Colony Care Center
 

Has anyone been to this Center? Are the Doctors any good?

After waiting and waiting and waiting some more we finally received our "invites" and immediately went for our annual physicals. Couldn't be more disappointed. The 45 minute initial appointment was billed at $250. and consisted of the doctor typing information into the computer. Did ask if there were any recent concerns - expressed a few issues. Went back for the physical a week later and was told if I wanted to discuss anything I would have to make another appointment to do so. Thought that was the purpose of a physical!
I understand they are new a this, but my husband has already fired her as his doctor because of several things she missed i.e. testing his cholesterol levels, failing to mention from his bloodwork he is pre-diabetic, and not noticing on her own his blood pressure was extremely high that morning. He is on meds for cholesterol and blood pressure so why that would be missed to me is inexcusable.

Looks like an outstanding plan with poor execution. My visit was billed as an office visit not a physical so I will begin the arduous process of fighting with the insurance company to get this covered. Very disappointed and hope they can improve what they are now offering. I will also be going to a different practice. I prefer to see a doctor who talks to me and doesn't spend all their type typing on the computer.

Additional comment:

I have received some feedback from folks that have gone to Colony and had a wonderful experience with their selected doctor. I am hoping this indicates there is one in the group that is less than desirable and the system will work as promised. Deciding if I want to go back and give another doctor a try because I really do love the concept.

My wife and I had a drastically different experience at the health center. We received our invitations were invited in for a history and allowed to select our physicians. My wife and I both had our introductory meeting with our respective physicians; mine lasted over an hour just taking my history. I was asked back for a complete physical the following week where all my medical needs were discussed and evaluated. A few weeks later I cut my finger with a razor knife and called the center. Instead of having to go to an emergency room or to an urgi care center, the physicians at the center took care of my finger and i received no bill. My insurance company, AARP United Health Care paid everything and I have never paid a penny. My wife had Preferred Care Partners and the only bill she ever received was for a co pay on a vaccination she received. It is very early in my relationship with this center but so far so good.

How does one get honored with an invitation?

We go to the affiliated care center in the Sharon Morse Bldg. Our experience was much the same as the 2nd poster here. Couldn't be happier with the "service of care". I went on to cancel a future app't with my former practioner and that had already been taken care of when the request for records had been sent for. We both have been VERY impressed!!! What's more..."IF" we ever have to have a hospital stay ALL of our records can be accessed from the doctor's office and vice-versa. :MOJE_whot:

Depends upon where you live. We went to an orientation session last week and are thinking of changing to this care center. I believe they said the Colony center is supposed to support residents of Hadley, Hemingway, Duvall, Sanibel, Fernandina and Charlotte. Not sure if those are accurate but the intent is to have care centers located around The Villages serving a certain numbers of villages.

As we were told once you enroll you have a 45 minute session scheduled with the doctor that you choose who will go over your records and of course then make notes in their system. It sounds like it is something we would like to have close by so we will look into it a bit more.

Our experience was also a positive one. My wife and I had 3 initial visits and blood tests done. The first was a clerical visit at the colony Sales Center to review and have our application entered into their computer system and to select our doctor. The second appointment was to meet the doctor and basically have a question and answer session. The third was the physical and blood test results. They also quickly setup an approval for and administered a shingles vaccination. They also processed for me a referral for a procedure I was due for. You know, the one you should get when you reach the age of 50? We chose Dr. Noel and both she and the entire staff were pleasant. We felt as much at ease with Dr. Noel as we were with Sylvia Wallace that was supposed to be at Colony when she left the previous practice but wound up with the Drs. of Bellview at the Morse Bldg. If things continue into the future we'll be very happy with this new service.

You are correct on the villages covered except that Gilchrest is also on that list for a total of 7 villages.

Contact the office at 352-674-1700, let them know you're in one of the villages listed above and ask if you can stop by and pick up an application to join the center. They'll take it from there. That's what we did when we weren't receiving the application within the time frame we were told.

Expect to see more and more doctors, forced by the government's electronic medical records (EMR) mandate, having their eyes, ears and hands glued to an iPad, feeding it all your patient information to be federalized.

The only way to avoid it is for physicians to quit and have their own retainer practice for a subscriber annual fee (concierge medicine). They're already doing it so they can focus on patient care and practice the way they are supposed to: the doctor makes the medical decisions, not a high-school grad sitting at a computer screen reading the dr. a script of what he can/cannot do and get paid.

I go to the Sharon Morse building with Sylvia Wallace. I'm very happy !!!

(concierge medicine
 

Are there any doctors in The Village area that are doing (concierge medicine) ?

I stopped by Colony and was told TV was building another care center in Lake Sumpter. Did anyone hear about this? I live outside of the covered villages so I cannot go to Colony.

I live in Amelia. Can't wait to get one for us!

The next two are Lake Sumter and Pinellas ( behind the library and service center)

I've attached a copy of the Villages Map issued in December 2012 showing the current and planned locations of the Health Care Centers. Also, I believe they are planning on expanding outside The Villages to the surrounding area eventually, probably not until the the current locations are complete at least.

I think the process is a pain, the care is still to be determined. I did not receive an invite. I called and was told to come pick up the packet. The packet contained a bio. for each of 5 doctors that are now there and a long questionnaire. I took it home and filled out the questionnaire. Called and was given an appt. to bring the packet back a week later. Went to the appt. and the lady scanned my ins. card and made a "get aquainted appt." with the Dr. I chose a week later. At the next appt. the a nurse took BP. weight, temp. and put me in a room. The Dr. came in and talked with me for about 30 min. getting history and entering it in the computer. I got a Shingles shot (ins was called to get pre-approval for the shot) and scripts refilled. I got an appt. the next day for labs and an appt a week later for a physical. Went in and had blood drawn and then for the physical the next week. At the physical the labs were gone over and explained to me. Then the Dr. examined me and told me every thing was ok. I made another appt. 3 months out for an issue that needs to be monitored. I don't know what the insurance was billed. I have BCBS and they usually pay for everything after my deductable is met. I believe the care is as good as I have been given elsewhere. One more thing that should be mentioned, the shingles shot is $250.00 I am told medicare will not pay for it. If you plan to get it see if your ins will cover it. Its effectiveness is up for debate. I was with another practice and in 3 years have had 3 different Drs., not by my choice the Drs. left the practice. The Villages Health is conveniant and golf cart accessible. I don't want to go to any Dr. but I also know my health is important.

Just want to clarify that this is true except for those who have Part D medicare drug coverage. For NYS retirees, the Empire Plan covers the cost for the shingles shot. I got the shingles shot myself last month and can say that I haven't gotten a single urge yet to get up onto the roof for know what! :duck:

Great, thanks alot.

Looks like an awfully big area to be served by the Lake Sumter facility.

It might seem like that by looking at it from the prespective of the layout of the centers on the map, but they are probably planning on assigning Villages on the basis of their populations. As for the LSL center, the distance for their prospective patients would have to probably travel at least the same distance or more if they're going to a practice outside the Villages Health Care Centers.

Here's another way of looking at things if you're considering the capacity of the centers to handle the population. Based on the figures I've heard about, if you take the number of centers planned (7) and multiply them by the anticipated number of doctors at each center (8) and then the maximum load capacity per doctor (IIRC 2,500) you'll find a potential capacity for 140,000 patients.

Seeing that TV has just passed the 100,000 resident mark and build out not being far off, and considering that you'll never see anywhere near 100% of the residents joining or participating in the VHCC's, I don't think that there is any foreseeable problem for anyone who wants to join the system to eventually do so.

Elevatorman, what village do you live in?

Duval

I think based on the map several villages south of 466A should have been assigned to those health centers yet to be built down there. I think what is going on is since all those people are moving in TV is trying to capture them before thay select someone else.

Seems like Amelia should have been assigned to Colony because I don't think any other health center would be closer.

Sylvia Wallace was my Pa before you left
 

Could you give me number to get in touch to see if they still aren't taking Aetna?

That does not match what we were told during our orientation visit or what is in the Care Center brochure. The info we were given was that there would be eight doctors at each care center and the maximum number of patients per doctor would be 1,250. They did mention the 2,500 number but that supposedly is a national average for doctors.

You are correct. I indicated IIRC (If I remember correctly) on the 2,500 and unfortunately I remembered incorrectly. Sorry about that! To be sure, I did go back looking for where I had seen the figures just to confirm if I was right or wrong and after about 20 minutes of looking I did find it on their FAQ page.

While looking I did see where the number of doctors could vary above or below the 8 count and also found a few statements where their could eventually be as many of 10 centers within The Villages. I guess they won't decide on building more than the current 7 planned until they see if the demand warrants more, or... could saying up to 10 be a slip that there just might be further expansion of TV than we currently believe or are being told? Hummm, just thinking; guess only time will tell!

Does anyone know the address of the future health care center in Sumter? Or where it will be located?

Best source of good info is their web site: The Villages Health

I asked a question of them via email and got a good response within 24 hours.

We are about to pick our doctor at Colony Care Center. Any feedback from those who have already been there on the specific doctors?

We have Dr Michael Clifford and are very happy with him. He picked up on a couple of things that my last 2 doctors had missed. We are happy with the clinic.

I suspect that they included the new areas precisely because most folks would be new without doctors. Easier to convince someone without a doctor here to try it than someone who already has a relationship with a doc.

Has the Health Care Center in Sumter been started yet? Where is the location?

I have been to see a doc there and she put a timer on when talking to me! I have never seen that before....very insulting! And when the timer went off, she left even though I still had questions!

Don't Like Concierge Medical Care
 

Am not fond of Concierge Medical system that are springing up in recent. There was a comment or two posting here but no one seemed to have followed up so thought I'd make a comment. Our good primary care doctor of many years suddenly switched to Concierge Medical Practice last year. Many quit which was the point but since it came so suddenly, we decided to try out. The biggest burden of this system is that we have to pay $1650 a year Per Person. That would be $3300 for a couple a year. We found out that this practice which is headquartered in Florida has been purchased by P&G so is a profit center operation. We are seriously considering leaving our doctor as good as he is. It is unfortunate. I believe he has now about 400 patient vs about 4000 he had before.

My spouse and I are both hapy with the care we are receiving at the Colony Center. We thought it was great that they decided to divide the first visit into two visits, one to allow for obtaining of your medical and drug history, and( by the way it is also the patients job to inform the MD of their medical conditions they cant read your mind) , the 2nd visit being a physical exam. Very often a patients B/P will be elevated when visiting a new MD for the first time. Best to skip any caffeine that morning. As a RN for over 30 years most of these visits are allotted 30 minutes in most clinics and both visits are done in one clinic visit. $250.00 is the normal amount charged for an initial visit with a physical exam. This is not the Cleveland or Mayo clinic. Lets give this new system and these young Doctors a chance to get set up here.

I see Dr. Christopher Pead in the Sharon Morse location. He speaks to you and looks you in the eyes when doing so. He shows concern for the patient, and his staff is very professional and courteous. I'm very happy with my choice.

My husband and I were charged $250 for the initial visit then $150 for the actual pseudo physical. Medical conditions along with all former blood work was brought to the initial visit along with the few meds we both take. Expected to discuss those conditions at the physical, but there was no time. BP for my husband is always elevated at the doctor's office, I was taken aback by the fact I had to bring it to her attention - she never looked at what her assistant had recorded. She is by no means a new doctor, lots of experience and glowing creditials which is why we chose her. So not willing to give a medical facility a chance to get their stuff together when we are dealing with something as serious as health issues. Now the office issues, which are a mess, I can understand that they don't know what they are doing and need to find their way - not so with health issues.

FYI - The Villages Health System is not concierge medicine but a colaboration between the University of South Florida, The Villages, and United Health Care. People receive invites to specific locations that are close to their homes as they are opened.

I choose my Dr. At colony. Had my introduction visit then blood work and then my physical. All went well. I really like the Dr. All i paid was my normal office visit copay for both visits. I am so glad to have this clinic within golf cart distance available to me any time i need it.