The AARP Health Care Options Program is a unique AARP-endorsed program offering health insurance, as well as special savings on services and health information. AARP saves consumers from having to do individual research, as they have interviewed a long list of health-care companies on costs and benefits before choosing their preferred list of organizations they felt best served people 50 and older.



The program has become extremely popular, and today, over 3.5 million AARP members and their spouses are covered by one or more of the health insurance plans offered through AARP Health Care Options. The Program is exclusively available to AARP members and their spouses in all 50 states and U.S. territories.

AARP has offered a health insurance program since the organization was founded in 1958 by retired educator Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. The program was renamed AARP Health Care Options a few years ago, and has been expanded from its original purpose of supplemental health insurance to include primary health insurance, long-term care insurance, discounts on eye health services and discounts on prescription and non-prescription drugs.

The companies which offer health insurance through AARP Health Care Options are large well-establish industry players such as United HealthCare Insurance Company and United HealthCare Insurance Company of New York. They hold the policies for AARP Group Hospital Plans, Supplemental Medical Plans, Hospital Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplement Plans, and Personal Health Insurance Plan . A.M. Best is an independent organization which evaluates insurance company financial performance, and its 2005 Best Rating for both United HealthCare Insurance Company and United HealthCare Insurance Company of New York is A+. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is the insurer of the AARP Long-Term Care Insurance Plan. MetLife was rated " Superior " (A+) by A.M. Best in 2004.

Through the AARP Health Care Options, AARP members and their spouses can enroll in quality health insurance products. These included Medicare supplement insurance plans, primary health insurance plans, hospital indemnity supplemental insurance plans, and long-term care insurance plans. Dental insurance is also available in some states. The Program also offers discounts on eye exams and eyewear, as well as discounts on prescription and non-prescription drugs, and a wide assortment of other healthy living products. Also, AARP offers home delivery of Medicare reimbursable medical supplies.

AARP members can get savings on prescriptions under the AARP MedicareRx Plan. This is a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan ("PDP") insured by United HealthCare Insurance Company or United HealthCare Insurance Company of New York for New York residents, along with their affiliates named "UnitedHealthcare."

There are even savings on vitamins and nutritional supplements. The AARP Pharmacy Services, Health Essentials catalog offers exclusive AARP Pharmacy brand products with significant savings compared to national brands. They also offer a wide assortment of competitively priced, name brand, OTC medications, hair and skin care, sleep comfort and fitness products.

Medical Supply Services, part of AARP Pharmacy Services, offers Medicare Part B reimbursed medical supplies, including a full complement of diabetes, respiratory, and ostomy supplies, plus mobility-enhancement products. Orders processed under Medicare are shipped free to the client's home, and AARP handles all the claim forms, and bills both Medicare Part B and the client's supplemental insurance carrier.

AARP can its members up to 60% on glasses and contacts. AARP Eye Health Services covers eyewear at some of the most popular optical retailers.

Many seniors are worried about how the upcoming changes in Medicare Affect will affect them. For those who have lost their Medicare Supplement health coverage, the AARP Health Care Options program may be able to help. Many AARP members have a guaranteed right to enroll in certain AARP Medicare Supplement Plans under specific conditions. The client is required to apply within 63 days of the term date of the prior health plan, and provide a copy of the Notification of Rights letter from this prior insurer with the new application. This notice must verify the circumstances of the previous plan's termination and describe the policy holder's right to guaranteed issue of Medicare Supplement insurance. Guaranteed issuance rights vary by state, and in some states, plans may be available on a continuous, open enrollment basis.

Enrollment is accessible online at the AARP official site.