[mflasch]

In anticipation of the opening of the new Creekside Medical Center, I called to set up an appointment for my wife and I five weeks ago. They wouldn't give us an appointment, but instead, set us up for an "initial meeting" for May 6. I received a call yesterday stating that they are not doing the initial meetings and that they were scheduling "new patient appointments." I said that was great and we would like one as soon as possible. The soonest they could get my wife and I in was September 22!
So far, I am not too impressed with the "new delivery of healthcare model" that was being touted by The Villages.
Looks like the same old model to me.

[ilovetv]

Marcus Welby, MD was a fictional television character.

The developer's use of the Welby concept was to convey the goal of paying the physicians an attractive, flat salary so they could hopefully have time enough with the patient to actually learn more about them and their conditions instead of having to see dozens of patients per hour and spending only 3 minutes with them in order to get enough reimbursement from Medicare and insurance to pay the bills of running the practice. Reimbursement is low and going lower, and insurance companies often call "reasonable and customary charges" what Medicare calls reasonable and customary.....and THAT is less than the costs the providers have to pay to keep the place running.

Obviously people are racing to try to get into these practices in TV, thus the length of time to get an appointment.

The good part is that the TV health system is intent upon getting quality primary care doctors, and apparently they are. Any time somebody asks if they like the dr. they have in one of the existing clinics, there are very good reviews of them.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by mflasch

In anticipation of the opening of the new Creekside Medical Center, I called to set up an appointment for my wife and I five weeks ago. They wouldn't give us an appointment, but instead, set us up for an "initial meeting" for May 6. I received a call yesterday stating that they are not doing the initial meetings and that they were scheduling "new patient appointments." I said that was great and we would like one as soon as possible. The soonest they could get my wife and I in was September 22!
So far, I am not too impressed with the "new delivery of healthcare model" that was being touted by The Villages.
Looks like the same old model to me.

Considering each doctor was to have no more than 1,500 patients and the fact that you cannot even get an initial appointment for almost 100 days, the numbers do not seem to work. At 20 patients per day, your contemplated doctor is going to see 2,000 patients before he can ever see you for the first time. This does not bode well for ongoing care unless you are rarely going to actually see your doctor on each visit.

It sounds like these healthcare centers are developing more as a model for a national healthcare system: scarce appointments, long delays, and most exams by other than a medical doctor.

[Philip Winkler]

I started going to Pinellas. I am very pleased with the personal servive and the time they spent with me. On a scale of 1 to 10; I give the Villages Health Care system a big 10!

Like anything new there will be some bumps along the way.

[2BNTV]

Marcus Welby M.D is hiding, in Dr. Feliz Agbo's body. 352.753.2224 at 910 Old Camp Rd, in LSL.

You can schedule a meet and greet with him, at no charge to you. My M&G, lasted 40 minutes. I asked a lot of questions,and he was trained at Mt Sanai Hospital, in N.Y, as well as England. A personable guy, who will not rush you out of the examing room.

Bring popcorn, as he always has TCM, on the lobby television. LOL
His office staff is super nice, and very efficient.

In addition to all the above, he leaves a couple of appointments open, in case there is an emergency. You won't get the line that, "you have to go the emergency room", as we are "too busy". Staff will try to accomodate you.

[keithwand]

I have not seen my primary in the last 4-5 visits at Colony. Luckily the PA's seem as competent as the Drs.
Never had this problem in Orlando and our Dr. knew both of us.
Here they have no clue who you are because it's a different PA each time.
Not complaining it's just not as advertised aka Welby....

[Carla B]

Here's how it's gone lately for the two of us: Went to the orthopedist, saw the PA; went to the gastroenterologist, saw the PA; went to the Ear doctor, saw the PA; went to the primary care physician and saw the PA; went to the dermatologist, saw the PA. Who will we see when they run out of PAs?

[wendyquat]

Originally Posted by keithwand

I have not seen my primary in the last 4-5 visits at Colony. Luckily the PA's seem as competent as the Drs.
Never had this problem in Orlando and our Dr. new both of us.
Here they have no clue who you are because it's a different PA each time.
Not complaining it's just not as advertised aka Welby....

My initial opinion of my primary care doctor at Colony was positive but it does seem that they try to hook you up with a PA instead of the Dr unless you insist! Not so keen on one PA that I've seen several times! She probably knows her stuff but there is a bit of attitude that turns me off!

[Villages PL]

Marcus Welby is alive and well in fantasy land. This new healthcare system in The Villages is big business run be a big HMO. And one thing big business is good at is selling you a dream, a bill-of-goods.

Before it even started, I questioned it many times and, essentially, I was condemned for being too negative. It was suggested that one should have faith in the developer. And if you don't have faith in him, you must be against him. And the worst thing you can be in The Villages is "anti-developer". It's probably worse than being an atheist.

And when the wrath of well respected posters comes down heavy on you, it provides an example to others, so no one will dare complain or have doubts, until now.

One thing that didn't make sense to me, and still doesn't, is how it would work out economically with only 1,200 patients per doctor. Someone is paying the doctor's "generous" salary. Where does that money come from, the tooth fairy? And now everyone is being seen by a P.A. The doctor was supposed to have enough time so that he could spend 20 to 30 minutes with each patient and you wouldn't even need an appointment and there would be no waiting. Now nothing is anything like what it was advertised to be.

If everyone is being seen by a P.A., what is the doctor doing in the mean time? Sounds like bait-'n'-switch to me.

[gomoho]

Villages Pl - I was wondering the same thing. What are the doctors doing if the PA's are seeing everyone??? I was completely and totally disenchanted with the whole system in the beginning, starting with how they "invited" people to join to my experience with what I will loosely refer to as a doctor. Well I don't have Medicare and still have a high deductible so I only go to the doctor when I really, really need to. That situation occurred in the past week when I couldn't even get out of bed because of the back pain I was having. The morning I woke up vomiting with pain beyond belief I called Colony and much to my surprise they asked if I could be there in 15 minute. I assured them I could and was more than pleasantly surprised by my experience with the PA. She was outstanding - listened, asked questions, wrote a script for the pain and off I went. My only complaint - too much typing on the computer. I go back on Monday for my annual physical and supposedly will see the doc. Curious to see how this will go and if I will actually see a doc or the PA.

[rn1tv]

Dr. Agbo...can you understand him? I would not recommend him.

[Villages PL]

Gomoho, my doctor is in The Villages, a few blocks from where I live but not part of The Villages Clinics. When I first started going to him, it seemed as though he didn't have many patients. So I never had to wait and he would spend a lot of time with me.

As the years went by, he got more and more busy, and I got less and less time with him. I once waited in the waiting room for about an hour. The last time I went for a routine exam, he introduced me to his P.A.. Something he never had before. They were both in the room because he was breaking her in, so to speak. And what did he do but spend 95percent of the time looking at the computer and typing on it. Essentially, I was looking at his back. This provided no encouragement whatsoever for me to raise any issues that I may have had. I had a list of 2 or 3 questions in my pocket that I completely forgot about. I kept waiting for him to finish with the computer and turn to me. When he did turn toward me, he got up and walked toward the door. That was the signal for me to scram. I left but he didn't. I could see them in the room while I was waiting for my next appointment to be decided. He was talking to his new P.A. That must have been more important to him than whatever I might have had to say.

So, I see the hand writing on the wall. Healthcare is not going to get better, it's only going to get worse.

To those who say they love their doctor and everything is wonderful, it's always wonderful in the beginning. Just wait a year or two.

[Gator Fan]

Originally Posted by mflasch

In anticipation of the opening of the new Creekside Medical Center, I called to set up an appointment for my wife and I five weeks ago. They wouldn't give us an appointment, but instead, set us up for an "initial meeting" for May 6. I received a call yesterday stating that they are not doing the initial meetings and that they were scheduling "new patient appointments." I said that was great and we would like one as soon as possible. The soonest they could get my wife and I in was September 22!
So far, I am not too impressed with the "new delivery of healthcare model" that was being touted by The Villages.
Looks like the same old model to me.

This lengthy time period is only because it's your initial visit. Once you're a patient, they will get you in the same day or the next if you have some type of issue that needs attention. Even if you have an issue prior to your first appointment, you are to call. I can't believe that people who aren't even in the system are quick to criticize when they don't even know what they are talking about. I'm not talking about the poster, but about other people who aren't even using the system being critical. In the 10 years that I've been here, the medical services are about the only thing that I haven't been impressed with. This system deserves a fair chance for an appropriate amount of time before people make their judgements.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by greg441

This lengthy time period is only because it's your initial visit. Once you're a patient, they will get you in the same day or the next if you have some type of issue that needs attention. Even if you have an issue prior to your first appointment, you are to call. I can't believe that people who aren't even in the system are quick to criticize when they don't even know what they are talking about. I'm not talking about the poster, but about other people who aren't even using the system being critical. In the 10 years that I've been here, the medical services are about the only thing that I haven't been impressed with. This system deserves a fair chance for an appropriate amount of time before people make their judgements.

Then listen to people in the system. They are saying they only get to see a P.A. This is not the Marcus Welby model that was sold to the public. We were told the doctors would have 20 minites or more to spend with their patients. Now they have zero time to spend with you - instead, they give you a P.A.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Then listen to people in the system. They are saying they only get to see a P.A. This is not the Marcus Welby model that was sold to the public. We were told the doctors would have 20 minites or more to spend with their patients. Now they have zero time to spend with you - instead, they give you a P.A.

I'm in the system and I've been a patient at both Colony and Pinellas, and none of what is stated here is consistent with my experiences with the many appointments I've had. If I want an appointment with the doctor, I get scheduled with my doctor. If I want to see the PA, I'm also free to make my appointment with the PA. No problem! The only reason I can see why anyone would say they can't see the doctor and just the PA is because the doctor isn't available for an appointment when the patient wants their appointment, or they simply didn't communicate that they wanted the doctor when making the appointment.

I've been free to see either one I want so long as they're available when scheduling. I have at least seven or more regular, special purpose or semi-urgent visits per year, and with my next two appointments I have one with the doctor and the other with the PA. No problem, no disappointments, no dissatisfaction!

One more thing I'd like to mention is that when I see the PA, my primary doctor (or another doctor in her absence) is always available for the PA to consult with if necessary. It's happened more than once since I joined up and with both primary and alternate doctors. The time it was with the alternate doctor, he (Dr. Reilly) resolved what I was told was the worse case of hives they ever saw, and to my relief and thanks to him, it cleared up within 48 hours!