[Garden guru]

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer

Yes, the article is simply a rehash of what we've seen before, right down to people quoted.

To me, it's not so much the decision that was made but the poor way it was handled. Things are achangin. True. When Gary Morse was in charge, I think perhaps the same decision would have been made (they need to stay afloat financially) but I think it would have been handled with some sensitivity and honesty. For example, I still haven't received "the letter" since they were sent third class and not forwarded. This is a mistake that could have and should have been rectified. No doubt there are many people still not aware of this decision who are in for a big surprise when they return. Inexcusable.

Furthermore, to think that there are folks who made their home buying decisions, at least in part, based on access to TVH, is unconscionable and sad. No wonder they're upset! Not blaming sales agents. I have no doubt they didn't know the plan. Perhaps they should have. Or at least been directed not to pitch TVH since some changes were in the works.

So the result is a PR nightmare which could have been mitigated to some degree.

Just MHO.

I agree completely. The whole decision showed absolutely no respect for residents who took access to TVH into account, when deciding whether to move here. Even now, the official Villages Health website does not say that original Medicare will soon not be accepted. It simply says: "If you are eligible for Medicare, we want you to know that the only Medicare Advantage plans The Villages Health participates in are those offered by UnitedHealthcare®." Accepted Insurance by The Villages Health Obviously, that statement is quite true, but any mention of what the policy will soon be for those with original Medicare is completely absent from their website. Prospective residents are STILL being kept in the dark. And why would a prospective resident think to ask? The idea that a retirement community of over 100,000 would not accept Medicare and yet advertise itself as "America's Healthiest Hometown" is ludicrous. Talk about unconscionable!

[looneycat]

there are plenty of non affiliated doctors here to go to. the villages system is not for me. i require too many specialists and shands hospital. while i could be in the villages system i would then be responsible for 20% of the hospital costs. also the villages health is big on seeing PAs in lieu of mds. i won't see a PA in place of a doctor. nope standard medicare plus a supplement works fine for me.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by looneycat

there are plenty of non affiliated doctors here to go to. the villages system is not for me. i require too many specialists and shands hospital. while i could be in the villages system i would then be responsible for 20% of the hospital costs. also the villages health is big on seeing PAs in lieu of mds. i won't see a PA in place of a doctor. nope standard medicare plus a supplement works fine for me.

Our Aetna was not accepted and that could be a good thing for us too for the reasons you just stated.

I like valid reasons like you just gave in any kind of debate, rather than emotional ones that I am skeptical of. I remember people saying that one of the reasons that they moved here was because of the herd of buffalo being present to view and to feed. I thought that very hard to understand.

[goodtimesintv]

When, when, WHEN will you guys look at the true incentives for the whole darn nation of seniors to be forced into Medicare Advantage plans??


Obamacare Was Supposed To Kill Medicare Advantage. It Only Made It Stronger

Marilyn Tavenner is about to make an unprecedented move: From head of Medicare, to the nation’s top lobbyist for private insurers — in just six months.

Tavenner will succeed Karen Ignagni as the CEO of America’s Heath Insurance Plans, the New York Times reported on Wednesday. Tavenner had served as the administrator of CMS for more than three years, where she was responsible for Medicare, Medicaid, and much of Obamacare’s implementation.

Critics immediately seized on the merry-go-round of Washington — how another top White House official has found a job with the lobbyists she used to negotiate with.

“Is there a revolving-door emoji?” NPR’s Jacob Goldstein ruefully tweeted.

But I think there’s a very telling line, buried near the bottom of the Times‘ 798-word story.

“Asked about her priorities, Mr. Tavenner said she wanted to protect Medicare Advantage, the program under which private insurers manage care for more than 30 percent of the 55 million beneficiaries of Medicare.”

There’s a reason why private insurers care so much about Medicare Advantage: It’s arguably their hottest market right now...."

Forbes Welcome

.

[goodtimesintv]

......

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer

Yes, the article is simply a rehash of what we've seen before, right down to people quoted.

To me, it's not so much the decision that was made but the poor way it was handled. Things are achangin. True. When Gary Morse was in charge, I think perhaps the same decision would have been made (they need to stay afloat financially) but I think it would have been handled with some sensitivity and honesty. For example, I still haven't received "the letter" since they were sent third class and not forwarded. This is a mistake that could have and should have been rectified. No doubt there are many people still not aware of this decision who are in for a big surprise when they return. Inexcusable.

Furthermore, to think that there are folks who made their home buying decisions, at least in part, based on access to TVH, is unconscionable and sad. No wonder they're upset! Not blaming sales agents. I have no doubt they didn't know the plan. Perhaps they should have. Or at least been directed not to pitch TVH since some changes were in the works.

So the result is a PR nightmare which could have been mitigated to some degree.

Just MHO.

villageswimmer: Ask those residents who were members of the Wellness Center, especially those using the indoor pool if Gary Morse handled that business transaction with sensitivity. Ask the residents who were upset that the bison disappeared if that situation was handled with sensitivity by Gary Morse. Ask the residents who bought at the height of the home market if Gary Morse handled selling of homes with sensitivity. Ask residents if those securing bridge loans from citizens received that sensitivity
Point of fact I had more than ample funds to qualify for a loan and so they stopped asking about my finances after leaning of two accounts. Yet when i sent them my 20% down payment much to my surprise and chagrin that sensitivity company owned by Gary Morse demanded to know where that 20% came from. I asked if they thought I was a terrorist...and the beat goes on

I am not complaining because i know its all about business I just want to clarify the sensitive point

and by the way i paid the full amount before the loan came due and they still grabbed me for a full months payment so i paid expenses never used the loan and they still made a handsome profit

Cést la vie

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Advogado

My take on all this is that the Villages Health Care System is a for-profit operation run by the Developer. If the Developer feels that he needs to accept only United Health Advantage patients to maximize profits, fine. The Developer certainly has the right to do so, and there are alternative choices for the consumer.

However, my criticism of the whole operation is the way the Developer's Daily Sun, from the very beginning, has characterized the Villages Health Care System in advertisements disguised as news. The Daily Sun has constantly described the system as some kind of Marcus Welby, altruistic effort to make The Villages "Florida's Healthiest Home Town"-- rather than accurately describing the System for what it is: another Developer for-profit business.

By the way, I think that the System is probably the wave of the future-- for better or worse. I just would like to see a little truth in advertising on the part of the Developer and the Daily Sun.

Its exactly my mind set. ACA was a disaster before the ink dried because it ignored underwriting as Washington also did with the housing market. I was an insurance guy and did my share of criticisms to my superiors but underwriting as to insurance banks and mortgage companies is critical

The only way ACA can survive is to have everyone insured. the authors of ACA knew this and planned on it because they really wanted a one payer situation (ie government control of 1/6th the economy. I am a fierce opponent of central planning.

[villagetinker]

I started a new thread on the NLRN survey results, they are very interesting., and we have their attention.

[outlaw]

Although this TVH bait and switch scheme is hurting a lot of villagers, at least they may now wake up to reality. Koolaid may taste good, but it is not necessarily good for you.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by outlaw

Although this TVH bait and switch scheme is hurting a lot of villagers, at least they may now wake up to reality. Koolaid may taste good, but it is not necessarily good for you.

You know, how people say things is the secret to many things..........................


If you like I can explain, again.

Most people who are happy here don't like to have someone say they are naïve and have made a bad decision.

Nowhere is everything perfect.

I think this healthcare system was meant to help people and to make a profit too, but it hasn't been successful. I think the poster who is himself an M.D. explained it better than most.

And Rubicon, you who say that corporations "don't have feelings" are angry they weren't "sensitive". I don't know if they are a bunch of fools and thieves, but they sure give us the opportunity to live like millionaires, all of us.

I don't drink liquor and I don't drink Kool-Aid either, Outlaw. And we weren't allowed into The Villages Healthcare system in the beginning so we have had no dealings with it but know many who thought it was good, until they quit accepting their insurance.

[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by Carla B

What they said in their letter of July 12: "Because our superior care best aligns with Medicare Advantage we have decided to no longer accept Original Medicare...."
What they meant: "Because we are losing a great deal of money, we have decided to no longer accept Original Medicare..."

I don't think it has to do with age discrimination; after all, physicians don't have to accept Medicare patients period.

I wonder if TVHS ever thought of turning their system into a concierge practice. It might be more palatable to the Original Medicare crowd or maybe even all patients to pay a yearly fee to join, with the provision of not being forced into an Advantage program.

I always thought the path was being laid for a concierge practice. Especially in the beginning.

[bimmertl]

Been in VHC the since the beginning. Started with Family Docs of Belleview which became VHC. Never has a problem with docs at VHC. Only problem I had was the fact if your read the BS you were led to believe that you received some type of exceptional care with UCH Medicare Advantage. Having had two docs at VHC, one retired, I doubt either one of them knew what insurance provider I had. I have no doubt they provided the same level of care regardless of your insurance so I don't buy the exceptional care nonsense with UHC Advantage. Had some recent minor medical problems got great treatment once again.

Can't find any fault with VHC docs or treatment. Not interested in"Morse Care" so moving on to other providers. Great experience with VHC and the docs while it lasted.

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

You know, how people say things is the secret to many things..........................


If you like I can explain, again.

Most people who are happy here don't like to have someone say they are naïve and have made a bad decision.

Nowhere is everything perfect.

I think this healthcare system was meant to help people and to make a profit too, but it hasn't been successful. I think the poster who is himself an M.D. explained it better than most.

And Rubicon, you who say that corporations "don't have feelings" are angry they weren't "sensitive". I don't know if they are a bunch of fools and thieves, but they sure give us the opportunity to live like millionaires, all of us.

I don't drink liquor and I don't drink Kool-Aid either, Outlaw. And we weren't allowed into The Villages Healthcare system in the beginning so we have had no dealings with it but know many who thought it was good, until they quit accepting their insurance.

I was duped by TVH. There. I said it. I don't expect you to ever understand/accept that TVH acted unethically in the way they strung me and many others along, until they dumped us. There are ways to conduct business that is fair and above board, and TVH did not choose the high road on this one.

[villagetinker]

Interesting point, the Villages Health SPECIALISTS appear to be SEPERATE from the VHC. I stumbled on to this when I went in for an appointment with a specialist, and they wanted a follow-up. When I asked about the insurance I was told no problem I could continue to use them as they accept ALL insurances. So the bottom line all we lost, was our PCP, and access to the patient portal.

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Interesting point, the Villages Health SPECIALISTS appear to be SEPERATE from the VHC. I stumbled on to this when I went in for an appointment with a specialist, and they wanted a follow-up. When I asked about the insurance I was told no problem I could continue to use them as they accept ALL insurances. So the bottom line all we lost, was our PCP, and access to the patient portal.

Thanks for your post. Very good info for a lot of folks, I'm sure. This is the first time I've heard this. This is huge!

TVH should include this in their marketing or a DS article. I think it will soften the blow significantly.

Are the specialists referred to as "associates" or "associated" with TVH? I think I saw that terminology somewhere. Maybe on TVH website?

In any case, this little known fact should make a lot of folks happy.