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Browse Frequently Asked Questions by Topic:

About the AARP Health Care Options Program
Insurance Plans, Discounts and Products
Changes to Medicare
Losing or Replacing Coverage
Enrollment
Addresses and Phone Numbers
Account Authorization
Replacement Materials
Billing and Payment
Claim How-Tos

ABOUT THE AARP HEALTH CARE OPTIONS PROGRAM

What is AARP Health Care Options? AARP Health Care Options is not the insurer. It's a unique program that offers access to health insurance, special savings services and health information exclusively to AARP members (age 50+). AARP did a lot of research to create its health insurance and service program which they named AARP Health Care Options. They interviewed a long list of companies on benefits and costs before choosing the providers and services they felt were best for people 50+ and they contracted with the various insurers listed below in order to make coverage available to their members.

How many insured participants are in the AARP Health Care Options program?
Today, over 3.5 million AARP members and their spouses (based on 2006 internal company data) hold one or more of the health insurance plans offered through AARP Health Care Options.

How long has the Program been in existence?
AARP has made a health insurance program available since AARP was founded in 1958 by retired educator Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. The program was renamed AARP Health Care Options a few years ago, and we have expanded it to include more than just supplemental health insurance. We also offer primary health insurance, long-term care insurance, discounts on eye health services and discounts on prescription and non-prescription medications.

What companies offer health insurance through AARP Health Care Options?
United HealthCare Insurance Company (For plans offered in NY, United HealthCare Insurance Company of New York ) insures the AARP Group Hospital Indemnity, Supplemental Medical, Hospital Advantage, Medical Advantage, Personal Health Insurance, and Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans. The A.M. Best Rating for 2006 for United HealthCare Insurance Company (United HealthCare Insurance Company of New York, for New York residents) is A+.

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is the insurer of the AARP Long-Term Care Insurance Plan and was rated A+ by A.M. Best in 2006.

A.M. Best is an independent organization that evaluates insurance company financial performance.

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INSURANCE PLANS, DISCOUNTS AND PRODUCTS

Who can get AARP Health Care Options products and services?
The Program exclusively serves AARP members and their spouses in all 50 states and U.S. territories. To take advantage of our products and services, you have to be an AARP member! Click here to become an AARP member.

What products and services are available?
Through AARP Health Care Options, AARP members and their spouses have the opportunity to apply for and enroll in quality health insurance products, including Medicare supplement insurance plans; hospital indemnity supplemental insurance plans, primary health insurance plans, and long-term care insurance plans. Dental insurance is available in some states. We also offer 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. And, we offer home delivery of Medicare reimbursable medical supplies.*  To learn more, click here.

What kind of savings can I get on prescriptions?
Just visit AARP Pharmacy Services* and you'll get information on how to save through the mail or at your local pharmacy. To learn more, click here.

Can I save on vitamins and supplements and other healthy living products?
Yes, our AARP Pharmacy Services, Health Essentials catalog offers exclusive AARP Pharmacy brand products with significant savings over national brands. Plus, we offer a wide assortment of competitively priced, name brand, over-the-counter medicines, skin and hair care, sleep comfort and fitness products, and more. To learn more, click here.

Do you sell Medicare Part B reimbursed medical supplies?
Yes, Medical Supply Services, part of AARP Pharmacy Services, offers a full assortment of diabetes, respiratory, and ostomy supplies, plus mobility products. For Medicare processed orders, we ship free to your home, handle all the claim forms, and bill both Medicare Part B and your supplemental insurance carrier. (Not eligible with HMO's.) To learn more, click here.

Can I save on glasses and contacts?
If you're an AARP member, you can save up to 60% on eyewear at some of your favorite optical retailers! It's easy with AARP Vision Discounts* - just show your Membership card to save. To learn more, click here.

*AARP Pharmacy Services and AARP Vision Discounts are
  available to all AARP members. These services are not
  insurance products

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CHANGES TO MEDICARE

How do the changes in Medicare affect me?
Many AARP Medicare Supplement insured members have asked about how changes to Medicare may affect them.  To learn more, click here.

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LOSING OR REPLACING COVERAGE

I have lost my Medicare Supplement health coverage. Will the AARP Health Care Options program be able to help?
If you lose health coverage and are an eligible AARP member, you may have a guaranteed right to enroll in certain AARP Medicare Supplement Plans under specific conditions. You are required to:

• Apply within 63 days of the term date of your prior health plan, and
• Provide a copy of the Notification of Rights letter from your prior insurer with your application. This notice must verify the circumstances of your prior plan's termination and describe your right to guaranteed issue of Medicare Supplement insurance.
• Please note that guaranteed issuance rights vary by state, and in some states, plans may be available on a continuous, open enrollment basis.

If you have any questions on your guaranteed right to coverage, you may wish to contact the administrator of your prior health plan or your state's Department on Aging.

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ENROLLMENT

Can I enroll on line and how do I access the enrollment application?
Click the "Apply" link from the top navigation to access an application. Select the product and enter the information requested so we can identify the correct application for you.

You will be required to be an AARP Member and login to an AARP Health Care Options account to apply online so that we can save your application should you choose to continue at a later time. (If you are not currently registered, you'll need to register). You can also Join AARP or Renew your membership online. Once you've confirmed your personal information, you will be able to complete and submit an application online or print a copy of the application to mail or fax. You may also save your online application to continue at a later time. Additional detailed instructions and "help" information are included within the application process.

In some instances, the applications are formatted as PDF (Adobe Acrobat) documents. You must have a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader program to view and print the application. You can print the application by clicking on the printer icon at the top of the Adobe Acrobat Reader window. You can then complete and return it in accordance with the instructions.

Once you have successfully downloaded the Adobe Acrobat Reader program, you can open any PDF document by clicking on the desired link.

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How do I access a saved online application?
You can access a saved application by logging into your account and using the "Applications in Progress" link in the left navigation. Your "Saved Applications" will be listed at the top of the page. You can access an application by using the hyperlink in the "Product " column or the drop down box in the "Actions" column and selecting the option to "retrieve" the application.

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Will a saved application remain on my account indefinitely?
Saved applications will expire no less than 90 days from the date you first saved the application online. A saved application can also expire if you have contacted AARP Health Care Options to change your address after you first saved an application. The application may have to be expired because the version of the application which you started is no longer valid based on your new address.

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Can I delete an online application?
You can delete a saved application by logging into your account and selecting the "Applications in Progress" link in the left navigation. Your "Saved Applications" will be listed at the top of the page. To delete an application, click on the "Delete" in the drop down box in the Action column for the application you would like to remove.

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I need to send a Medical Release Authorization to complete my application process. Where can I get a copy of this form?
To obtain a medical release form, you'll need to log into your account and access the "Applications in Progress" link in the left navigation. You can click on the "Medical Release Authorization" link that appears below the "Submitted Applications" to download a PDF version of the form. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this form.

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If I want to mail or fax an enrollment application or Medical Authorization to Release Authorization Medical Information, where should I send it?
You can mail or fax your completed enrollment application or Authorization to Release Medical Information to:

AARP Health Care Options
United HealthCare Enrollment Division
P.O. Box 105331
Atlanta, GA 30348-5331

Fax Number: 888-836-3985

ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS

Do you have a listing of addresses and phone numbers for AARP and the AARP Health Care Options program?

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ACCOUNT AUTHORIZATION

Can I authorize someone to help me with my health insurance?
If you would like to authorize someone, such as a spouse, relative or friend to help with matters concerning your health insurance, please click here for instructions and an authorization form.

Can I authorize someone to make payments on my behalf?
If you would like to authorize someone, such as a spouse, relative or friend to make insurance premium payments on your behalf and to receive certain payment information about your account, please click here for instructions and an authorization form.

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REPLACEMENT MATERIALS

How do I request replacement materials?
Replacement materials can be requested through the web by logging into "Your Account" and selecting "Replacement Materials."

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BILLING AND PAYMENT

I'm moving-will my AARP coverage remain intact?
If you are moving to another area, your AARP Medicare Supplement, AARP Personal Health Insurance Plan, and hospital indemnity insurance coverage moves with you. However, plan rates and discounts vary by location; your premium will be based on your new area of residence. Just make sure to keep your plan(s) in force by paying the required monthly premium when due. The way premiums are determined may be different if you move to a new state. Call AARP Health Care Options toll free and talk to a Personal Health Insurance Advisor at 1-800-523-5800 to report your upcoming move and to receive your new rate. (Please note that although AARP Medicare Select Plans may not be offered in every area, AARP Medicare Supplement Plans are available.)

I have received my coupon book, but where are my payment envelopes?
If you pay by coupon, your payment envelopes for the year are mailed separately from the annual payment coupon book. If for any reason you did not receive your envelopes, or if you misplaced them, please call our automated service/information Customer Express number, 1-800-444-6544, for replacements. You will need to call from a touch tone phone and have your membership number available. You may also call this number for replacement certificates of insurance, identification cards, and payment.

Why can't you send me a bill with an envelope each month?
Monthly billing for those who pay by coupon would result in greatly increased administrative costs. We encourage you, however, to consider paying through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), which will save you time and effort each month since your payments are automatically withdrawn from your bank account. And with EFT, you save up to $24.00 a year on your total household payments. For more information on Electronic Transfers, click here.

These payment materials show that my rate doesn't stay the same throughout the year. Why would my rate change?
Your rate may change if you become eligible for a discount or if a previously received discount no longer applies to you. In addition, rates may change each year based on experience and costs of medical care.

You offer annual payer discounts; why don't you offer quarterly or semi-annual discounts as well?
The introduction of a quarterly or semi-annual payment structure would entail significant administrative costs that could actually result in a rate increase for AARP Health Care Options insured participants. However, we do offer the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payment option, which over a year not only gives you the same discount as if you were an annual payer, but also saves you time and effort each month since payments are automatically withdrawn from your bank account.

May I have my payments drawn from my checking or savings account automatically each month?
Electronic Funds transfer (EFT) is available. This monthly payment method automatically deducts your payment from either a checking or savings account on or about the fifth day of each month. Your bank then forwards the funds to us directly. Members participating in EFT receive a monthly discount of $2.00 per household. This service is available to AARP members who are insured under a plan through the AARP Health Care Options program, and who wish to participate. For more information on Electronic Transfers, click here.

What is the payment address?

For residents of Louisiana and Idaho, all checks or money orders must be made payable to United HealthCare Insurance Company.

Can I make a payment over the phone?
Yes, you can make a payment over the phone. Please call 800-523-5800 where a service representative can assist you.

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CLAIM HOW-TOS

How long does it take to process a claim?
A claim is typically processed within 14 days of the receipt of the claim.

How do I submit a claim?
In order to submit a claim, please mail the bills, statements or Medicare Statements to

AARP Health Care Options
United Healthcare Claim Division
P.O. Box 740819
Atlanta, GA 30374-0819

Be sure to note you name and membership number in the upper right hand corner. We suggest that you keep a copy for your records.

If you would like additional claim filing instruction please call 1-800-444-6544.

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