GerryAnn, I totally empathize. That said, I think a few things come into play. First, the entire health care industry isn't what it used to be. Not here, not anywhere. Doctors do not spend huge amounts of time with patients. It is all about the numbers and getting people in an out. So part of getting the most out of the appointment is being organized and having questions ready. That said, I personally have gone through several doctors. I am now looking outside the Villages Health system.

We just went through a crisis event causing us to go to the Village Hospital for the second time. Forget the emergency situation. As we all know, or most of us, it is a 50/50 chance of satisfaction. But you can't judge a hospital on emergency only. However, after I questioned a diagnosis from the doctor which seemed liked he was missing what was going on, they sent in a case worker to talk to me. In 12 seconds, the caseworker looked shocked at me and said, "He isn't ok." and left the room quickly. She went to talk to the doctor and he came back in and tried to backtrack. After he was checked in, it went downhill. Without going through the entire litany, after all the tests and couple days, they were going to operate but, as it turns out, would have done the wrong operation. I didn't realize it would be the wrong operation until we finally moved to Shands because I had lost confidence in the competence of TVH. After one simple question, (which TVH surgeon forgot to ask) it came out, oops, that would be the wrong operation to do. As it turned out, after reviewing the records, (and they ran a couple of their own to confirm) he didn't even need the operation. They could manage it through medicine. In fact, the suggested operation had nothing to do with the reason we were there. We found out at Shands that the meds that had been given through Colony Village Health were wrong. We found out there was so much that should have been tested for that never was. In fact, I had questioned the doctor's office about diabetes and was continually told not to worry. Borderline. No problem. Turns out after this, a glucose tolerance test was ordered and it was very apparent there was diabetes. Not a borderline issue. The BP medicine was way to low. Basically, all the meds that were germane were changed. From this experience, we have decided to move outside the medicare United Health Village system which dropped Shands and Moffitt. We have been looking for qualified physicians outside of TV. While I applaud Gary Morse for an amazing development, I think medicine is more than bottom line set design. It all seems so pretty and happy but, for us, very disappointing. We will be looking into the options for changing the medicare UH Villages advantage plan for this coming year.

I have hesitated to post this for some time as I don't like to air dirty laundry and I know some people are very happy. And as I said, I have great respect for the developer for the balance of TV. So, if you don't like what I said, please refrain from any complaint with this post.

So, if The Villages UHC Medicare Advantage Plan is not the answer, has anyone found a Medicare Plan, Advantage or otherwise, that has good doctors, good hospitals and good care? Florida Blue Cross Blue Shield?

I am thinking along the same lines as you. Have you found a good health plan? I am considering Humana Advantage. It includes Shands hospital; I need to research the doctors in the plan. Is anyone using Humana?

I am very happy with The Villages UHC plan; my family doctor at Pinellas is great!

I think it all boils down to your health "issues". I am currently using Humana PPO. I don't have to go through a PCP to see a specialist. Works for me since I haven't found a PCP that cares, so I don't have one. If you see an out of network Dr., it's not a whole lot more expensive than in network.

If you use an HMO, you're stuck with ONLY the Drs on the plan. I haven't heard good things about the villages HMO with United Health Care. A lot of very good Drs were dropped by UHC when the villages health care came about.

So far....we've been very happy with TVHC system. We go to Santa Barbara and both of us have seen several folks there. IF you call and go in on that same day, you might not see your regular provider. It's of my opinion...you can be anywhere and have a bad experience. Dr's do what is called a "practice", like it or not. We all need to be our own advocates for sure. IF you think you can get far better care from somewhere else then go for it. But don't diss the whole system because of your personal experience.

Up north, we used to hear that the system in our small town was awful...that one should go up the highway to a larger "better" town and the care would be awesomely better. BUT that said on either spectrum we'd hear opposite comments. We stuck with the system in our town and never experienced any adverse care in our many years of living there.

LOVE LOVE LOVE my DR at Colony!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VERY happy with the Villages Healthcare center!!!!

Ditto bettymg1866!

Yep, I love mine at TVHC Santa Barbara !!

Real World
 

In the real world a teaching hospital/clinic that is rated high on the list of the specific medical problem is the very best to use. A year or so ago we had a colonosphy by a local Dr. Dr. said they did not get one and needed surgery to get it out. Flew to MD Anderson in Huston, Texas. Net: Surgery was not needed and could be taken out without surgery. Done and out it one day. Have lived through a family member and was care taker for Hodgins and 15 years later stomach cancers. Always used a teaching hospital/clinic rated the highest for both. I do believe the Urgent Care at Lake Sumter is great for every days type of need. We have Mayo in Jacksonville, Sands, Cleveland Clinic available and for a few dollars in air fare the MD Anderson Hospital in Houston which is rated #1 in the world for cancer diagnosis. As a rather famous Dr once told me the critical part of an illness is diagnosis. Almost anyone can treat once there is a fix on the problem. Thus, major teaching Hospital/Clinic as first step in treatment. :mornincoffee:

My husband has Medicare with AARP United Healthcare Plan F as his supplement. He can use it anywhere. We were thinking of changing to Villages Medicare Advantage based on cost. But thanks to these posts he will remain with his current plan. He has Plan D for his prescriptions.

A wise decision!!!

I feel our medical care here is top notch, one has the responsibility to do a little research and not by just one "word of Mouth". We all have different standards. Be responsible for your choices.

I so agree with this, and also have personal experience with correct diagnosis from a teaching hospital, and excellent treatment results.

We face many medical uncertainties as we age. I would not want to limit myself to a healthcare plan that would charge me dearly for going to the experts for the latest knowledge and treatment.

This statement may be true for one without medical problems. This is NOT the place to be if you are in need of a diagnosis.
As PennBF said....you need a good teaching/diagnostic medical facility. The Dr's here are fine for everyday common problems, but if you need anything beyond that......look elsewhere. That is what I am doing and hopefully once I have a DX, I will be able to find someone here that might care and will be able to help with treatment......fingers crossed.

Best of luck!!!

I have found that finding all the doctors that one may need, takes time and effort.

I rely on my PCP to refer me to specialists that are covered by my plan. So far, so good. I was once referred to a doctor not in my plan but calling the office and restating that I needed a doctor within my plan, solved that problem.

I was going to switch plans this year, but my PCP was not covered in the new plan, so I decided to stay with the old plan. Still looking for an honest dentist in my plan. I can't seem to find a dentist to do a regular cleaning, They all want to do a deep cleaning, at $600 plus. OUCH!!!

I go to Felix Agbo, 910 Old Camp Rd in LSL, Ste 144, 753.2224.

Trained in England, and Mt Sanai, in New York. Listens to his patients and doesn't rush you out of his office. Very pleasant and smart too!!! Great office staff.

I have had nothing but exceptional care from The Villages Healthcare. I adore my PCP. He was more genuinely caring then any doctor I have had in the past. So sorry you had a bad experience. It's a new system and probably will take time to iron out some things but all in all I think it has been a blessing to our community.