Just some advice....
 

Have lived in TV for over ten years. In that time we have used four different primary care physicians. In those ten years my wife has been mis-diagnosed twice. The first by a rather popular dermatologist. This Dr. totally missed a cancer in the corner of her eye on the skin. The Dr. blew it off as nothing. If not for USF Health Care in Tampa she could have lost an eye. After the cancer was removed in Tampa her entire eyelid had to be rebuilt with a great plastic surgeon. That was two years ago. In June of this year we thought we had found a good primary care at one of the largest medical groups in TV. We had been going to this Dr. for a year. My wife mentioned to him an issue on one of her breast. He first prescribed a topical cream and in the next two visits another cream and then an antibiotic. My wife took it upon herself to get a biopsy at USF Tampa after her Dr. at Moffitt recommended she do so. As it turns out it was breast cancer and we have due to the TV Dr's missed diagnosis,
failure to review her past medical history and failure to request an immediate biopsy now delayed a mastectomy that will .be required ASAP. My advice is do not totally trust your local PC anywhere. If you have and issue medically that will not go away then go out of TV and the area and get an expert opinion or a second opinion. I am sure there are some good Dr's in TV but still I would go to a major clinic and get an opinion. There are 1200 people a day moving to FL. There are no where near enough great Dr's in the area.

Perhaps, TimeForChange, follow your name

There are a lot of good PCP's here but a lot of bad ones too. I had a quack that in 18 months and probably 6 visits never touched me with a stethoscope and he actually once told me to come more often as he needs more billing to stay in business, I never went back. The bad thing about him is that he's still here after 2 years since I found a good one. If I see a "Walk-in's Welcome" sign I stay away, any good PCP will not have time for walk-ins.

I would like to tell you it only happens in The Villages but it happens everywhere. Four people in our family, including in-laws, have not been correctly diagnosed with cancer even though they were screened through annual tests or specific office visit to assess a medical problem. There are these nightmare stories everywhere.

Agree about the overall poor quality of health care in TV. We knew it wasn't ranked all that high when we decided to move here but, apart from dental care, the medical care here is pretty hit-and-miss. Coming from a part of the country where the complete opposite is true (Minnesota, doctoring at Mayo Clinic) the difference, in virtually every area, is astounding.

I don't think it is (necessarily) the doctors. My current doctor (for maybe 8 more weeks), aside from being arrogant and condescending, seems pretty knowledgeable. The clinic support staff though (techs, front office people) are across-the-board bad. I joked with my wife awhile back that it has reached the point where I am surprised when something goes RIGHT. Numerous prescription errors that take weeks to straighten out, erroneous entries in my medical information, impossible to reach by phone, etc. etc. have convinced me to change doctors. My wife is pretty happy with her doctor at Cleveland Health, so he will become my primary come November.

I told my wife if there's any question/doubt that needs a 2nd opinion about my health, take me
straight to Mayo clinic in Jacksonville.

By the end of the day, you will know what your prognoses is immediately and their treatment program.

Geee, I wonder if that had something to do about us waiting in TV hospital emergency for 8 1/2 hours. :shrug::grumpy:

We are happy with our quality of care, unfortunately our primary care physician is no longer taking new patients.

I am so sorry to hear of your wife’s diagnosis and of all the problems with Physicians you’ve had around The Villages. I am so glad that she went and got checked out by other physicians and was able to get diagnosed correctly. Many prayers go out to you both as she goes through her surgery and recovery.

Thank you for speaking out! I totally agree. Be proactive in your Healthcare. I'll be seeking a new third dermatologist and second new dentist. I found a second eye doctor I like. I call it doc hopping but I don't put up with providers who are not adequately providing while I am paying a great amount.

Health Care Questioned
 

It's really hard to get good answers at times. One big burr under my saddle is when someone says they identified a really bad service provider but refuse to name names. So what good is identifying someone who maybe has an office on the moon as far as information goes. You may be reluctant to name names, but it helps everyone if you do. When folks ask for help, help. Don't just advise or imply.

Be careful with Cleveland Healthcare. This is our PC office and we are looking elsewhere. The office is run horribly. They NEVER answer the phone and they NEVER call you back when you leave a voicemail! I even submitted an appointment request via the patient portal (since it seems preferable to them) over a week ago. Still haven't heard back from anyone. Good luck!

ER wait
 

I waited for TWO days! Turns out I got better care in the ER than I did on the second floor.

Names of Good Doctors with Good Staff
 

I feel your pain. Either I find a good doctor with a terrible staff or the opposite. Instead of naming poor doctors, can we start naming doctors / practices that we think are great! I'm willing to go outside The Villages. Recently, after a sub-par office visit where the entire physical exam (first time visit) took about one minute (not exaggerating), the office sent me notes of what occurred during the visit. About 90% of what was written in the notes never happened. Grrrrr.... :(

Wow sad that they would lie about the appt.

If in doubt, seek another opinion. You have to be your own advocate. We go to Moffitt for everything and you don’t have to have a referral.
My wife and I both are patients there.

Had doctor at Cleveland, for 3 years told me I had allergies. Went to UFC and found out I had serious lung issues. Never checked me over. Sad, would like to give his name but might get sued. Thought about calling Morgan and Morgan

Time For Change
 

We too have noticed that many of the doctors here are unimpressive. It really makes me question the quality of care we are receiving. When we moved to The Villages, we kept our home up North, and we spend summers there. We chose Florida Blue Medicare Advantage, and I specifically chose the PPO plan, so I could continue to see specialists up North if I choose to. We have a primary doctor in The Villages, and also one up North. I see my specialists during the summer months while we are there. The copay is the same. Just an option for those who travel back and forth and are more comfortable with their original doctors.

What you are saying is true for many primary care doctors that they miss diagnosis patients that is why you need to see a specialist for most proper correct care.

Moffitt
 

I would assume not needing a referral depends on your insurance. Unless you are paying cash. Keninches, What insurance do you have ?

Dr. Rizzi @ Creekside is a wonderful man & excellent Dr. he will LISTEN to you, then decide together what the best options are

& as for Mayo, they do not accept Medicare. we tried, & ended up paying out of pocket

Just a bit of life saving advice . . . . . AVOID VIP CARE & THE VILLAGE HOSPITAL at all cost!

The problem with "modern" medicine is all government induced. In the past, the most qualified, smartest, etc went to med school. Now, less qualified(more entitled?) and less driven people are admitted and, go figure, quality of care has diminished. Drs that used to work until they couldn't walk are being replaced by Drs that really "don't like their jobs and don't like how hard they have to work" and lots quit hence the huge influx of foreign Drs. Thanks government. Another giant mess that will effect us all.

Same as anywhere else I've ever lived.

I had the same experience.

I had the same experience.

So glad your wife was able to get the treatment she needed! I think it is good to get 2nd opinions like you did.
My husband now goes to Shands in Gainsville.

Just left Moffitt yesterday late following two biopsy's my wife had. She has been going there for ten years. We love the place. She will have her second surgery there in the last four years. They are caring, thoughtful and very thorough. USF across from Moffitt is also a great place.

I did that two months ago. Time for change name came ten years ago when we decided to move.

For the most part I have had unprofessional and uncaring services provided by health care "professionals" here. This includes dentist, PCP, and urologist. So now I am my own PCP, along with my wife and Dr. Google. Yes, I know, some information on Google can be wrong, but I have found one needs to review MANY articles on Google before reaching a conclusion. And so far, I KNOW I am better off consulting Dr. Google. Other than providing a prescription for blood pressure meds and yearly blood test, I don't need any "Medical Doctors".

Another T of TV rumor...........

Does Mayo Clinic accept Medicare?
Yes, Mayo Clinic is a participating Medicare facility in Arizona, in Florida, in Rochester, Minn. and at all Mayo Clinic Health System locations.

Do you use books or YouTube when you do your own surgery?;)

U Tube. (Take that!)

I wouldn’t give a dime for the villages health care system. My husband has cancer and we need the best and that is doctors outside of the villages. I have friends with health problems and have still not come up with a medical solution for there problem and it’s been over 2 years. I used them when I first got here but when they would only take advantage insurance and I didn’t have that they refused to treat us. They did both of us a great favor. We have great doctors now if them are village health care. Just FYI.

Finding a doctor
 

when moving here it is a challenge to find the right doctor.
My husband got into a huge group, and in 10 years he had 9 different drs--either the quit mid-appointment, ran away with a co-worker, and termination of drs and office staff. I begged him to leave but he felt he should stay. Finally gave in after realizing they did nothing for him, and left. He now has a very caring cardiologist; internist; and pain dr. Beyond pleased with them all. Sometimes you just have to keep looking and yes, always get a quality second opinion.

You have to be yo9ur own advocate these days…..second opinion!

If you find your ideal doctor, don't get to complacent with your find because it could change over night
for reasons mention above.

I drove medical van transporting our veterans, and the biggest problem with government funded hospitals and clinics.
While in medical school, the students get government loans, and the government says they have to do a 2-year internship in a VA hospital.

After the two years are up, all the good doctors leave and go on their own.

That might be the case with our own VA clinic.

Nameless Doctors
 

I don't think that too many people opt to move to The Villages for the fabulous healthcare. They move to TV to be active, socially engaged and to enjoy a good quality of life in retirement. Leading an active, healthy, happy lifestyle makes people less prone to illness. Of course, illness can happen no matter where you live and no matter how happy and active you are. The older you get, the more likely it is that you will develop health issues that require a certain level of medical diligence and competence to treat effectively.

But, again, few people move to The Villages for the healthcare and, in TV, there seems to be a rather significant supply/demand issue. I was looking around at the various medical center websites and I was noticing that many doctors are not taking new patients. It may very well be necessary to look outside The Villages just to find a primary care doctor which is sort of crazy.

My husband and I are in our mid to late 50's and pretty healthy. We would definitely be moving to The Villages for the active lifestyle and overall quality of life. We have never chosen to live anywhere based on the quality of healthcare services. The town we live in now has adequate providers, I wouldn't call them "the best" but we really don't have any reason to need top notch medical care right now. An annual physical is fine.

However, it does give me pause to hear the concerns being raised regarding the medical care (or lack thereof) in The Villages. I am not too keen on the idea of having to drive long distances just to get treated by a qualified specialist, especially when we're older. At the same time, I can't see moving close to The Mayo Clinic "just in case" we might get sick some day. Lifestyle is definitely our number one consideration at this stage of our lives. I appreciate you all sharing your stories. You've given me some things to think about. One would think that a large community like The Villages would attract more in the way of healthcare providers.

Do you ever read the notes after a doctor visit. I read all mine, and I cannot believe the things they print out that supposedly occurred at the visit. For instance, abdomen soft,, non-tender. Never touched abdomen. No Carotid bruit, never checked carotids. And on and on.... I am an RN..... I know what they checked and didn't check.... it is unbelievable what they document. And the list of diagnoses is never correct, ie, DM... I am not diabetic, HTN, I never had high BP and never medicated for same. My spouse's reports are the same. One doc had noted in the H & P (pt history) that my husband has 5-9 drinks of alcohol daily..... NEVER in 40 years have I seen my spouse have more than 1 cocktail before dinner.... it's deplorable.....and this is not only in TV....