Prescription drug plans are an important part of any senior’s healthcare plan, and AARP is one of the most well-known providers of these plans. AARP offers a variety of prescription drug plans with different levels of coverage, so it’s important to understand what they offer and how to choose the right plan for you. This article will discuss the basics of prescription drug plans, what AARP offers, how to enroll in an AARP prescription drug plan, the types of plans available, the benefits of an AARP prescription drug plan, the cost of an AARP prescription drug plan, alternatives to an AARP prescription drug plan, and questions to ask before choosing a prescription drug plan.
What is AARP?
AARP is a nonprofit organization that provides resources and services for people over the age of 50. It was founded in 1958 and has since grown to become one of the largest membership organizations in the United States. It provides members with access to discounts on products and services, advocacy on behalf of seniors, educational opportunities, and more. They also offer a variety of insurance products, including health insurance and prescription drug plans.
What are Prescription Drug Plans?
Prescription drug plans are health insurance plans that cover the cost of medications prescribed by your doctor. These plans help cover the cost of medications that may not be covered by other forms of health insurance or Medicare. The cost of medications can be expensive, so having a prescription drug plan can help reduce out-of-pocket costs and make medications more affordable.
What Does AARP Offer for Prescription Drug Plans?
AARP offers a variety of different prescription drug plans in partnership with UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company. These plans are designed to provide coverage for both generic and brand-name drugs at various levels depending on your needs and budget. All AARP prescription drug plans include access to mail order pharmacy services as well as discounts on over-the-counter medications at participating pharmacies.
How to Enroll in an AARP Prescription Drug Plan
Enrolling in an AARP prescription drug plan is easy and can be done online or by phone. To enroll online you will need your Social Security number or Medicare number as well as information about your current medications so that you can compare different plans and find one that best meets your needs. Once you have found a plan that fits your needs you can complete your enrollment online or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to enroll over the phone.
Types of AARP Prescription Drug Plans
AARP offers three different types of prescription drug plans: basic, enhanced, and comprehensive. The basic plan covers generic drugs only while the enhanced plan covers both generic and brand name drugs at a lower copayment rate than the basic plan. The comprehensive plan covers both generic and brand name drugs at a higher copayment rate than either the basic or enhanced plan but also includes coverage for preventive care such as immunizations and screenings at no additional cost.
Benefits of an AARP Prescription Drug Plan
The benefits of an AARP prescription drug plan include access to mail order pharmacy services as well as discounts on over-the-counter medications at participating pharmacies. Additionally, some plans offer coverage for preventive care such as immunizations and screenings at no additional cost which can help reduce out-of-pocket costs even further.
Cost of an AARP Prescription Drug Plan
The cost of an AARP prescription drug plan depends on several factors such as where you live, which type of plan you choose (basic, enhanced or comprehensive), how many prescriptions you take each month, if you use mail order pharmacy services or not, etc.. Generally speaking though most plans range from $20-$50 per month depending on these factors mentioned above.
Alternatives to an AARP Prescription Drug Plan
There are several alternatives to an AARP prescription drug plan including other private insurance companies that offer similar coverage options as well as Medicare Part D which is offered through Medicare itself (for those who qualify). Additionally there are programs such as NeedyMeds which helps people find assistance programs to help cover their medication costs if they cannot afford it otherwise or do not qualify for Medicare Part D or private insurance coverage options like those offered through AARP.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Prescription Drug Plan
When considering any type of health insurance it’s important to ask questions about what is covered under each type of policy so that you can make sure it meets your needs before signing up for it:
• Does this policy cover my current prescriptions?
• Does this policy provide coverage for preventive care such as immunizations?
• Are there any limits on how much I can spend per month on medications?
• Is there a mail order pharmacy service included in this policy?
• Are there any discounts available for over-the-counter medications?
