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AARP United Health Care
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Medicare & Insurance
AARP United Health Care
Share Medicare dos and don’ts, including eligibility and supplemental insurance.
My mother has been told that she has cancer (23 July). Since her preliminary diagnosis she has had 5 CAT Scans, an MRI, a bone scan, one biopsy, etc... None of these tests have provided us
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Cat:91a4afbf-9555-4e02-b9d3-9eef604476f6Forum:c79f53c3-fa71-4e76-b517-aef042efd7ff
Cat:91a4afbf-9555-4e02-b9d3-9eef604476f6Forum:c79f53c3-fa71-4e76-b517-aef042efd7ffDiscussion:dd50e3fb-2a62-4673-bb24-9a582fad6a74
Forums » Health » Medicare & Insurance » AARP United Health Care
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AARP United Health Care
posted at September 18, 2011 3:30 PM EDT
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Posts: 4
First: September 18, 2011 Last: October 2, 2011 |
My mother has been told that she has cancer (23 July). Since her preliminary diagnosis she has had 5 CAT Scans, an MRI, a bone scan, one biopsy, etc... None of these tests have provided us a lead on where and what type of cancer she has. We finally got to the oncologist who ordered a PET scan, as he felt that was the best way to finally determine where and what type of cancer she has. Last week her Insurance company, UNITED HEALTHCARE, based on a telcon with her oncologist determined that she didn't need a PET scan and refused to authorize this diagnostic test. I am using this forum in hopes of informing anyone who may be looking to UNITED HEALTHCARE as their insurer (along with their medicare) that they may want to do further research into the policies of this insurance company. It is sad and frankly frustrating that the insurer is deciding what is medically best for the patient NOT their doctors and other health care providers. I also am hopeful that AARP will investigate further before continuing to endorse this insurance company. Many seniors look to AARP to provide them with an unbiased evaluation of senior friendly service providers, including health insurance. In my opinion, I find UNITED HEALTHCARE not only unfriendly to seniors but find their ability to gauge what is medically best/necessary for a patient without evaluating all medical records and deferring to specialists in the necessary medical field unethical (I would imagine their doctors are required to take the Hippocratic oath as any other doctor). I intend to continue to fight to get my mother the best treatment and only hope this post will save others this frustration and feeling of helplessness. Sincerely, a very concerned and angry daughter |
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Re: AARP United Health Care
posted at September 20, 2011 12:14 PM EDT
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Posts: 14584
First: January 28, 2008 Last: May 21, 2013 |
Keep after AARP to mediate. It won't be easy and may need several calls to get someone to intervene. There is a procedure to follow to apeal insurers decisions, I believe, that gets to a mediator, but if you make a mistake anywhere UHG will not follow through. Good Luck. Karl |
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Re: AARP United Health Care
posted at September 22, 2011 7:26 PM EDT
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Posts: 4
First: September 18, 2011 Last: October 2, 2011 |
Karl, thanks so much for the information. I will try to work through AARP to get to mediation. I also plan on sending a letter to challenge the decision directly to United Health Care. Thanks again, I think we will need all the luck we can get. V/R Erika In Response to Re: AARP United Health Care: Keep after AARP to mediate. It won't be easy and may need several calls to get someone to intervene. There is a procedure to follow to apeal insurers decisions, I believe, that gets to a mediator, but if you make a mistake anywhere UHG will not follow through. Good Luck. Karl Posted by krlklar |
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Re: AARP United Health Care
posted at September 30, 2011 11:44 PM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: September 30, 2011 Last: September 30, 2011 |
In Response to Re: AARP United Health Care: Karl, thanks so much for the information. I will try to work through AARP to get to mediation. I also plan on sending a letter to challenge the decision directly to United Health Care. Thanks again, I think we will need all the luck we can get. V/R Erika In Response to Re: AARP United Health Care : Posted by erika7877 Karl is right - it may take many ... possibly as many as 6 or 7 ... just be persistant. squeeky wheel ... |
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Re: AARP United Health Care
posted at October 2, 2011 5:15 PM EDT
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Posts: 4
First: September 18, 2011 Last: October 2, 2011 |
In Response to Re: AARP United Health Care: In Response to Re: AARP United Health Care : Karl is right - it may take many ... possibly as many as 6 or 7 ... just be persistant. squeeky wheel ... Posted by jkeelerz |
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Re: AARP United Health Care
posted at October 2, 2011 5:18 PM EDT
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Posts: 4
First: September 18, 2011 Last: October 2, 2011 |
Thank you all for your encouragement. I wanted to update all on the status. We sent a letter of appeal to UHC. Within 3 days we had their response and they reversed their decision so My Mom will get the PET scan tomorrow. I still find it sad that this was the process and that many will not appeal, thereby delaying much needed procedures/care. Thanks again for the suggestions and encouragement. |
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Re: AARP United Health Care
posted at October 25, 2011 12:43 PM EDT
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Posts: 14584
First: January 28, 2008 Last: May 21, 2013 |
Don't know! Check their website. Karl In Response to Re: AARP United Health Care: Do you have to be an AARP member to enroll in the AARP United Health Care Supplemental plan? Posted by noagenda75 |
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Re: AARP United Health Care
posted at November 16, 2011 2:53 PM EST
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Posts: 2
First: November 16, 2011 Last: November 16, 2011 |
In Response to Re: AARP United Health Care: Do you have to be an AARP member to enroll in the AARP United Health Care Supplemental plan? Posted by noagenda75 The quick simple answer is YES. On the forms you fill out for the insurance they include membership forms.
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Re: AARP United Health Care
posted at November 17, 2011 1:08 PM EST
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Posts: 1
First: November 17, 2011 Last: November 17, 2011 |
I'm not very happy to have learned that, after buying a 5 year AARP membership so that I could enroll in the discounted health care plan, that United Healthcare will not allow me to enroll. Although I have Medicare A and B because of a disability, I'm not eligible because I'm not 65, yet. I think that really stinks. The advertising is misleading, and AARP offers no alternative that I've been able to find. If I'm old enough to be an AARP member, and disabled enough to get Medicare, why am I being discriminated against because of age? United Health Care has told me there's no plan in Ohio for people under 65. What's up with that? |
Forums » Health » Medicare & Insurance » AARP United Health Care
