The AARP plan has come a long way baby! Since being taken over by Aetna from United Health Care the plan has become a considerable force in the individual health insurance market for the over 55 but below 65 crowd. Why? Because the AARP and Aetna understand that people in this age bracket are not 100% healthy by the normal definition. In essence, they have eased the underwriting on these policies, while keeping the costs under control. So get instant AARP health insurance quotes right now!!
This has always been Aetna niche in the individual health insurance market and it explains why the Aetna plans are a little more expensive than the other US health insurance companies. It is also why I love Aetna. Whenever I get a prospective client with a questionable health history I immediately apply them for Aetna and or AARP if they qualify demographically. Their AARP ® Essential Premier Health Insurance is one of the best plans in the country for this demographic.
For an AARP health insurance quote please visit our online health insurance quote engine or call us at 888 803 5917. For more information about the AARP plan see the brochure below.
AARP Flyer and Promotional Piece for Individual Health Insurance Plans
AARP Health Insurance Brochure for Individuals
AARP ® Essential Premier Health Insurance insured by Aetna Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL INFORMATION When did the Aetna/AARP relationship begin?
In April 2007, Aetna entered into a 10-year agreement with AARP to develop health care products and related services for AARP members between the ages of 50 and 64. The goal was to provide affordable, comprehensive health care benefits to this demographic. The first plans became effective in January 2008.
What product options are available?
AARP Essential Premier Health Insurance encompasses seven plans with a range of deductible levels. The following plans are offered:
• Premier PPO plans
• HSA-Compatible High Deductible Health Plans
• Preventive and Hospital Plans (except in California)
How is AARP Essential Premier Health Insurance different from competitors’ plans?
Aetna’s AARP-branded products have unique underwriting guidelines, plan designs and mandates.
AARP-branded plans offer:
• Combined Individual/Family Deductible for medical and pharmacy coverage
• Separate deductible and coinsurance for in-network and out-of-network coverage • Coverage for behavioral health/substance abuse • Co-pays on routine exams • 100% coverage for routine GYN/pap, mammograms, and routine PSA (a co-pay may apply
in some states)
• No deductible for routine colonoscopies (effective in most states January 2009)
• Access to local and national provider networks
• Coverage for dependents, domestic partners and dependent relatives
• Waived pre-existing condition requirement with proof of prior creditable coverage
• Child-only policies
What are some differences between Aetna Advantage Plans? Consider some of the other unique characteristics of Aetna’s AARP-branded products:
• Risk levels: standard risk levels apply in Florida.
• Non-citizen residency requirements: Applicants for AARP-branded products, who are noncitizen residents of the United States, must provide medical records from a U.S. health care provider or hospital indicating medical care within the past six months.
• Effective dates: Only one effective date is offered—the 1st of each month. Coinsurance in California: California offers five AARP-branded plans (all except the two Preventive and Hospital Plans), which provide a coinsurance of 70/30. In all s California, AARP-branded products provide a coinsurance of 80/20.
• tates except
Are the products medically underwritten?
Yes, all plans are medically underwritten, meaning all applicants anmore information.
Where are the plans available?
As of November 2008, the plans are available in 32 states: Alabama, Alaska, A D Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, ennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. Can a member switch from an Aetna pre-65 individual plan to an AARP-branded plan The member must reapply for an AARP-branded plan.
d their enrolling dependents are subject to medical underwriting to determine ligibility and placement within the appropriate risk category.
Can members stay on an AARP-branded plan after they turn age 65?
No. When plan members turn age 65 they can switch to another product.
Are the underwriting guidelines different than those used for branded products. These unique underwriting features result in a smaller proportion of rate ups and declines of applicants for AARP-branded plans. For example:
for Aetna Advantage Plans for individuals and families? Yes! There are distinct underwriting guidelines for Aetna’s AARP-
• In all states except Georgia, applicants are only required to supply a five-year medical history versus a 10-year medical history for Aetna. There are broader underwriting guidelines for high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, anxiety/depression, chronic erectile dysfunction. Broader guidelines mean that the levels at which rate ups or occur for these categories are more liberal. AARP-branded plans were not impacted by the new smoking tier guidelines that became effective for Aetna pre-65 individual plans Se conditions and their BMI is 31 or under, smoking will not affect their underwriting score.
ge plans.
How much time does it take to process and underwrite these applications?
Online submissions typically take about 5-10 days, whereas paper applications take about 10-30 days.
