Guide To Health Insurance.org

AARP group members (ages 50 and over) and their spouses are eligible to
participate in the organization's Health Care Options Program. It includes an
endorsed health insurance plan and a buffet of options available through
carefully screened providers. Group members are not required to pass preliminary
exams upon application and can choose services they need at varying pricing
levels.

AARP Benefits

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) group has made recommendations for seeking health care options since 1958. However, these were mainly limited to add-on plans, although they directly provided supplemental insurance for Medicare and Medicaid. Since 1997, specific services have been contracted under the Options Program. These include personal health insurance, dental and vision savings, and extended care as well as discounts on prescriptions and over the counter (OTC) drugs. OTC discounts include vitamins, lotions, and other products that promote senior health.

As an extended arm of the AARP Pharmacy Services, group members are also eligible to receive supplies related to diabetes and a host of other illnesses and medical conditions. Walkers and wheelchairs are also included in this category. AARP offers Health Essentials, a members-only catalog that carries exclusive, discounted brands. All AARP members - not just those who participate in the health insurance program - are eligible for Pharmacy and Vision services; these are categorized as discount options and not insurance.

Individuals may find the Health Care Options Program especially appealing as they can select their own physicians and hospitals. There are discounts and no claim forms if doctors within the network are chosen. Premiums are based on an individual's age. Fixed costs are available for each service used, ranging from physician visits to hospital stays. AARP Plan members also receive access to exclusive medical and health information. Rate changes are not based on individual circumstances. Any increase must first be approved by AARP and will affect all policyholders within the particular plan levels.

For now, the health insurance provisions are limited in national scope. Eligible states that provide primary care include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Maryland, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. Dental, vision, and hospital providers are more widespread but still may not be available in all states.

AARP Plans

United HealthCare Insurance Company and United HealthCare Insurance Company of New York provide these plans: AARP Group Hospital and Advantage, Supplemental Medical, Personal Health Insurance, and Medicare Supplemental. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company provides extended care (AARP Long-Term Care Insurance Plan). These providers are under contract with AARP to provide specific health insurance options that are custom-designed for group members.

Each of the plans, while being far from comprehensive as group health insurance, continue to provide considerable savings for thousands of individuals. The high cost of personal coverage makes some types of insurance prohibitive. The ideal candidates are those who have lost their jobs, accepted early retirement, or are individuals who have returned to the work force on a part-time basis.