[lucille]

see things always work out.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Sorry, but they did not "force" you to do anything. They gave you a choice---keep your physician or keep your insurance. It was 100% your decision. BTW, physician offices dropping and adding insurance plans happens millions of times each year across the country, nobody was targeting you.

Thank you smart person who went to school for 19 plus years and was gifted with not only exceptional intelligence but a reasonable attitude sometimes known as common sense.....and a LOT of patience.

Your fan,
Gracie.

[LoriAnn]

Most offices schedule semi-annual exams for 2 or 3 consecutive appointment slots to give time for a complete physical exam. That could be why there was a long wait to reschedule. Sick appointments or same day appointments are generally easier to schedule because they only take 1 appointment slot. Almost every physician office leaves several slots free each day for sick appointments that are scattered throughout the day. Sounds like you'll just have to wait it out.

[EPutnam1863]

Originally Posted by LoriAnn

Most offices schedule semi-annual exams for 2 or 3 consecutive appointment slots to give time for a complete physical exam. That could be why there was a long wait to reschedule. Sick appointments or same day appointments are generally easier to schedule because they only take 1 appointment slot. Almost every physician office leaves several slots free each day for sick appointments that are scattered throughout the day. Sounds like you'll just have to wait it out.

I am 77 and have never had an appointment for a six-month check except for a blood test and even then am not required to see doc or anyone else to go over results. When I want to check my records, I use the online patient portal and, if necessary, send a message with a question or two. So I wonder if those here who seem to be constantly going to doctor for routines may be overdoing it?

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye

If it was true what he said, this Dr. either had way to many patients or this Dr. was strickly into making a lot of money!

... or there is something more to the story that we are not hearing. We have all been around a long time and have learned that if something doesn't sound right, it probably is not.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

... or there is something more to the story that we are not hearing. We have all been around a long time and have learned that if something doesn't sound right, it probably is not.

Very likely. I am VERY familiar with TVH, and the longest wait for a NEW patient visit that I have heard of is 3 months. Even then, they register you as a patient and will see you within 1 day if you are sick. There is clearly some confusion and/or miscommunication surrounding the OP. Maybe the receptionist was confused. Maybe they were talking apples and oranges. Maybe it was as simple as the receptionist stating "several" months and the OP heard "seven" months. In any case , I hope the OP is happy with their new doctor.

[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I am sorry but I have to disagree with you on several points. I think that you are confusing The Villages Health Care System, with Health Care in The Villages.

One is a separate group, established by The Villages that can be used if you have the right insurance. There are plenty of M.D.s practicing in this area that are not associated with The Villages Health Care System. There are many, many choices to be made here in The Villages not only for a PCP but for many other specialties as well. It is much the same as the place that all used to live.

My friends who use The Villages Health Care all say wonderful things about it. They don't take our insurance or rather our insurance doesn't interact with them. We have amazing doctors that are not part of the Villages Health Care System with full rights to TVRH .

I'm not saying, "The Villages Health" isn't any good, I was just commenting on the guy who his Dr. wanted him to wait 7 months. Also I agree with what you say about The Villages Health Care, but isn't this the one that I read in the paper that they wouldn't take their Ins. Then again maybe it was Medicare, but Medicare is what most of us are on.

[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Hopeful2

I write this, only to let others know what they might be facing, should they choose to use The Villages Health Care:

I have an excellent Blue Cross/Blue Shield policy which allows me to go just about anywhere for medical services. When I moved here several years ago, I began seeing a wonderful doctor at The Villages Health Care. Fortunately, I have been blessed with good health and have only needed to see my doctor for semi-annual check-ups. Recently, I needed to postpone my 6 month check-up, due to a family emergency. (I called and canceled my appointment 4 days prior.) When I asked for a new appointment date, I was told that the doctor has no openings for 7 months!!! While I fully expected that I might need to wait a few weeks for another appointment date, I find a 7 month wait to be outrageous and unacceptable for an established patient. Needless to say, I have found another doctor ...not in The Villages Health Care.

HOPEFUL2, aren't you the same one that said this a week or 2 ago? You know I'm having just the opposite situation, my Dr. seems to want me to see him about every 3 or 4 months & I don't really have any issues with my health but then again maybe he wants to keep as healthy as a 20 yr. old. I was kinda thinking about seeing another Dr. for this reason. Wish I could tell you who my family Dr. is. My brother in law in Wis. told me to see an Internist as my family Dr. I think my brother in law is the best Dr. (internist too) I've ever had & I not once ever saw him one single time for anything. You can not believe how many times he diagnosed me over the phone when I was seeing another Dr. So HOPEFUL2, do the same thing, see an internist as your family Dr. They take the same Ins. as a family practice Dr. does, but more education.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye

HOPEFUL2, aren't you the same one that said this a week or 2 ago? You know I'm having just the opposite situation, my Dr. seems to want me to see him about every 3 or 4 months & I don't really have any issues with my health but then again maybe he wants to keep as healthy as a 20 yr. old. I was kinda thinking about seeing another Dr. for this reason. Wish I could tell you who my family Dr. is. My brother in law in Wis. told me to see an Internist as my family Dr. I think my brother in law is the best Dr. (internist too) I've ever had & I not once ever saw him one single time for anything. You can not believe how many times he diagnosed me over the phone when I was seeing another Dr. So HOPEFUL2, do the same thing, see an internist as your family Dr. They take the same Ins. as a family practice Dr. does, but more education.

IF your physician wants to see you four times a year and you are well, it is because;

He can order blood tests each time and monitor your overall health, including things that have NO symptoms, like high cholesterol, high sugar, low levels of some things like Vitamin D, thyroid function and he can also check your vital signs for silent signs of cardiovascular problems. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, particularly if you are over 70 years old.

[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

Yep. With all due respect to the op, that's simply not typical of TV Health doctors. Not even close.

POLAR BEAR, I don't disagree with you but you know how us humans respond. If we had a bad experience that's what we remember, but we say or remember the good things that happen with this Dr. or hospital. I'm no different because I had a bad experience, & haven't went there since. One time was enough for me, I was just glad I didn't go there if I had a heart attack, to many people had a bad experience there, yea I know there were good ones to, but I don't want to be one of those bad experiences. I do understand what your saying though!

[Susan Schonfeld]

It couldn’t have been with a primary doctor as they or someone will see you right away. It had to be with a specialist that take patients from all types of insurance not just Villages Health.

[lindaelane]

The "other side" of this is that I have found doctors who have openings in a "reasonable" time are not well-regarded. In fact, if I knew the name of the doctor you were happy with, I would try to get on that doctor's list. I certainly was not happy with the first doctor I saw at the Villages Health Care (I will not mention the name, out of kindness to the octogenarian doctor) although I could easily book an appointment with him without a long wait. Did you know each health care center has a nurse practitioner who works with the doctors there and you can see her/him - usually that very day, or at the latest the day after you call for an appointment. I've found nurse practitioners often give quite superior care.

[Peg Callahan]

On snorted note regarding village Health Care. I came here looking forward to becoming part of the system after hearing about all the good doctors. Upon applying I was refused due to my current insurance, which happens to be military insurance as my secondary. I asked if that was discriminating against veterans and was informed all I had to do was change my insurance. Why would I do that when many years of dedication went in to earning that insurance. I think the village health care system is slamming veterans. Grandy

[kaseydog]

when i called for same day appointment i got a nurse practioner not a md.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Peg Callahan

On snorted note regarding village Health Care. I came here looking forward to becoming part of the system after hearing about all the good doctors. Upon applying I was refused due to my current insurance, which happens to be military insurance as my secondary. I asked if that was discriminating against veterans and was informed all I had to do was change my insurance. Why would I do that when many years of dedication went in to earning that insurance. I think the village health care system is slamming veterans. Grandy

It is because your insurance will not cooperate with this type of a system. Mine won't either. It isn't because anyone is slamming veterans. Just think for a minute, picture the Eisenhower Center. If that is not a place honoring military, I'll eat your hat.