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.