Can't imagine what the issue would be with, for example, the United HealthCare Medicare Supplement that I have. A friend who had done extensive research into these plans pointed out that every single Medicare Supplement plan of the same designation MUST be identical to conform to federal Medicare guidelines. Incredibly their premiums varied--and in some cases considerably--for identical coverage! And that's how I chose United HealthCare, as it had the absolute lowest premium, which made the choice a no-brainer. My friend even mentioned that if both husband and wife enroll in the same supplement, they offer a small discount on the monthly premiums. What could be wrong with this program?

Before moving way up north to The Villages I read of doctors that were limiting their practices to only 2000 or so patients. To be a customer or patient it cost about $1500 per year. Is this similar to Dr Welby? What are they charging?

Good question. Since the doctors are salaried, who pays the salary? Is there an upfront fee, an annual fee and does Medicare cover any of the fees?

Also been wondering if one of their patients is admitted to any of the area hospitals, will these doctors treat the patient in hospital for non surgical follow up or will routine care be handled by a hospitalist?

There is no "up-front" fee and since this is Morse's baby I assume he is paying the salaries until they get up and running and Medicare covers the costs. Knowing how savvy the developer is this will be a profitable venture, but curious how Obamacare may affect his plan since it seems weekly new things are unveiled how Obamacare will really work.

In msg. #40, dgammon6 posted a link the The Villages Health website. The FAQs have most of the answers -- Frequently Asked Questions | The Villages Health

Is there an upfront fee? No
An annual fee? No
Does Medicare cover any of the fees? Yes, since the fees are the normal and customary fees
Will these doctors treat the patient in hospital for non surgical follow up Yes or will routine care be handled by a hospitalist? and Yes

I do not like AARP! Had been a member years ago, when Bush 43 wanted to reform SS, they were all upset, wrote them to fight for Federal Employees getting less SS if we qualified for SS also when had jobs in private sector. Many people retired at 55 then went to work for a contractor to complete their necessary quarters for SS. The said they did not care about Feds and we got "too much money" I stick to NARFE and AMAC now.

My husband and I just started with Colony Health Care. We are very impressed. They are trying very hard to be the kind of medical center we all want.

Oh don't I wish. In fact most electronic health records have their primary purpose to be sure that the office visit gets coded at as high a level as possible to increase insurance reimbursement. That is how they are sold to practices. That means checking the box that says "reviewed family history" and the one that says "asked if patient smokes or uses alcohol" etc. And to actually find the last colonoscopy requires reading thru all the electronic documents scanned into the file that is labeled "documents" just like on your own home computer. Instead of opening each document to read it, it is much easier to ask the patient. A well organized and legible paper record is much easier to review than an electronic record just as a paper document is easier to read than an online letter. No need to scroll down, click there, move the cursor... just read it.

I am now on my third electronic health system and you could not be more wrong about the ones I have seen. You have to know where every item is supposed to be stored and go thru a series of menus and submenus to get there. No such thing as a search box for data other than patient name in any of them.

Then you haven't been associated with the University of Michigan health system, because I have personal knowledge of their search system. Our doctor pulls up anything she wants to know about us, using the search function, and I see it as I'm sitting beside her. It can (and should) be done right. U of M has been doing this since before it became a standard requirement.

Huh?
 

Now I’m even more baffled. This thread is about the “Marcus Welby” HMO program (a Medicare Advantage plan) being created in TV versus staying with conventional Medicare coupled with a Medicare Supplement. What I said was that all Medicare Supplement plans of the same designation (for example, I have Plan F; each has different benefits) are identical, yet the administrators of these identical plans all set different premiums. Does this make sense? I chose United HealthCare as it has the lowest premium, that is, making it the least profitable to its shareholders (which in itself is amazing when you think about it). What does this have to do with whether or not I like AARP?

Speaking of those other organizations mentioned in the quote, there’s a post in the thread having to do with choosing the right plan where someone tried to get info about the plan offerings of one of these groups and was rebuffed, never being given the literature needed to make an intelligent choice. Anyone would question the covertness and secrecy. At least United HealthCare, Mutual of Omaha (which I used to have but got awfully expensive), and others make their program info readily accessible. These are, after all, Medicare Supplement plans, structured in accordance with their contracts with Medicare central; who their administrators are has nothing to do with the operation of the plans! I see no reason for me to "cut off my nose to spite my face"....

Whether or not he's a good doctor depends on the treatment he recommends for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and hypothyroidism. What did he do or suggest other than write prescriptions?

That has not been my experience at all, and I am a retired Practice Administrator. Most physicians code too low in fear f an audit. The EMR (and this is specifically true for eClinical Works, which Colony uses) says that it will help the provider "Correct" code. Now is this higher than the provider currently codes? Probably, but it is in no way incorrect, and it will survive an audit.
I was happy to see eClinical Works, because I know the company and how they sell their product. To be honest, it would not be my first choice, but it is up there.

Lifestyle was discussed for cholesterol and blood pressure. Hypothyroidism is successfully treated with synthroid - not much you can do to make a thyroid produce on its own when it's shot!

I can at least for the time being eliminate my concern about the doctor that rendered such poor care at Colony Health Center - I understand she is no longer there.

Can anyone tell me if a referral to a specialist is needed with United Health Care and/or Preferred Care Partners?