employees read this. Who knows what evils await them. Shameful what they are doing to so many seniors. Just shameful.

While my wife & I have liked using TVH since it's inception we will be leaving them before the end of this year. Even though we both have a couple of years to reach 65 we feel it makes no sense for us to eventually pay out more money to stay there so time for a change. So much for patients first.

If TVH does get enough takers for MA could layoffs be next?

I would like to hear from all of my fellow Military Retirees who are currently using Medicare/Tricare for life who has got their "walking paper" from the Villages Health. I was original member into the Villages health under Medicare/Tricare for life. If United Healthcare Medicare advantage plan is so good they are telling us we must convert to why we were we not on it to begin with??.......All of my associates who are retired and in the Villages Health are on straight Medicare/Tricare for life. Call me skeptical........feel duped....and the ole bait and switch.

I do understand Tricare for life accepts Medicare advantage Part C....however all my reading so far says stay on straight Medicare/Tricare for life. I am NOT going to give up Express scripts pharmacy and don't want a plan with part D......

.
I got my letter. Medicare and Tricare for Life. Letter says I can stay.

Sounds like they're making an exception for retired military. I told my husband he should have stayed in the military after Viet Nam. Just kidding...I didn't know him then.

I'm sure at least a few designees of the developer (or even a family members themselves?) are members here and read TOTV.

Since I believe they are motivated purely by their own self interest, I wouldn't expect all of those here who have felt (rightfully) betrayed to get any honest answers...but it sure would be nice if the developer's rep's had the guts to come here and start explaining.

I know, I know, wishful thinking at best. :(

Do you think any of the Medicare-eligible members of the developer are member of a Medicare Advantage Plan?

When we look at how much Medicare plus our 20% suppliment payment is, it makes sense they couldn't continue
in business. But, it's not like they didn't know this when "Marcus Welby" concept was announced. I think this was just another way to sell more houses! Now, developer is tired of footing the bill.

Sorry, I just don't understand this thought process. No one is being DUMPED according to the letters I have seen (and received).

YOU CAN STAY with The Villages Health if you have or obtain the accepted insurance. Kind of like you can get NFL Ticket, as long as you have Direct TV. You have cable and refuse to change? No NFL Ticket.

YOU say they are "out to make money" which I hope is true, so they will be here for years to come for those who elect to stay in the system. People say it is GREED but nearly all who say that add that they don't want to pay the freight by purchasing the accepted insurance. So, Greed? Really?

This is a business decision. Companies don't make decisions hoping to LOSE money or LOSE customers. As the letter says, they hope everyone receiving it will remain.

For those who 1). Don't agree to have the acceptable insurance, 2). Refuse to get it, 3). Can't afford it, I get that it may be a bummer. But we all looked for new doctors when we got here, and the beauty is the final decision IS YOURS TO MAKE.

Negativity breeds stress and that is going to affect everyone who lets this issue drive their attitude. Make a decision and move on.

Cheers :wine: