AARP Health Insurance Questions (supplement, move, Canada, 2009)

[Jammie]

The other night as I was reading on the Retirement forum, I saw a post or two about the AARP health insurance program. This is all I know about it and I'd love more info on it~

Three or four years ago I read that it was a pilot program and was only available in a few states. The minimum age was 50. It is not AARP health insurance, but is actually with an insurance company and AARP endorses it.

So if anyone who has it or has checked into it, could you please enlighten me?

Since it's for an older group, are existing conditions covered? If so, is there a waiting period?

Are the rates set for each age group or individually? Is it expensive? How trustworthy are they as far as paying medical bills? Are you only allowed to see certain clinics or certain hospitals?

Any info would be so appreciated.

[CarolL]

Here's a link to the AARP website's insurance section with the details:

Health Insurance and Pharmacy Plan for Adults over 50 - AARP

You can get an estimate of cost there. It's still not available in all states.

[Tressa]

I would think that you can go online at AARP.org and get all the information your looking for. I do know that we pay AARP for one individual medical insurance it's just under $500.00 per month, I don't recall that he has used it yet. In the beginning it was $433. monthyl and continue to go up each year.

[Jammie]

Thank you both for replying.

I checked out the site and unfortunately it's not in my area yet. But it could be helpful in the future if I ever move out of the frozen tundra.

Thanks again.

[CarolL]

You may want to read this first:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...nsurance_N.htm

[Keeper]

AARP has been called on the carpet for Humana's advantage plan for those 50 and over.

I went to a seminar for AARP and Blue Advantage for AL since I go on medicare in Jan. It seems like a good plan. There are no co-pays and no deductibles. That is the good news, the bad news is there is the 'gap' or donut hole for medicine. I am thinking about going with the Blue Cross Blue advantage since it is only $71.00 a month.

Does anyone know if you can get 'gap' coverage for medicine. I know I should have asked when I was there. It won't affect me at the moment but I am curious if it would be available if you get an advantage plan. I read on the AARP site that you can get 'gap' coverage for around $20 MOL a month.

I have a plan through my employer but it is more in monthly payments, plus has co-pays and deductibles.

[knoxgarden]

Originally Posted by Keeper

Does anyone know if you can get 'gap' coverage for medicine. I know I should have asked when I was there. It won't affect me at the moment but I am curious if it would be available if you get an advantage plan. I read on the AARP site that you can get 'gap' coverage for around $20 MOL a month.

I have a plan through my employer but it is more in monthly payments, plus has co-pays and deductibles.

The "gap" coverage isn't for the "donut hole" in the prescription plan. Medicare Gap coverage is for people who have regular Medicare -- not an Advantage plan -- and want insurance to cover deductibles and the percentages Medicare doesn't pay.
The donut hole is written into the law for prescription coverage. What you need to do is to work with your doctor to see if there are lower cost/generic drugs that will treat your condition and then to find the plan with the best formulary to fit your needs and doesn't cost more than you'd pay for the drugs. You really have to cost that out.
You can do this on the Medicare.gov site.
Within each Advantage and Prescription plan there are different levels of coverage for different costs per month. Some will cover more of the "donut hole" than others.
The best thing you can do is have a frank talk with your doctor about what can be done to reduce your drug costs.
You may also be able to reduce costs of things like precription levels of iron and vitamins -- which Medicare doesn't cover -- by ordering from Canadian pharmacies. I started ordering my Iron pills from Canada and get them for half of what I was paying at Sam's Club.

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by CarolL

You may want to read this first:

AARP suspends sales of some health plans - USATODAY.com

HMMM, kinda scary, isn't it?

I guess I'm kind of in the dark about all of this because I've always had employer sponsored coverage so all I have had to do is know about one specific insurance~the deductible, co-pay, etc. Unfortunately, I don't even know what "gap" insurance is.

Are we still able to order meds from Canada? It sounded like that was going to be banned at one point. If it's still legal and I ever need meds, I'll have to check into that.

[old_cold]

Hopefully things will change this year (I doubt it) but even gap coverage so far that I've found, only provides coverage for generics.
If you need non-preferred meds, you're out of luck.
This 'donut hole' is the most shameful government mandated feature there is in these prescription plans.
My husband hits in by May and from then on we need to pay thousands until the next January.
The above only refers to Medicare Part D prescription plans which is separate from supplements to Part A & B.
As far as supplements like AARP , we took that and they've covered all out of pocket expenses but this year (no hospitalizations) the premium was more than the expenses....but that's insurance
Since plans change every year, nothing much you get told now may be accurate come 2009.
If you are asking about non-Medicare coverage, I'm sorry I butted in but can say that the company has been faultless in making payments which was one of your questions.

[old_cold]

Jammie
After hitting the 'hole' we did get meds from Canada.Price was about 60%
From what I read, it is still illegal but the gov. has decided to turn a blind eye on it for now.