Health

Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026.  Let's talk about it! If you're enrolled in Medicare, now is a good time to review your coverage and make sure it still meets your health care needs and budget for 2027.Even if you're happy with your current plan, it's worth taking another look. Costs, prescription drug coverage, provider networks, and benefits can change from year to year.Making Medicare decisions for ourselves is hard enough, and many of us who are caregiving are also helping loved one make their Medicare decisions (or making them for them if they are unable and we have the appropriate powers of attorney). It’s a lot of pressure! The good news is that AARP has GREAT resources to help you understand your options and make informed decisions. Not sure how to get started - check out these resources:Everything You Need to Know About Medicare Open Enrollment – Understand what you can change, important deadlines and what to consider when comparing plans. AAR

Can you explain what is happening to Xarelto coverage in 2027 Medicare? It seems that in my zip code =12589, Ulster County, only CVS is providing coverage for 20 mg.

[Wednesday 9/30/26]Last year 2025, the Health App on my Android Cell Phone (Samsung through T-mobile) worked for awhile. I was one happy camper. 🙃Then AARP posted they were NO longer dealing with the app I was using on my cell.Meanwhile I have read over the years on this site the challenge of FINDING AN APP THAT DOES WORK WITH AARP SETUP.Anyone have any "luck" with finding one? 🤔I walk 1/2 hour EVERY DAY & it sure would be "nice" to EARN AARP Reward Points when I have "enough" miles in. When I was EARNING Points, I would walk LONGER each day. Lol, YES, it was an "incentive" to get my old body moving. 😅Thanks,Nicole (Healthy Living Forum)

Just got my statement with the news about our WA state Public Employees Benefit Board UHC Complete Medicare Supplement Insurance premium increase for 2027 - for coverage of my spouse and myself monthly premium is going from $434.81 to $679.30.  I saw AZ was going up 30% what is the situation in other states and why is it so different from one to another?

Are you a regular on the yoga mat, an occasional participant or curious about getting started? We’d love to hear your experience!The Ethel’s article, The 5 Yoga Poses Every Older Woman Should Do, offers a starting point for the conversation.Do you have a favorite yoga pose or class—including chair yoga? If you’re new to yoga, what would help you feel more comfortable giving it a try? Share your experiences and beginner-friendly tips below!

As a long-time member, I am deeply concerned about AARP continuing to lend its trusted name and endorsement to UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Medicare Advantage plans.Over the recent enrollment cycles, many of us have watched these plans become significantly more expensive while simultaneously reducing vital coverages. When a plan carries the AARP logo, members expect a higher standard of advocacy, affordability, and care. Instead, we are facing higher out-of-pocket costs and shrinking provider networks.AARP’s brand should stand for member protection, not corporate licensing profit at the expense of seniors on fixed incomes. I have already contacted customer service directly to register my complaint, but I want to know how many other community members are experiencing these same premium hikes and coverage cuts.It is time for AARP to hold UnitedHealthcare accountable to the seniors who trust this organization.

I was reading your article about the Shingles vaccine.  To begin with, I am NOT an anti vaccine person.  I fully trust and believe in vaccines.  I had the new vaccine in mid 2018.  Both injections.  I also had the old vaccine when I turned 50.  So plenty of shots.  While traveling last September I came down with Shingles on my face that went into my eye.  It has been very bad.  Since that time I have met two other people who also had the shot about the same time, both also got Shingles, one worse than me.  The shot may be 97% efficient initially but I do not believe it is that efficient forever.  I have friends who think they are safe because they got the shot eight years ago.  I was told that new vaccines are not typically tested to see if a booster is required until ten years after the vaccine is released.  I did see a study on line that said after four years the vaccine was less than 50% effective.  This topic nee

need help with payment for Medicare deductible health plansBeen disabled since 2002until 2023 my secondary was Medicaid. currently my secondary is ChampVA my only income is my SSID. Im currently 50 years-old I have received SNAP benefits (food stamps since 02/2026) and although I receive help I am currently paying $600 a month From my own income (Social Security) for healthcare alone and whenever I call my Medicare Health company they do not care and have refused to send my unpaid bill from them  to my secondary insuranceand I paid $259 monthly for Medicare deductible although I get food stamps

need help with payment for Medicare deductible health plansBeen disabled since 2002until 2023 my secondary was Medicaid. currently my secondary is ChampVA my only income is my SSID. Im currently 50 years-old I have received SNAP benefits (food stamps since 02/2026) and although I receive help I am currently paying $600 a month From my own income (Social Security) for healthcare alone and whenever I call my Medicare Health company they do not care and have refused to send my unpaid bill from them  to my secondary insuranceand I paid $259 monthly for Medicare deductible although I get food stamps 

Seniors.Welcome to your "Golden Years", where your aging benefits cost you gold prices. Increased 2026 Medicare rates, 30% increases in AARP / UHC Supplemental plans, $5500.00+ hearing aids, $8000+ a month Assisted Living rates. It is becoming obvious, the goal of our broken Medical system is to spend down the hard earned assets of the most vulnerable. AARP, if your mission of representing the elderly is one of sincerity, you might want to align your intentions with those providers who can deliver cost effective results. The rate of these price increases is unsustainable and will ultimately result in the demise of the provider base.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has enacted a new policy governing international mail shipments, with key requirements scheduled to take effect on October 22, 2026. We have just learned that, under the planned implementation by CBP and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), virtually all prescription-medication parcels will be prohibited from entering the United States beginning on that date.What’s ChangingEntry will be prohibited if the medication being imported is commercially available in the United States — even when it costs significantly more — or if the supplying company specifically markets to Americans.These restrictions will apply to pharmaceutical parcels sent by pharmacies anywhere outside the United States. Taken together, they are expected to effectively close the personal-importation pathway that millions of Americans have relied upon for more than 25 years to obtain safe and affordable medications.

I hope no one is being misled by the $90 payment that has appeared in some of our bank accounts. While receiving extra money is always welcome, we must look beyond a one-time payment and consider the bigger picture.Many of us are living on fixed incomes and depend on Social Security and Medicare to maintain our financial security and quality of life. A one-time payment of $90 does not make up for the potential loss of Social Security benefits, rising Medicare premiums, increasing copayments, and the growing cost of everyday necessities.We must pay attention to the policies this administration supports and how they could affect the programs millions of Americans have worked their entire lives to earn. Social Security is not a handout, and Medicare is not a privilege. These are programs that hardworking Americans have paid into and depend on for their retirement, health, and dignity.We cannot afford to be distracted by a small, one-time payment while facing the possibility of much greate

They won't pay claims when their written policy says it is covered!  AARP needs to get away from UHC and find another Medicare advantage provider!!  When you try to talk to someone they bounce you around - the last call it was 10 different “advocates”!!

I look forward to EVERY October 15th when I get to SEE what my "current" Plan D provider will be CHARGING me for the NEXT YEAR.(1) Do you "check" the famous Medicare Site to COMPARE plans?(2) Or use another option like a Broker maybe?(3) I use to travel to my local office of aging to sit with them and do this.But moving forward, will be doing the comparison myself on the Medicare Site. I have ALWAYS had an "online" account since turning 65.Lol, wish me luck!!! 🤞Take Care,Nicole (Medicare Forum)

I recently retired and signed  up for a Medicare Advantage plan in 2026.  I take Xarelto 20 mg and through government negotiated pricing it was affordable.  However, it appears Xarelto has been removed from 2027 Medicare negotiated pricing for 2027.  From what I gathered this was done because Xarelto 2.5 mg went generic and the government negotiated pricing terms/conditions removed drugs from the negotiated pricing if they went generic, regardless of the dosage.  Thus, if on any dosage other than 2.5 mg you will pay substantially more for your Xarelto in 2027. I’ve heard many people get generic Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) from Canada, but it appears US government will be tightening down on this is this making it difficult to do this going forward.Thus, I’m curious what other options might be available to get Xarelto at a reasonable price if on Medicare? Thanks!

I live in Boise, Idaho, and currently have the “AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC ID-0001 (PPO)” plan from United Healthcare (UHC). I recently received an email from UHC with a link to the Annual Notice of Change 2027 document. As I started looking down and comparing the 2026 and 2027 plans, I noticed under “Fitness program” it shows “Covered” for 2026 and “Not covered” for 2027. Coincidentally, the local YMCA was holding a health fair for seniors this week and United Healthcare had a table there. I asked the woman at the table, who turned out to be the Market Growth Manager for our area, whether it was true that Renew Active would not be offered for my plan in 2027. She confirmed that it was true. She said that Renew Active WOULD be offered under the HMO version of my plan, but WOULD NOT be offered for the PPO version.This makes no sense to me and just seems wrong! I use Renew Active to pay my YMCA membership and it is an important benefit to me. I assume UHC started this program with

Do they have an online messaging system that gives patients rapid access to test results?  Can appointments be made online?  (I dislike having phone conversations.) Do their PCPs like to pass the buck to specialists?  Do they offer covid and other shots at their facility or pass the buck to CVS and Walgreens?  Do they prescribe opioids or pass the buck to pain clinics?

My doctor prescribed Premarin Vaginal Cream 0.625 to address my hot flashes. I’ve been on it a couple of years and it has worked well for me. However, it has been on backorder for TWO MONTHS. I’ve called many local pharmacies, and they all say the same thing, it is on backorder and they cannot get it. So, my doctor prescribed another prescription in pill form. This one is unavailable too! This is happening across the country. What’s up? Why is Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC and Pfizer, Inc. putting so many women in this situation; it is unconscionable. Any suggestions on how I / we can get our prescribed medication?

Now that the weather is changing, I am trying to find new ways to stay active indoors. I recently picked up light yoga, but I am looking to mix things up! I'd love to connect with others here and get some inspiration .What hobbies or routines are keeping you busy right now? Any recommendations for beginners?Looking forward to reading your replies!

I got an email notification of a reply to a thread about Xarelto and went to the link to view it, and it wasn’t there. I thought maybe the poster changed his mind and deleted that post, because it looked like they were quoting AI that wasn’t accurate. (It said it’s “carefully engineered as a single, extended-release tablet” and that’s not the case.)But now I can’t find the thread at all, including MY posts in it.  I certainly didn’t delete any of my posts.Does this happen?  Entire threads just go POOF without any evidence they were ever there?   

I live in Clark County WA and have had AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC WA-12 for 2 years.  Still haven’t received my ANOC for 2027.  When I try to access online, I’m told to check back after 10/7/26.  When I search for a plan under my zip code for 2027, mine doesn’t exist.  Is this treated as a cancelation where I am now free to go to a Medicare G/N/G High Deductible without underwriting?

If you go to this url you will see a map. Enlarge it and click on your state. You can then click on your county and see who is offering advantage plans in 2027, which plans have been discontinued and how many independent drug plans (D’s) there are in your county and what the premiums will be. They are not as bad as some had anticipated and all the early reports stated they would be - it still remains to see what they have done with the formularies and tiers within them which could upend expenses.You can also see which plans are offering commissions to agents and which ones aren’t. If you use an agent this may affect what they will or will not tell you about.https://windermerefinancial.com/medicare-plan-map

UHC seems to have removed Worldwide Emergency and Urgent Care from all of their Advantage plans.  Thet also seem to have DROPPED many PPO plans.  I'm not sure this is good for the AARP name.   

Until just today I have not really felt so bad about aging as I do now. I am 64 and just went to a seminar this morning on senior linkage line information sources. I have also been going to various medicare seminars to start learning about my upcoming options. Usually, in my life I have enjoyed problem solving and learning information was a way to feel empowered. But lately, I have felt terribly overwhelmed by problems to be solved and all this aging information seems to me a bit overwhelming as I navigate to try to figure out how I can care for myself as I grow older. I have no kids to help me out with this. As I was driving somewhere today, I suddenly just started crying, tears coming down my cheeks. I am starting to very, very overwhelmed with so many aspects of aging and all the upcoming changes. I think another thing that spilled over is the ongoing severe stress on retirement investment accounts due to the decreases the past year and now this horrible banking crises starting. I f

I was informed there is no universal/uniform electronic health record in a timeline for patients and healthcare providers to review. Not having the vital information limits healthcare proivders ability to make medical decisions and recommendations for the patient, it puts the patient’s health in jeopardy.  In my case, it has caused radiation side effects from too many X-rays and CT scans.  It also increased my healthcare costs abd resulted in being referred to doctors I have already seen