Culture of Villages Health Care
 

When I initially mentioned I would not name a specific Clinic I was doing that to protect RIVERS FAMILY MEDICINE until I got more information. I have talked to others and found out I am not unique in my frustration and people have specifically mentioned Rivers Family Medicine. I don't understand how this can happen - Isn't there a place people can post complaints ???? or compliments?

I won't mention any specific Doctors or offices. I have had 3 doctors and been in two facilities. I was very healthy when I came and still am. 3 of the doctors I had left because they were over worked and both facilities I found to really not care about "me" as a person or patient.
I moved from Maine, had the same physician for 25 years and know that can be duplicated but I am just thrown off at the treatment I have received. I was prescribed 5 new medications for something that was just a seasonal allergy - sent to sleep studies - and made to take drug tests for a "controlled" substance, a sleep aid. At home I saw a doctor once a year. When I got here it has been 6 x a year. Right now I don't want to see another physican - it is stressful
I am just confused - is it me or is this the system ?

Have heard a few other stories so we picked family doctor that was not part of village health system.

Why not go elsewhere for a second opinion?

I actually did that - well, maybe I didn't . The practice was in the Villages and I don't want to mention the name but that is when I was confronted with "is it a culture". I worked with hospice for 8 yrs so I know that at our ages we are a big boost to the revenue for physicians. But I never expected to feel it happening. .
But thanks for your reply. I should check to see what their affiliation is.

Run away as fast as you can Ocala is only about 25 miles for Dr and hospital services

Can you be a bit more specific? We are 120,000 retired people in the Healthiest Community - is my experience unique - I guess that is what I am asking.

This person may NOT be talking about "THE VILLAGES HEALTH CARE" but just health care in The Villages. There are many, many, many doctors here that are not part of THE VILLAGES HEALTH CARE.

I am a "doctor snob" in that our youngest was born with a very serious and unusual heart defect as well as other things that go along with Williams Syndrome (including being VERY kind and CHARMING). We soon learned that we needed the best care in the REGION, not just the State. We went to The Cleveland Clinic for her original diagnosis when we lived in Indianapolis and then we moved to Cincinnati where Cincinnati has been in the top three for Children's Hospitals for the last fifty years.

People always get angry with me when I say that the State of Florida is way down the list for EXCELLENT health care with a few spots being VERY GOOD. Gainesville and Tampa both have teaching hospitals.

That said, The Morses have given us a damned good Health Care System and I think our Dr. Rizzi is an excellent PCP. We had two other physicians before ending up in The Villages Health Care System which is not available to everyone, just those with certain insurance.

There are some mighty dicey M.D.s and Dentists floating around in Florida and I often wonder who checks their licensing requirements.

Can you be more specific? There is The Villages Health which is "owned" by The Developer. They have 30 - 60 minute doctor visits, etc. There are also a lot of other physicians that practice in The Villages (like Premier), but they have no affiliation with The Villages Health.

I know that at least one of the doctors that post on this forum has chosen our excellent Dentist group owned by Dr. Kathleen Williams. She is the best dentist we have ever consulted in my opinion.

Villages Health
 

Maybe we've just been lucky, but we've never experienced the high level and professionalism of health care as we have at the Creekside Medical Center. Granted, we are extremely healthy, but we are just amazed every time we step foot inside that facility. We've been with them for approx. 14 years and couldn't be happier. Our first two years, we had a doctor not associated with The Villages Health and we were disappointed. The entire staff along with our doctor was not professional and did not take pride in their appearance. The offices were not clean, etc. Everyone has different experiences, but we are continually pleased with the level of care.

I'm finding it difficult to find a good PCP outside of the Villages Health system. My wife and I are not yet 65, so don't have the Medicare Advantage plan that's generally needed to see a PCP with the Villages Health -- which I've heard good things about. They did tell me, however, there will be a single PCP (Dr Jerry Jones) that starts in October who plans to see patients with private health insurance. It just seems crazy to be limited to a single doctor within their entire network...so would like to find some good alternatives - both male and female PCPs.

I don't think it's a fluke. My Villages Health doctor is excellent! I have 12 friends who have The Villages Health primary care physicians and they are all extremely satisfied with their healthcare. All of these people aren't healthy - there's been surgeries, cancer, a stroke, etc. They're all very satisfied.

Now I'm not saying every physician is excellent. I know people have had bad experiences. I think that happens anywhere. I can just say that from my experience and the people I know who go to TVH, people have been very pleased.

Now, how could you have been with them for 14 years? The Villages Health Care just started about 2012, as I recall.

NO NO NO it is NOT YOU !
 

Definitely not you ! Myself and MANY others (you just have not found them yet !) are shocked and dazed by this atmosphere (is it "Florida" or just "The Villages" ?) It' s like a mall here, a retail mall, sell, sell, sell, and sell some more. Medicines "suggested" for things you have never had or thought of, tests, everything you said is true. Never in my life or in my family were we taken to the doctor constantly like it is here. Never did ANY of the doctors in my home town (some were better than others of course but...) NONE of them insisted you come in with NOTHING wrong with you just to take tests and "get a base line" ? If you got flu, or got pneumonia, or fell and may have a broken bone, and you called a doctor, they treated you. They did not start suggesting possible "diseases" that never crossed your mind. "Re-flux disease" ? Do you ever "burp", I can give you a Rx for that. Well, not really, but I suppose I have "burped" once, maybe twice, think it was last Christmas. "Oh, okay, we'll get that fixed, and..... on the way out you pick up another Rx".
No, NO, you are NOT alone, you have every reason to be "confused", and be very very careful, you will find a "REAL" doctor in the sense of the kinds of doctors you had previously, but.... believe me it will take time and patience. It may even be in another town, but do not give up ! Hand in there and GUARD your good health or they will have you on at least 5-7 meds, probably more, and a "sleep test", everyone should have one they say. BE CAREFUL, guard your good health.

We signed up with UHC and chose Santa Barbara Health Care Center. We both have had some issues since we've moved to Florida and I thank God for each and every person in that building. They have done the correct thing for us every time. Above and beyond the call of duty. Our Doctor is Outstanding.

One thing that doesn't work is the practice of being sent to various locations to schedule an appointment. It was way better when we called Santa Barbara directly. NOTHING'S perfect.

I don't have an answer for you but can definitely say I feel the same. I've had four PCPs in 10 years -- two left the area and two who preferred to issue edicts rather than truly listen to my concerns. I also don't want tests and specialist referrals for every little thing! They aren't even issues I'm concerned about, but more a checklist the physicians have to follow in order to meet patient goals/quotas set by their practice.

It's also stressful for me when a practice has inefficient or uncaring nursing/front office staff, and when I'm made to wait 60+ minutes for an appointment.

I've become resentful and beaten down by the whole system.

Note: My experiences here have been with practices outside The Villages Health.

Yea, that’s a bit far to go for a doctor or hospital

I'm afraid you have been misinformed. IF you are 65, you need to have an advantage plan from UHC or Florida Blue. IF you are under 65, , TVH takes most private insurance. I have Florida Blue and I'm less than 65.

As far as the OP goes, you need to make a distinction between The Villages Healthcare and healthcare in the villages, or Florida for that matter. TVH is in the top 1% of health systems in the NATION, the #1 rated practice in north and central Florida, and has a 98% patient satisfaction rating (I guess the other 2% are on this thread)

Many specialists will make u wait 1 hour just to be sure they don't .

It’s not you, it’s the medical fields mentality, in treating older patients and the system. I left Villages Health, after been treated so poorly by the staff. I never saw my doctor, just a nurse practitioner. My doctor now, just keeps prescribing me RX, that I don’t need. After 5 years, of seeing him at least 5 to 6 times year, he still doesn’t remember me or the RX he has prescribed to me. I have tell him.. it’s very disturbing. I’m seriously considering going back to my internist in Tampa.

No it is not unique. It is the medical field mentality, no matter which Clinic of Physicians you select. I left Villages Health, after been treated so poorly. My dr of 5 yrs barely remembers who I am, after demanding I follow up every 2 months, or what he’s already prescribed for me. It’s disconcerting and I’m seriously considering going back to my doctor in Tampa. All of the physicians in Lake, Marion and Sumter County abuse the healthcare system.

Another satisfied customer.......

I moved from Minnesota and have been trying to find a DR. I had an appointment at the Village Specialty clinic. They wanted to do many tests. I called my primary care Dr. in Minnesota he said the tests were not necessary and only ordered because the insurance pays for them. They are revenue billing machines and not DR's. BEWARE!

I am not questioning, nor do I doubt, the statistics you cite but I do wonder where I could look at those data in the interest of learning what else is there regarding other issues. Thanks.

Not what we experienced. Very pleased with our doctor.

Dr Clarissa Abrantes
 

is not affiliated with TV. At my initial visit, she was warm, welcoming and fully informed about my history. I was so impressed with her preparation for my visit. I never saw a PA until her partner died, and now I see her PA occasionally for routine things, and I am also impressed with her professionalism. I have been extremely happy with my treatment from everyone in the office. When I visited Quest for my bloodwork, I was asked if I had my orders. I replied that Dr Abrantes' office was supposed to send them. The tech replied that her office staff is very good about sending orders in advance. I'm sure Dr. Abrantes took on most of her partner's patients, so I don't know if she is accepting new patients at this time.

I’m interested in changing
Can you share the Dr’s contact info

Yes I have the same experience and opinion.

Just say no to unnecessary testing and office visits. They push for 6 month follow ups but you don't have to do it.

We moved here 10 going on 11 yrs ago. Before TVH we found our own clinics and individual practioners. I lucked out and found someone that was a great fit for me. My other half went to a practice that many on here have found less than adequate as did my other half. After a couple of yrs and 'just' before TVH came on board my practioner left the practice so I floundered and can relate to the OP in that it was awful. I really missed the care I'd been having until someone on this site told me where my "lost" pcp had gone. We signed up with TVH system then and I followed her (she's a nurse practioner) and have been highly satisfied with TVH system. My other half followed suit and agrees with me. We have ALL of our medical records in one system and don't have the myriads of paperwork to fill out when/if we're sent to a specialist. I have an autoimmune issue and for some years traveled to Ocala for my appointments. All fine and good in that the doctor I saw was great BUT the records didn't get sent here. I found he didn't have after-hours contact AND if I ever needed to be hospitalized for my issues, it would be in Ocala. So I found the specialist in the Specialty Clinic here in T.V. to replace him. I still will recommend him to others but so far I'm quite happy being treated here. I think we all can make comparisons to what we were used to back where we moved from. Truth be told though....ALL of the people I used to see "up there" have moved on or retired so it would have been a crap shoot to find someone new there as well. I think with UF coming on board with TVH things will improve even more. Our clinic is Santa Barbara but I've heard good reports from friends who go to Pinellas and Creekside for their care. We will always hear people being not happy but this is the experience I've had. Now dentists is another thing and another conversation. For now I'm satisfied but........

I had a very good doctor in The Villages. It took me three try’s with other doctors before I found him. I would go to these other doctors and would have a 9:00 appointment and would find out there were five other people with the same appointment time. You were lucky to see the doctor by 11:00. When I finally found the good doctor I thought it was great. I had him for two years and the last time I saw him he said he could no longer treat me as The Villages Health Care system was taking over the practice and I would have to drop Blue Cross if I wanted to continue to see him. He was very upset. My point is, do yourself a favor and get off the merry-go-round. Find a doctor in Ocala, better doctors better hospitals.

Same here. Theres so many to choose from and more arriving everyday. How about asking a friend or neighbor for a referral rather than asking strangers. Thats a unique concept!

Lots of stories like yours. It is the way they do things here. Loads of tests, follow up visits etc. Shocking? Unnecessary? Expensive?
We travel to Gainesville when possible for treatment.

Many doctors refrain from "Do no Harm!" The best Medicare insurance is United Health Care Medicare Advantage; also Florida Blue. With a Medicare Advantage plan, you are entitled to use all the doctors in Villages Health care system. My primary is Dr. Uyen Nguyen who is also a doctor who performs osteopathic manipulations. She is the best doctor I'VE had. Be sure to use HealthGrades.com so you can pick the best doctors.

A couple of years ago I broke out with a rash, had 50 + Tests and saw about 10 different dermatologist, no results were conclusive. Medications, Creams, Biopsies, all prescribed did nothing. Wrong diagnosis and years of frustrating, itching and pain. Ended up all that time I had Shingles, let me tell you, it was truly uncomfortable and debilitating. In retrospect I am surprised that these doctors here couldn’t diagnose the problem. All these creams that I put on my skin, has burnt it and to this very day I still feel pain. It seems when doctors can not help, they just say , “ You have a Chronic Condition.” All that time I felt like an experiment. After many years I was prescribed morphine and prednisone which I take to this very day.

Medicare. Stretched too thin. Wait until we "all" have it.

Trying to look at a positive if Medicare for all happens. The best doctors will no longer be able to run away from it since everyone will have it?

No, they'll just migrate to concierge medicine and cash only.

We were fortunate enough to have found Lady Lake Family Medicine. We heard some not so good stories about The Villages Health Care System and decided to look around. LLFM’s primary doctor is John Burress, but we have almost always seen his PA, Glen. He is very attentive and we couldn’t be happier with the care we have received over the last 8 years.

I would but heres the thing.

We went to her based on a recommendation.

Have had two appointments but both have been virtual as she is not seeing patients in person now.

Until we had a face to face hesitate to recommend her. Next appt is mid October and hopefully in her office. If you message me than would furnish info..

Yikes! Avoid Premier Medical!!! My husband had 9 different doctors within 10 yrs and they didn't do a good job helping him-they diagnosed a paralyzed diaphragm as Pneumonia-twice-until he went to Shands. And thats just the beginning. 5 minute appts are standard, and, as one dr. told my husband, I'm just a note taker. He is Now with The Villages Health (yes) and has Dr Rizzi and they, in a few months, did more for my husband than Premier did in 10 years. Don't care where you go or how bad you think the Villages Health is-but please, please, please avoid Premier.