Help Finding New Doctor
 

My wife and I are 2 of the over 10,000 villagers being kicked-out of the Villages Health Care system. Health Insurance is part of our retirement benefits and we can't afford to pay additional funds for something that won't provide any additional benefits. So, we are now looking for a new Internist or General Practitioner before December 31. Does anyone have any suggestions of a good internist or general practitioner? Thanks

Is it really 10,000?

Any recommendations for quality physicians who are taking new patients?

I was told by a rep from SHINE that it was 15,000. I imagine that it is going to be shear chaos as people look at changing doctors.

Personally, I am up to 23 questions that I will be asking both UHC and SHINE to figure out what we are going to do.

According to some of the usual developer shills (albeit unpaid shills presumably), you aren't technically being "kicked out."

However, imagine being in a general car club and then told that if you didn't buy a new Porsche, you would no longer be allowed to be in the club.

While not technically being "kicked out" of the car club, the net result is the same.


Anyway, good luck to you (and the the thousands of others not being 'kicked out') on finding a new doc that you're comfortable with. :thumbup:

We were never allowed into that fine Healthcare system because we have company insurance and that wasn't accepted. We really envied all who could take advantage of it. That said, we have a PCP we like, also a dermatologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist and foot doctor. It was not easy to find them. Florida is not tops in this country for excellent health care and that is probably why The Developer tried to provide and hire some good doctors for this community and establish a good health care system like he started good restaurants and a bank and things like transportation systems and even had a first rate furniture store. I think the developers were planning on the backing of USF and they fled for some reason, maybe not enough dough?

It is not easy to find excellent health care in Florida and if you come from Boston, L A, Houston or Cincinnati to name a few meccas of medicine in the U.S.,you will feel the lack deeply.

I have run into some really not good doctors and absolute scam dentists here in this part of Florida.

The best and brightest medical folks are attracted to large nationally accredited teaching facilities I guess.

We still have good doctors here for most things that affect us.

When searching for doctors, ask if they are board certified, and note where they were educated to start. Having a nice personality, or good bedside manner isn't as important as having up to date medical knowledge.

I just got my letter, I am on Medicare and have Tricare. Says I don't have to do anything and I can remain in the system. I thought I had read that they were not allowing Tricare for life patients to stay?

The question still remains. Does anyone have the name of a good doctor in the area who can take new patients?

This decission by The Villages maybe their down fall?????

Why? People have been finding doctors for a long time. I don't think it will harm the company if the healthcare system fails. They tried.

Many people have supplemental coverage, partially subsidized by their former employer, in addition to traditional medicare. They will be extremely reluctant to give up that coverage for the United Healthcare plan. I sat down with a United Healthcare representative earlier this summer and went over their plan compared to my bc/bs supplemental plan. The agent admitted my current plan is superior, especially to coverage outside their coverage area. In our case we spend several months a year out of TV and would only have limited coverage. Also under what I presently have there is no restriction on where I can go for care if the need arises. As we get older, that is a hard option to give up.

We're in exactly the same situation and are very satisfied with our BC/BS Medicare supplement primarily for its portability and coverage. We're using Dr. John Im on CR101. In addition to urgent care, Dr Im is taking non-emergency private patients by appointment. We're very satisfied with his care and as an added bonus, his sister Kelly is a nurse practitioner, and part of his practice. Both are extremely easy to speak with. We started with Dr Ready but found his bedside manner lacking.

Villages medical
 

Apparently the Villages only cares about making money. They are now kicking out people who are on medicare with a supplemental plan even if it's from United Healthcare. They are well aware that many people do not want to be stuck with an insurance company who restricts providers and can change them whenever they want. They sold this as a retirement community with great Healthcare who cares but slowly but surely their care is replaced by the almighty dollar.

Norman Novis

This is my understanding.

For healthy people Medical Advantage plans are best for you.

For those who have recurring conditions and may need to be hospitalized, original Medicare with a supplement is best for you. It also gives you a wider range of doctors one can seek, for their medical needs.

Sunday's DS had an article explaining the VHS favors UHC Medical Avantage plans as the doctors can spend 1/2 hours per patient than original Medicare, as that plan is geared for a doctor to spend 10 minutes, per patient. The article also says one receives more coverage for a MA plan for what one pays. If one has OM plus a supplement, they would be spending about $3600 per year. If one has an MA plan, one pays $1260 per year. With an OOP max of $4600. They indicated one could save money and still receive excellent care as the average patient may spend $800 past the $1260 per year.

One has to pick the plan that best needs their needs. For some people OM with a supplement provides peace of mind.

As they say on the cops and robbers shows, "follow the money". It's all about the money. Personally, I am disappointed that one can't switch to OM with a supplement and stay within TV Health network. I personally think they are making a mistake.

In spite of going out of our way recently to the Colony office and being "assured" we are not on a list to be given a dismissal letter, it arrived today.

Last time I went to the Rose Clinic on Old Camp Road, I was told a new M.D. Was joining their practice named Dr. Beams. We are calling him today.

You can join the Advantage plan and stay on. Do not believe anything that they're telling you about improvements. This is all about money$$$ and greed. The other issue they have is that they don't want to deal with submitting bills to Medicare and private secondary insurers...it's too much trouble. One of the reasons that my wife and I moved here was the state of the art, magnificent medical care that would be offered to us, which we took. When they closed the door last year to people that had private insurance, they promised that we'd be grandfathered. They lied. They have not kept their word. They have no integrity. What those of you that remain will have is an HMO, no matter what they tell you. Remember them? Can you remember any of your friends or family who had HMO's that were satisfied? The Villages have failed miserably. I'll never trust them again.

I really believe they have a good thing going and I hope I'm around to enjoy it till I'm very old and crotchety! I so wish all the people feeling dumped on would talk to the right people..they'd feel so much better.

Dr. Martizez-Cruz located in The Summit on 466 750 6650 hours start at 7 in the am until the middle of the afternoon and his office is also open every other Saturday morning. Listens to your problem and then answers in a manner you will know what is wrong and what can be done about it. You will like him.

May I ask who your Dr.'s are

Not positive but I heard Tricare would be accepted until you are 65. It would be nice if someone could clarify this.

I would have hoped that TVH would have grandfathered anyone already in the system as they had promised. Through attrition that would have solved the problem.

Seems like the only reason to make this drastic decision is they do not have patient space to take in those that want to be on MA.

I guess I would take a little money ( US ) on Original Medicare rather than no money.

I heard from someone under 65 that United Health is cancelling policies for those on the open market effective January 1st.

Very happy with united health care.

Did anyone ever answer your question about local docs? You can PM me. I am a practicing RN and have some knowledge of who I would or would not see in this area. Would be glad to supply you with the information I have.

If you receive any good references will you let me know please? I'm in the same boat

1.A lot of people like Dr Florian Gegaj
2. Dr Felix Agbo, (I found him difficult to understand even though he speaks english, heavy accent). Went to him for 2 years. Excellent doctor trained at Mt Sanai in NY and in England.

Left to join TVH system.

Please help me. I'm looking for a compationate RA doctor in the villages
Please contact me at Paulette9055@gmail.com Thank you

Letter received also...must find new Physicians
 

NY Civil Service advised do NOT join Advantage as will be dropped from NYS Plan. Once that happens you cannot rejoin.

Any information on Dr. Sietarski?

My wife and I joined The Villages Healthcare a year ago and have had great medical coverage and care. I see no reason not to stay with the system using United Healthcare that they provide. Beautiful facilities, you can choose from four of them. Zero or low premiums, low co-pays, eye care, dental and prescriptions included. Get in now before you can't. The Doctors can only take so many new patients or you may be able to keep the one you have had in the system. Stop in the Medicare Store and talk to them a.s.a.p..

Check out the new Affordable Health Care Channel! They have great docs ...variety of specialists. My deductible is so high...I ended up paying a lower cash price for better care ;-) Hope a good lead

Not sure about that but I am in the same situation. I have TFL and when I approached a Villages provider they said they would accept me but I had to file claims with Tricare. They would not do it. Medicare files claims automatically with Tricare so you usually have nothing to worry about. Checking out doctors on the Medicare.gov website is a nightmare. Really easy to find providers but getting one that is good or taking new patients is another. So far I have seen two and they are terrible. Unorganized staff and usually from some far away country. I really believe that The Villages is in some sort of agreement with UHC to force people into their system. $$$? maybe. Something to consider for us planning to spend the rest of our lives here.

Most insurance companies allow you to "suspend" coverage. You are locked out for a year but can rejoin. My wife is in a government program and plans to do that the end of the year to rejoin my Tricare program. She can return after a year if she so desires. I think?

My understanding is that once you go with medicare advantage for over a year, you will have to "qualify" for supplemental insurance if you want to go back to medicare part b. By qualify, I mean the insurance companies will take into account your medical/health condition and age, and base your premium on those factors.

I have a retired cardiologist in my workout class at MVP and he had Medicare Advantage with TV at Colony. I asked him today how he liked his doctor. He said because of all the traveling he does, he's concerned with the limited coverage when he leaves Florida. He has a medigap plan F that is much better and that he had talked to the folks at the new 441 Urgent Care Center that recently opened in the small strip center on 44 across from Powell Rd where O'Shea's used to be. They told him they are getting a fulltime family doctor on staff in October and will be taking patients soon. He said he's going to drop his Villages plan and go with his plan F at the Urgent Care Center.

Here is the address if you're not sure of where it's at, it's across from the Grand Traverse Shopping Center before Sparr Building Supplies.

Suite 101, 4669 FL-44, Wildwood, FL 34785

Are you saying he has Advantage AND Plan F?

He also reads and answers emails twice a day, even on weekends. He did his residency at Mass General in Boston and came across some very unusual conditions; as a consequence, he was able to diagnose and treat my husband for an uncommon condition before he sustained organ damage.

Dr. M-C is not board certified because he chooses not to be. We discussed this with him and accepted his reasons. He will accept patients with no medical insurance for a flat fee. He goes out of his way to find people of limited means the least expensive way to treat their conditions, including the buying in bulk and undercharging for medical pressure socks when he found out how much they were being sold for in area stores, as well as advising where some prescription drugs can be bought for the least $.

I could go on. His WIFE is his office manager. He has an autistic child and does much work for autism. But give his office a call and go in to talk to him. Make your own decision.

He's the best doctor we've ever had. He spends much time with you during a visit and doesn't overbook. So my only hesitation in recommending him now and in the past is the hope that he will not become swamped.

Yes, that is what he said, I didn't quiz him on his details. He's a retired doctor 78 years old. He stayed with TVHS and enrolled in Medical Advantage. With his traveling he has concerns, his wife just returned from 3 weeks in Europe, so he has been looking for a way to use his supplement plan. He liked what he saw and what they told him at 441 Urgent Care on Hwy-44. So he switching to them and dropping his Advantage plan, then he'll also be able to travel and have complete coverage.

Dr. Agbo with Sinai Med was a great find for my wife and I he's knowlegable friendly and easy to access.

Family Physician / Internist in TV
 

I have had good luck with referrals to Dr. Felix Agbo of Sinai Medical at Lake Sumter Landing. He is the only doctor - so you can develop a relationship. He also has a Nurse Practitioner in his office to assist.

Dr. Marivic Villa (352)561-6299