[Carolynphelps]

Totally agree! I have been with The Villages Health for 10 years and I am very happy with them.

[Heritage]

Originally Posted by Vikingjunior

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?

I left Premier. Not able to see a doctor when I needed them. Am very satisfied with Village health. Portal questions answered promptly, nurse practitioners and physician's assistants are always available and are competent.

[allsport]

Originally Posted by Vikingjunior

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?

My GYN was bought by The Villages and recently that has been a disaster. My provider who was great left and I was assigned a new one. She was very nice but the billing department was a total mess. I was told they were doing a new way of billing and while I have excellent insurance they called me prior to a visit for a Prolia injection telling me I had to pay the bill in advance. I called my insurance and was told that my contract with them did NOT require me to do that and I should wait to be billed after the insurance took care of my part. This was in June, it is now August I am still arguing with the billing people because they did not go thru the specialty care pharmacy to get the medication as I instructed them to do prior to the injection, they billed my insurance for a procedure that did not happen and they billed my insurance for a visit that was not my free well woman's visit. I could go on and on but I did print my progress note and pointed out to the insurance company and the billing department that I never had the procedure and they did correct that but I am still arguing about the medication payment. I am an RN so I know what it is supposed to say and what was not done, I pity the people that do not understand what should be done and do not argue about what could be called insurance fraud.

[BEETHOVENMIKEY]

When we moved here we started going to Premier. We felt like we were handled as,, and shuffled through like cattle.
With no real medical issues, we found our doctor putting us through every imaginable test and procedure their own system could handle, whether justified or not. We finally put a end to it.
We finally had enough of it, and canceled the remaining tests, and ultimately started looking elsewhere.
About that time, we found out that a couple of Premier's younger doctors were leaving the practice as well and started their own. One we knew from a family member who had her and lived her care. We immediately dumped Premier and went to her practice and love it.

[BostonRich]

I go to Premier Medical. Had a problem. Saw my doctor who I like. Got an x-ray. No one ever called me back about the issue. After three weeks I called them. They transferred me to my doctor's nurse. She said the x-ray doesn't show anything. That's all she said. So I had to ask what's causing the problem. She said do you want me to have someone set up an appointment with the doctor. Yes I said. Never heard back from them.

[toeser]

Originally Posted by Laurel Maryland

The OP didn't mention whether he was using a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage Plan. I recommend this video to anyone thinking about switching insurance plans.

No Premium "FREE" Medicare Plans | You Get What You Pay For - YouTube

Excellent link. Thanks.

[Mrprez]

The guy in that video is a Medicare supplement salesman. Take what he says with a grain of salt. Medicare supplement plans are not the end all be all of insurance plans. If you are over 65 1/2 and have an existing condition, you may not qualify. I was denied coverage for being on blood pressure meds and metformin. The guy denied my coverage right there during the telephone interview but told me that everything looked good for approval. You also need to purchase a Plan D coverage for your prescriptions.

If you are interested in going to TV Health and are on Medicare, they only take UH MA and Florida Blue MA. So far, for me, the care has been excellent. I’ve never had to sit in the waiting room for my appointment. They are right on time. Every time. Compare the two plans. They differ a bit in copays and which hospitals you can go to. As of right now, I have spent $110 in copays. But, I am not the type to run to the doctor every time I have a small issue. I’d rather stay out of the doctors office. YMMV.

There is a service in TV called SHINE. They are an unbiased source of information and will work with you to find you the best coverage for your needs. They are not salespeople like the guy in that video.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

The Villages Hospital is NOT part of the Villages Health. Also you need to very carefully research Medicare ADVANTAGE versus Medicare and supplemental, IMHO, I would never use an advantage plan.

My wife works in health care and she dislikes the advantage plans.

[TimeForChange]

Originally Posted by Debfrommaine

Not a Premiere Health fan, can never get in touch with them. Villages Health has served me very well.

I have probably called Premier ten times in the last two weeks. NO problem getting through. Check you phone.

[Trish Miller]

Originally Posted by Vikingjunior

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?

I’ve been going to PMA ever since I moved here 10 years ago. Granted my doctors have switched but that’s ok 👍 The only complaint I have is that I struggle to understand the people on the phone and in the office. But other than that, I do recommend PMA.

Hope this helps 😃

[TimeForChange]

Been here nine years. Out of the five Dr's we have used the one at Premier whom we use now is the best yet. He is so good I do not want to mention his name because I will just have to wait longer for an appt. The problem with the staff especially at the North location by the Hospital is they seem overworked and some have heavy Indian accents that I have trouble understanding but my Dr. is so good it does not concern me.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Vikingjunior

I'm really not happy with The Villages Health for a litany of reasons. So I'm wondering if anyone switched to Premier Medical and what their experience was?

Went from using the VA 100% to going with Premier. Just because as I got older, it became a hassle always driving to the Gainsville VA for many tests and procedures. Have had no problems with Premier. Doctors seem more thorough than the VA was.

[Villages Kahuna]

We’ve been with Villages Health for 6-8 years, since we switched from Medicare supplement insurance to a Medicare Advantage plan. Big savings on premiums—ZERO premium on Medicare Advantage. Lower maximum out-of-pocket. And other perks not often mentioned, like a free membership at MVP health club, significant free items at Walgreens, etc.

We love our doctors (both graduates of U.S. med schools and residencies, whose first language is English!), the nearby offices, RN’s to talk to if needed, availability of walk-in visits with a doctor if needed, availability of e-mailing questions to my doctor, always with an answer within 24 hours, etc. The hour-long appointments shouldn’t be overlooked. It gives your doctor the opportunity to really get to know you. Our appointments with our previous pay-for-service doctors were seldom longer than 10 minutes, driven by what Medicare pays them to see a patient, unlike the Villages Health plan.

What’s not to like?

[RealtorKaren]

Originally Posted by Jnjguy

I have a Medicare Advantage Plan as a retirement benefit from my employer. It has very comprehensive coverage. Curious as to why you would never use an Advantage Plan.

People don’t realize that Medicare Advantage plans are NOT insurance policies. They are Medicare management plans, and that’s all. I had a terrible expensive shock after Switching to the Humana Medicare Advantage plan. There is no Medigap coverage! So I was left paying a lot of expenses that I was unprepared for. For instance, I had to go to the hospital in an ambulance after an accident, and my Humana Advage Plan only paid half of it, I had $253 to pay! Like I had any choice of which ambulance to take to Ocala hospital! I had to pay half of the cost of an MRI. I switched back to my Medicare supplemental police, for more coverage , no surprises!

[Frank495]

Sorry you are so misinformed, the villages hospital is in the lower quarter of all hospitals. The worst thing about the Villages is the absence of quality healthcare. I have 35 years of hospital administrative experience.