[tibbetts]

I had a good doctor at the Villages Heath and I have medicare and aarp, they wanted me to join their HMO but I said that I travel in my motor home and I have had a heart attack in El Paso, got a stint and was on my way in a few days. I have traveled with others that had HMO's and they had to get permission and jump thru hoops. I said no and Villages health kicked me out. I understand they are in financial trouble and would guess that kicking out some of their patients has made them also cut down on the Doctors they have. I am not happy with medical facilities in the village. Ihave used Monroe Heart for open heart and 4 by passes. Any real problems that is where I go. I have an independent doctor in the villages now and get along fine with him.
Un-Happy!

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by 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.

There is an old saying recommending one get an old lawyer and a young doctor. Soundings: Young doctors, old lawyers

That being said my PCP of 27 years is now 65 years of age. He is a wonderfully gifted physician well known and highly regarded within the local medical community. I worry about him retiring although he has five children in college and medical school to keep him practicing.

[Northwoods]

I have to say, I am extremely pleased with The Villages Healthcare. I don't expect to see my primary care physician if I need immediate (Urgent care) issue. That's why they have Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants. I expect to see my physician if I have an appointment with them... that I don't' try to move at the last minute.
I've been extremely impressed with the VIllages Health physicians. You can always find a bad apple in any system, but overall, virtually everyone I know who is part of The Villages Healthcare is very satisfied and extremely impressed with The Villages Health physicians. And that includes people who are not "healthy" and have needed complex care.
And remember -- The Village Hospital is not part of The VIllages Healthcare. They are totally separate.

[dotti105]

The Villages Health System is rather unique. They do limit the number of patients that each Dr can have. They also provide a Physician's Assistant and a Nurse Practitioner on each MD's team. This team of 3 works together to provide care. I am a RN and very serious about good health care providers. I must say that I think this system is great! We have always been able to be seen on the same day if needed, by the PA or the NP. We have found them both to be excellent. In fact I will often schedule my 6mo check up with my NP, and my yearly PE with my MD. I have a great deal of faith in each of these providers.

If you are in the VHS and find that you do not like your provider, you can change providers. But you do need to understand that each MD works with a team and they you will NOT always be seem by your MD.

Another misunderstanding I often hear about United Health Care Advantage is that you can only go to VHS physicians. That is entirely false. There are many physicians in Florida that take Medicare. The United Health Care Advantage plan is a Medicare plan. We have seen 2 of the best surgeons in the country for medical conditions my husband had. I did the research and found each in the Orlando area, and YES, they took our UHC Advantage. Orlando has many outstanding physicians and most people can find the specialists that they need there if they can't find one here. YOU ARE NOT LIMITED TO ONLY RECEIVING CARE FROM VHS PHYSICIANS. That is a Huge misunderstanding!

Just because you live in The Villages does not entitle you to receive care at the Village clinics. They only accept United Health Care and you have the choice to pick the health insurance you wish. We have many neighbors who are paying $700+ a month for their insurance because their former employer offers it and will pay a portion. What they seem to not understand is that most of us qualify ( by income) to receive UHC Advantage at no cost. The amount that we would pay for standard Medicare instead goes to UHC for the Advantage program. There is no deductible. There is a co pay for specialists. But My husband's most recent surgery at Dr Phillips Hosptial showed a statement of $87,000. Of course that is before contracted services are taken into consideration. He spent one night in the hospital following his surgery and the TOTAL cost, out of pocket for us was $275.00. Not 20% or a deductible to be met. This is a excellent plan. They are now offering additional plans at slightly higher costs that include Shands at UofF in Gainesville and Mayo in Jax.

All the UHC plans provide dental exams and cleaning 2x a year, gym memberships, free visits with your provider or his coworkers. We even get gift cards for being good compliant patients and keeping our appts with PCP and specialists. They have Home Health RNs who will come to your home to help you assess for risks and offer information about self care and how to allow easy medical record access for EMTs if needed.

They have come up with a great system here. It has had some growing pains, and may continue to. But it certainly beats the health care we received while employed and covered by both State Insurance from my hubby's job and my insurance from my RN job.

I think if more people understood how this model works and it's benefits, there wouldn't be ridiculous complaints that just don't make sense.

[8notes]

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.

Sorry to hear you had this experience. I've heard others say the same. We have found excellent doctors outside the Villages Health Care.

[Abby10]

Originally Posted by dotti105

The Villages Health System is rather unique. They do limit the number of patients that each Dr can have. They also provide a Physician's Assistant and a Nurse Practitioner on each MD's team. This team of 3 works together to provide care. I am a RN and very serious about good health care providers. I must say that I think this system is great! We have always been able to be seen on the same day if needed, by the PA or the NP. We have found them both to be excellent. In fact I will often schedule my 6mo check up with my NP, and my yearly PE with my MD. I have a great deal of faith in each of these providers.

If you are in the VHS and find that you do not like your provider, you can change providers. But you do need to understand that each MD works with a team and they you will NOT always be seem by your MD.

Another misunderstanding I often hear about United Health Care Advantage is that you can only go to VHS physicians. That is entirely false. There are many physicians in Florida that take Medicare. The United Health Care Advantage plan is a Medicare plan. We have seen 2 of the best surgeons in the country for medical conditions my husband had. I did the research and found each in the Orlando area, and YES, they took our UHC Advantage. Orlando has many outstanding physicians and most people can find the specialists that they need there if they can't find one here. YOU ARE NOT LIMITED TO ONLY RECEIVING CARE FROM VHS PHYSICIANS. That is a Huge misunderstanding!

Just because you live in The Villages does not entitle you to receive care at the Village clinics. They only accept United Health Care and you have the choice to pick the health insurance you wish. We have many neighbors who are paying $700+ a month for their insurance because their former employer offers it and will pay a portion. What they seem to not understand is that most of us qualify ( by income) to receive UHC Advantage at no cost. The amount that we would pay for standard Medicare instead goes to UHC for the Advantage program. There is no deductible. There is a co pay for specialists. But My husband's most recent surgery at Dr Phillips Hosptial showed a statement of $87,000. Of course that is before contracted services are taken into consideration. He spent one night in the hospital following his surgery and the TOTAL cost, out of pocket for us was $275.00. Not 20% or a deductible to be met. This is a excellent plan. They are now offering additional plans at slightly higher costs that include Shands at UofF in Gainesville and Mayo in Jax.

All the UHC plans provide dental exams and cleaning 2x a year, gym memberships, free visits with your provider or his coworkers. We even get gift cards for being good compliant patients and keeping our appts with PCP and specialists. They have Home Health RNs who will come to your home to help you assess for risks and offer information about self care and how to allow easy medical record access for EMTs if needed.

They have come up with a great system here. It has had some growing pains, and may continue to. But it certainly beats the health care we received while employed and covered by both State Insurance from my hubby's job and my insurance from my RN job.

I think if more people understood how this model works and it's benefits, there wouldn't be ridiculous complaints that just don't make sense.

Thank you for this very informative post. Coming from the perspective of a health care professional such as yourself, as well as someone who actually uses the system, I hope others find your post valuable as well. Some of the details you provided make The Villages Health System appear to be a viable option to consider. Thank you for taking the time to post.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by tibbetts

I had a good doctor at the Villages Heath and I have medicare and aarp, they wanted me to join their HMO but I said that I travel in my motor home and I have had a heart attack in El Paso, got a stint and was on my way in a few days. I have traveled with others that had HMO's and they had to get permission and jump thru hoops. I said no and Villages health kicked me out.

and would guess that kicking out some of their patients has made them also cut down on the Doctors they have. I am not happy with medical facilities in the village. Ihave used Monroe Heart for open heart and 4 by passes. Any real problems that is where I go. I have an independent doctor in the villages now and get along fine with him.
Un-Happy!

Where did you get your information that you say they are in financial trouble?

[Bonny]

I love the Villages Health. I always ask to see my Dr.'s NP. In fact I followed her to the Villages Health. She used to be with my Dr., whom I really liked, then she came the TVH as soon as they started up.

[Nucky]

I had one small snafu with a specialist that I was sent to by my Primary Doctor thru The Villages Health but on a scale of 1 being bad 10 being great I would score Santa Barabra at least a 25++++. The best. They are contributing to saving my life. My doctor calls me at home to check on me. This is like the good old days. I'm thrilled.

This has been my experience and I understand not all are good and I don't doubt anyone else's posts.

[vintageogauge]

I don't totally agree that seeing a NP is the same as seeing MD. Maybe just me but I would prefer seeing a doctor when the need arises. I'm 71 years old and have never been seen by a NP or a PA and don't care to start now. Also never had to wait 7 months to see a doctor or even a week for that matter.

[NotGolfer]

Originally Posted by Bonny

I love the Villages Health. I always ask to see my Dr.'s NP. In fact I followed her to the Villages Health. She used to be with my Dr., whom I really liked, then she came the TVH as soon as they started up.

I know of who you speak and I did that too! She's the best. With me...she has conferred with the other doctor's (MD's) in the practice to see if they concur with her findings. I've also had it where one of them would also come into the room. I have great respect for my ARNP and her empathy and caring. I've found many times the nurses (and NP fall into this) are much better communicators than the physicians they work beside. JUST because a person has MD behind their name makes them better. JMHO

[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

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.

You're exactly right about what he does. I guess then what you're saying is, he's being extra cautious & he's taking good care of me. No, not quite 70 yet, but pushing it! Yes, he watches my heart issues & my bad family high glucose. Right now he's having me go through a bunch of test for high readings of oxygen in my red blood cells.

[bilcon]

We were members of the Villages Health care and loved our doctor. We never experienced long waits. Unfortunately, we were dropped because they no longer accepted our Empire Plan. They went to The Advantage Plan. Too Bad! We were not going to change because we get free medical for life from our jobs.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by Nucky

I had one small snafu with a specialist that I was sent to by my Primary Doctor thru The Villages Health but on a scale of 1 being bad 10 being great I would score Santa Barabra at least a 25++++. The best. They are contributing to saving my life. My doctor calls me at home to check on me. This is like the good old days. I'm thrilled.

This has been my experience and I understand not all are good and I don't doubt anyone else's posts.

I agree! I also go to Santa Barbara. My Dr. and the NP have called me at home to see how things were going after a visit. They are the best.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

I know of who you speak and I did that too! She's the best. With me...she has conferred with the other doctor's (MD's) in the practice to see if they concur with her findings. I've also had it where one of them would also come into the room. I have great respect for my ARNP and her empathy and caring. I've found many times the nurses (and NP fall into this) are much better communicators than the physicians they work beside. JUST because a person has MD behind their name makes them better. JMHO

I see Dr. Pead and his NP, Sylvia. Sylvia is so awesome and up on everything.