Choose This AARP Medicare supplemental plan if you want the best coverage

Choosing a supplemental Medicare plan without a good understanding of what’s available is a lot like gambling without knowing the rules of the game.

Each year in the United States approximately 10,000 people turn 65 and a good percentage of them purchase or join a Medicare plan that is not right for them.

If you are considering purchasing an AARP Medicare supplemental plan continue reading to learn which plan will give you the best coverage.

All AARP Medicare supplemental plans are not created equal

Before diving into which Medicare supplement will afford you the best coverage let’s address a little confusion surrounding supplemental plans from AARP.

A Medicare Advantage plan like AARP Medicare Complete is not a Medicare supplement. Medicare Advantage plans do not supplement original Medicare but rather are another way to receive your Medicare benefits.

AARP Medicare Complete

Medicare supplemental insurance is also known as Medigap. Medigap policies offer standardized coverage from one carrier to the next. The basic benefits of an AARP Medicare supplement available from United HealthCare will be identical to the same plan offered by another company.

There are 10 Medigap policies available; A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. A high deductible plan F is also available. The degree to which a plan will fill the gaps varies depending on the plan chosen (Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin have their own unique Medigap polices).

The most comprehensive coverage available from United HealthCare is AARP Medicare supplement Plan F. For a little less premium Medicare supplement Plan G comes in second.

AARP Supplemental Medicare Plan F Benefits:

Medicare Part A – Plan pays:

• Hospital deductible
• Hospital coinsurance
• Blood (first 3 pints)
• Skilled Nursing facility care coinsurance
• Hospice care copay/coinsurance

Medicare Part B – Plan pays:

• Part B outpatient deductible
• Outpatient coinsurance – this is the dreaded 20%!
• Part B excess charges covered 100%
• Blood
• Medicare preventative care coinsurance

Additional benefits covered:

• Foreign travel expense for emergency care (plan limits apply)

AARP Medicare supplemental plans also include some value added benefits that are beyond what Medigap requirements.

AARP Supplemental Benefits:

• Discounts on vision care
• Nurse health line
• Discounts on pharmacy services

The pharmacy discounts are not to replace Medicare Part D insurance. Medicare supplement policies do not include Part D coverage and it is a wise choice to enroll in a Part D plan even if you do not currently require medications.

AARP Part D – Pros and Cons

Shopping for a Medicare supplement

One major benefit of Medigap policies being designed as standardized plans is the ease of comparing plans from one company to another. If for instance you are interested in a lower cost option from United HealthCare you may consider AARP Medicare supplement Plan N and you can compare the premium to all other companies offering that plan in your State.

When comparing plans determine if you will benefit from the value added benefits like vision discounts offered by AARP Medicare supplemental plans. The potential savings should be factored in when choosing between the same plan offered by different insurance companies.

Another nice benefit of standardization is the fact that shopping for a Medicare supplement online is a no brainer. Most companies will allow you to enroll online to save you the hassle of meeting with an agent. If you are interested in the most coverage compare AARP supplemental Medicare Plan F to to other companies to get the most bang for your buck.

Start with the facts when choosing between AARP Medicare Complete or Medicare

There have been several questions and comments as to which is a better choice: AARP Medicare Complete or Medicare. It’s important to look at the facts and clear up any misconceptions that may exist on this topic.

It’s also important to recognize that this is just one of many possible choice combinations that can be made. We could just as easily ask which is better: a Medigap policy or a Medicare Advantage plan or any other combination of plan choices. That said, let’s look at the differences between Medicare Complete and original Medicare.

Original Medicare

Choosing to insure yourself with original Medicare by itself can be a risky business. Original Medicare was never intended to cover 100% of expenses associated with your health care.

Some things you need to know about Medicare

• Some services such as routine dental, vision and hearing are not covered.
• You will be required to pay a deductibles and co-payments.
• You must pay premiums for your Part B coverage.
• Medicare Part D requires a separate premium.
• There is not an annual maximum out-of-pocket amount.

Medicare is considered a fee-for-service plan and you are able to choose any provider that accepts Medicare assignment. This means that if you require a specialist in another State you have the freedom to use them as long as they accept Medicare assignment. There are no network restrictions.

AARP Medicare Complete

Medicare complete is a Medicare Advantage plan offered by United HealthCare. More people joined an Advantage plan offered by United HealthCare in 2011 than plans offered by any other insurance company. AARP Medicare Complete is their most popular offering.

The plan is not owned or operated by AARP. It merely carries the AARP brand. ARRP is a not for profit organization with a focus on lobbying efforts and recommending products that they feel will offer value to their senior membership.

AARP Medicare Complete is not a Medicare supplement and shouldn’t be confused with AARP Medigap branded products also offered by United HealthCare. Purchasing a AARP Medigap policy requires AARP membership while joining an AARP branded Advantage plan does not.

Some things you need to know about AARP Medicare Complete

• As an Advantage plan it is offered County-by-County and may not be available everywhere.
• Plan benefits and premiums can vary County-to-County.
• Medicare Complete may be available as a PPO, HMO or HMO-POS plan.
• It may or may not include Part D coverage.
• Plans are good for one calendar year and must be renewed (if available) for the following year.
• You must adhere to strict enrollment period requirements.
• Extra benefits like limited dental, vision and hearing are often included.
• Premiums are sometimes required but many plans are offered with a $0 premium.
• Plans generally require cost-sharing in the form of deductibles, co-payments and coinsurance.

The type of plan available will determine if you can seek services out-of-network. While a PPO or HMO-POS plan offers some flexibility in exchange for increased cost sharing expenses, a HMO does not. If you are enrolled in a HMO plan and would like to see a out-of-network specialist it will not be allowed.

Misconceptions about AARP Medicare Complete

• Enrolling in Medicare Complete does not mean you are no longer in Medicare. You must have Medicare Part A and Part B to qualify. You must also continue to pay your Part B premiums.
• Medicare complete is not considered a Medicare supplement. It is merely another way to receive your Medicare benefits.
• Plans are not free. It’s possible that you may not have a monthly premium but will incur costs associated with usage as well as the continued payment of your Part B premium.

Your best choice

Whether one plan will be better than the other is determined by your individual circumstances. Review the Medicare And You handbook to get specific information about original Medicare and review the available Medicare Complete plan to compare benefits side by side.

If you are concerned about network limitations you may want to explore Medicare plus a Medicare supplement as this will give you greater coverage and allow the freedom to choose any provider that accepts Medicare assignment. Medicare supplement Plan F is the most comprehensive plan.

If you are concerned that Medicare does not protect you with an annual maximum out-of-pocket expense, you may want to explore a Medicare Advantage plan as this is included with all plans. In addition a Medicare Advantage plan may be more desirable if you are looking for some extra benefits not included in original Medicare.

The good news is that you can switch between the plans during enrollment periods if you are not happy with either AARP Medicare Complete or Medicare.

Medicare Complete Secure Horizons enrollment checklist

Medicare Complete Secure Horizons is a Medicare Advantage Plan offered by United Health Care. The only Medicare plans approved to use the AARP brand are offered by United Health Care.

The Advantage Plans also carry the Secure Horizons brand. Enrollment criteria is different for Medicare Advantage Plans than for AARP Medicare supplements. If you are interested in enrolling in Medicare Complete you will need to meet certain criteria.

Enrollment checklist

1. Medicare Parts A and B: You must have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B to enroll in AARP MedicareComplete Secure Horizons. You must also continue to pay your Part B premium.

2. Service Area: To join an Advantage Plan you must live in the plan’s service area. A service area is generally defined as a County. Medicare Advantage plans are offered County-by-County. It’s possible that you may not have a Medicare Complete plan available where you live.

In addition you should know that all Medicare Complete Secure Horizons Plans are not identical. Some plans referred to as Medicare Complete Choice Plans utilize a PPO network while other Medicare Complete Plans may require you to use a HMO or HMO-POS network.

Benefits can also vary from one service area to the next. When you visit the Medicare Complete website enter your zip code so that you can see available plans. Or if you are interested in all plans available in your County visit www.medicare.gov.

3. End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): Pre-existing conditions are not taken into consideration with the exception of ESRD (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant). If you are already enrolled in AARP Medicare Complete and develop kidney disease you can keep your plan or if you have had a successful kidney transplant you are able to enroll.

Medicare Complete enrollment periods

1. Annual Enrollment Period: The Annual Enrollment Period for plans with a January 2012 effective date is changing. You can join, switch or drop a Medicare Plan beginning October 15, 2011 through December 7, 2011.

2. Dis-enrollment Period: If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and would like to leave the plan you are able to do so between January 1 through February 14. You are not allowed to switch to another Advantage Plan.

You may return to original Medicare and enroll in a stand-alone Part D Plan and may purchase a Medicare supplement if you wish (underwriting may apply).

3. Newly eligible for Medicare: You can join a Medicare Complete Secure Horizons Plan when you first become eligible for Medicare. Your Open Enrollment Period begins 3 months prior to the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65 and 3 months after the month you tun 65 (seven months).

If you you are eligible for Medicare prior to turning 65 due to a disability you are able to join during the 3 months before and the 3 months after your 25th month of disability.

Secure Horizons online enrollment

Most people join a Medicare Complete Secure Horizons Plan enroll online. If you choose to enroll in AARP Medicare Complete online be sure to review the following items:

• The plan’s Summary of Benefits
• The Medicare Complete Provider Directory
• The Part D Formulary (drug list)

Reviewing these documents will provide the necessary information to make an informed decision as to whether a Secure Horizons Medicare Plan from United Health care is right for you.

Cheat sheet on Medicare plans through AARP insurance

If you are new to Medicare or would like to explore your options with AARP insurance Medicare plans it’s essential to understand the different types of plans available.

This article is intended to give you a high level overview of what type of AARP Medicare plans are available. There are three types of AARP insurance plans for Medicare beneficiaries.

• AARP Medicare supplements
• AARP Medicare Advantage Plans
• AARP Medicare Part D Plans

It’s important to note that AARP is not an insurance company. They lend their brand to insurance companies that they determine to have clients best interests at heart. AARP Medicare Plans are underwritten by United Health Care. Just as AARP automobile insurance is underwritten by The Hartford and AARP life insurance is underwritten by New York Life.

AARP Medicare plan options

AARP Medicare supplements are standardized plans that pay your share of the costs for Medicare covered services. Medicare supplement plans are also referred to as Medigap policies. AARP Medicare supplemental insurance plans require a monthly premium and you must also continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium which is deducted from your Social Security check. AARP Medigap plan features include:

• Choose any provider that accepts Medicare.
• Medicare covered expenses paid are dependent on plan chosen.
• No benefit for non-Medicare expenses.
• Part D not included.
• AARP membership required.

Choose an AARP Medicare supplement if you like the freedom to choose any Medicare approved provider, don’t want to be surprised with high out-of-pocket costs and the premiums for the supplement and Part D Plans are affordable.

AARP Medicare Advantage Plans are plans where you receive your Medicare benefits from a private insurance company which is approved by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to administer your Medicare benefits. Advantage Plans are also referred to as Medicare Part C.

To enroll in an AARP Medicare Advantage Plan like Medicare Complete you must have have or be entitled to Medicare Parts A and B and live within the plan’s service area. You must also continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.  AARP Medicare Advantage Plan features include:

• Network-based such as PPO, HMO or HMO-POS plans.
• Some plans allow out-of-network utilization.
• Cost sharing is in the form of copays and coinsurance.
• Plans often have low or $0 monthly premiums.
• Many include Medicare Rx coverage.
• Some non-Medicare services may be covered.
• AARP membership is not required.

Choose an AARP Medicare Advantage Plan if you find the network agreeable, like the idea of a plan that includes Part D as well as extra benefits and the idea of a low or $0 premium is appealing.

AARP Medicare Part D Plans give you predictable coverage for required medications by offering plans with different Part D formularies to meet your needs. Part D plans are often referred to as Medicare Rx Plans. AARP Medicare drug plan features include:

• Specific formularies for your needs.
• No deductible plans available.
• Competitive copay structure.
• Accepted at over 65,000 pharmacies.
• Copays as low as $2
• Mail order pharmacy option.

You can choose an AARP Medicare Rx Plan as a stand-alone plan either with original Medicare or with a Medicare supplement. You are not required to have AARP insurance or AARP membership to enroll in an AARP Part D Plan.

Both AARP Medicare Advantage Plans and AARP Part D Plans are subject to enrollment periods and plans offer annual benefits with renewal required each year.

There are several sources of information online to dig deeper into specific types of AARP insurance. If you are interested in learning more about the differences between Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare supplements and would like to determine which is best for you, sign up for our free mini-course at the top right of this page.

Medicare and AARP Medigap insurance delivers on Medicare covered expenses

Both AARP Medigap policies and AARP Medicare Advantage Plans like Medicare Complete are available from United Health Care. But which option is your best bet?

Medicare and AARP combinations are widely popular but there are positives and negatives associated with both AARP Medicare supplements and AARP Medicare Advantage Plans.

AARP and Medicare options explained

Medicare is pretty straight forward. People who have worked and paid Medicare taxes for forty quarters in their lifetime qualify for Medicare Part A. Part A is the hospital coverage portion of Medicare health insurance it  requires an initial deductible and co-payments for extended hospital stays.

Medicare Part B must be elected and paid for through Social Security income deductions. Part B provides outpatient benefits, requires an annual deductible and coinsurance in the amount of 20%.

There are gaps in Medicare. First, as noted above Medicare does not pay 100% of covered expenses. Also, many ancillary services like dental, hearing and vision are lacking in original Medicare.

Medicare and AARP Medigap insurance closes the financial gaps but does not address the ancillary benefits. Medigap policies also known as Medicare supplements or supplemental Medicare coverage are standardized plans that (depending on the plan) pay the costs of Medicare covered expenses that would normally be your responsibility.

Medicare supplement Plan F is the most comprehensive and also requires the highest monthly premium. Like all Medigap policies AARP Medicare supplemental insurance does not include any prescription drug benefits. Medicare Part D must be purchased separately. If you are considering an AARP Medicare RX Plan you will have more than one plan to choose from.

AARP Medicare Advantage Plans are sometimes referred to as Medicare replacement plans though this can be somewhat misleading. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan you are still enrolled in Medicare. You are merely receiving your Medicare benefits from a private insurance company like United Health Care which is contracted by CMS to provide your Medicare benefits.

Advantage Plans often require that you utilize network providers, whether you are in a Medicare HMO or Medicare PPO plan. Medicare Advantage Plans (AKA Medicare Part C) are not Medicare supplements and most include the Part D drug benefit.

With an Advantage Plan the financial gaps are not filled in the same way as with a Medigap policy. But rather you will have predictable costs in the form of co-pays and coinsurance.

Many AARP Medicare Advantage Plans include extra benefits such as dental, hearing and vision not included in supplemental plans. An Advantage Plan often has a low or $0 monthly premium.

Choosing between AARP Medigap or AARP Medicare Complete

Here are typical profiles of people who would choose one plan over the other:

AARP Medicare supplement

• You can afford the monthly premium.
• You like the peace of mind that your share of expenses will be paid.
• You want to use any provider who accepts Medicare.
• The idea of shopping between standardized plans is appealing.
• You don’t want the hassle of annual enrollment periods.
• You like the freedom to choose from several Part D plans.

AARP Medicare Advantage Plan

• You have a limited budget or like the low monthly premiums.
• Knowing that you will only pay a copay or coinsurance is appealing.
• You are satisfied with the Advantage Plan’s network of providers.
• You like the option that you can change plans annually.
• Having your Medical and prescription coverage in one plan is positive.
• You enjoy having the extra benefits not normally included in Medicare.

Whether you choose Medicare and AARP Medigap insurance or an AARP Medicare Advantage Plan you are in good company. United Health care is currently the largest provider of Advantage plans nationally and their medicare supplements are often some of the most competitively priced.

Shopping for an enrolling in an AARP Medicare Plan can often be accomplished online with little hassle.

Top three things to know about AARP Medicare Supplements

If you are considering buying one of the AARP Medicare supplements available there are certain facts you should be familiar with before you sign on the dotted line.

This unbiased information is provided so you can do your homework and feel comfortable with your decision if you should choose to purchase an AARP Medicare supplemental policy.

Before we jump into the top three things you should know that AARP is not the insurance company. AARP Medicare supplements are underwritten by United Health Care. They are one of the largest providers of Medicare supplements also known as Medigap policies in the United States. United HealthCare is also currently the largest provider of Medicare Advantage Plans like AARP Medicare Complete.

Top three points

The first thing you should know about AARP Medicare supplement policies is that they are, like all Medigap policies, standardized plans. Currently Medicare supplement plans are labeled as plans: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Not all insurance companies offer every plan. But if you are comparing AARP Medicare supplement Plan F to other company’s Plan F you will be comparing identical benefits.

Standardization of Medicare supplement plans makes it easy to compare several companies to pursue your best option. Price is not the only consideration when comparing Medicare gap insurance. Other things to consider include:

• The financial stability and rating of the insurance company
• Past rate stability
• Ease of enrollment and level of customer service
• Discounts for bank draft or multiple policy holders in household
• Underwriting concerns if not in open enrollment
• Any additional benefits like discounts on vision

Comparing several companies to get the best Medicare supplement policy for you needs it very important. It should be noted that you must be an AARP member to purchase an AARP policy. This is a small price to pay in return for the extra discounts on health related purchases.

Secondly, it’s important not to confuse an AARP Medicare supplement with an AARP Medicare Advantage Plan. The technical term for a supplement is Medigap. Many people also refer to a supplement as Medicare gap insurance because it fill the gap for Medicare covered expenses.

What a supplemental Medicare policy will not do is offer coverage beyond what original Medicare covers. The supplement is designed (depending on the plan) to pick up what would normally be your portion of Medicare covered expenses.

A Medicare Advantage Plan like Secure Horizons Medicare Complete is not a supplement and cannot be referred to as a Medigap policy. These types of plans may offer benefits beyond what original Medicare covers such as dental, vision, hearing and sometimes gym memberships.

The final thing that you should know is that all Medigap policies including AARP Medicare supplements do not include prescription drug coverage. Part D coverage must be obtained separately. You must factor the Part D monthly premium into you decision. But once again a low premium is not necessarily the only or the best thing to base your decision on. Other things to consider include:

• The plan’s formulary or list of covered drugs
• Whether an annual deductible is required
• Copay amount
• Pharmacy network
• Access to a mail order pharmacy

It’s important to note that unlike an AARP Medicare supplement you will be subject to specific enrollment periods for Part D plans. When searching for Part D coverage the biggest consideration should be the plan formulary. The AARP formulary is comprehensive and worth a look.

Finding Medigap policies

Shopping for the right Medicare supplemental plan is easy if your remember these three things:

1. All Medigap plans are standardized
2. Be certain to compare supplements to supplements not Advantage Plans
3. Remembering that Part D must be purchased separately.

Because plans are standardized most people do their research and purchase online. AARP Medicare supplements are popular, but just to be certain it’s smart to look at several companies as well.

Is a Secure Horizons Medicare plan really your best option?

That depends on whether you’ve decided on a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare supplement. Secure Horizons Medicare plans are Advantage Plans otherwise known as Medicare Part C.

If you have decided to purchase a Medicare supplement otherwise know as a Medigap policy or Medicare gap insurance you can still get your insurance from the same company.

United HealthCare is the insurance company behind the Secure Horizons and AARP Medicare supplemental products. Same insurance company different brand.

Here we are going to focus on Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage Plans. Looking at what options are available as well as the positive and negative aspects of each.

Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage options

Advantage plan overview: To be eligible for a Medicare Advantage Plan you must be eligible for Medicare Part A and continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. You must also live in a plan’s service area.

Medicare Advantage Plans are offered County by County and you may have more than one Secure Horizons plan available or in some cases no Secure Horizons plans available. Visit Medicare.gov to locate all plans available in your County.

Rates are not based on gender, health condition or age, the exception being those people with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) who have other options through Medicare and are not eligible to join a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Types of Secure Horizons Medicare Plans

Special Needs Plans are Medicare Advantage Plans for people with certain qualifying conditions or situations. There are chronic illness plans, plans for people living in a institution like a nursing home and plans for people enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid otherwise known as dual-eligible individuals.

Pros: If you qualify, these coordinated care plans generally do a better job of managing conditions and helping with chronic illnesses better than an Advantage Plan for the general population.

Cons: Plans often offer less flexibility to choose providers and networks are often more limited especially for dual-eligible plans.

Medicare Complete Plans are HMO plans and require you to use a network of local hospitals and doctors. Also available in some service areas are Medicare Complete Plus plans that are HMO-POS plans. Point of Service plans allow you the flexibility to receive care out-of-network.

Pros: Services received in-network will generally afford you the lowest out-of-pocket costs.

Cons: These plans are not normally available in more rural areas. Also, many find the network restrictions to be less than positive when a specialist not in the network may be desired. Out-of-pocket costs for the HMO-POS plans may be unaffordable when using out-of-network providers.

Medicare Complete Choice Plans are PPO plans that give you the flexibility to use providers out-of-network for a higher out-of-pocket cost. Many people with an AARP Medicare Complete Plan have this type of Secure Horizon Medicare plan. Plans are available with or without Part D coverage included. The Secure Horizons medical only plan as branded as Medicare Complete Choice Essential.

Pros: Often $0 premium plans with comprehensive networks and the freedom to go out of network for required services.

Cons: Some services obtained out-of-network require more out-of-pocket costs than if you were enrolled in original Medicare.

Secure Horizons Medicare Direct Plans are Private Fee-For-service plans (PFFS) and members can receive care from any Medicare approved provider that accepts the plan’s payment terms and conditions. Many of these plans were discontinued leaving many service areas without a Secure Horizons Medicare plan option.

Pros: No network required. You can also purchase a stand-alone Part D drug plan (even from another company).

Cons: Finding a provider who will accept the plan. Also providers can choose to accept the plan on a visit-by-visit basis. You will also have to pay a premium for Part D coverage as none is provided in Medicare Direct Plans.

Enrolling in a Secure Horizon Medicare plan

Unless you have a Special Enrollment Period or are aging into Medicare you will be limited to enrolling during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). For plans with a 2012 effective date the AEP will begin October 15 2011 and end December 7 2011. You can research plans at the Secure Horizons website or see additional Medicare Advantage and Part D plan options at Medicare.gov.

It’s also important to note that plans can change annually or be discontinued all together. It’s important to review your Medicare Advantage options on an annual basis. The good news is the secure Horizons Medicare plans are widely available and you often have more than on plan choice.

Don’t enroll in AARP Secure Horizons until you know these five facts

If you are considering enrolling in a Medicare plan you have surely heard about Secure Horizons AARP plans. AARP name recognition has helped to make Secure Horizons a household name among Medicare beneficiaries. But the reputation alone is not good enough reason to sign up for a Medicare plan.

Understanding the following five facts will give you a good overview of Secure Horizons AARP Medicare plans and allow you to determine if an AARP Secure Horizons plan is right for you.

Five facts – Secure Horizons AARP Medicare

1. Secure Horizons is a United Health Care brand. AARP is not an insurance company and they do not sell insurance policies. Similarly, there is also AARP branded life insurance and automobile insurance offered by New York Life and The Hartford respectively.

Beyond name recognition the main benefit of  having an AARP branded Medicare plan is that AARP will generally hold the insurance company to a high level of customer service. Both AARP and United Health Care have a lot to lose if there is a perception of low quality of customer service.

2. Secure Horizons AARP Medicare plans are Medicare Advantage plans, not Medicare supplement policies also known as Medigap coverage. Nationally the most popular Medicare Advantage Plan is AARP Medicare Complete.

Medicare Advantage Plans are popular for several reasons including:

• Low or $0 monthly premium
• Part D drug coverage is often included
• Plans include extras like; dental, vision, hearing and gym memberships

Medicare Advantage Plans are offered County by County and not all Medicare Advantage plans may be available. Advantage Plans also often require that you utilize network providers. Visit www.medicare.gov to check for available plans in your area.

3. Since Secure Horizons AARP plans are Advantage Plans they are by default not Medicare supplemental policies. It is important to note that an Advantage Plan and a Medicare Supplement are two different products. A Medicare supplement fills in the gaps for Medicare covered expenses so you are not out-of-pocket.

A Medicare advantage plan is offered by an insurance company which is approved and contracted by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to administer your Medicare. Unlike a supplement a Medicare Advantage Plan will will generally require deductibles, coinsuance and copays for services.

4. Secure Horizons AARP Medicare Advantage Plans are subject to strict enrollment periods. Like Medicare supplemental policies you can join when you first become eligible for Medicare. You can enroll in a AARP Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage plan from three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65 and the three months after you turn 65.

If you are already enrolled in Medicare your opportunity to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or change Advantage plans is during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). The AEP for 2012 plans begins October 15, 2011 and ends December 7, 2011. This is a change from previous years when the AEP began November 15 and ended December 31.

There are also Special Enrollment Periods that are triggered when you have some change of status, such as employment group insurance ending, moving to another service area and several others.

5. Unlike an AARP Medicare Supplement policy, Secure Horizons AARP Advantage Plans are subject to specific rules set by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid that govern all Medicare Advantage Plans.

Advantage plans are annual plans and as such you should know that plans can change their benefits or in some cases non-renew for the following year. It is your responsibility to compare Medicare Advantage Plans during the AEP and be aware of any changes to your current plan.

Enrolling in an AARP Medicare Advantage plan

If you have decided that an Advantage plan is the right choice and you would like to enroll in a Secure Horizons AARP Medicare Advantage Plan, you have several methods available. You can enroll:

• By meeting with a licensed insurance agent
• Mail an enrollment form to Secure Horizons
• Enroll by telephone
• Submit an application online

More people are taking advantage of online enrollment because of the convenience. However you choose to enroll, you will find the process to be straight forward when interacting with customer service from Secure Horizons.

AARP Medicare options explained

The AARP brand looms large in the Medicare market. The relationship that AARP has with older adults begins when people reach the age of 50 and receive an invitation to join the organization.

Many people join AARP for benefits related to travel and other discounts and eventually purchase an AARP Medicare product. Or do they? AARP is a not-for-profit organization but many people mistakenly believe that they are an insurance company. None the less AARP Medicare products are wildly popular.

The insurance company behind the brand

AARP Medicare health plans are offered exclusively by United Health Care. Medicare plans include:

• Medicare supplements
• Medicare Advantage Plans
• Medicare Part D Plans

It’s important to note that not all plans may necessarily be available to you as plans can in some cases be offered on a State-by-State or even County-by-County basis.

AARP Medicare supplements are widely available to people who are entitled to or enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare supplements, also known as Medigap, are offered as standardized plans with benefits being the same from one company to the next. Premiums are based on a number of factors that may include; age, gender and health status.

A Medicare supplement fills in the gaps of Medicare covered expenses by covering the Medicare beneficiaries’ share of required costs to one degree to another depending on the individual standardized plan. Services not covered by Medicare such as most dental, vision and gym memberships are not covered by a Medicare supplemental policy.

The purchase of a supplemental policy does not afford you Part D drug coverage. A separate Medicare RX plan must be purchased. The Part D plan can be evaluated on an annual basis during the Annual Enrollment Period and can be changed if need be.

Many people purchase an AARP Medicare supplement to avoid network restrictions and because of the strong history of rate stability.

Currently, the most popular plan is Medicare supplement Plan F due to it’s depth of coverage. The AARP membership includes additional benefits that complement the supplemental coverage, such as vision discounts.

AARP Medicare Advantage Plans are available by Secure Horizons which is a United Health Care brand. AARP Medicare Complete may very well be the most recognized Advantage Plan available. Medicare Complete may be available as either a PPO or HMO.

In order to join an Advantage Plan you must have both Parts A and B and live within the plan’s service area. Medicare Complete is offered on a County-by-County basis. Benefits can vary from one plan to the next and the same plan may even include different benefit levels from one County to another. Medicare Advantage Plans may be available for monthly premiums as low as $0.

An Advantage Plan is not a Medicare supplement, but rather is another way to receive your Medicare benefits. A private insurance company, such as United Health Care, is approved and contracted with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services to administer your Medicare and provide benefits based on an agreed upon schedule.

Many people purchase an AARP Medicare Advantage Plan to avoid the monthly premium associated with a supplemental policy and to receive additional benefits not covered by Medicare. These benefits may include; dental, vision, health club memberships, transportation to and from medical appointments, as well as others. Medicare Part D is included in AARP Medicare Complete plans.

AARP Medicare Part D can be purchased as a stand alone RX plan or as a complement to a Medicare supplement. It is important to purchase a Part D plan when you are first eligible so as not to incur a late enrollment penalty.

Popular AARP Medicare RX plans include:

• AARP Preferred Rx Plan
• AARP Enhanced RX Plan

The plan you choose should depend mostly on what prescriptions you are required to take as well as what premium is affordable to you. Whether you choose to join an AARP Medicare drug plan or another plan, reviewing the plan’s Part D formulary is key to getting the best plan for your circumstances.

Beginning in 2011 the Annual Enrollment Period for Part D as well as Advantage Plans will begin October 15 and end December 7. During this time you can evaluate plans to determine if switching would be in your best interests.

Which AARP Medicare Plan is best?

Choosing a Medicare plan should be based on your individual circumstances. What is right for someone else may not be your best option. Here are some things to consider when choosing a plan:

• What is affordable?
• How is your current health?
• Will you be happy staying within a network?
• Do you require benefits beyond original Medicare?
• Is Medicare and Part D enough?

AARP Medicare Plans are one choice to consider. There are many competing plans that may suit your needs. Shopping online and visiting the official Medicare website can help you determine which type of plan and which company is your best fit.

Don’t Need Part D? Consider AARP Medicare Complete Choice Essential

Many people would like to enroll in a 2012 Medicare Advantage plan, but do not need Part D coverage. If you fall into this category you may have several choices for a Medicare Advantage plan that offers medical-only health benefits.

One popular plan is available from Secure Horizons. AARP Medicare Complete Choice Essential offers the same value as AARP Medicare Complete minus the Part D coverage.

UnitedHealthCare Medicare 2012 Changes Brands

Who should consider this plan?

This AARP Advantage plan is ideal for those individuals who do not need Part D benefits because they have credible drug coverage from another source. For instance many veterans receive drug benefits from the veterans administration and may want the benefits afforded by an Advantage plan but are happy with their drug coverage from the VA. If you fall into this category compare 2012 Medicare Advantage plans that offer health-only medical benefits.

Some people retire and are able to keep credible prescription drug coverage from their former employer. If these people are interested in a Medicare Advantage plan Medicare Complete Choice Essential may fit the bill.

The benefits afforded by enrolling in a Medicare advantage plan like Medicare Complete Choice Essential include:

• Fixed cost sharing amounts, as in co-pays, coinsurance and deductibles.
• Lower premium than purchasing a Medigap policy.
• Underwriting limited to one question about end-stage renal disease.
• Extra benefits beyond what original Medicare includes such as; dental, vision, hearing and often gym memberships.

In addition to the benefits listed above one advantage of enrolling in a medical-only Advantage plan is that you generally have richer medical benefits than the plan’s counterpart that includes the Part D coverage. You may have lower cost sharing or your maximum annual out-of-pocket expense my be lower than the plan including Part D.

2012 Medicare Advantage Enrollment Guidelines

Because Medicare Advantage plans are offered on an annual basis if you enroll in a medical-only Advantage plan and your circumstances change you can elect a plan that does include Part D the following year. In addition, if you lose credible drug coverage during the year through no fault of your own you will be entitled to a Special Enrollment Period and will not be required to wait until the Annual Enrollment Period.

Shop smart for your 2012 Medicare Advantage plan by locating information online. This will enable you to compare many plan offerings and save time. When comparing plans take a look at AARP Medicare Complete Choice Essential it may fit the bill.