More Questions Than Answers
 

I did read the information from the provided link and I was still left with questions. It seems to read--but I could be wrong-- that if you qualify for Medicare, you must chose one of the Medicare Advantage plans approved and in partnership with VH. If you have not yet qualified for Medicare, VH will accept insurance from the list provided on their website.

To try to get more information I contacted VH and asked about what insurance would be accepted by them, specifically for my wife and I. Can we maintain Medicare A and B plus a supplement, or do we have to join a Medicare Advantage plan?

I also asked about our ability to choose, maintain a relationship with and visit specialists without the approval and referral of a VH doctor. And I also asked if hospitalization at The Villages Regional Hospital is the sole choice for VH patient/members.

Those were my starting questions, but I know I have many more. When I get answers, I'll share them here.

To all posters on this thread......terrific thread and sharing of information.

Thanks to all.

Here's something you might find interesting: It was said there will be 64 doctors and each doctor will be limited to 1,250 patients. That means The Villages Health will be able to handle 80,000 patients.

When this all started it was said that the TV Health Clinics would not take business away from other doctors who are already doing business here. However, with a total population of about 100,000, what do they plan on leaving for the other doctors? 100,000 - 80,000 = 20,000 patients to keep all the other doctors going.

Is that fair? First the developer sells or leases property to them and then sets up clinics to take their business away?

I have a Medicare advantage care plan that was provided by my employer. I do not have to pay for it . It was a benefit I received. It sounds like you must buy a plan from the partners that the villages health care has listed.

Kahuna,

At an informational meeting at Colony we attended we were told that original Medicare plus AARP United Healthcare supplement was "golden." I don't know about other Medigap policies.

We were also told that we could go to the hospital of our choice, i.e., Munroe, Ocala Regional, etc.

If a physician has earned the respect and trust of his/her patient I doubt they will leave that physician to join TV Health Plan. Competition is a good thing - even in medicine.

Preferred Care Parners is owned by United Healthcare.

[QUOTE=gomoho;681097]If a physician has earned the respect and trust of his/her patient I doubt they will leave that physician to join

Oh yes! competition is so good! we have run across a set way of thinking here in the medical field that is NOT proactive, progressive, patient-centered. we are excited for new developments here in TV that will stop this "I know it all, so therefore follow my rules" mentality.

Putting Money Behind An Idea
 

I don't know whoever said that the creation of Villages Health wouldn't take patients away from existing doctors. What I've discovered is exactly the opposite--the plan is to drive many local doctors out of business here.

In a conversation with one of my doctors, a specialist who was involved with the consulting study commissioned and paid for by the developer regarding healthcare in The Villages and the quality of care in the hospital, she described some of the findings. One of the consultant's conclusions was that healthcare here was limited by the quality of the doctors practicing in this market. The explanation was simple to understand. Many of the doctors practicing here came even before The Villages Regional Hospital was built. Many opened practices with no admitting privileges to any of the hospitals in the area. Many we're educated in non-certified foreign medical schools, were not board-certified and came here knowing they would have to "make a go of it" with patent rosters which were heavily Medicare-insured. That formula has resulted in questionable quality healthcare on average, and a hospital that despite top notch facilities, is not highly regarded. The core problem according to the consultants is the competence of the doctors practicing here.

Those conclusions along with the developer's desire to dramatically improve healthcare in The Villages have lead to several results--the addition of the Moffitt Cancer Center to TVRH, the partnership with the USF medical school, and now the creation of Villages Health.

The doctors who will be hired by Villages Health will all be educated in U.S. medical schools, will all be board certified, and will all agree to work for a salary, which was reported to be quite generous in an effort to attract high-quality doctors. The business model is the same as the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, etc.

When I questioned whether the lower quality doctors would have their hospital admitting privileges withdrawn, the answer was no. The feeling is that sixty-four new, competent physicians, practicing in a patient-responsive way, will drive the lower quality doctors out of business in a relatively short time.

I suppose some can call this unfair, but the practice of medicine in the end is a business. The clientele and patients will migrate to higher quality, more effective, lower cost healthcare. That's the free market economy that most of us embrace.

I haven't made up my mind whether Villages Health is for me. That's why I sought some answers to questions. But I do know that the the developer should be complemented for the actions he's taking, putting lots of money behind his desire to improve healthcare here and not waiting for many of the provisions of ObamaCare to kick in.

Answers To Questions
 

I did pose a few questions to Villages Health via their website.

I got the following prompt reply. I intend to follow up. Some of you might too. Here's the response...

"All of the answers to your questions and more can be learned at the information sessions, which are held at the Colony Care Center. You will learn about The Villages Health and receive an enrollment packet to prepare to take the next step in the process, if you choose. The information sessions are held on Tuesdays at 10 AM and 12 Noon, Wednesdays at 2 PM and Thursdays at 1 PM and 3 PM. I will be happy to schedule you for one of the sessions that meets your schedule.

Adrienne Jaworski
<Adrienne.Jaworski@thevillageshealth.com>

"

Are these sessions ONLY for Villages that qualify for the Colony Center?

Well said Kahuna....I have been in practice for 40 years and have seen several models evolve....I would had loved to be a part of the discussion process of this development.
It is vital to attract exceptional doctors....this can be done if it is a priority.
The trick is defining the type of doctor you want and being able to attract them.
You must pay them well and make their work environment something special.
I know this can be done at TV and hope they are successful....I will be following the progress with great interest.