A Comprehensive Guide to AARP’s Medicare Advantage Options
Learn everything about AARP's Medicare Advantage plans, including plan types, benefits, and how they help retirees access comprehensive healthcare coverage. Partnered with top insurers like UnitedHealthcare, AARP makes healthcare options accessible and affordable for seniors. This guide covers plan options like HMO, PPO, SNPs, and more, providing valuable insights for choosing the right Medicare plan post-retirement.
A Complete Overview of AARP’s Medicare Advantage Plans
AARP, or the American Association of Retired Persons, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting seniors in maintaining independence and quality of life. While it does not sell insurance directly, AARP offers its members access to a wide range of health coverage options through partnerships with reputable insurers. After retiring, many individuals seek affordable healthcare plans, and AARP serves as a helpful resource by connecting them with top carriers offering special discounted rates tailored for seniors.
What Services Does AARP Provide?
Members of AARP gain access to an extensive selection of health insurance plans at discounted rates from trusted insurers. The organization focuses on enhancing seniors’ wellbeing by fostering collaborations worldwide and simplifying the process of finding affordable health coverage after employment-based benefits cease. AARP’s partnerships make it easier for retirees to access quality insurance options suited to their needs.
AARP and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans
AARP collaborates with UnitedHealthcare to provide its members—both current and prospective—with Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, which offer extended benefits beyond traditional Medicare coverage.
Types of Medicare Advantage Plans Offered by AARP
Most plans are coordinated care options that feature a network of approved doctors and hospitals. Members may need to select a primary care physician from a provided list, depending on the plan type. Four primary types of coordinated plans include:
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): Requires using network providers and often a referral from your primary doctor for specialist visits. Some HMO plans may offer limited out-of-network care with additional costs, and prescription drug coverage depends on the plan specifics.
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): Offers more flexibility by allowing visits outside the network with higher costs. No need for primary care referrals and often, prescription drugs are included.
- Point of Service (POS): Blends features of HMO and PPO plans, providing flexibility to choose providers while maintaining some network restrictions.
- Special Needs Plans (SNPs): Designed for individuals with specific health or financial needs, these plans cover medications and include additional services such as transportation, vision, dental, and routine health items. Types include Dual-Eligible, Chronic, Institutional, and Institutional-Equivalent SNPs.
Other Plan Types Available: including Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS), which offer provider choice flexibility, and Medical Savings Accounts (MSA), combining high deductibles with health savings options. It’s important to note that AARP does not provide insurance directly but partners with leading insurers like UnitedHealthcare to offer these plans.
