Medicare Open Enrollment
Check out this article in The Villages Daily Sun on open enrollment for Medicare Advantage:
Read the Daily Sun Article
An Important COVID-19 update from Our Chief Medical Officer, Jeffrey Lowenkron, MD
Many people have concerns and questions regarding when the COVID-19 vaccinations will be available to our patients and the community. With the rapidity of vaccine development and only recently being approved by the FDA, vaccine production and distribution will take time to catch up to the global demand. As the vaccine becomes available, the plan is to distribute it as rapidly as possible. We will continue to keep the community updated as information becomes available to us. We kindly request your patience during this time. Thank you.
Read the full update here: Coronavirus Advisory Update
Virtual Medical Appointments Expand Care Options
The Villages Daily Sun featured an article about The Villages Health’s telemedicine benefits.
Know your Medicare Options – The Villages Daily Sun Article
Is your Medicare plan still the best choice for you? Read the article in The Villages Daily Sun and know your Medicare options before choosing a plan during annual enrollment.
An Important COVID Message from Our Chief Medical Officer, Jeffrey Lowenkron, MD
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advisory
Cases of COVID-19 are increasing in Florida and locally. Today, there are 549 cases in Sumter County, with 162 occurring in the last week. In Lake County, there are 2,158 cases with 674 occurring in the last week. In Marion County, there are 1,156 cases with 379 occurring in the last week. As of this morning, there are 15 patients in the UF Health Villages Hospital and 36 in UF Leesburg Hospital.16 of these patients are in intensive care.
The upward trend is accelerating and the number of known cases among 15- to 35-year-olds is surpassing those of adults aged 55 and older. While younger individuals are typically more able to tolerate and survive the infection, older individuals are at higher risk for more serious outcomes related to this infection.
Communities where large populations of seniors live are advised to take proactive steps to reduce the risk of disease transmission. The Villages® is the nation’s largest 55 and older active living community.
Seniors who have serious medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease, Type II diabetes, or conditions reflective of weakened immunity are at even higher risk. These individuals can make decisions that reduce their risk of getting COVID-19. They should consider postponing participation in social events with more than 10 people, particularly those events held indoors. Everyone can help reduce the risk of community spread by their behaviors.
For mild or moderate disease, there is no current treatment that is proven to be effective; therefore, rest, fluids, quarantine and time are often the recommended treatment. For those with severe disease, in intensive care and on ventilators, there are two medications that help with symptoms and probably survival: dexamethasone and remdesivir. Convalescent plasma is also being used in hospitals and may also be beneficial. None of these are intended for prevention and should not be taken outside a hospital setting.
Everyone can help by taking the following actions:
- People, if sick, should avoid contact with others
- Social distancing of at least six feet is important
- Consistent mask wearing is advised
- Frequent handwashing, avoid shaking hands and minimize hand-to-face contact
- Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, then wash your hands
- Avoid interactions that last 15 minutes and are within six feet of others, especially without masks
The Villages Health current actions to create a safer environment:
- Temperature checks and questionnaire for all staff, patients and guests who enter a care center
- Employees who are ill or exposed are being quarantined at home until safe for return to work
- Social distancing practiced throughout the workplace
- Required mask use for all in the care center (patients and guests are provided masks if they need them)
- Telephone triage to help assess risk, need for testing and need for aggressive care like hospital visits
- COVID-19 testing, if recommended, is performed in the parking lot to avoid potential infection of others
- Patients will be called and offered a telehealth visit to provide needed care without risk of exposure in a care center
Two Resources for Information:
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html
- http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/
The Florida Department of Health has established a call center for general questions at 866-779-6121, which is manned from 8 AM – 5 PM. Specific questions related to guidance may be directed to the Sumter County Health Department at 352-569-3102.
The Villages Health is working hard to keep you safe, while also ensuring we take care of your health care needs. As we all work together, we will continue our path to becoming America’s Healthiest Hometown®.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Lowenkron, MD, MPP
Chief Medical Officer
The Villages Health
The Villages Health Chief Medical Officer Jeff Lowenkron answers important COVID-19 questions
The Villages Daily Sun featured an article about the COVID-19 pandemic and testing in the state of Florida. The Villages Health Chief Medical Officer, Jeff Lowenkron, was interviewed and provided some great insight on testing, medications to treat hospitalized patients, where to get a test, antibody testing and more.
The Villages Health is Hiring to Accommodate Practice & Community Expansion
The Villages Daily Sun featured The Villages Health in a recent article on growing health care demands. The Villages Health is looking to hire qualified health care providers to help meet the demands of a rapidly expanding patient population.
The Center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood Now Open to Patients
The 240,000 square-foot state of the art health care facility, the Center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood is now open to patients of The Villages Health and members of the community. Read about the opening in The Villages Daily Sun.
The Villages Daily Sun Releases Center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood Growth Report
The Villages Health and other tenants of the state-of-the-art Center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood are now in the initial phase of operations. Read more about their progress in this The Villages Daily Sun report.
The Villages Health Announces New Primary Care Center in Lake Deaton Plaza
As The Villages® Community continues to welcome new neighbors, The Villages Health announced plans to expand primary care services to a new location in Lake Deaton Plaza – just a 10-minute drive from the Center for Advanced Health care at Brownwood.