Anyone who has Medicare and has Medicare Part D which helps cover prescription costs is aware of the infamous a “donut hole.” That is the part of the coverage where the plan stops paying and the individual starts to pay out of their pocket.

The problem with this is that once a person can get stuck in the donut hole, there is often no way to get back out. In fact, many seniors and others who have ended up stuck in the donut hole have had to spend so much money that they were left with nothing.

When the Medicare Advantage programs were started, especially since they were and still are offered by private insurance companies, individuals – and lawmakers, who are the overseeers and guardians of the Medicare system and coverage – did not forsee the amount of problems that the donut hole has caused. If they did see the possible future problems, they certainly were quiet ablut it.

It is no longer time to be quiet about the problems that the donut hole is causing. AARP – one of the most outspoken organizations for seniors, especially those on Medicare – is now working with Congress to look at that trap for seniors on Medicare Advantage/Part D – the donut hole – and see what can be done to make the hole much smaller or close it altogether.

Of course, this is part of the bigger Heathcare Reform package and Medicare Reform, which is included in the full package. Since AARP works with and for older Americans and older Americans use more prescriptions than any other part of the population, it is essential that they get help being able to afford their prescription medications. It is not O.K. for seniors – most of whom are on fixed incomes – to choose between food and medicine or take smaller doses of medicine (or medicine every other day instead of every day) because they can’t afford to pay for their medication.

AARP plans to continue working hard to help seniors get access to their prescription medication and be able to afford it without being swallowed up by the infamous donut hole.

Most people have Medicare. However, you need to face the fact that Medicare doesn’t actually cover everything that you need in order to take care of your health. There are still some things that you will need in order for you to be sure that you are fully insured.

If you want additional coverage, you may want to buy AARP Medicare Supplemental insurance policy or Medigap. With Medigap, you will see that it will be able to cover what Medicare can’t. With it, you will be able to further lessen the cost of health care.

AARP Medigap Insurance has a few health coverage options that you can choose from. It is just a matter of choosing the one that will best suit your needs. By choosing the right Medigap insurance policy, you will be able to save a lot of money on health care and on your premiums. Besides, you wouldn’t want to spend a lot of money on insurance premiums that you will not likely use, would you?

Medigap can offer you:

• Medicare Savings Programs
• Medicaid
• Prescription Drug Assistance
• Extra coverage for people with limited income
• Retiree health insurance

As you can see, there are health insurance policies available with AARP Medigap for almost every type of individual. If you have prescription medication that is way too expensive or one that you need in a long term, then getting the Prescription Drug Assistance Program is for you.

These are the things that you should know about AARP Medigap. By knowing what kind of insurance policy you should get, you will be able to save a lot of money and get what you really need.

Medicare Part D – Prescription Drug Benefits – is one of the newer programs available with Medicare, having come out in 2006.  Part D covers some of your prescription medications, both brand name and generic.

There are a lot of choices when it comes to Part D.  You can buy a pan that simply covers drugs and nothing more.  You can select a Medicare Advantage plan that has drug benefits included.  You can keep a Medigap (supplemental) plan that covers prescriptions and will continue to cover prescriptions as long as you don’t enroll in Part D.  One other option that many people are not aware of is that they can keep the prescription drug benefits that they had through their employer instead of getting your drug benefits from Medicare.
continue reading "Prescription Drug Benefits or Part D"

Supplemental Insurance policies – also called Medigap plans – were designed to help cover expenses that original Medicare does not cover.  There are 12 policies – A through L.  Plan A has the least benefits and the lowest premiums while Plan J offers the most benefits with the highest premiums.  You can compare these plans on various websites and/or Google Medigap Plans.

All 12 plans are not available in every state and they are called by different names in various states.  How can you tell when to purchase a Supplemental Plan and which plan is the best for you?
continue reading "Supplemental Insurance for Medicare Recipients"

AARP offers its members affordable alternatives to expensive health insurance plans through its health insurance and service program, AARP Health Care Options. AARP members age 50 to 64 can choose from a variety of plans, including comprehensive and supplemental plans, designed to suit every person’s need and budget.

The AARP Personal Health Insurance Plan is a comprehensive network-based coverage plan. This plan gives you self-care services that help you stay healthy and manage your care. It gives you access to on-line health resources to keep you informed. This plan is similar to a group plan offered by an employer. It covers most medical expenses, including doctor’s visits, preventive care, emergency care, prescription drugs, surgery, and hospital stays. This plan is good for you if you do not have any coverage at all. If you already have some coverage, like a Medicare plan, another AARP plan might suit your needs better.

continue reading "AARP Health Insurance: An Inside Peek at the AARP Health Insurance Alternatives"