Insurance & Medicare

Tools

drugs a to z

Drugs A-Z

Find information on drug interactions, side effects, and more.

medicare interactive tool

Medicare Interactive Tool

Find expert advice, free education, and helpful information on Medicare.

doughnut hole calculator

Doughnut Hole Calculator

Find out how you can avoid the Medicare drug coverage gap now.

Voices

Ms. Medicare

If Your Doctor Opts Out

By Patricia Barry

A reader asks Ms. Medicare about coverage now that her husband’s doctor no longer accepts Medicare.

AARP Programs

Health Care Reform: Health Action Now

Join AARP in the fight for health care reform and have your voice heard.

Divided We Fail

The Divided We Fail effort advances the idea that partisan gridlock should not stand in the way of affordable health care and long-term financial security for all Americans.

Medicare & Medicaid Guides

2010 Medicare Rates

What Medicare will charge for its premiums, deductibles, and co-payments.

Changes to Medigap in 2010

Details about Medigap plans purchased on or after June 1, 2010.

Frequently Asked Questions: Medigap 2010 Changes

More information about how Medigap changes might affect you.

Get Started With Medicare

Where to begin if you're about to qualify for Medicare.

Choose the Right Medicare Plan for You

Guidance on which plan's best.

Get Educated on Individual Insurance

Individual insurance options for people 50-plus.

Compare Medicare Plans

Key differences between the different plans.

Learn About Medicare Extra Help

This program helps pay for prescription drug costs if you have limited income and limited resources.

Doctor, Home Health, and Preventive Care

What Medicare Part B covers and what you pay.

Inpatient Hospital, Nursing Home, Home, and Hospice Care

What Medicare Part A covers and what you pay.

What Doctors Can Charge Under Medicare

What it means if your doctor "accepts assignment."

Losing Your Group Health Insurance?

Here are some options to stay insured.

Compare Medigap Plans

Benefits offered by the 12 Medigap plans, A through L.

Compare Medigap Coverage

Different plans fill different coverage gaps.

Tapping Supplemental Insurance

Medigap insurance plans supplement Medicare.

Get Medicaid Basics

How coverage and benefits differ from Medicare.

Applying for Medicaid

How to enroll in Medicaid.

Medical Disclaimer

All visitors to AARP.org should seek expert medical care and consult their own physicians for any specific health issues. Read this disclaimer in its entirety.

Physicians face a 21 percent cut to Medicare reimbursement on March 1. Unless Congress acts, patient services could suffer.

doctors ready to resuscitate with a manual defibrillator

Health Care Reform: Can It Be Revived?

By Tamara Lytle

After Republican Scott Brown's win in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate election, reform legislation's future is uncertain.

Chubby Checker

Musical Icon Promotes New Medicare Rx Benefit

By Michelle Diament

The man who got the nation twistin', Chubby Checker, touts a new law that helps more people pay for drug coverage.

From the Online Community

Group: Insurance

Group: Insurance & Medicare
In this group, you can discuss how to get the most out of your health care and Medicare plans.
Join Group

Group: Medicare Part D

Group: Medicare Part D Share your knowledge of this program's benefits and issues, and express your concerns about it.
Join Group

The Battle to Lower Drug Costs

By Elizabeth Agnvall

The Senate pledges to close Medicare's "doughnut hole" coverage gap but prohibits importation of cheaper drugs.

Reform Could Expand Patient-Centered Programs

From 'Inside E Street'

In this video clip, two governors describe local health reform efforts to make care more accessible and affordable.

Priced Out of Coverage?

By Michael Zielenziger

Learn how health care reform bills tackle the insurance company practice of charging older Americans more for coverage.

Select a Medicare Drug Plan

By Patricia Barry

Medicare Part D helps you pay for your prescription drugs. Use our guide to find the right plan for you.

Toward Cost-Effective Health Care

From 'Inside E Street'

In this video, Budget Director Peter Orszag discusses the goals of the health care bill and answers the question: Does the legislation reflect reform's true cost?

House Passes Health-Care Reform Bill

By Jim Toedtman

Lowering premiums and Medicare prescription costs are among the bill's goals. Learn how the legislation would affect you and yours.

Dodge the Part D Coverage Gap

AARP's new "Doughnut Hole Calculator" can help you save money on the drugs you take under Medicare Part D. Try out the tool now.

Medicare Advantage Insurers—Misleading Customers?

By Patricia Barry

Some of the people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans feel deceived by rate hike notices from their insurers. Find out why.

How Will Health Care Reform Help Older Americans?

By Seniors to Seniors

In a new series of videos, patients, physicians, and health care advocates address how health care reform would safeguard Medicare.

Sick and Broke?

By Sharon Kay

Tens of millions of Americans have health insurance but are not really protected: Their coverage is so skimpy that a medical crisis could mean financial ruin.

Who Decides Your Fate?

By Michael Haederle

A proposal in health-care reform legislation has stirred up misconceptions about end-of-life decisions. The truth: It would empower you to determine your care, step by specific step.

New Bills Aim to Expand Medicare

By Patricia Barry

Uninsured people ages 50 to 64 are caught in a health-care twilight zone—old enough to be facing more medical problems but too young for Medicare. New health proposals in Congress aim to help.

What's the Deal With the Medicare 'Doughnut Hole'?

From Erickson Retirement Home Town Hall Meeting

Video: Former AARP CEO Bill Novelli explains the prescription-drug coverage gap in Medicare Part D—what it is and how it came about.

Is Your Neighbor Getting a Better Medicare Deal?

By Susan Jaffe

Based on county rates, Medicare Advantage plans provide unequal benefits.

AARP Health Benefits

AARP Health Insurance Benefit

Affordable Healthcare? Consider it Done

Insurance & Plans: From Major Medical to Medicare Supplement, find the right health insurance plan for you.

Discounts & Savings: Pharmacy, Vision & and even Fitness discounts provide everyday savings for you.

More to Explore

senior woman playing video game

Video Games for Grownups
Read our latest reviews—with adult players like you in mind—of video games across multiple platforms.

Travel Expert Peter Greenberg
Are airlines giving you worry lines? Need the latest news on the best cruise? AARP.org travel columnist Peter Greenberg can help.

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Your Life Calling

Jane Pauley

We're teaming up with Jane Pauley to explore what lies ahead for you.

The Naked Truth

Dr. Pepper Schwartz: The Naked Truth

Love doesn't end at 50+. Get relationship advice from Pepper Schwartz.

Reaching Milestones

Adam Diaz

Turning 100 isn't the most interesting thing Adam Diaz has done.

Get Fit With Martina

Martina

New to working out? Here are some tips on how to get started.

Member Discount

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Save on leading brands at the Grocery Coupon Center powered by Coupons.com.

Keep on Truckin'

rusty blue truck

Listen to—and fall for— these four remarkable Southern bluesmen.

Modern Motoring

Driver Safety Program

Buckle down (and up!), and take our Driver Safety course online.

'Wall Street' Sweeps

Michael Douglas in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Enter for a chance to win a trip and two tickets to this sequel's premiere.

Retirement Tool

retirement guide

Use our calculator to help prepare financially for your golden years.

Pyramid Solitaire

Pyramid Solitaire

Can you scale the pyramid? Try this popular solitaire variant.

Golf Links

golf course

Join this group if you'd rather be out swinging on the green right now!

Easy Fix Helps Poor

Montana flag

The April 15 tax deadline benefits Montana's low-income residents.