Health

This insurance is not worth it. My deductible is 6000. Definitely a joke. I have United Healthcare AARP Advantage.

Medicare part D (drugs).While signup for 2027 is underway be aware that the formularies for meds on medicare.gov are out of date for some plans. Medicare.gov is scheduled for its next formulary update on Oct. 26, 2026.You need to go back and check your meds again to make sure yours are included and if you have already chosen a plan it is still the cheapest. You can change your plan multiple times through Dec 7.Also be aware most plans have changed their premiums, not just their formularies, and the Wellcare Value Plan is no longer $0./mo It is now $5.30/mo. Also this means you will need to put in how you will pay for that plan or you may end up with NO medicare D plan. BE WARNED.There have been so many changes this year due to the $16/mo subsidy that was ended a year early by the government that is it worth your while to check your Medicare D plan for next year so you don't have a rude, expensive awakening in January.

I’m considering Perinatal stem cell treatment, what are the pros and cons of this treatment?  

Sad ,,,,,,,for seniors 

Just curious when you guys are going to address and speak to this issue. My guess is many of your members are negatively affected by Advantage plans and more specifically the ones AARP endorses - United healthcare. I am currently living the nightmare of dealing with UHC. Their denial, delay and defend strategies have all been applied to my care which has had a significant negative impact to my care and recovery.  I joined AARP because of your advocacies for seniors. What is currently in the news about the horrors of our healthcare system that are affecting seniors most needs to be talked about.The fact that AARP has been mostly silent on these matters AND endorses the worst offender is a disservice to your members. You lend your respected name, which I know your are paid handsomely for,  at the peril of your members.The exposure and pressure to reform their cruel practices needs more coverage, not just a silent endorsement.Please step up and help us on this issue. R

I live in RI (age 65), and my brother (age63) are beneficiaries on our aunt’s money market account.  I have received Medicaid for over 10 years, but now that I am 65, I am no longer eligible because her account is being considered as my asset. I have no access to these funds until her death.  It seems unfair. I am on a very limited income.  I would like to see AARP push for a legislative change in Beneficiary Accounts being counted as assets for seniors.

 I am 68 and have had Medicare since I was 65.  Today I got a notice that my AARP United Health Care Supplement premium went up by $58 per month which is a 32% increase.  The reason cited was "multiple adjustments to my account".  What does that mean and are others experiencing a 32% increase from United Health Care? Thanks, Cindy

Hello.  I want to warn AARP members about Medical Guardian, a company that provides a device that detects falls and a button that when pressed will summon help.  My experience with this company has been a nightmare of ineptitude and fraud.  I ordered the device which was taking a long time to arrive so I called Customer service and that’s when my trouble with this horrible company began.  I spoke with 7 reps and one manager.  No one could tell me if or when the device was sent. They said a shipping label was being printed (?) and 3 reps, contradicting each other told me 3 different carriers were transporting the device - USPS, UPS and FedEx. All of the reps were rude or downright nasty. A manager actually hung up on me as did one sales rep. I was polite with all communications, never raising my voice, stating anything provocative, etc.  I was treated poorly by reps who were inept, could not provide accurate answers and obviously had no training in providing respectful, professional ser

The premium is increasing from $63 to $150, what is AARP thinking?  This is ridiculous!  Open enrollment: please look at Wellcare Rx; you will be glad you did.

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!

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.

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)

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.