[SALYBOW]

Recently I tried to get an appointment with a Physician from The Villages Health system. I read all the info and decided which doc I preferred. They checked my insurance coverage and told me that I could have a new patient appointment with the doc I requested in March of 2016. Yes, that is next year. The next doc I asked for could see me in December of this year. What is up with that? This is the medical care the Villages provides for us. So I am still looking for a new doc.

[Wandatime]

I had the same problem. So I asked them if it took me so long to get my first appointment how long would it take to get an appointment if I had some urgent care needs? They assured me I would get same day service. It gave me pause.

[Happinow]

We have the villages health care system and we always get in same day or next. We rarely have to go to the Dr. but it's nice to know that when we do we can get right in.

[Northwoods]

First appointment took a long time. But I've gotten same day appointments when needed. I did sometimes see the PA for a same day appointment... but the physician also did stop in to talk to me.

[JoMar]

I had the same issue and changed my insurance to AARP United Healthcare and amazingly got an immediate appointment. My wife had insurance recognized by the system but was not their insurance so her first appointment was 4 months out. I guess just because they will accept your insurance and let you use the system, the insurance they promote will get you there sooner.

[villages07]

Same challenge here when our primary doc unexpectedly left the area. We decided to switch to Villages Health. Very few Villages docs accepting new patients. I called "early" with new Dr Zimmerman at Colony and will see her in mid Sept. Mr 07 called yesterday and now she is scheduling into December. Sumter Creekside only seems to have 5 rather than 7-8 docs. Are they still staffing up docs in some centers.

I have heard once you are in the system and past the initial you do get appropriately fast response to your needs. Meanwhile we feel adrift without a PCP.

[justjim]

Sounds to me that the Villages Health System is going to need a lot more doctors to take care of future patients. If you have United Health Care insurance your in, if not, seems like a huge wait for health care. This is "Dr. Welby" health care??

[vorage]

We had the same experience. The whole new patient process was very disconcerting and I was very doubtful that we would stay with them for long. As you say, they told us that if something came up, we could call and see someone, but we never had to test it. Fortunately we still had our docs up north and just crossed our fingers that nothing came up.
Once we got past the interminable wait for the new patient visit, our experience has been surprisingly great. I see Laura Cloukey at Pinellas and DH sees Stephen Long at Colony. Both are top notch and we never have to wait for urgent or follow up visits. We couldn't be happier.
I still don't understand the new patient process, but it obviously hasn't changed any. I would advise new Villagers to call to register prior to their move (if you can). Maybe that way the wait would be less of a burden.

[red tail]

I have traditional medicare and blue cross. I signed up and was in 2 weeks later. I didn't get the center I wanted but im in and very happy with the service im getting.

[Avista]

We are very happy with Villages Health. Although we had to wait for first appt with primary, we were told we could receive same day appt with ant problems that might come up immediately.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by JoMar

I had the same issue and changed my insurance to AARP United Healthcare and amazingly got an immediate appointment. My wife had insurance recognized by the system but was not their insurance so her first appointment was 4 months out. I guess just because they will accept your insurance and let you use the system, the insurance they promote will get you there sooner.

If it is true that AARP United Care members provides a priority as to whom gets in line first then I find it discriminatory and also potentially doing harm to people. Suppose the person requiring an appointment is placed on the back burner but has a serious disease that has yet to manifest itself...............

Those villagers who had the foresight to retain their doctors up northern should be congratulated

[Medtrans]

We too had to wait months but once in things have been great. United AARP made no difference, we still had to wait. I don't think they can make appt dates based on ins. I was told that each physician has a patient base of 1,000 patients to have time for everyone. Once they reach that number they no longer take new patients. That happens quickly. They also only take 2 new patients a day as the first visit takes more time. We just had to have a same day appt for my mom. We saw the NP. Our visit took longer than probably alloted. She was admitted and they made a few calls that afternoon and the next day to see how she is doing. Very satisfied now that we are in the system. I suppose while waiting for your first visit if you ran into a problem you could always go to Urgent Care and of course the ER.

[Pa & Giggi]

We are very happy with the Villages Health Care System. We have Dr. Reilly and started with him when he was over at Colony. We booked with him when Colony was new and didn't have to wait too long for our appt. Now he is at Creekside, so we followed him there because he is such an excellent doctor and you don't let a good doc go when you find one.

If you can stick it out and wait for the appt in Dec I am sure it will be worth it.

[Pa & Giggi]

We are very happy with the Villages Health Care System. We have Dr. Reilly and started with him when he was over at Colony. We booked with him when Colony was new and didn't have to wait too long for our appt. Now he is at Creekside, so we followed him there because he is such an excellent doctor and you don't let a good doc go when you find one.

If you can stick it out and wait for the appt in Dec I am sure it will be worth it.

Sorry for the duplicate post. Unable to delete.

[TomOB]

I was in the process of signing up and had only a short wait. I didn't request a certain Dr. and that may have cut the length down. Each Dr. only has a certain number of patients. My Dr. switched groups and is now available so I stuck with him instead of starting with a new Dr.