AARP Medicare and Health Review

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Contributor, Benzinga
October 10, 2022

AARP is not an insurance company. It is a nonprofit retirement membership club. AARP does not write insurance coverage, but it does provide retirees with a one-stop shop for all their insurance needs. 

Multiline discounts are available for U.S. citizens older than 50. For example, the AARP Mastercard rewards card allows members to collect points for travel rewards. In addition, membership is only $9 per year with automatic renewal and includes a free spouse or partner membership.

Pros
  • Multiple lines of coverage available
  • Policy perks like discounts for entertainment and travel
  • Low membership fees, which include membership for a spouse
Cons
  • Members may receive unsolicited advertising materials
  • Health insurance may not be the least expensive, especially for seniors in good health

AARP Medicare and Health Insurance Ratings at a Glance

AARP Health and Medicare Insurance Options
AARP Customer Service
AARP Pricing
AARP Mobile App
AARP User Benefits
AARP User Experience
AARP Health and Medicare Insurance Overall

AARP Health and Medicare Insurance Options

If you are a senior in the market for health insurance or life insurance, AARP will likely come to your mind. the company is known for senior services as well as partnering with other companies to offer seniors access to these types of services.

Once you are a member of AARP, you will have access to many programs that include important things like health, eye health, and dental health. AARP offers the following types of programs to its members:

AARP Long-Term Care Options from New York Life

Medicare Supplemental Insurance for Medicare Parts A and B Beneficiaries.

As a member of AARP, you will find supplemental insurance programs for Medicare.

  • Medigap plans: Most Medicare Advantage plans contain Part A, B and D coverage. In addition, these plans include extra advantages, including hearing and exercise.
  • Medicare Supplemental Security Income (SSI) plans: Special requirements plans aid people with special financial or healthcare needs.
  • Medigap plans: Medicare supplemental insurance helps with some of the costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover. It doesn’t require referrals and has no network restrictions. A Part D prescription drug plan may be added if your doctor accepts Medicare patients.
  • Drug plans for Medicare: Part D plans to assist seniors in paying for some Medicare-covered prescription medicines. Both Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement plans can use this plan.

AARP® Dental Insurance Plan administered by Delta Dental Insurance Co.

The Delta Dental Insurance Co. administers the AARP® Dental Insurance Plan, covering the most frequent dental services for individuals and families. State-specific plan options and pricing vary. Many dental insurance plans include the following:

  • Preferred provider organization (PPO) A: The most comprehensive coverage with a moderate rate. Annual deductible with a typical rate of $40 for the yearly deductible and a $1,500 annual maximum. Members can choose any licensed dentist inside or outside the preferred provider network.
  • PPO B: This plan offers lower monthly rates with slightly less coverage than the PPO A plan. Typical rates include an annual deductible of $90 with a yearly maximum of $1,000. As with PPO A, you can visit any licensed dentist.

AARP® MyVision Care provided through EyeMed

Members have access to three different vision plans starting at $4.38 per month. Comprehensive eye exams with a $10 cost are included in all plans, as are savings for people with diabetes and anyone who has lost their vision, among other things. Coverage and cost varies by state. However, out-of-network benefits, diabetic vision assistance and blindness benefits are all commonplace in most plans. Comprehensive eye exams are also included in many of these plans.

AARP® Short-Term Care Insurance from Medico®

Short-term care insurance helps pay for these five distinct forms of care outside of a hospital or doctor's office, including home healthcare. To match your individual needs, you can tailor your plan by benefit length, benefit amount and elimination period.

  • Home health services: Medical services recommended by your doctor are performed in the comfort of your own home with the assistance of a home health organization.
  • Adult daycare: A daily program for a group of six or more persons that incorporates social and health-related services.
  • Assisted living: Individuals who cannot care for themselves at home but do not require the expert care provided by a nursing home facility are provided with room, board and personal care.
  • Nursing facility: A licensed healthcare facility that provides skilled nursing, intermediate nursing or custodial care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Hospice Care: Compassionate treatment for terminally sick patients with a six-month life expectancy or less.

AARP Customer Service

Even though the AARP association is not an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), it has an A+ customer service rating. Although there is a high overall rating from the BBB, numerous customer complaints are listed, and the average customer review is a 1.14 star out of a possible five-star rating. 

AARP Pricing

Regarding health and life insurance, AARP may not be the most affordable option if you're in good health. Health insurance for the elderly and life insurance for retirees is cheaper outside of the organization. Still, you may find the tradeoff worth the extra cost for insurance to enjoy all of the other retirement benefits AARP offers. Over three years, 200 customer complaints were filed, with 35 complaints resolved to the customer’s satisfaction. 

AARP Mobile App

AARP provides a mobile app for members compatible with iPhone, iPad and Android devices. 

The mobile app provides access to:

  • Digital card membership
  • Account management
  • AARP rewards
  • News
  • Events
  • Member Discounts
  • AARP magazine and bulletin
  • Other AARP publications

Members who own an Amazon Echo, Tap or Dot can also get AARP news updates via Alexa Flash Briefing. In addition, the AARP mobile app is available through Google Play or by download through the App Store.

AARP User Benefits

One-stop shopping for several insurance policies is available to U.S. citizens older than 50, and discounts are offered for multiple policy lines. Additionally, the AARP Mastercard Rewards Card gives members the opportunity to collect reward points that may be used toward travel perks as well as discounts on entertainment, retail and financial goods. Only $9 a year with auto-renewal is required for membership, and a free spouse or partner membership is included.

AARP User Experience

Overall, AARP's user experience rating is above average. Most difficulties — obtaining new cards, updating address and checking account status — can be handled online through the member website. A handy mobile app makes accessing services easy. On third-party consumer review sites, AARP has an average number of complaints. The BBB gives AARP an A+ rating.

AARP vs Competitors

AARP is unique when it comes to offering health insurance to seniors because it not only offers members health insurance but is a one-stop shop for all your retirement needs, including insurance, travel benefits, banking and investments, financial planning and other retirement resources. Here is how AARP compares to other retirement membership services.

AARP Health and Medicare Insurance Overall

AARP is a nonprofit membership organization for retired people that offers insurance and a slew of other benefits, such as travel discounts, restaurant discounts, entertainment, shopping, auto services and more. Many retirees come from employment environments in which healthcare benefits were supplied by their employers. As a result of their retirement, these individuals must now seek cheap insurance solutions and may turn to AARP for the information and resources they need to live well and enjoy their retirement years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

How do I apply for AARP Health Insurance and Member Benefits?

A

To be eligible for coverage under AARP’s insurance policies, you must first become a member of the organization. The AARP membership application can be completed entirely online. AARP can be reached toll-free, or you can visit the assistance center for further information.

Q

Can I buy life insurance through AARP?

A

Members can apply for up to $100,000 in term life insurance to help safeguard their families, and they can also get free life insurance information by filling out an online application. A variety of other life insurance options also are available.

Q

What kind of life insurance does AARP have?

A

AARP offers two types of life insurance. You can purchase a permanent life insurance policy that is good as long as you pay the premiums, or you can purchase term life insurance that is only good for a term. This type of policy expires once you reach 80.

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Janet Hunt, Insurance Agent

About Janet Hunt, Insurance Agent

Janet has been working in, and writing about, the insurance industry for over 20 years.