Letter to the Editor AARP Bulletin

[DavidS110459]

Per your help section I should be able to just comment on the article in the conversation below the article in question, however that option is not available.

This is regarding the "Outsmart the System" from the December 2024 article, specifically to ask for an estimate prior to a medical procedure.  While this is decent advice, I have found recently that such estimates are not worth the paper they are printed on.  I recently had some nerve testing done and was provided an estimate of $450 if insurance did not cover the tests.  Well, lucky for me my insurance did cover them, and my share of the cost on my high deductible plan is actually $1000.  The office is trying to tell me that the $450 charge was only if I opted to not submit to insurance at all ( the estimate clearly states if denied, not if I chose not to submit), so now I am stuck fighting that bill.

I also had an MRI done.  My estimate was $44.  This was the amount my insurance provided the facility based on the billing code.  Once submitted to insurance ( with the same billing code, nothing additional), I now owe over $300.  So I am now going back and forth with the insurance to determine how they could be so far off if they are using the usual and customary charges for a billing code.

So basically, despite doing one's due diligence you can be left holding the bill.

[AARPConsumerCare]

I'm sorry to hear you had issues leaving a comment on the article, @DavidS110459. We value the comments and opinions of our members and appreciate your feedback. Thank you for sharing your experience. - Diana G.

[r477099s]

Hello,

On page 74 in the February to March 2026 magazine issue, at the bottom of the page, a post was typed:  "Catherine, Save your benefits.  Access your favorite benefits on-the-go, anytime and from anywhere.  Plus, get alerts when you''re near one of your saved discounts with the AARP Now App.  Go to aarp.org/savebenefits".

To find a typed note addressed to me by name within the body of the magazine was very disconcerting !  I was left with a feeling like someone was watching me or spying on me, though I know no one was.  It felt creepy.  I can't think how to describe the feeling any better so I hope you get what I mean.  An address label is one thing, but a note to me directly within the body of the magazine is clearly another, and I definitely did not appreciate it !  I'm sure no harm was meant, but you might want to consider that there might be others who would feel as I do.

Thank you for your consideration.

Catherine (Rinny) Smith

Portland  Oregon

[SereneSeagull]

Hello @r477099s ,

it’s just a promotional advertising thing.  AAA does it as well.  So when I trash/recycle my magazines I block out with marker the name and address and flip through the magazine to get that one page.  Same with AARP.  Or I just take out that page and shred it.

I don’t find it creepy, just promotionally annoying.  🤣

By the way, you putting your full name and city/state on a public forum would be more concerning to me. Might want to click the three dots at the right hand side of your post to edit that.  😉👍

[r477099s]

Hi Serene,

Thank you for your response.  =8-)   Glad it doesn't creep you out but it sure did me& still does.When I clicked on the three dots, I didn't see anything that would allow me to edit out my name or city, but that info is out there anyway--I used to post on Facebook before they blocked me--apparently they censor political posts these days....

[SereneSeagull]

The three dots up at the right allow you to edit your reply of your post, so you can edit (take out) your comments.  Politics are not allowed yes.  Their sandbox, their rules.