[JenAjd]

Folks who have signed up for Preferred Care Partners---who would you recommend to go to for eye exams?

Lange Eye or Mid-Florida?? Curious to read the responses......give the reasons for and againest.

[Avista]

Originally Posted by JenAjd

Folks who have signed up for Preferred Care Partners---who would you recommend to go to for eye exams?

Lange Eye or Mid-Florida?? Curious to read the responses......give the reasons for and againest.

I'm going on Preferred Care Partners and am also interested in the responses.

[wendyquat]

I can only relate my experience with Lange Eye. I've had glaucoma for 5 years and upon moving here in May, made an appointment with Lange Eye as it was time for my regular pressure check. I chose Lange Eye only from seeing the large building. I had an appointment with a Dr. Schramm who gave me a very thorough examination and did several glaucoma tests confirming that it appeared I did have glaucoma. He gave me a new generic eye drop and asked me to come back in a month to check the pressure again to see if the generic drops were doing the job that the ones I had been using for years (Travatan Z) had been doing. A week or so before my return appointment I was called by Lange informing me that Dr. Schramm would no longer be coming to TV and I'd have to go to Ocala if I wanted to see him. I did NOT want to travel to Ocala so she said she could make me an appointment with another doctor but it would be several weeks. I decided to seek another doctor, did some research and decided on Dr. ElMallah with Ocala Eye at Laurel Manor. It was a few weeks before I could get an appointment and when I went Dr. ElMallah wanted to know why I had gone to Lange as they were all Optometrists and not Opthamologists and I needed to be seen by an MD. Anyway, the appointment at Ocala Eye took 3 hours and I am probably going to seek another group. We are also looking at Preferred Care so I will be anxious to hear of recommendations also.

[wendyquat]

Originally Posted by wendyquat

I can only relate my experience with Lange Eye. I've had glaucoma for 5 years and upon moving here in May, made an appointment with Lange Eye as it was time for my regular pressure check. I chose Lange Eye only from seeing the large building. I had an appointment with a Dr. Schramm who gave me a very thorough examination and did several glaucoma tests confirming that it appeared I did have glaucoma. He gave me a new generic eye drop and asked me to come back in a month to check the pressure again to see if the generic drops were doing the job that the ones I had been using for years (Travatan Z) had been doing. A week or so before my return appointment I was called by Lange informing me that Dr. Schramm would no longer be coming to TV and I'd have to go to Ocala if I wanted to see him. I did NOT want to travel to Ocala so she said she could make me an appointment with another doctor but it would be several weeks. I decided to seek another doctor, did some research and decided on Dr. ElMallah with Ocala Eye at Laurel Manor. It was a few weeks before I could get an appointment and when I went Dr. ElMallah wanted to know why I had gone to Lange as they were all Optometrists and not Opthamologists and I needed to be seen by an MD. Anyway, the appointment at Ocala Eye took 3 hours and I am probably going to seek another group. We are also looking at Preferred Care so I will be anxious to hear of recommendations also.

Forgot to add. I have not been able to find a provider for glaucoma on the Preferred Care website anywhere near TV so this may be a deal breaker for us and PCP.

[Avista]

Originally Posted by wendyquat

Forgot to add. I have not been able to find a provider for glaucoma on the Preferred Care website anywhere near TV so this may be a deal breaker for us and PCP.

I have glaucoma and have been using Ocala Eye. Their waits are so long. Next year I will be on Preferred Care Partners. I see Dr Seaborn Hunt of Lange is on the plan. He is an ophthalmologist. Also, Mid-Fllrida eye is on441 near Stonecrest and a site in Leesburg.

I'm researching the glaucoma docs too for next year. Hope for replies on Lang or Mid-Florida

[wendyquat]

Originally Posted by Avista

I have glaucoma and have been using Ocala Eye. Their waits are so long. Next year I will be on Preferred Care Partners. I see Dr Seaborn Hunt of Lange is on the plan. He is an ophthalmologist. Also, Mid-Fllrida eye is on441 near Stonecrest and a site in Leesburg.

I'm researching the glaucoma docs too for next year. Hope for replies on Lang or Mid-Florida

Thanks, I must be doing something wrong on their website as I do not see Dr. Hunt listed, nor Mid Fl Eye.

[Avista]

Originally Posted by wendyquat

Thanks, I must be doing something wrong on their website as I do not see Dr. Hunt listed, nor Mid Fl Eye.

I have the 2012 Provider Book.
Under Lake County I see under Opthalmologists

Thomas Barnard MD 790 s hwy 27/441 Lady Lake

Jeffery Baumann MD
600 M 14 th St, Leesburg

William Dunn MD
790 S us why 27/441
Lady Lake

Stacia Boldey MD
600 N 14th St
Leesburg

Ray Maizel MD
600 N 14th St
Leesburg

Elia Mavrofrides MD
790 s Hwy 27/441
Lady Lake

There are more, but this is an example.

[JenAjd]

I really WANT to hear replies of folks who've actually been seen at either of these two clinics!!!! Ocala Eye is not in network, nor will be (I called) with PCP which is unfortunate!! To make a change can be scarey as I too had been monitored for glaucoma due to increased eye pressure. I've now gone nearly 2 years though with, within normal pressure, so am back to once a year checks!!! BUT have other medical issues that can affect the eyes and really want good, reliable practioners.

[JenAjd]

bump

[wendyquat]

Originally Posted by JenAjd

I really WANT to hear replies of folks who've actually been seen at either of these two clinics!!!! Ocala Eye is not in network, nor will be (I called) with PCP which is unfortunate!! To make a change can be scarey as I too had been monitored for glaucoma due to increased eye pressure. I've now gone nearly 2 years though with, within normal pressure, so am back to once a year checks!!! BUT have other medical issues that can affect the eyes and really want good, reliable practioners.

Totally agree with you JenAjd! This is our first look at a Medicare Advantage Plan and I guess the biggest negative is the providers (doctors) can go and come as they please, at least yearly. When you have an ongoing condition such as glaucoma it is very hard to "start over" with a new doctor every few months.

[VillagesFlorida]

Originally Posted by JenAjd

Folks who have signed up for Preferred Care Partners---who would you recommend to go to for eye exams?

Lange Eye or Mid-Florida?? Curious to read the responses......give the reasons for and againest.

We have been going to Mid-Florida Eye for a few years now. Hubby does not have glaucoma but is being monitored and tested for it every year due an irregularity our optometrist found in the shape of his eye. He sees Dr. Panzo there and so do I, now. We like him. We are happy to see that he is on the Preferred Care Partners list of providers. (Look under Marion County) This is our first full year on this insurance and we have been very happy with it. It DOES look like we are going to have to travel to Ocala for a good dentist, but that is OK.

[RLNLB]

My wife & I have been going to Mid Florida Eye for about 10 years. We see Dr Panzo who is a glaucoma specialist and he found that my wife has both low & high pressure glaucoma. she has been under treatment for it for the past 5 yrs and in addition has had detached retina before moving here so has seen Dr. Maizel. We are very impressed with the whole operation. They keep a very close watch on any problems that you may have.

[mary amelia]

I would not recommend Lange Eye Care. They billed my insuracne carrier for contact lenses that I never ordered or ever received. I only found out about this when I purchased contact lenses from 1-800 contacts and went to submit my paid receipt to my insurance for reimbursement. The insurance told me I did not qualify for reimbursement as they had already paid Lange Eye Care for them. When I called Lange they told me it was their standard operating procedure to bill for contacts. But they never caled me to tell me they did this or that I had contacts ready for pick up. I found this out 6 months later when I purchased them elsewhere. This also happened to a friend under similar circumstance when she went to them. They billed her insuracne for eye glasses she never received. I hate to think of the number of seniors they have done this to withouth their knowledge. Think twice before using them for your eye car.

[CTgolfer]

I would recommend Ocala Eye - Dr. Morris.

[JenAjd]

Originally Posted by CTgolfer

I would recommend Ocala Eye - Dr. Morris.

Ocala Eye isn't in the network for PCP and that was the reason for the question of Lange or Mid-Florida!

I've decided on Mid-Florida mainly due to the comments here and I want to thank the folks for their comments!!!!!