Health

Mom (89) has had this plan for awhile - has gone through a broken hip/rehab and a couple of other falls with her coverage. She has not paid a premium as of yet. Dad (93), on the other hand, has kept original Medicare plus a Plan G supplement through Mutual of Omaha. They both see the same PCP. As his main financial 'advisor' I am ashamed to admit that I was unaware of this disparity between their coverages. But I am now fully aware because they are facing a choice: Reduce their budget or move to a different assisted living facility. His projected monthly premium for his Medicare + supplement is now $692. Moving him to the same plan as Mom will save them $8,304/year and prevent them from having to move.Since we are in the Open Enrollment period for a few days, are there any other plans I should compare to the AARP/UHC plan?

  As anyone with an AARP/UHC Medicare Supplemental plan ("Supplement Plan") originally purchased in one state then moved to another state and been able to either keep their original plan or at least not have to pay more than they would if had started in their new state?   I am moving from one state to another and have had a Supplement Plan for over 2 years.  After being told repeatedly by UHC Customer Service that I would since I had an existing Supplement Plan in a higher cost state and was moving to a lower cost state I could seamlessly move from one to the other and then get the lower premium plan.  That has turned out to be entirely wrong.  I have had to call Customer Service over 12 times to finally get to a knowledgable person.  I have been extremely disappointed with Customer Service.  Anyone else experience something like this?  Thank you 

I have been with united healthcare for many many years..never had a problem until now.  I am moving to a different state in 2025 so to be proactive, I called to let them know.  was told my new rate would be 133 from the 120 i am paying now.  I get a bill saying that as of oct my new rate is 185.  so I now owe 246.50.  I called and was told because as of oct I had moved.  no no no. as of jan 1 2025 is when I move.  and why was my new rate 185 when is was told 133.  opps. someone gave me wrong info and also made a mistake on my move.  when I called and had to talk to 4 different departments was finally told they could not correct the error and that they would put in a request that would take approximately 45 days.  what!! and even then they might not approve it.  it was their error and they might not give me my money back?? and the rate increase..well because I have been with them so long, I lose my loyaltydiscount.  the longer

Weather can make outdoor exercise challenging, but you can still get your recommended 30 minutes of daily activity. From dancing to yoga, explore a variety of indoor exercises you can do without any equipment. Get started with this article on indoor exercises. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

I usually like to couple canned and frozen to save time along with my fresh foods, but that's not always possible.  When rushed, I'm not making the best choices and over the years this has resulted in unnecessary weight gain.   Do you have any tips on some easy, comfort food that are also healthy for me? 

When I signed up for AARP UHC Plan G a few years ago, they didn’t have an option for declining the wellness benefits. It seem like they do now and it can save some money. I have been told you need to go through underwriting for this. Given that it is the same Plan G, why can’t you just decline the extra benefits (which I don’t use)?

 I hope everybody knows what a Medigap plan is. (Medicare Supplemental Plan) - It is NOT Medical insurance, it is financial protection insurance.  A Medigap plan makes NO health decisions, it’s ONLY function is to cover some or most all of your out of pocket cost on Traditional Medicare depending upon the Medigap plan that a beneficiary has chosen.   Why is a Medigap plan advisable when a beneficiary has chosen Traditional Medicare as to the way they want to get their benefits.  Simply because Traditional Medicare has NO limit as to a beneficiary’s out of pocket cost.  So unless one has a Medigap plan or some other coverage that acts as a supplement to Traditional Medicare, the beneficiary could be on the hook for a good amount of out of pocket cost. Other plans for which a beneficiary is eligible could also act in covering some or all of these Traditional Medicare out of pocket cost.  Like Medicaid, some retiree coverage, CHAMPVA for dependents

 My wife and I signed up for AARP United Health Care Medicare Supplement plan G in 2020. During the first year our premiums were from January thru December. However, starting from 2021 our premiums increase twice a year from January thru May and June thru December. We live in Michigan and my month of the birth is June. My question is, do the premiums increase twice a year. Folks with the same plan thru AARP UHC tell me that they are billed once a year. So, I am thinking is this a mistake on UHC's part. I have tried to call them several times to no avail. I am hoping if someone on this forum may be able to help. TIA. .  

Learn how to prioritize your well-being while supporting others who depend on you. Take a moment and explore ways to build healthy habits using the six pillars of brain health. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp®  for more information on brain health.

I have been enrolled in an AARP-UHC Supplemental Plan in NJ for almost a year now. I have never used and don't anticipate using any of the AARP membership benefits. What happens if I don't renew my AARP membership - will it affect my AARP-UHC Supplement Plan?

As the holidays draw near, life tends to get more hectic, leaving many of us feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Finding balance during this time is essential for supporting your overall health and well-being, but how can you stay grounded when juggling so much? Our Find Your Calm section on Staying Sharp offers practical tips about managing stress, bouncing back from life’s challenges and rediscovering your sense of calm. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

I currently have a Medicare part B supplemental plan and a Part D drug plan. Can I drop the Plan D for 2025 and then re-enroll for a plan D for 2026? 

My AARP/United Health Care Plan F Premium went up by a whopping 10%.This plan is listed as a "Community Rated" plan, which I understand to mean that the premium's rate is the same  regardles of age attained.  The plan has provided good coverage, with not problems with any claim, but I am uncertain of how well informed the customer service agents are.  One agent who was nice enough, told me that the increase had come about because I am a year older.  This contradicts the information about this plan that appears on a Medicare page listing Companies offering Medigap plans, where AARP/United Health Care appears listed.  (Medicare.gov, navigate from Home to View All Medigap Policies-Medigap Policy Details-Companies Offering Medigap Policy). Then she transferred me to a different department.    The second agent, not as nice, told me that the change in rate happened becasue my state no longer received a "multiple member" discount.  Then s

Can I live in Canada and see Provider on US soil and use my Medicare benefits? What if I receive my mail in the US?

Great Resource if you want to understand it and why it is the way it is -Before any suggestions on how to change it - learning how it works now may open some incite into where and how it can be changed to improve or change it. Overall, the question is would you pay more for what you may want? KFF.org - 05/28/2024. - MEDICARE 101  From the linkFuture Outlook Copy link to Future Outlook Looking to the future, Medicare faces a number of challenges from the perspective of beneficiaries, health care providers and private plans, and the federal budget. These include:How best to address the fiscal challenges arising from an aging population and increasing health care costs through spending reductions and/or revenue increases.Whether and how to improve coverage for Medicare beneficiaries, including an out-of-pocket limit in traditional Medicare, enhanced financial support for lower-income beneficiaries, and additional benefits, such as dental and vision.

*** 1 comment so far on the AARP WEBSITE. Stop by to read comments and add yours. *** FROM THE ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE!!! 5 Medications That Interact With the Flu Shot. Some drugs can make the influenza vaccine less effective. By Terry Ann Donner, AARP. Published November 13, 2024. Imagine showing up for a pain injection and your pain management physician cancels your appointment because you just received the flu vaccine. John Meyerhoffer, an 85-year-old retired police officer, has debilitating knee pain. He receives steroid injections every three to four months to manage his pain. https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-2024/flu-shot-medication-interaction.html

: Does this impact getting established with Physicians? Does this make it difficult to get established with a Physician?Does changing your Medicare Advantage Plan have an impact on getting established with a Physician?

Looking for new recipes to try without traveling to different cities or countries? Explore recipes with Asian inspiration, Latin flair and soul food flavors, each with its own spices and presentation. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more recipes that are rich in brain-boosting nutrients.

I have been enrolled in the AARP UHC Medicare Advantage Plan (MAP) for the last 4 years and have been reasonably satisfied with it. But this year, I am considering a Supplemental plan instead (probably Plan G). As you all probably know, MAPs come bundled with dental, hearing, and vision insurance of some sort, but with a Supplement, you pretty much have to cobble this all together on your own. The AARP UHC Supplemental Plan G + Wellness, however, comes bundled with dental insurance, some vision coverage, and a gym membership. The premiums are a bit higher than the regular Plan G, but it might be worth it. I don't know yet.Anyway, the sticky point is the dental insurance. I have an excellent dentist and I want to get dental insurance that has my dentist in-network. At one point, I thought I read that UHC dental insurance was through Delta Dental. I may be wrong about that. My dentist's web site says they accept many different insurance companies including Delta Dental and

*** 10 Comments so far on the AARP WEBSITE. Stop by to read comments and add yours. *** FROM THE ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE!!! Annual deductibles for Part A and B are also set to rise in the new year. By Rachel Nania, AARP. Published November 11, 2024. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B — the part of Medicare that covers doctor’s visits, routine cancer screenings, home health care and other outpatient services — will be $185 for 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Nov. 8. This is an increase of $10.30 from 2024 and is similar to the nearly $10 monthly premium hike seen in 2024, from 2023. Part B beneficiaries with annual individual incomes greater than $106,000 will pay more than the standard premium, though how much more depends on their income. CMS says income-related monthly adjustments affect roughly 8 percent of people with Part B insurance. https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-2024/m

  Has anyone explored Medicare Supplement Insurance that offers an annual MEDICARE premium reimbursement?   I actually have Aetna Health Insurance that has a Health Fund and Dental Fund accounts.  The insurance deposits $1000.00 in Health Fund and $300.00 in Dental Fund annually. The Health Fund has a maximum cap of $5000,00 in the fund account so Aetna doesn't have to make that $1000,00 deposit.   You have to use Health Fund for expenses before the actual insurance pays.  I don't have much in annual medical expenses so I file a claim for MEDICARE Premium reimbursement every year.  I deposit that payment in my own savings account to offset the annual insurance deductible that is still required after I exhaust the Health Fund Account.   I do this so Aetna has to make the deposit annually.  You do need to monitor these Health Fund and Dental Fund account balances but it's worth it.. 

Today, 10/23/24, I used the Wellcare website to change my PCP.  First, they needlessly assaulted me with a requirement to change my password.  That's half an hour of my life that I will never get back. For your amusement, what's wrong with this picture?:There's talk in the News about how difficult it is to cancel subscriptions. After all, all a service provider has to do is move bits at the speed of light. The above time delay is going to cause me a lot of trouble because I have an appointment with my new PCP tomorrow.  What else should I expect from a company that provides a fake phone number? I wonder how many senile senior citizens actually call that number?  There are so many ways to abuse senior citizens with declining mental faculties and health care organizations take advantage of them! 

*** 1 Comment so far on the AARP WEBSITE. Stop by to read comments and add yours. *** FROM THE ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE!!! 3 Latest Medical Breakthroughs to Know About in 2024. A closer look at recent and potential approvals that could help older adults. By Rachel Nania, AARP. Published November 08, 2024. Research continues to revolutionize the way doctors and patients diagnose and treat a range of health conditions. Here’s a look at some of the latest medical advances and how they could help improve the lives of adults 50-plus. https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2024/medical-breakthroughs-in-2024.html

I am curious as to how much will be taken out of the 2.5% increase with the Medicare premium jumping to $ 185.00.  With two Seniors living mostly on SS since Our retirement got wiped out in 2008, during the crash, like many others.  Can someone explain how this is calculated and works ?  Thanks.

EDIT: I'm adding in the "star" rating from the Medicare.gov website for each plan listed below.  Not sure if the ratings reflect this year or the previous year, but they are calculated based on customer service, member complaints, member experience with the plan, drug safety, accuracy of pricing. ***********************************************************************I have traditional Medicare (a supplement plus a Part D plan). I currently take 2 cheap drugs for hypertension.  For 2025, the cheapest Medicare Part D plan available in my neck of the woods (Missouri) is Wellcare Value Script (PDP). Plan ID: S4802-152-0  .  Does anyone have any experience with this plan? If so, please advise of your experience. Thank you. I've posted all the plans available to me below. Besides the one I mentioned above, do you think any of these other plans are worth considering, even though they are more expensive? I understand that as one gets older, costs are going to