Originally Posted by Buckeyephan (Post 1255438)

I will continue to wrap my garbage in the part of the Sunday paper they devote to the joys of The Villages Health System.

Originally Posted by FromDC (Post 1255422)

First of all let me say that having a health care system in a huge retirement community while not accepting original Medicare is ludicrous!

Starting in January 2017, The Villages Health will only see patients that have purchased their Advantage Plan, have Tricare For Life, or have their own commercial health insurance policy if under the age of 65. The Villages Health hopes to lure the 65 and under crowd to buy their Advantage Plan once they become age eligible. This group is seen as a potential revenue generator, but The Villages Health has no idea if this group will buy into it or jump ship.

If you want to read unbiased news about The Villages, don't read The Daily Sun. For example, this Tampa Bay Times article is dated 2014. It shows how important the Advantage Plan sales are to the viability of the health care business. The article states that the University of South Florida pulled out of The Villages due to lower than expected sales of the Advantage Plan. It was clear that there were big monetary issues and losses. Now fast forward to 2016 and the story remains the same. The Villages Health needs to ramp up their Advantage Plan sales to keep afloat. According to a **************.com report, the Developer has kicked in a substantial amount of money to help balance the books.

USF pulls out of its $4 million specialty care clinic at the Villages | Tampa Bay Times

If you are happy with The Villages Health, then stick with them. They want you to believe their plan is all about YOU, according to The Daily Sun. It is actually about their revenue and bottom line. Just remember they can rewrite their rules on a whim and you must conform during open enrollment or you must get out. Remember rule changes are based on the almighty dollar and not your best interest. Buyer beware. Will there be an Advantage Plan the following year? Let's wait and see.

Originally Posted by John_W (Post 1255434)

My wife had a United Health medigap plan that was costing $184 a month and a Humana drug plan that was $20 a month and required using Walmart Pharmacy. She received her medical care from Premier Medical at Lake Sumter Landing.

Last open season she switched to the United Medicare Advantage plan. First off, by using their drug plan combined with the premiums she use to pay, she is now $204 a month ahead. She now gets her drugs from Walgreens, which is much more convenient, and every drug she has received has been cheaper. Also certain drugs such as Sibrinza eye drops, they have in stock while Walmart had to order them everytime. Her care at the Villages Pinellas Office from Dr. Helene Aisenstat has been way more comprehensive and she is very happy.



Myself, I turned 65 last July and have the same Medicare Advantage and also use Pinellas. In the past I used the VA Medical Facility at The Villages and still do, but now as a back up. For example, last April I became very sick and went to my VA doctor. He spent a total of 10 seconds with me and listened to my chest





and said you have some Bronchitis and gave me a Z-Pack (anti-biotics) and told me to go home and rest and I'll be like new in 5 days.


Five days later I was twice as sick and could hardly get out of bed. I then saw Dr. Aisenstat and first she ordered a chest X-Ray, it indicated I had pneumonia. I received an injection right then, and got two more prescriptions and went home and was well in about 5 days.


Previously I had a skin problem and had made a total of three trips to the VA Dermatologist in Gainesville and had biopsies taken in two locations. The VA was never able to properly diagnose my problems. Under Dr. Aisenstate I was referred to Dr. Casper, a dermatologist on CR466. Within two minutes of seeing me and with no biopsy, the doctor dignosed both of my problems and was correct. Overall I have been more than happy with The Villages Medicare Advantage Plan, and I'm grateful they have it right here in The Villages. You're right it's about the money, it has saved us a lot.

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer (Post 1255429)

Wonder why they decided to accept TFL?

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer (Post 1255429)

Wonder why they decided to accept TFL?

Originally Posted by msm1948 (Post 1255517)

Just pray you don't get ill.

Originally Posted by John_W (Post 1255434)

My wife had a United Health medigap plan that was costing $184 a month and a Humana drug plan that was $20 a month and required using Walmart Pharmacy. She received her medical care from Premier Medical at Lake Sumter Landing.

Last open season she switched to the United Medicare Advantage plan. First off, by using their drug plan combined with the premiums she use to pay, she is now $204 a month ahead. She now gets her drugs from Walgreens, which is much more convenient, and every drug she has received has been cheaper. Also certain drugs such as Sibrinza eye drops, they have in stock while Walmart had to order them everytime. Her care at the Villages Pinellas Office from Dr. Helene Aisenstat has been way more comprehensive and she is very happy.

Myself, I turned 65 last July and have the same Medicare Advantage and also use Pinellas. In the past I used the VA Medical Facility at The Villages and still do, but now as a back up. For example, last April I became very sick and went to my VA doctor. He spent a total of 10 seconds with me and listened to my chest and said you have some Bronchitis and gave me a Z-Pack (anti-biotics) and told me to go home and rest and I'll be like new in 5 days.

Five days later I was twice as sick and could hardly get out of bed. I then saw Dr. Aisenstat and first she ordered a chest X-Ray, it indicated I had pneumonia. I received an injection right then, and got two more prescriptions and went home and was well in about 5 days.

Previously I had a skin problem and had made a total of three trips to the VA Dermatologist in Gainesville and had biopsies taken in two locations. The VA was never able to properly diagnose my problems. Under Dr. Aisenstate I was referred to Dr. Casper, a dermatologist on CR466. Within two minutes of seeing me and with no biopsy, the doctor dignosed both of my problems and was correct. Overall I have been more than happy with The Villages Medicare Advantage Plan, and I'm grateful they have it right here in The Villages. You're right it's about the money, it has saved us a lot.

Originally Posted by CritterLover (Post 1256155)

Relieved to see that others, too, are happy with advantage plans and speaking out! I only wish that others would get factual information before jumping on the various TVH-bashing bandwagons.

Originally Posted by cavalier65 (Post 1256671)

UHC plans may be fine, that is not the issue with TVH. Instead it is the kicking out of residents who do not want to be force fed UHC, especially when they have better plans. TVH on the one hand plays up how great the service is, then requires one brand of insurance. It is all about quicker revenue and more profit not about good customer service.:BigApplause:

Originally Posted by CritterLover (Post 1256764)

I beg to differ. What better customer/patient service is there than to give months notice and to offer all sorts of help in the process? We've been totally happy with our treatment, both medically and personally.

Originally Posted by Joejohnson (Post 1256794)

...United has a reputation of slow pay to specialists. This causes Drs and hospitals to ask you for payment and expect you to fight UHC for reimbursement...

Originally Posted by JoMar (Post 1255515)

I agree.....but there will always be those that want it all and feel any changes are aimed at them. I have the Advantage Plan and am happy with it, my wife will need to change doctors since she has a supplemental and doesn't want to change due to the lack of good cancer hospitals under the Advantage plan. We all have our resons for decisions but nobody is taking away your benefits, they are just giving you choices. Their perogative.

Originally Posted by CritterLover (Post 1256764)

I beg to differ. What better customer/patient service is there than to give months notice and to offer all sorts of help in the process? We've been totally happy with our treatment, both medically and personally.

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 1256824)

You reinforce my belief that people who like dogs and cats have a better, clearer, kinder, nicer, smarter attitude about everything.

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 1256824)

You reinforce my belief that people who like dogs and cats have a better, clearer, kinder, nicer, smarter attitude about everything.

Originally Posted by cavalier65 (Post 1256907)

Sorry Critter you miss the point. UHC is no better than many other plans nor is less expensive. The point is that TVH is not the "nice" program that their propaganda would have you believe. It is no different than countless other outfits around the country. Actually one gets better specialty care elsewhere since TVH has no specialists of note. It is all about the money under the guise of healthcare.

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 1256917)

There are no specialists of note in Florida. You will need to go to The Cleveland Clinic, Boston General, Philadelphia, LA, Houston, Cincinnati and Sloan Kettering in New York for that. They are not here, nor are there any medical facilities number one in anything in Florida. The developer was trying to remedy this... give us decent doctors,I think. But what do I know??? I never met any of the family. They all could be greedy bastards.

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1256930)

The Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and UofF in Gainesville are solid places to go. I have been to both, after giving up on local Drs. To say there is nothing of note in FL is just silly talk.

Originally Posted by cavalier65 (Post 1256907)

Sorry Critter you miss the point. UHC is no better than many other plans nor is less expensive. The point is that TVH is not the "nice" program that their propaganda would have you believe. It is no different than countless other outfits around the country. Actually one gets better specialty care elsewhere since TVH has no specialists of note. It is all about the money under the guise of healthcare.

Originally Posted by tedquick (Post 1255505)

While I had heard some horror stories about the Advantage Plan, my wife and I, after a lengthy discussion with our insurance agent, switched to it and have been quite happy. We also saved a substantial amount of money, that is so far we have. If and when something serious happens and it tends to as we age, :) that might present us with a whole new picture but for now we are both very pleased with the plan.

Originally Posted by jensul619 (Post 1260693)

Just pray you don't get sick. HMO doctors, networks, referrals and refusals to cover tests and surgery. know this from experience. I would rather pay my premium every month and know that I can go to any doctor, anywhere in the world and pay nothing!

Originally Posted by big guy (Post 1256946)

I believed the hype when I moved here about The Village Health, joined and used my medicare and a supplemental from United Healthcare. My circumstances are special because I am a transplant patient. I used VHC for the regular aches, pains and sprains but I need to visit the transplant clinic for followup evaluations. Now I am going to be in a bind. None of my specialists accept Advantage and the local Advantage network does support transplant work. Do I shoot craps, use VHC and hope a GP will be able to get me help, or do I find a new GP miles away? Urgent Care or ER are starting to look like a good bet while keeping my medicare and supplemental. I feel the VHC sold out and there promotions for Healthiest Hometown were for suckers.

Originally Posted by Joejohnson (Post 1256794)

I don't see but a few that are unhappy with medical or personal treatment in VHC Clinics. It's the UNITED Health care that is the worry.

United has a reputation of slow pay to specialists. This causes Drs and hospitals to ask you for payment and expect you to fight UHC for reimbursement.

Critter: Villages Health Care is wonderfull, but beware of United Healthcare Advantage. I did my research and my assessment is OMG!!

Originally Posted by big guy (Post 1256946)

I believed the hype when I moved here about The Village Health, joined and used my medicare and a supplemental from United Healthcare. My circumstances are special because I am a transplant patient. I used VHC for the regular aches, pains and sprains but I need to visit the transplant clinic for followup evaluations. Now I am going to be in a bind. None of my specialists accept Advantage and the local Advantage network does support transplant work. Do I shoot craps, use VHC and hope a GP will be able to get me help, or do I find a new GP miles away? Urgent Care or ER are starting to look like a good bet while keeping my medicare and supplemental. I feel the VHC sold out and there promotions for Healthiest Hometown were for suckers.