Health

Since the day I learned that my Medigap Plan G premiums were going up 35% in 2027, I’ve been obsessing about Plan G vs. HD-G and running “the numbers” for best case vs. worse cases scenarios. Somethings been nagging me: While I love obsessing about insurance and wouldn’t mind the paperwork associated with the HD-G, my dear wife has absolutely no interest or patience in tracking provider visits, charges, Medicaid allowable charges, deductibles, etc.  Meanwhile I am eligible for a zero-premium large group Medicare Advantage plan from my former employer, the State of North Carolina. And if I added my wife (with a premium of $68) and predeceased her, she could continue at the spousal rate forever - worry free. What a gift that would be. (Ever heard “Don’t let better be the enemy of good?” Reports I’ve gotten from former colleagues suggest that our group plan may be better than individual M.A. plans available to the general public. I would love to hear about your experience.

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

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 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

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)

Theoretically it’s correct about the CBP/FDA semantics not specifically stating that all medications from foreign countries will be banned by the United States Post Office. However, this is likely being orchestrated by big pharma lobbyists and imo they are going to ban all medications from being bought from Canadian and other Countries by Americans. It’s all about big pharma, corrupt politicians, crooked revolving door administration of the FDA and CBP. They will block the sending of all medications and can, will get away with once again screwing the health care needs of the American people. Only a miracle, successful litigation or a last minute lobbying campaign against this upcoming law will stop them. I sadly think big pharma cannot be stopped

I learned today that the US government is prohibiting prescription drugs from Canadian pharmacies from entering the US, effective on October 22. The medication I wanted to fill is not covered by my medicare drug plan and my out of pocket cost is $600/mo in US pharmacies. The same name-brand drug costs $100/mo from Canada. Has anyone else run into this?

Although not an agent I am on some medicare insurance agent forums because the information they post is useful. First of all, the subsidies that the government gave medicare D plans is not going to exist in 2027 (law expired). It is about $16/mo per person. This means that likely premiums will go up or the companies will make other adjustments to their formularies, tiers of drugs, copays, premiums, etc.  to bring in more money to make up for that income cut (and remember inflation affects this too).Information is starting to come out about what is happening with Medicare D (both as a stand alone D and some discussion as part of advantage plans) for 2027. While information can be state specific and sometimes county specific for actual D premiums, etc. the general picture of what is happening next year will likely hold across all D plans.First of all the maximum out of pocket is going up to $2400. The maximum deductible is going up to $700. This doesn’t mean all plans will charge the max

I did a search online and on here and was not able to find my answer.AARP offers a couple of VSP plans for vision insurance. Does anyone know if these plans are accepted by Costco's optical department and can be directly billed to the insurance company?

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”!!

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?

I am filing a complaint regarding a major discrepancy between the premium quoted by UnitedHealthcare and the premium ultimately approved for my Medigap Plan A policy.I am under age 65 and was losing health insurance because coverage through my working spouse was ending after my spouse was laid off. A UnitedHealthcare agent quoted me 460.38 dollars per month for Medigap Plan A. The agent explained that the normal under 65 rate was 1980.75 dollars per month, but my loss of employer coverage qualified me for the lower rate.Because of the large difference, I asked the agent to verify the quote. The agent checked it twice, using both the current and old systems, and confirmed the 460.38 dollar rate. I was then instructed to complete the application and fax proof of my loss of coverage. I followed those instructions and submitted the required documentation.UnitedHealthcare subsequently approved the policy at 1980.75 dollars per month instead of the verified 460.38 dollar rate.When I contacte

 I recently learned that United Healthcare had the highest rate of denials for claims of the major players in the industry. Do you know this at AARP and if so, why would you endorse them? Price for healthcare should not be the only consideration which I would think you have checked but now I wonder if you check denial rates or other factors involved in purchasing this insurance. My membership is up for renewal and I'm very reluctant to renew considering this? Could you please respond?   Tom Bolonchuk

I switched to Healthspring (Cigna) insurance this year and I’ve had nothing but problems with them. They seem to contract with third-rate clinics such as Archwell, Optima, and Oak Street. I’ve had 5 different PCP’s this year and filed multiple grievances. Their transportation company did a no-show on me and I had to drive myself to the doctor’s office on the other side of town. It was my first time going to that office and of course, I got lost.  I went to the ER at Northwest Hospital twice. They are woefully understaffed and the nurses don’t even answer the call lights. Then Healthspring sent me 20 free meals which were so bad, I wouldn’t even feed them to a dog. I survived on Banquet pot pies instead. I finally found a real doctor through Banner and he sent a new prescription to Walmart’s Pharmacy, but Expresscripts stole it. They want to charge me $96 for it while Walmart only charges $38. The drug hadn’t even shipped yet, but they refused to cancel it. Then they blocked Walmart fro

I am having a colonoscopy this month. My last one was five years ago so I’m not expecting any insurance hassles. I had an upper endoscopy three years ago but I have since developed issues from lung to nasal passages. I’d like to get another endoscopy but I’m wondering if medicare will deny since it has only been three years. Will they even know since I wasn’t in medicare program at the time? Thanks

Hello: I have not yet started Social Security but am on Medicare (Basic and Part B).  I am new to Medicare by a few months.  I pay my Part B premium on-line (not autopay) via credit card not via Social Security. I believe I have paid my Part B Premium multiple months in advance since I mistakenly didn't wait for bill.  Is there a way to see when my next Part B premium is due (how far in advance I have paid)?  Will paying my Part B Premium in advance by a few months cause any issues or will medicare just apply the premium? Thanks in advance for assistance

I enjoy doing puzzles to stimulate my mind. I am looking for some ideas for new puzzles I can try as I have gone through plenty during this quarantine. Can someone point me in the right direction or recommend some of their favorites?

End of 2026. Expect premium increases and pharmacy increases. Bye Bye to those $0 premiums. https://www.npr.org/2026/07/29/nx-s1-5912039/the-trump-administrations-move-to-end-subsidies-for-medicare-drug-plans-could-cost-consumers   

I have Medicare A and B plus AARP/ United Healthcare plan G in NJ. Is there an option to get a vision rider or is there a separate plane that is recommended for seniors on Medicare?

Do you keep up with the changes your state makes through legislation to Medigap plans [Medicare Supplemental plans]. These could affect you in certain situations your ability to switch plans or insurers at a specified time during the yearOR perhaps buy a Medigap policy if you are less than 65 years old and on Medicare.OR even if you have ALS or ESRD in some states.  Your State’s legislators should know of these changes as well as your state’s dept of insurance.  Also the SHIP counselors in your state as well as the Medicare plan agents and brokers.         

I enrolled in the AARP UHC Supplemental plan 10/1/2022. I have never been able to access my account on line because the HealthSafe ID registration got corrupted and NO ONE can seem to resolve this! I have no access to my portal and benefits. I have had several tickets opened up with UHC Tech Support with NO resolution to date, 4 months later. How/who can escalate this issue?

MEDICAL LOSS RATIO  (MLR) measures the percentage of health insurance premium dollars an insurer spends on medical claims and quality improvement rather than administrative costs and profits.Each type of insurance has a % legislated by the Feds or the States which is required for the insurance company to spend on patient care and the remainder is then spent on administrative cost, salaries, advertising, overhead  and profit.  The ACA requires health insurance carriers to spend the bulk of the premiums they collect on medical expenses for their insureds. Individual and small-group carriers must spend at least 80% of premiums on medical expenses, and for large-group plans, the requirement is 85%..If they collect too much - the consumer gets a rebate - if they collect too little, premiums rise the next year to make up for the current year and with an added amount to cover the current year.The ACA imposes a medical loss ratio requirement of 85% on Medicare Advantage plans, but rebates are

Why are we always limited to $2,000.00 in the checking and savings accounts according to the Social Security Administration and Medicare? It is very hard for me to pay bills, food, and other items I need for my medical issues without bumping bills. Not only that since I was discharged from the second Health and rehab center on November 12, 2024, I went home that day. I have had to make arrangements for home health care. This is ongoing now. I have finished updating my checkbook from June 2024 to Now. I have also gone through all the most current bills and have organized them so that I can have them listed and review when My funds are in the checking account.  Does AARP know of any Financial advisor or an attorney, who could come and talk to me about what else I can do to pay these bills? I have also been threatened with possible foreclosure by my mortgage company, which caused me to pay a large amount of my social security funds.  I made a large payment to the mortgage c

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.

August is the perfect time to enjoy a bounty of fresh vegetables. Harvested at their peak, these veggies are packed with essential nutrients and vibrant flavors that can elevate any meal. Incorporating seasonal delights, including tomatoes, zucchini and bell peppers, into your diet can boost your health and support local farmers. Enjoy the taste of summer with this heirloom tomato salad recipe from AARP® Staying Sharp®. Find more great recipes at AARP Staying Sharp today.