Signed up for AARP Medicare Supplement

[classof63]

I reviewed many of the Medicare Supplement Plans and decided to sign up online for AARP. I just got my Medicare Card a few days ago and had been reviewing plans for quite sometime and decided that the AARP plan met my needs.

I will post back on how how long it takes to get it, how smoothly the process goes, and any good or bad about the program once I am in it.

 

[classof63]

Update:

I signed up online with AARP Medcare Supplement Plan on 5/30/11 (Memorial Day). I logged into my AARP account today and see that my application has been approved and my coverage is set to begin July 1st! My membership card and welcome package is supposed to be on the way to me in the mail.

So far this process has been real easy and smooth, the hardest part was sorting through all the Medicare information to decide which plan I wanted and which company to go with.

I will update this thread with anything related to my AARP Medigap plan experiences, good or bad.

 

[SoCalMike]

Good to know, I will be 65 soon and was wondering whether I could sign up online or if I needed an agent, or what. It is all very confusing to start with, especially the different Medicare parts, different insurance policies for this and that. Guess I need to do some studying.

 

[longarms]

You can't enroll online for a Medicare Supplement plan. However, you can contact most insurance companies directly and enroll through them. If you have any questions or if you would like to receive quotes on plans available in your area, please contact me.

 

[classof63]

You can't enroll online for a Medicare Supplement plan. However, you can contact most insurance companies directly and enroll through them. If you have any questions or if you would like to receive quotes on plans available in your area, please contact me.

Sure you can enroll online! I enrolled completely online for the AARP Medigap supplement program. It took about 10 days to get approved and everything went very smoothly.

I did contact an agent prior to doing the online enrollment but the agent kept trying to push me to the higher premium F supplement program instead of the N program that I wanted. I know it is because they make more on the higher premium programs, so I decided to sign up directly with AARP online and it was easy and smooth. I did compare many programs online with the Medicare.gov online plan finder and the AARP was the most the most competitive in my state.

I also signed up completely online for Medicare, and the Part D Prescription drug program with Wellcare. All went smooth, took less time than dealing with a person on the phone, and I wasn't pressed into something I didn't want. I had all my cards well before my 65th birthday. So I would recommend online signup!

 

[gregl]

I did contact an agent prior to doing the online enrollment but the agent kept trying to push me to the higher premium F supplement program instead of the N program that I wanted. I know it is because they make more on the higher premium programs, so I decided to sign up directly with AARP online and it was easy and smooth.

You just found a dishonest agent. It's completely stupid on agent's part to suggest to client anything but the least expensive policy , as well as to argue with client's choice of Medigap plan (as long as he/she has a strong opinion about it). Otherwise, the other agent will have an easy time to convince client to switch to another company / plan. Working against client's interests is not only morally reprehensible; it is also always work againt agent's best interests.

Sure you can enroll yourself - online or by calling the insurance company. The question is whether you should do it - and my answer is no. Agent does not charge YOU any money, and your premium is the same whether you do it through the agency or yourself. But the agency (like ours) maintains list of MULTIPLE (15 and more) insurance companies in your area - and as a rule will suggest you a less expensive option you are not familiar with. Normally it'll be smaller company, less known than AARP. But that is exactly the point - because ALL MEDIGAP POLICIES ARE STANDARDIZED (i.e. they are independent on the company you are enrolled with), the premium is THE ONLY (AND DECISIVE) FACTOR.

In addition to it, the good agent is in contact with his client by informing him (her) about premium changes, suggesting the alternative solutions, etc. Essentially, an agent is HIRED by the client, and it is in his best interest to do a good job.

 

[classof63]

Greg thanks for your reply. I am sure that the agent I had contacted was trying to push me to a higher price plan rather than the one I was interested in. I know that most agents are honest and would not do that, but like any profession there are a few that spoil it for the rest.

Again, to me, signing up online was so easy I would not go with an agent if I had it to do over. All I did was complete the online form and submit it. It took only a few minutes. No agent calling me, no paperwork to return by mail, no hassles.

With the plan finder at medicare.gov that compares medigap and prescription drug policies I do not see the need for an agent unless one is just to lazy to do a little research or not capable of making their own choices. That is must my opinion, don't anyone take it personally, I am a "do it yourself" type person.

Also I would not feel as comfortable going with a smaller, lesser known company, I am happy with choice of AARP and am sure they will be around when I need them. Also they were the most competitive in price in my state of Florida at the time for plan N.

In addition I signed up for the Wellcare Prescription Drug program online at the same time I signed up for AARP Medigap and have already used it. I am very happy with Wellcare also.