THE VILLAGES, Fla. – Palm trees and golf carts line the streets of the retirement community dubbed “Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.”
Shops, restaurants, and doctors’ offices are all just a short ride away in The Villages, which spans Lake, Marion and Sumter counties. But in recent months, concern has grown after The Villages Health System filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The Villages Health currently treats around 55,000 patients with eight primary care facilities and two specialty care facilities.
“You know, you figure you know everything is run a certain way around here, and didn’t expect anything like this. This was kind of like way out of left field,” said Fred, a patient who has lived in The Villages for five and a half years with his wife, Linda. They have been patients of Villages Health the entire time and are worried about losing their doctors.
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“Well, it took us a while to find the primary doctor that we like, and I’m worried that that might make him leave and go to another practice somewhere that he doesn’t have to worry about this,” Linda said.
Others are taking the situation in stride.
“I talked to my doctor, and she says it’s got nothing to do with you,” said Villages Health patient John Graham. “So, I don’t know. It hasn’t had any effect on me.”
Back in December, The Villages Health announced it had self-reported a Medicare billing issue to the federal government. In July, when the health system filed for bankruptcy, it owed more than $360 million to the federal government.
According to court documents, $350 million stemmed from overbilling Medicare.
“I hope this causes them to have more checks and balances going forward. New rules, new applications. You know, check people. More auditing,” said Linda and Fred.
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For the last couple of months, Villages Health has been trying to sell. On Sept. 9, a judge approved the sale to CenterWell, which is owned by Humana.
CenterWell will pay $68 million in cash, plus assume any liabilities.
After the sale was approved, Villages Health Chief Executive Officer Bob Trinh, sent a letter to patient, stating: “TVH has always been committed to providing you with high-quality patient care, and we are confident CenterWell will continue to serve this community in the same manner.”
Trinh also says patients will have continued access to their current health insurer, and will not be required to get a Humana health plan to continue seeing their doctors.
The letter also said while the sale has been approved, it is not yet closed.
The court’s timeline sets a sale closing date of no earlier than Oct. 31. Meanwhile, The Villages Health will still have to negotiate with its creditors, including the U.S. Government.
To read the full letter to Villages Health patients, CLICK HERE.