AARP Health Insurance

Q. How can I buy health insurance from AARP?

A. Well, first you should understand that AARP is not an insurance company and does not offer insurance directly, though it does have AARP-branded policies offered by outside insurance companies such as Aetna or United Healthcare. AARP is compensated by the insurance companies to use the AARP name and AARP goes so far as to say that having the AARP name on a policy does not mean that AARP is actually recommending the policy to its members. (Weird, huh?)

That said, the links below will take you to all the information you need about health insurance policies with the AARP name attached. (Links open in a new window.)

1. AARP Health Insurance Offerings - Get information on health insurance offered to AARP members, including major medical coverage and supplemental policies for those 50 to 64, as well as Medicare “Advantage” policies, Medicare supplement and Medicare prescription drug plans for those 65 and over. (www.aarphealthcare.com)

2. AARP Health - Disclosure - Important page to read to understand where AARP health insurance products come from and the relationship between AARP and their partner insurers. This page spells out which insurance companies are actually offering each health insurance plan featured on the AARP site, and they also offer this information you might want to know: “AARP contracts with insurers to make coverage available to AARP members. Insurers and providers pay a fee to AARP and its affiliate for use of the AARP intellectual property. Amounts paid are used for the general purposes of AARP and its members.” as well as “AARP does not recommend health-related products, services, insurance or programs. Insurance products carrying the AARP name are intended to be competitive products and may not be the lowest priced products. You are strongly encouraged to evaluate your needs and compare products.” (www.aarphealthcare.com)

3. Login to Your AARP Health Website - If you have health insurance through AARP or if you previously registered in order to fill out an application, log in here to view claim or payment / billing information, or to complete a saved application. If you don’t yet have an online login ID and password, you can register to get one here, too. (www.aarphealthcare.com)

4. AARP Product Finder Tool - Knowing what health insurance coverage to get is difficult — this page is designed to help you figure out which insurance coverage offered to AARP members is right for your situation. (www.aarphealthcare.com)

5. AARP Health - Contact Us - This page shows you how to reach an AARP Health Care representative, including a phone number to call if you prefer to telephone. In addition, you’ll find an online contact form you can use if you prefer, as well as a mailing address if that’s somehow helpful to you. (www.aarphealthcare.com)

6. Health Insurance: Is AARP Looking Out For You? - October 2009 article looks at AARP health insurance policies in terms of what they offer and how they compare to other companies’ policies. (www.cbsnews.com)

Other related Bessed pages:

• AARP Medicare Complete
• AARP Life Insurance
• AARP