AARP Association with United Healthcare

[michaela667402]

With the new public information concerning UHC practices, will AARP reconsider its partnership? Seniors depending on your recommendations now know that they may be faced with devastating decisions made by this provider

[CarolynBI]

If what went on with Oak Street health is any guide the answer is no they are unlikely to re-think their relationship with UHC. Also they get nearly 1.2 Billion a year from UHC (that we pay for with our premiums - just under 5% - but likely more as we would also have to pay the costs to administer that). 

OaK Street Health got convicted of Medicare Advantage Plan fraud in 2024 and had to pay a $60 million fine. AARP is still selling the use of their name to them too. It is clear AARP can be bought. They use all the money they get from these arrangements in their for profit arm. Their membership arm is non-profit and brings in chump change in comparison to their for profit arm. I doubt they will take actions that will threaten that kind of money. It's not ethical but they have a conflict of interest as it is their primary income stream in their for profit arm. And like many for profits they picked income over ethics, 

https://www.whistleblowerllc.com/cvs-health-subsidiary-oak-street-health-pays-60-million-to-settle-a...

[GailL1]

@CarolynBI 

Oak Street didn’t get convicted - they paid to resolve the issue.

Justice.gov - Oak Street Health Agrees to Pay $60M to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Liability for... 

A lot of company’s do this to keep down their legal cost.  

The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits anyone from offering or paying, directly or indirectly, any remuneration — which includes money or any other thing of value — to induce referrals of patients or to provide recommendations of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid and other federally funded programs. 

TheAnti-Kickback Statute is the same legislation which prevents people on Medicare to take advantage of the coupons that some manufacturers give to help patient with their cost.  

In some industries, it is acceptable to reward those who refer business to you. However, in the Federal health care programs, paying for referrals is a crime.

It is one of the laws that are considered Fraud and Abuse in Medicare - the same kind of thing that D.O.G.E. looks into and many times they have already been written up by the OIG but nothing was ever done about it.

OIG.hhs.gov - Fraud and Abuse Laws 

Actually, many physicians  that just come into Medicare as providers have to be trained about it because often times even if they give away something to a patient that happens to be on Medicare like a sample medication of perhaps a special deal the provider has gotten for recommending a specific DME provider for wheel chair coverage or something else.  This is even the case if the provider does not have any relationship to the associate medical services.

Medicare is complicated and everything has to be above any facsimile of paying to play.  

[CarolynBI]

So they did that to keep their legal costs down. Would have been better if they didn't have that problem to begin with. They have no excuse for not knowing the law. They are a large clinic system. In this particular city they are pretty shady with things they do to try to drum up business. A couple of the things are against the law (they sell, last I knew, Humana Medicare advantage plans on site overlapping where they see patients (they can sell it on site provided it is in an area that patients don't use or walk though). When there was the free internet they'd use the information people gave them for a lifeline phone and take assign their free internet to them without permission. Eventually, helping someone who was a victim to that, I got that person fired from the company selling the life line phones and internet hotspots and from her also full time Oak Street Job. Oak Street here had no problem with what she was doing. What's wrong with that picture?

[GailL1]

@CarolynBI  - Like I said, this is a lot different outside of Medicare - yes, they should have known and Medicare providers should know too - but they didn’t and got this amount as an offer and paid it. 

They can’t sell Medicare Advantage on their premises any longer - now, they are just like anybody else - if your Medicare insurance plan covers them as a provider, you are covered until they (the provider and the insurance co) make another decision to sever the relationship.

Oak Street also accept traditional Medicare patients - 

I have never been to this provider but I do know many people that do like them.  Wonder if they like them because they are getting some freebies ????

This was posted on another forum which I visit - lots of people and providers seem to try to get around the Anti Kickback Statue cause like I said in the real world (outside of Medicare)  the kick-back is just another way of doing business.

THIS:

So I am aware that due to anti kickback laws that drug manufacturer coupons can not be used with medicare d or medicaid. Does anyone know if there is a repercussion or would it be considered fraudulent to tell the pharmacy you don’t have insurance or don’t want to use it and then use the coupon paying cash? I come across this issue so often for my diabetic patients and when they lose their meds or run out and have a fill too soon issue. Printing the manufacturer coupon would solve this for them in the short term but I have been unsure to recommend it because I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.

[CarolynBI]

@GailL1 I don't see them either - they don't use the electronic medical record system that all but one of the other hospital systems use in town. That can be dangerous to your health since the three major hospital systems use EPIC (mychart). It's mostly the dual eligibles here that like them due to the free transportation (that a lot of the medicare advantage plans around here no longer offer). They have mixed reviews here. The Doctors they use here are 3ish stars. At least locally it is almost impossible to call them directly. You end up at their call center who gets to decide if they will put your call through. 

That others try to get around the Anti kickback statue doesn't make it right or more acceptable. If they were innocent I'd suspect they would have fought it. You may fell that is OK but I prefer to use ethical providers. Each to their own,

[cl27875732]

March 31 is deadline to switch from AARP Medicare Advantage (MA) United Healthcare to a different MA plan or return to Original Medicare. https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan

My parents took advantage of MA Open Enrollment to dump their AARP United Healthcare in favor of a different MA plan to return to in-network providers that dumped AARP United Healthcare. My parents' new MA plan is also nonprofit and accredited by Better Business Bureau (BBB). 

AARP United Healthcare has been a nightmare with ghost network directory and "customer service advocates" in different time zones who provide incorrect information and no reliable follow through. United Healthcare is for-profit, prioritizing greed over healthcare to members; United Healthcare is not accredited by BBB. 

DOJ investigating United Healthcare's Medicare billing at https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/unitedhealth-medicare-doj-diagnosis-investigation-66b9f1db

https://x.com/BillAckman/status/1892912458840547554

[WhereIsSpring]

[Monday 3/3/25] @cl27875732 , thanks for sharing & glad things worked out for your parents. YES, always seek out OTHER options when your Medicare Plan is NOT a fit for you. Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @cl27875732 wrote:

March 31 is deadline to switch from AARP Medicare Advantage (MA) United Healthcare to a different MA plan or return to Original Medicare. https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan

My parents took advantage of MA Open Enrollment to dump their AARP United Healthcare in favor of a different MA plan to return to in-network providers that dumped AARP United Healthcare. My parents' new MA plan is also nonprofit and accredited by Better Business Bureau (BBB). 

AARP United Healthcare has been a nightmare with ghost network directory and "customer service advocates" in different time zones who provide incorrect information and no reliable follow through. United Healthcare is for-profit, prioritizing greed over healthcare to members; United Healthcare is not accredited by BBB. 

DOJ investigating United Healthcare's Medicare billing at https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/unitedhealth-medicare-doj-diagnosis-investigation-66b9f1db

https://x.com/BillAckman/status/1892912458840547554

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[da7435]

I will not be renewing my AARP membership because I was able to dump my UHC medigap policy.  UHC’s horrible denial of coverage is now widely known. I won’t give any more money to such a disreputable company.

[GailL1]

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@da7435 wrote:

I will not be renewing my AARP membership because I was able to dump my UHC medigap policy.  UHC’s horrible denial of coverage is now widely known. I won’t give any more money to such a disreputable company.

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Maybe you are using the wrong term here but a MEDIGAP plan does NOT approve or disapprove of any health service under any insurer.  A MEDIGAP policy works with traditional Medicare and picks up the part of the service that traditional Medicare does not cover depending upon which MEDIGAP plan you have.

IF traditional Medicare pays their portion, the MEDIGAP plan pays their p[ortion - as simple as that.  

IF traditional Medicare does not approve the service and does NOT pay their portion, the MEDIGAP plan does not pay either.

Please learn the difference in a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan.

Another name for Medigap insurance is a Medicare Supplemental Policy

Medicare.gov - Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap) 

[WhereIsSpring]

[3/3/25] If more people did this, maybe they would improve @da7435 !!!

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[*** @da7435 wrote:

I will not be renewing my AARP membership because I was able to dump my UHC medigap policy.  UHC’s horrible denial of coverage is now widely known. I won’t give any more money to such a disreputable company. ***]

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[WebWiseWoman]

So, in 2012, I attended AARP Meetup in NOLA with my Mom, who at that time had UHC coverage. As we toured the vendor area, at the far back, a gentleman drew our attention simply because he didn't try to draw us in.

He explained his Company and their offerings; did not pressure us (as the UHC FRONT AND CENTER booth personnel tried), and wished us stay safe)...

After all consideration, Mom switched and saved over $1000 per year on premiums without costing more in other fees. I learned then, and will never forget, my Mom was ripped off for over a decade because she believed in AARP. Everyone should now realize an endorsement isn't always in the best interests of the members...

[jamise54]

I will change all of my plans to another company as soon as I can. They are overly expensive for little return. My sister changed over to another company during last open season , less expensive and easier to work with . I’m so disappointed that AARP is tied to them. I’m beginning to doubt my association with AARP. I doubt I will renew my AARP membership unless I see some positive results on this matter. 

[AlbertM764660]

What is this all about AARP?

How AARP Shills for UnitedHealthcare | Portside

[michaela667402]

Right?  Maybe is the boatload of money they get from UHC for capturing the endorsement of the most significant Senior advocacy group in the country.  What insurance company doesn't want potentially the sickest people and then algorithm to death?

[michaela667402]

Sorry, my reply is above...

[michaela667402]

I doubt that the refusal rates just happened recently, so AArp had a responsibility to properly vet this carrier.  Unfortunately I have them for Plan B

[VickiB468433]

 I have this same question. I keep getting email and US postal mail encouraging me to choose the AARP UHC Medicare supplement.

Not only have I already chosen a plan (not this one) and I Detest Junk Mail and Spam, but UHC is NOT a company AARP wants to be associated with right now!! They have the highest rate of refusals to pay for services of any insurance company.

[AARPConsumerCare]

Hi @VickiB468433. UnitedHealthcare has been the provider for AARP-branded Medicare plans for more than 25 years. UnitedHealthcare provides Medicare-related coverage to more Americans than any other insurance company in the country and like all insurance providers they are required to comply with state and federal insurance rules, regulations, and guidelines. I understand the frustration with receiving unwanted mail. Send us a private message with your name and address, and we'd be happy to help you with stopping the mail. Visit https://aarp.info/47hWcl7 for instructions on how to enable private messages. Thanks for reaching out to us!
Brandon C.

[DavidG669844]

Another article this morning explaining how United Healthcare rips off the government.  Who pays for this ripoff?  We do.

[michaela667402]

Wow.  You are missing the entire point.  You are defending UHC!  It's not about the mail.  It is your constant promotion of UHC in spite of its practices.  The expectation is that AARP protects seniors, not predatory insurance companies.