Originally Posted by Jayhawk (Post 1255322)

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:

Originally Posted by Jayhawk (Post 1255322)

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:

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer (Post 1255437)

People aren't stupid. Rather than send the self-serving letter they did, why not come clean, be honest, and tell folks they're sorry and this decision was financially driven--a business decision. We all know it was...

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer (Post 1255437)

People aren't stupid. Rather than send the self-serving letter they did, why not come clean, be honest, and tell folks they're sorry and this decision was financially driven--a business decision. We all know it was.



Folks wouldn't be happy but at least they would feel like the Villages Health System has some integrity and credibility. Why do they choose to lie when they can tell the truth?

Originally Posted by Gailh (Post 1255447)

I agree that the decision to dump all but those who are insured by United seems ruthless. The letter came as a shock. The explanation was lame. Don't they understand they are dealing with actual humans here?

If their financial straits are that dire, why would we choose to stay and risk losing our current supplemental package? Once I leave mine, I lose the option to return. It is just too risky.

It is difficult to have to find new providers. One of the reasons we moved to The Villages was the health care system. I am very upset by this callous decision. I don't understand why grandfathering isn't an option.

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore2 (Post 1255313)

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. :(

Originally Posted by RickeyD (Post 1255445)

Your statement defines a business entity as having the following attributes. Self-serving, come clean, honesty, integrity, credibility and finally truth. Unfortunately these attributes can only apply to human beings.
It is a business, the bottom line is it's business. I am amazed that people today still feel that anyone or anything owes them. I am not critiquing you, only pointing out to all here that a business is a business. It has no heart nor will it ever. Don't ever trust or rely on a business, it will always let you down because it doesn't care about you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by donbettyr (Post 1255114)

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.

Originally Posted by Jayhawk (Post 1255322)

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:

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 1255095)

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?

Originally Posted by Jayhawk (Post 1255322)

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:

Originally Posted by zonerboy (Post 1255504)

Ever wonder why "the developer" raised rents for competing primary care providers in all their commercial rental properties, thus forcing many of them to relocate? Wasn't this just laying the groundwork for the current announcement?

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 1255596)

The only negative I read here about United Health Care Medical Advantage is not having access to specialty doctors / hospitals like the Mayo clinic. Assuming this is true that personally does not bother me for reasons that could start another thread. So if that's all the difference is I'm staying - I like riding my golf cart to the center right around the corner. I like not waiting a long time to be seen. I like the attention to detail I receive from my doctor and staff. I like electronic access to all my records. I like getting my labs done in the same building. I like the beauty of facilities. I like the clientele I see in the facility. I like how they work with me over the phone and do what they say in a timely fashion. I like how they call my other doctors (even my eye doctor) to get my records from them and review the results with me. Yep - I'm staying based upon the info I've read here.

Originally Posted by Bonnevie (Post 1255692)

I agree in that I feel I was told they would accept my insurance knowing they intended to change that--hoping that people would be so enamored of Villages Health that they would want to switch. I can't and I will tell you they sent a referral once to a neurosurgeon for a herniated disc who never called me. They sent it again, same thing. They finally called me and asked if I wanted referral to one in Ocala. Or they said, "you have BC/BS so you could call the office the neurosurgeon's office yourself and they'd give you an appt." It may be cheaper to use Villages Health, but that's why you buy insurance--just in case you need it for something major.

Originally Posted by Yorio (Post 1255686)

My only complaint re the current situation is that VHS should have told me that eventually UHC Medicare Advantage will be the only insurance they will accept. Now that years passed and gotten used to this system and becoming friendly with the Doctor, we won't be 'grandfathered' at the end of the year. We took supplemental insurance because we were snowbirds. We still use some doctors up north even if we are full time here now. We travel overseas and we have supplement that covers emergency outside of U.S. We are currently in limbo. 😔

Originally Posted by Bonnevie (Post 1255706)

I talked at length with the doctor in charge of Villages Health who was trying to convince me Villages Health was better than what I had as a Federal retiree and he said I'd save a lot. Not sure what the cost of the Advantage Plan is but I pay about $200 for BC/BS and then medicare part B $122 a month.

Originally Posted by villagetinker (Post 1255339)

Jayhawk,
Well said. I am working on a list of questions (up to 22 so far from reading the various comments and concerns) that I will be taking with us when we go to talk to SHINE and Villages Health.

Originally Posted by rhood (Post 1255753)

Hope im not in line behind you.

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 1255730)

So if you are enrolled in The Villages health system and like it why wouldn't you research how much savings you could reap by switching for the same services provided ? Wouldn't that be a win win for you ?

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 1255863)

Is there anyone here on this blog that actually has United Health Care Advantage or has earnestly researched it that can share their real life experience / recommendation ?

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 1255863)

Is there anyone here on this blog that actually has United Health Care Advantage or has earnestly researched it that can share their real life experience / recommendation ?

Originally Posted by Dan9871 (Post 1255909)

We have the Villages Health Advantage Plan and are very satisfied with everything including the quality of care and the convenience.

We've had one major medical event that involved a stay in Villages Hospital and later to Munroe. All was covered very well with the providers in the network. The way care is managed at Villages Hospital if you are in the Villages Advantage Plan is especially nice... your stay is managed by Villages Health doctors, not the hospital's Hospitalist doctors.

Lot's of other smaller things too, but no problem getting them taken care of with in-network providers.

We also had no problem getting permission and coverage to go to an out-of-network provider one time simply because the in-network providers were not conveniently located.

Before we came to The Villages we were in an HMO with limited providers to choose from and references needed and all that. We had a number of major medical events... but never had a problem getting quality services from inside that network either.

So for the past 35 years or so we've only had a limited network of providers and referral requirements. Yes, all that time we've had some worry that this would limit the availability and quality of our health care. But it has never been a issue.

Originally Posted by goodtimesintv (Post 1247544)

"

.....Impossible Burden For The Elderly And The Disabled

About half the cost of the ACA (Affordable Care Act) is paid for by cuts in Medicare spending and the only practical way those cuts can be made is by reduced fees to providers.

The Medicare actuaries have noted with alarm that Medicare fees to doctors will drop below Medicaid levels in the near future and the combined effect of lower Medicare and Medicaid hospital spending will drive one in seven hospitals from the market in the next five years.

Although the administration talks about making Medicare more efficient, three separate reports by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) have concluded that the pilot programs and demonstration projects that are supposed to find these efficiencies are not working.

In fact, the only place in Medicare that shows any promise at all is in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. But the administration is determined to proceed with cuts in MA subsides and appears to be paying no attention whatever to the efficiencies MA entrepreneurs are discovering.

Because no serious budget analyst believes the Medicare spending cuts can withstand the inevitable political backlash and because they don’t believe the pilot programs will work either, both the CBO and the Medicare Trustees are annually publishing “alternative forecasts” in an effort to predict how Congress will cave. But if Congress does cave and restores the previous Medicare spending path, that means that the ACA isn’t paid for; and that, in turn, means large unfunded liabilities stretching out indefinitely into the future and increasing federal debt......"

Six Problems With The ACA That Aren’t Going Away

.

Originally Posted by goodtimesintv (Post 1256101)

It's in here, but you don't want to see it.......

Originally Posted by goodtimesintv

"

.....Impossible Burden For The Elderly And The Disabled

About half the cost of the ACA (Affordable Care Act) is paid for by cuts in Medicare spending and the only practical way those cuts can be made is by reduced fees to providers.

The Medicare actuaries have noted with alarm that Medicare fees to doctors will drop below Medicaid levels in the near future and the combined effect of lower Medicare and Medicaid hospital spending will drive one in seven hospitals from the market in the next five years.

Although the administration talks about making Medicare more efficient, three separate reports by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) have concluded that the pilot programs and demonstration projects that are supposed to find these efficiencies are not working.

In fact, the only place in Medicare that shows any promise at all is in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. But the administration is determined to proceed with cuts in MA subsides and appears to be paying no attention whatever to the efficiencies MA entrepreneurs are discovering.

Because no serious budget analyst believes the Medicare spending cuts can withstand the inevitable political backlash and because they don’t believe the pilot programs will work either, both the CBO and the Medicare Trustees are annually publishing “alternative forecasts” in an effort to predict how Congress will cave. But if Congress does cave and restores the previous Medicare spending path, that means that the ACA isn’t paid for; and that, in turn, means large unfunded liabilities stretching out indefinitely into the future and increasing federal debt......"

Six Problems With The ACA That Aren’t Going Away

Originally Posted by Jimmydoodlebug (Post 1256130)

Could someone who uses this Medicare Advantage plan tell me how you get care when you're traveling to another state?

My wife is interested but we travel the country a lot and need to know if we'd be better staying with Medicare and a secondary provider.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Avista (Post 1256200)

The best thing to do is pose your questions to the folks at the Medicare Store. We've used the one in Sumter. They are great. Present as many "what if" scenarios you can think of.

You are covered at any hospital or urgent care in an emergency. If you are going to stay in a place for awhile you can get what is called a Passport. They can explain this much better than I can.

Originally Posted by Avista (Post 1256200)

The best thing to do is pose your questions to the folks at the Medicare Store. We've used the one in Sumter. They are great. Present as many "what if" scenarios you can think of.

You are covered at any hospital or urgent care in an emergency. If you are going to stay in a place for awhile you can get what is called a Passport. They can explain this much better than I can.

Originally Posted by 2BNTV (Post 1256317)

:agree:

It's best to check if the area you are traveling to will have adequate coverage. You must call them to activate your passport and call them to deactivate when you return home. It can be used for 9 months in a row.

Emergency care is covered worldwide for all MA plans.

Please check for your self.