About AARP Health Insurance

As you get older, it may be more difficult to find insurance companies which are willing to offer you health insurance at an affordable rate. In order to offer assistance to their members, the American Association of Retired People (better known simply as AARP) provides health insurance benefits through special AARP programs. This insurance is provided for individuals over 50 years of age who need health insurance to supplement their Medicare coverage or who don't have any sort of health insurance coverage at all.

Function

AARP health insurance plans provide supplemental coverage for those over the age of 50 that need additional health benefits not covered by Medicare. For those people that don't currently have Medicare coverage, AARP offers specialized health insurance packages that they can take out as well. Though the level of coverage differs depending on the specific plan that is chosen, all forms of AARP health insurance provide the same coverage benefits as traditional health insurance that might be taken out through other companies.

Features

AARP health insurance plans offer a number of features, though these features depend heavily on the specific plan that is chosen. In addition to coverage for doctors' visits and medical procedures, seniors who take out AARP insurance plans may have the option to add long-term care insurance to provide for financial needs in case of major injuries or severe medical conditions. Dental insurance is also offered for those who are interested in it, as is prescription drug coverage. Most AARP health insurance features are available to both people who are seeking an overall insurance policy and those who are seeking only a supplement to Medicare or other health coverage.

Benefits

AARP health insurance provides the same benefits as other health insurance plans, covering some or all of the costs of medical care once a specific deductible has been met. The portion of the medical costs that are not paid by the insurance plan may have its balance diverted into a payment plan even if the medical provider would not accept payment plans without insurance. Plans that feature dental or prescription drug coverage allow for a similar amount of coverage in regards to dental work and prescription drug costs. The cost of the insurance plans may differ depending on the state that you live in and your age, though the plans are designed to be affordable even for those seniors who are living on limited incomes.

Significance

For years, it was difficult for people over the age of 50 to find health insurance without having to pay an excessive amount for it. This was due in large to the increased likelihood of older individuals to become sick or injured. The implementation of health insurance through the AARP marked one of the first times where seniors were able to purchase low-cost supplemental or primary health insurance through a company they knew they could trust to keep prices low. This allowed older people who might not otherwise be able to afford sufficient insurance to cover their medical needs the chance to be properly insured.

Considerations

While AARP health insurance can be useful to a number of individuals, it may not be right for everyone. AARP insurance policies are not offered in every state and some people on Medicare may find that other Medicare supplement plans better meet their needs or are cheaper than those offered in their state by AARP. People who have had insurance for years before turning 50 may be better off staying with their existing policy, as the savings offered by an AARP policy may not be significant enough to warrant a change.