So the donation in fact went to TVRH for construction, not specifically or directly to Moffitt--that clears that issue up. But I can't agree with a decision to cancel a charity relay based on which charity benefited.

I do think "the developers" are trying to improve medical care--they've poured millions into TV Health, kept an eye toward the future by organizing it as a PCMH, and most likely will never recoup their investment.

OK, so they're the big fish in Florida. Most of the rest of the country has no reason to know that---thanks for the info.

I think I remember the fundraiser was earmarked for some state of the art imaging stuff rather than construction of the building.

I was involved with many hospital expansion projects, and none of them asked for donations "on the fly". All funding for construction and equipment was secured before either by loans, grants, or an existing set aside. The facilities opened complete. I was surprised to see the piecemeal approach. It didn't fit the developer's modus operandi.

In that case, it goes back to the question--exclusively for use by Moffitt?, and is Moffitt non-profit? Every imaging procedure has two separate billing components---a professional fee (physician interpretation) and a technical fee, which is meant to help pay for the equipment. IF, IF, IF it was something only Moffitt would use, and IF, IF,IF Moffitt is for profit, then I would view it as double dipping

I doubt that most of the rest of the country finds it feasible to just hop on over to Sloan or MD Anderson for their weekly and monthly diagnostics, surgeries, chemo, radiation, consults with other specialists, etc.

The fancy stuff stayed here. I think.

I don't think I understand your post. It's great that Florida has one of 44 comprehensive cancer treatment centers in the US and only 90 miles or so from TV. I only stated that most medical communities, at least in the North, have never heard of it.

For free use by United Health Care. Those who donated for it and don't have United Health Care can go pound salt.

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The cancer center will not be available for all people who want to use it? Really? Are you sure?

The equipment can be used by Florida Cancer Specialists patients, the company taking over after Moffitt's departure. All former Moffitt patients have the option to continue treatment with FCS.

The funds raised helped purchase the TrueBeam Radiotherapy System.
https://www.varian.com/oncology/prod...therapy-system

The funds were raised under full disclosure that Moffitt would be operating the system. FCS is now taking on the responsibility

The equipment is staying. The operator is changing.

What do you consider north? New York? [emoji6]

Florida Cancer Specialists | Sarasota, FL (Florida)


"Florida Cancer Specialists Summary

Insurances Accepted

United Healthcare
Independence Blue Cross
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Great-West Healthcare
Unicare
AvMed Health Plans"

.

Moffitt Center Departure
 

The developer will recoup it's investment as part of its exit strategy, just as any other investor attempts to do.

My prediction is that United Healthcare will assume the entire organization at some point. I have observed UHC for years and would be shocked if their contractual arrangement does not include one or more triggers that allow UHC to buy out the developer. And the buyout model is likely memorialized in that same document. Neither the developer nor UHC got where they are today by happenstance.

As an alternative, the developer could also spin off the medical group as an independent organization. I've seen that done more than once.

I would not be surprised to see the list above change to one degree or another. As an independent group of physicians they have the right to select those insurers with whom they will partner. To some extent that independence has likely changed because of its new arrangement and the addition of TOTV as a partner. For example, when a hospital develops a relationship with a radiology group it is not uncommon for the contract to require that the radiology group accept at least MOST insurers that the hospital accepts. This is almost a universal requirement.

As a patient you would be pretty upset if your insurance was accepted by a hospital, but not the radiologists, or Anesthesiologists, or ER docs.

I am pretty comfortable stating that I believe FCS's list of accepted insurances will more closely resemble TOTV's. For example, I go not see Medicare noted on your list above. Either that is an oversight on your part, or FCS will most certainly make that change soon, IMHO.