[Gmaf6]

We're very happy with FHV (Florida Heart and Vascular)> we love all the drs. we've gone to. We opted not to go with the Advantage plan and are so happy we have BCBS supplement. We travel to see family often and I've had 2 emergency hospital visits and one emergency surgery. They would not have accepted our Advantage plan so very happy not to be saddled with a high bill! It truly depends on your needs.....

[Kensan1]

I had to switch from Premier and Dr Sundeep Shaw. They outsource everything. The office help doesnt care they never sent my paper work to lab I made call after call and had to wait for four hours. THe nurse at Lab said they are the worst.

[SharonW]

Love my BSBS Advantage PPO

[Jensor17]

I just switched to primary care Dr. Florian Gegaj. But he seems to let his new nurse practitioner Aubrey Canal run the new office called Cleveland Health Center . I only saw Gegaj at introduction for three minutes and have not seen him since .
As for negligent Hospitals, on 6/7 Paramount urgent care sent me by ambulance to The Villages Regional hospital on 27/441– It was a disaster for me . The Villages Regional Hospital computers were down for a whole week , the ambulance crew knew hospital was NOT equipped to take care of patients, and left me there anyway!!!. VILLAGES REGIONAL ER and The hospital had no beds available, and no doctor for over 13 1/2 hours— when I was suspected of having a Stroke.
I just opened Mail showing $6445 6/7-6/8/21 ER bill to my Medicare. I Intend to immediately obtain my medical record because MEDICARE WAS BILLED FOR iTEMS I NEVER RECEIVED. I can’t wait to see record for a CT SCAN I NEVER HAD, THOUSAND$ FOR LAB WORK THEY NEVER PERFORMED BECAUSE MY IV LINE WAS CLOTTED AND FOR MEDICATION THEY DID NOT ADMINISTER TO ME … if their computers were down for a week. And no beds for ER & inpatients, Ambulances should GO ELSEWHERE- Not Drop off patients to Die there.

FOLKS, DON’T EVER ENTER INTO THE VILLAGES REGIONAL HOSPITAL.
UF HEALTH ‘TAKEOVER’ HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THIS DEBACLE.

[villagetinker]

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.

There were way too many limitations on available doctors, and specialists. Also, once you go to an advantage plan you may not be able to get back to Medicare and supplemental without going through underwriting. If you have significant medical problems or conditions this can be a very big deal.

[Mrprez]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

There were way too many limitations on available doctors, and specialists. Also, once you go to an advantage plan you may not be able to get back to Medicare and supplemental without going through underwriting. If you have significant medical problems or conditions this can be a very big deal.

Anyone that matches your last sentence would not be able to get into a Medicare supplement program due to underwriting.

[Blueblaze]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

There were way too many limitations on available doctors, and specialists. Also, once you go to an advantage plan you may not be able to get back to Medicare and supplemental without going through underwriting. If you have significant medical problems or conditions this can be a very big deal.

Maybe I'm missing something, but for me the solution to both problems was an Advantage PPO instead of HMO. It also makes it possible to use an Advantage plan when you travel.

A PPO lets you go out of network. Yes, you will pay higher co-pays, but you're also backed up by the out-of-pocket maximum. When I did the math, I realized I would pay much more under a supplemental plan, even compared to going out of network, simply because the supplemental plans I looked at were like Medicare itself -- there is no out-of-pocket maximum. When you add-in another $300 premium per person, I couldn't figure out how they manage to sell the things. But like I say, I'm no expert. Maybe I'm missing something.

And, by they way, this thread is the first I've heard of someone being turned down by an Advantage plan for pre-existing conditions. I take a statin and a blood pressure pill, and my wife has had half her thyroid removed for cancer, not to mention a history of diabetes. We were on Humana in Texas and United here, and neither one even asked about pre-existing conditions.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by llmcdaniel

After 11 years, we’ve had it with Premier. My husband just had a knee replacement on Friday. We still do not have physical therapy set up even though we started this onerous process over two weeks ago. Two drs at Premier are insisting he come in tomorrow to fill out a form, and then they will fax it to his insurance. With a sore leg and Covid all around, they will not allow a virtual meeting. They also expect us to find home health. Insurance tells us this is all bs. They just need a faxed request from dr, and they’ll immediately ok it. Insurance was so frustrated on Thursday that they asked the surgeon’s office to call so they could get pt assigned.

wow, that's terrible. villages health had a therapist come out 2 days after i was released from the hosp., (they came 3x a week). they also had a trained nurse come out & see me a few times. no out of pocket costs

[bobthegolfer]

I have gone to The Villages Health group since they opened their Doors (at least 10 years ago, or more). I have always been happy with my care. I have had a couple doctors that were not a good match for me and I asked the Manager to change me to someone else I chose and she did that. As for Medicare Advantage, I've had it many years with no problem. The thing is, you have to be careful which PLAN you choose. I always choose the PPO plan which means I can go to any doctor I please. I do not need a referral. Most of my doctors are in my Plan, only one is not, which means I have to pay $40 when I see him. Also, yes, you can go back to Medicare if you wish to switch. I did it for one year, had a supplement that cost me $300 a month, and at the end of that year I switched to UHC where I do not pay a monthly fee. I have been seen at three Health Centers (my Doctor moved and I followed her). All three have been very professional and competent. I don't have anything but praise for my care. At present, I am at the Santa Barbara Center. The Staff and Front Desk Ladies are excellent.

[Keninches]

That’s the main reason to not have Medicare Advantage. So many doctors don’t accept Advantage. If you want your choice of doctors go with Regular Medicare

[biker1]

My Supplemental Plan runs me $1700 per year in premiums. For this, I can see any provider that accepts Medicare.

Originally Posted by Shadywood

Maybe I'm missing something, but for me the solution to both problems was an Advantage PPO instead of HMO. It also makes it possible to use an Advantage plan when you travel.

A PPO lets you go out of network. Yes, you will pay higher co-pays, but you're also backed up by the out-of-pocket maximum. When I did the math, I realized I would pay much more under a supplemental plan, even compared to going out of network, simply because the supplemental plans I looked at were like Medicare itself -- there is no out-of-pocket maximum. When you add-in another $300 premium per person, I couldn't figure out how they manage to sell the things. But like I say, I'm no expert. Maybe I'm missing something.

And, by they way, this thread is the first I've heard of someone being turned down by an Advantage plan for pre-existing conditions. I take a statin and a blood pressure pill, and my wife has had half her thyroid removed for cancer, not to mention a history of diabetes. We were on Humana in Texas and United here, and neither one even asked about pre-existing conditions.

[Keninches]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

There were way too many limitations on available doctors, and specialists. Also, once you go to an advantage plan you may not be able to get back to Medicare and supplemental without going through underwriting. If you have significant medical problems or conditions this can be a very big deal.

You are 100% right. If you have major medical problems you are not given the best doctors. Which we prefer.

[Mrprez]

If you’re referring to me, I wasn’t denied coverage on an Advantage plan, it was a supplemental plan.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by 34gunner

Good Doctors. Terrible staff. Telephones need to be staffed by English speaking personnel. Appointments are never on time, have walked out twice because of excessive wait times.

I've never had that experience, ever. The Villages Health at Creekside are aces in my book. Everyone!

[taruffi57]

I walked in to Villages health 2 wks. ago to get an appt. for hip pain. Within 30 mins. they had Xray'd that hip. No waiting.