Thousands of residents of The Villages are breathing a sigh of relief after learning of a deal between UnitedHealthcare and the new owners of The Villages Health System.
Patients at The Villages Health were told the company's sale earlier this year would not affect their care. But negotiations between UnitedHealthcare and the new owners could mean thousands will have to find new Medicare plans, change doctors, or pay more money.
A health care shakeup is underway in The Villages after Villages Health filed for bankruptcy earlier this year amid questions over Medicare overbilling. A judge recently approved the sale of Villages Health to CenterWell.
Court documents published Monday confirm CenterWell won the auction to buy The Villages Health System, as part of the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. CenterWell, a senior health care provider owned by health insurer Humana, will pay $68 million in cash for TVHS.
U.S. officials are objecting to the language in the proposed sale for The Villages Health System, saying the health provider’s order could shield an “overly broad” list of parties from potential civil or criminal liability. This comes as the federal government pursues a resolution over the $350 million in Medicare overpayments by the health care provider.
