Understanding the different types of AARP senior health insurance
If you are researching senior health plan choices, you may want to compare AARP senior health insurance to other available options. But don’t expect the comparison to simple. There are three several types of AARP insurance for seniors.
For our purposes, we will look at plan choices for those that qualify for AARP membership. You can join AARP at age 50 and there are plans available when you first become eligible for membership and plans specifically for people with Medicare.
AARP insurance for those age 50 to 64
AARP members who are under 65 and not yet eligible for Medicare have two senior health plan choices. Members in this age range that are already enrolled in Medicare due to a disability will want to avoid the following options and instead consider AARP senior health insurance for those members with Medicare.
AARP Essential Premier Health Insurance is underwritten by Aetna and is major medical insurance that is custom-designed for AARP members age 50-64. If affordable, major medical insurance is your best choice for comprehensive coverage. When comparing AARP Essential Premier Insurance to other major medical policies, it is important to not only look at the monthly premium, but rather the benefits included in each plan. Value cannot be determined by only considering the premium.
AARP Hospital Indemnity Insurance is underwritten by United Healthcare. Hospital indemnity insurance is characterized as having a schedule of benefits. For instance, the policy will pay a flat fee for each overnight stay in a hospital. Plans often include predetermined benefit amounts for surgery, emergency room and outpatient procedures. Often plans will include discounts on additional value added services, such as, dental, vision and prescription drug discounts.
Choose an indemnity policy if a major medical policy is unaffordable or you are looking for some supplemental coverage. Keep in mind that if you only have an indemnity policy, you will have some financial exposure should you require many types of care.
AARP senior health insurance for members who are enrolled in Medicare
If you are enrolled in Medicare the previous two choices will not be suitable for you. When looking at senior health plan choices, you will normally be choosing between a Medicare supplement (Medigap) or a Medicare Advantage plan.
AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance is underwritten by United Healthcare. Comparing an AARP supplement to other companies is simple. Medicare supplements are standardized plans and will include the same coverage no matter which companies you are comparing. For instance, the only difference between AARP Medicare supplement Plan N and Mutual of Omaha Plan N will be the price and the service you receive after the sale.
A Medicare supplement will fill the gaps left by Medicare. You are essentially prepaying for your care and will have little or no out-of-pocket expense for covered services. You will also need to purchase a separate Part D drug plan. When looking at a supplement as one of your senior health plan choices, ask to get historical data on rate stability. Knowing that your premium is not going to have erratic increases can give you some peace of mind.
AARP MedicareComplete is a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) that is underwritten by United Healthcare. A Medicare Advantage plan is not a Medicare supplement, but rather, another way to receive your Medicare benefits. A private insurance company contracts with CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid) to administer your Medicare. Advantage plans will often include Part D drug coverage. Advantage plans are offered on an annual basis and can change from year to year.
With an Advantage plan like AARP MedicareComplete, you will be responsible for co-pays, coinsurance and deductibles, but will generally receive additional benefits beyond traditional Medicare. Benefits may include dental, vision, hearing and gym memberships.
Researching senior health plans
The Medicare website can be a great resource to get general information and find links to insurance company websites. Shopping online is a time-saving way to compare plans and request information. You can also do it the old fashioned way and sit down with an insurance agent to compare senior health plans.
No matter which method that you use to get information on health plans, it may be worth you time to look at AARP senior health insurance options.
I’m makeing payments on my life ins.but I got a letter to renew my membership is this for the magazine an aarp bulletin only or what else?
Alice, I would recommend calling the phone number on the invoice to determine if the invoice is for the AARP membership or for your AARP life insurance. This site is neither owned or operated by AARP. We merely provide information and reviews of 2011 Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement insurance, including information and reviews on AARP Medicare Complete and AARP Medicare supplement insurance.
I am 63 years old will be 64 in June. My CORBA prmium will end the end of April. My husband is on Medicare now so I
can not go on his policy. I live in New York state so the plan I am on now is not transferable. I have checked in to some other plans in New York state and we are over the monthly gross income. Others plans the payment would be near a $1000 a month. Would you send me more inforation on AARP insurance for those who are 50 to 64 years old.
Thank you
Nina, Here’s an article about AARP Senior Health Insurance that may help. This site is not operated by AARP and to get an application for AARP Health Insurance you would need to visit their site.
I have AARP MedicareComplete from SecureHorizon plus Medicare Supplement Plan G from Mutual of Omaha.Haven’t had to use my supplemental but it is going up this year.Does AARP Supplemental compare to this Plan G with Mutual of Omaha ? Do I need a supplemental ?
Elvin, Double check to see which plan is actually active. It’s not possible to have both a Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare Complete) and a Medicare supplement (Mutual of Omaha). If you are a member of AARP Medicare Complete and have been paying premiums to Mutual of Omaha, you are due a refund.
Should you decide to change to an AARP Medicare supplement for 2012 you will find Plan G to be identical coverage to Mutual of Omaha Plan G. The premium will be based on several factors and may or may not be a lower premium that the Mutual of Omaha.
We do not have medicare but need health insurance now. what are suggestions.
Hazel, I would recommend that you contact a local insurance broker who represents multiple companies. I’m sorry I don’t have a specific product or company recommendation.
Ezio, Medicare Advantage Plan sponsors are required by law to give you the information you seek in a time frame dictated by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage Plans with an effective date of January 2012 begins October 15, 2011 and ends December 7, 2011. As far as the AARP membership expiration, you will be notified in time to renew if that is your preference.
I am inquiring for my mother who is 90 yrs. old. She is interested in a plan that suppliments her Medicare and also pays the Medicare deductible. She has a plan now but she has to pay the deductable. She also has a Part D plan. Is there one that pays for all the medication?
Maxine, There are Medigap policies that will pay the deductibles. Plan F is by far the most popular. Medigap policies do not include Part d coverage. Also, your Mom will probably be subject to underwriting.
You could consider a Medicare Advantage plan such as AARP MedicareComplete. Part D is included but you will have co-payments and coinsurance to meet when she uses the plan. You may want to speak with a local insurance agent who can help you navigate through your options.
I need a plan that will cover everything and that I can use any where or with any doctor my husband and I travel and being stuck in the HMO’S PPO’S and THIS REGIONAL PLAN STUFF is NOT what seniors need we need something we can use when we travel with no hassle we are both on medicare do you have any suggestions the BC/BS senior Advantage in our area is not what we are needing and really doesn’t cover us without a lot of bothersome crap from the insurance company when we travel and I am sure there are others out therre with the same problem.HELP ALL OF US WITH SOME DIRECTION.
Karen, What you are describing is a Medigap policy, otherwise known as a Medicare supplement. Given your criteria for a plan, I’m not sure that a Medicare Advantage plan is right for you. Medicare supplement Plan F is the most comprehensive. A good resource to help you understand and choose a Medigap policy is the Medicare publication, “Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to health Insurance for People with Medicare”. Here are the top 10 reasons to buy a Medicare supplement.
My father will be moving back to the US to live with us. He is 90 yrs old and now in Canada. He has been paying for US Medicare but I know he has no Medigap. Can he enroll in a Supplement plan at that age? and what is the best way to do that? Thank you
Lois, There is no age limit to purchase a Medicare supplement but the rates will normally be higher the older you are. There will most likely be medical underwriting requirements as well. If your Dad does not qualify, consider enrolling him in a Medicare Advantage program. Here’s an article that may interest you: Medicare Advantage – Read This Before You Enroll
Do you have health insurance plans for people who are not on medicare. My husband is younger than I am, and I don’t want to wait until he is medicare age before retiring, but health insurance would be a problem.
Pat, I recommend that my readers and subscribers use eHealth to shop for a suitable health insurance policy. You can start the process here.
Dear Sir, I am 74 years old. I have Medicare part A only, I retired last year and I am covered on my husband’s Blue Cross Blue Shield plan and will be even after he retires (American U. coverage) Question: Can we still qualify for AARP medical insurance (Medigap and/or prescription coverage). Thank you
Joyce, Generally when you are covered under an employer group policy (even after retirement) you do not qualify for a Medigap policy. To be covered under a Medigap policy you must also have both Parts A and B. In some cases people are able to drop their employer group drug coverage and enroll in a Part D plan but this is rare, as the medical and drug coverage are usually included in the same group policy.
Sometimes people stay with an employer group policy even though Parts A and B plus a supplement would be either less money or offer more freedom. This may not be the case for you and you should do some research. Often people see their group coverage as a benefit of retirement (like a pension) even with potentially higher premiums and having to adhere to a limited network. Compare your costs to Medicare part A, B and D plus a Medigap policy to see if switching makes sense. With Plan F for instance, all Medicare covered services would be paid 100% (between Medicare and the policy) and you would have no network restriction.
Keep in mind that if you drop your employer group you generally can not get it back.
David, I work for a small company and I am paying a lot for Health Insurance for my husband and me. My husband is 58, do you have brochures to show how much Health Insurance would be for just him? Thank you!
I m ill working at age 67 would I be able to drop my group employer insurance and go to medicare advantage insurance . Or do I have to wait to full retirement to have medicare THank You
Aris, You don’t have to wait until you retire but you must have both Medicare Parts A and B.
Hi, my mom only has Medicare Part A. What steps do I need to take to get her AARP?
Which plan do you recommend? She is 77 years old.
Ragni, Before ypur Mom can buy an Medicare supplemnt or Medicare Advantage Plan she will need to be enrolled in Medicare Part B. Both A and B are required to get either plan. To lern more about differences between plans vist medicare-mini-course.com.