Recent AARP article on Medicare/Advant. Plans + Comments

I think one of the aspects that to me is so disturbing is the attempt AARP makes to represent itself as the insight for elders, as if we need an organization to think and act for us.

The federal government provides funds earmarked for elders and their community support needs to every state. Many states supplement those funds, to make programs accessible to more people, and to fund some items that may be available but are not a federal requirement.
Health insurance counseling is one of those needs. In MA, they are SHINE counselors (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders/Everyone.) Other names in other states. The local Council on Aging or county department on aging can tell you how to locate one of them. They provide unbiased information on health insurance options, and explain some of the language...and the different timelines/application dates, etc.
Even a phone conversation can help. Every supplemental policy that you buy, including Medicare D (drugs) are purchased by you from private insurance companies. Payroll saving cover some of the costs of Medicare A and B.
Medicare rates are based on your income, so you may be required to pay for your Medicare A and B, along with D and all the supplements for A and B. You choose what seems like the best coverage for you at the cost you can afford.
An advantage plan is like an HMO - all in one coverage, plus extras not covered by standard Medicare, at one fixed monthly cost (based on your county,) Seems easy and stressless - until you are seriously ill or injured and discover that your insurance case manager works within limits of contracts to choose most cost effective care for you. Quality of care varies widely.

AARP is nothing more than a huge lobbying organization. When one takes that into account, you can take what they publish with the appropriate grain of salt.

MACinCT,  thanks also to you for adding insights on AARP.    I know now that I'm not the only one that thinks it's no longer a representative or spokesperson for older folks.

JoAnn, thanks for sharing these insights into AARP.   Another thing I've discovered about AARP is that sometimes their articles aren't sourced, and the advice is not accurate.    I think it was back in 2021 that I read something by one of their columnists about COVID, and it was patently in disagreement with what I had been reading by validated medical people.  

I've also experienced poor support from staff when switching to insurance.   One of their staffers had a very strong sales pitch for auto insurance, sent me the forms, which were so poorly constructed that much of the printed section wasn't even readable.

I told the agent, and said that I'd have to print it out and see if I could read it any better (I couldn't.).   The next day the order was cancelled because I "didn't respond in a timely matter."    So I won't even consider AARP's insurance anymore.  I'd rather deal with a professional agent.

Some of what Medicare doesn't cover would be nice if they did like hearing aids, dental and vision. But they don't and up to recently advertisements for MAs made consumers think they WERE Medicare. They aren't. And the commercials now say Medicare Advantage. Medicare contracts out to these insurances. They are suppose to cover A & B and they don't. My daughter, a Unit manager, fights with them all the time over not paying for something she has no problem with straight Medicare paying. So yes, you are entitled but that doesn't mean your going to get the service without a fight. You don't fight with Medicare. What is covered under Medicare they pay. You also need to stay in network with MA to get the savings. Straight Medicare, you can go to any doctor that takes Medicare. Medicare advantages are State based. Medicare goes anywhere in the US. If you want a suppliment that will take care of you out of the State you live or in another country then you need Medigap which does not provide prescriptions.

"Your Medigap policy may offer additional coverage for emergency health care services or supplies that you get outside the U.S. Standard Medigap Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N provide foreign travel emergency health coverage when you travel outside the U.S."

Be be very careful when selecting an MA. You better be sure it fits your health needs. That the doctors you go to are part of their network. Do you really need all they offer? Would having straight Medicare and a suppliment be better?

I am lucky. My husbands union provides our supplimental, vision, prescriptions and dental so straight Medicare is enough for us. Because my suppliment is BC/BS and the company my husband worked for is national we can use it anywhere. But that may change. We just got a letter talking about a new MA they will be introducing this Fall. For now we have choices but that could change.

Don't think that AARP is not getting a kick back to push MAs. You need to be very informed and know all the ins and outs concerning any health insurance. Your best place to help you is your local Office of Aging.