Enrolling in an AARP Medicare RX plan is a smart choice
If you search for Medicare Part D plans will will find that you probably have dozens of choices, but an AARP Medicare RX plan may be your best option.
An AARP Part D drug plan can be purchased as a stand-alone plan or may be included in a United Healthcare Advantage plan, like AARP Medicare Complete.
When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan you will only have one plan choice available.
But if you are enrolling in an AARP stand-alone Part D plan you will have two plans from which to choose:
AARP Medicare Rx Preferred and AARP Medicare Rx Enhanced.
AARP offers one of the most popular drug plan for seniors nationwide.
There are many reasons why choosing an AARP plan may be a good fit for you, including:
- Strong name recognition means almost guaranteed acceptance.
- Monthly premiums are some of the most competitive.
- Broad formulary means a good chance your drugs will be covered.
- Choice of plans for all budgets.
- $0 annual deductible
Many people also buy an AARP Medicare supplement insured through United Healthcare.
What matters when choosing a plan
When enrolling in a Part D drug plan there are several things you should consider, such as:
- Are my medications included in the plan’s formulary?
- Will my pharmacy accept the AARP Medicare RX plan?
- Is the monthly premium affordable?
- How do the co-pays compare to other plans?
- Will I have any benefits in the coverage gap?
- Should I choose a plan with or without an annual deductible?
It’s also good idea to determine which tier individual drugs fall into and compare that to any other plans that you may be considering.
Some companies will offer a plan that seems to be a good value because of the low monthly premium, only to place certain drugs in a higher tier than other plans.
Annual Election Period is the time to compare Medicare Part D
The Annual Election Period begins October 15th and ends December 7th each year.
Plans become effective on January 1st and there is little opportunity to make changes after that date.
Unless you are entitled to a Part D Special Enrollment Period you will have to live with the plan for the full calendar year.
You may feel a little more comfortable in your choice knowing that more people choose an AARP Part D Plan over competing plans.
AARP member.65 end of December. have a supplement plan in place.need part D.WHAT DO U OFFER?HOW MUCH DOES IT COST.WHAT R THE RULES?
NEED TO KNOW ASAP
You will need to submit an application prior to November 30 to have an effective date of December1. This gives you time to compare Part D drug plans. You will actually enroll in a 2010 plan for December and need to enroll again in December for a 2011 Part D plan. Plans are annual plans. 2011 plans will not be available for review until October 1 per CMS regulations.
I offer commentary on Medicare plans and news stories related to Medicare. Visit http://www.medicare.gov to view plans in your area. You will be able to see all prices and levels of benefits. Plans and costs vary from State to State. AARP Medicare Part D plans are a viable solution, but given the differences in plan formularies, you may want to use the tool at medicare.gov that allows you to enter your medications to get an idea what a particular plan will cost.
I would like to know if all these medications are covered.vicoin 7,5 750 mg.-gabapentin 300mg.- lisinopril 20mg.flurisolide nasal solution uspo .025 metoprolol 100mg.accupril 10mg.-simvastatin 40mg.-levothyroxin 0.025mg.-oxcod/apap 5-325mg.alprazolam 0.25mg.ranitidine 150mg. What tier are they in. I would appreciate an answer as soon as possible, so I can make a decission.Thank you verry much.
Phillip, AARP MedicareRX Preferred and AARP Medicare RX Enhanced have different formularies. 2011 Formularies for AARP Part D plans also vary by State. Answering your question would require this information. I would suggest contacting a local insurance agent approved to represent AARP Medicare plans or visit the AARP Medicare website – http://www.aarpmedicareplans.com. Their site has tools that will enable you to look up any medications you may be interested in. Enter you zip code first to be directed to relevant information for your area. You can enter medications individually or print out a pdf of the AARP Part D formulary that you are interested in.
David
I have been searching for AARP Medicare Drug Plan Formulary & I keep getting a run around. Please tell me how I can find your Formulary. You say it is very important to know if the plan has the medicines you take but I have not been able to find the Forumlary. You keep talking about other companies.
Eleanor, This site is neither owned or operated by by AARP Medicare. I comment on many plans and items in the news related to Medicare. Visit http://www.aarpmedicareplans.com or call a local agent and request a printed formulary be sent to you.
Sorry I’m not more of a help.
David
I tried to fill a script for the generic arimidex(anastrozole) on 1/1/2011 which is a tier 2 drug. After 1 hour with telephone calls from the pharmacy to customer service and Prescription Solutions I was advised that my status as being in the donut hole has not been cleared by you for 2011. I was told to come back today 1/02/2011 so that it would cost $45 instead of $62+ for a 30 day supply. In 24 hours, following your directions your computer system is still out of date. Please advise. Lucille
Lucille, Sounds very frustrating. However, this site is not owned or operating by an insurance carrier, including United HealthCare, the company behind AARP Part D plans. On this blog I comment on many different Medicare Plans including; Part D, Medicare Advantage and Medigap policies, as well as news items related to Medicare in general. If it’s critical that you take this medication today, I would pay the $62+ and seek a refund from the pharmacy after the computer programming issues have been solved.
My wife takes the drug anastrozole, ( a generic for Arimidex) she was taking it last year and it was a tier 1 drug with a co-pay of $7.00. It was still listed as such when I decided to stay with this insurance company for 2011. Now it has become a tier 2 drug with a co-pay of $45.00 This is quite a jump and greedy on the insurance companies part.
Darrel, I understand how you feel. It’s interesting to note that AARP Medicare RX Plan formularies vary depending on geographic area. In Florida Arimidex is listed as a tier 3 drug. It’s also possible that the required copay is driven by the manufacturer’s pricing. Given the fact that it is used to treat the early stages of breast cancer I’m surprised that it was listed as a tier one drug, as those types of drugs are normally much more expensive.
MY WIFE AND MYSELF NEEDS TO GET SOME SPECIFICS REGARDING THE 3 AARP PART D PLANS. WE NEEDS TO SEE THE FORMULARIES AND COST OF EACH PLAN. WE ARE IN THE MARKET NOW, DUE TO MY WIFE HAS BEEN WORKING FULL TIME FOR OPTIMA HEALTH HERE IN VA AND WE HAVE BEEN FULLY COVERED UNDER THE EMPLOYEE COVERED PLAN. MY WIFE WILL BE RETIRING IN APRIL 2011 AND WE ARE THINKING SERIOUSLY ABOUT JOINING AAPR FOR OUR PART D.WE WILL STILL KEEP OUR MEDICARE PART A AND B AND OUR AARP SUPPLIMENTAL PLAN PLEASE RESPOND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Ronald, AARP Part D plans will vary by State. To learn about the plan formularies and costs visit http://www.aarpmedicareplans.com.
I have a client that was recently enrolled in the Medicare RX plan carried by AARP. He was sent a coupon booklet for his monthly premium. What paperwork or process does he need to follow to have his premium automatically deducted from his social security income, or is this still an option for seniors?? Or what contact number can we call to get this set up for him this week?
Elizabeth, Have your client call the customer service number on their Part D membership card to make the request.
i need (pdp)insured by united healthcare a listing of payments received for jerome-rose magluilo for 2010. thank you
Jerome, If you are looking for a statement from AARP Medicare Part D, you will need to contact them. This site is not owned or operated by AARP Medicare Plans.
I am trying to get a print-out of my drug payments for 2010–no luck–can you guide me?
Thanks
Ora
Ora, This site is not owned or operated by AARP Medicare RX. Medicare Plan Review is a blog. Call the AARP customer service number on your Part D card. they should be able to advise you.