Aarp Health Care Options
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), representing the largest organized group of citizens over the age of 50, offers educational assistance to its members and provides access to affordable health care. In addition to recommending numerous health choices, AARP secures services through national health care companies to provide reduced rates to its members. AARP's political lobby, one of the biggest in the nation, petitions Congress for health care regulations beneficial to its members.
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History
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AARP organized in 1958, the result of a former group of retired teachers who saw the wisdom in banning together to purchase health care and life insurance policies. In 1965, AARP took a leading role in finding health insurance companies that would agree to insure retired persons. By 1970, AARP extended its membership to retired persons not living in the United States, although their presence overseas has never matched their popularity at home.
Benefits
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Belonging to a large group offers retired persons buying power when it comes to health care policies and medical needs. The insurance industry regularly offers reduced rates, per individual, if more people sign up under the same program. With a yearly budget well over half a billion dollars, insurance companies are highly competitive when trying to win a spot with AARP.
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Types
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In addition to short-term and long-term health insurance policies, AARP offers its members dental plans, vision plans, supplemental basic health plans, enhanced health plans and prescription discounts for medication needs. By teaming with medical equipment suppliers, the group is able to produce an annual catalog with commonly used health supplies at competitive prices. (See Resources)
Identification
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Although anyone of any age can join AARP, benefits do not begin before age 50, with the bulk of the AARP health care plans only available to seniors when they reach 65 years of age. To keep from excluding the oldest seniors in the group, providers of AARP services must not discriminate based on age after a member attains the minimum age for that service.
Theories/Speculation
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With the children born between 1946 and 1964, known as the Baby Boomers, entering their retirement years, AARP expects to see a massive increase in membership and subsequently in buying and legislative power.
Prevention/Solution
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AARP not only partners with insurance providers, it seeks to avoid premature admission into full-care nursing home facilities by promoting preventative steps, such as educating seniors on a wide range of choices and initiating community outreach programs to help its older members.
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Resources
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