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.