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Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.
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Medicare & Insurance
Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.
Share Medicare dos and don’ts, including eligibility and supplemental insurance.
I am so disheartened to discover that my Medicare Plan D Rx insurance that carry the AARP logo and is provided by United Healthcare Insurance Co., (for which AARP receive a royalty payment from United
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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:6cf928d4-3cac-4717-b9e1-adef647866c2
Forums » Health » Medicare & Insurance » Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.
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Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.
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Re: Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.
posted at May 14, 2012 12:32 PM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: May 14, 2012 Last: May 14, 2012 |
so confusing.... If I have AARP's medicare part D by United Healthcare because I am disabled, am I eligible for the AARP paid membership even though I am only 40 years old? Usually AARP paid membership is for those age 50 and older but because I have AARP supplemental medicare insurance because I am disabled, can I not join AARP? Are they just two separate things and it doesn't matter if you have AARP medical insurance, you still have to be 50 or older to have a AARP membership (paid membership that offers discounts, services, life management tools, etc.)? If so, why would AARP accept my payment for a one year membership and not tell me I wasn't eligible until I'm 50? |
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Re: Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.
posted at August 14, 2012 2:10 PM EDT
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Posts: 2
First: May 15, 2010 Last: August 14, 2012 |
I, too, am disappointed with the service provided by Prescription Solutions/OptumRx for AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D. I previously had a different plan that used a different mailorder pharmacy. That pharmacy filled prescriptions promptly and refills could be easily handled online. With Prescription Solutions I have found the website incredibly slow and on at least 75 percent of the times when I have tried to order refills online the website had been unable to handle it. On those occasions I have had to call the 800 number and speak to people who were "slow" in more ways than time. It took them ages to arrange my refills and even after I asked that the refills be sent overnight because of the multiple delays they were sent regular USPS. My mailing address and shipping address were equally difficult for the representatives to handle. I use a UPS Store to ship my prescriptions since there is someone there to sign for the package. Prescription Solutions could not comprehend that. Now with OptumRx I had hoped things would change but apparently not. I saw my MD a week ago yesterday and he sent a prescription to OptumRx electronically that promptly showed up on their website but for reasons they have not explained a full week has passed and they just now have shipped the medication. I applaud AARP for trying to save us money but sometimes you get what you pay for and I am not getting very much right now. |
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Re: Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.
posted at August 15, 2012 7:34 AM EDT
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Posts: 12532
First: February 29, 2008 Last: May 17, 2013 |
In Response to Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.: Posted by eMBe[/QUOTE] I have a different quarrel but it still is all relative and gives me a chance here to vent. A segment of our population along with some in congress didn't want any "socialism" ---no healthcare reform at all.....never mind universal healthcare. With prescription drugs so expensive for most.....and the public demanding cheaper drugs we are importing from China--Pakistan--India ....and now Afghanistan will manufacture drugs. ....Further... where there is dubbed a "secondary market." regulators say some have put fake, stolen or adulterated products into the nation's drug supply. ( I have good reason to believe that I got some b/p meds that created problems for me til I changed suppliers.)
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Re: Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.
posted at October 31, 2012 11:59 PM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: October 31, 2012 Last: October 31, 2012 |
My mom came out here and got sick so we went to the Dr. and now after months of going back to her house and seeing the problems she was having I brought her out here to Texas until she gets better..She was from a small town and the doctors were limited . I called AARP Rx plan's "Customer Service" to let them know that Merrill Lynch had changed her account number that was making her payment to the AARP rx plan.When they looked her up they saw that she was seeing the doctors out her in Texas and wanted to cancel her Florida plan,and they did, as of tonight at midnight..Oct.31,2012.So she had to open a new plan in Texas..for 2 months, the month of November and December ? then the new year starts and her yearly deductable starts all over again..!! Don't get sick in another state or you will be forced to open a new plan..How much is AARP going to make on this 84 year old women? I sure hope it's worth it for AARP to screw a 84 yr old who is sick.. DON'T GET SICK..AND GO TO YOUR SONS HOME FOR HELP,THAT'S OUT...AS FAR AS AARP IS CONCERNED..
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Re: Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.
posted at November 1, 2012 10:19 AM EDT
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Posts: 1923
First: November 27, 2011 Last: May 18, 2013 |
In Response to Re: Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.: My mom came out here and got sick so we went to the Dr. and now after months of going back to her house and seeing the problems she was having I brought her out here to Texas until she gets better..She was from a small town and the doctors were limited . I called AARP Rx plan's "Customer Service" to let them know that Merrill Lynch had changed her account number that was making her payment to the AARP rx plan.When they looked her up they saw that she was seeing the doctors out her in Texas and wanted to cancel her Florida plan,and they did, as of tonight at midnight..Oct.31,2012.So she had to open a new plan in Texas..for 2 months, the month of November and December ? then the new year starts and her yearly deductable starts all over again..!! Don't get sick in another state or you will be forced to open a new plan..How much is AARP going to make on this 84 year old women? I sure hope it's worth it for AARP to screw a 84 yr old who is sick.. DON'T GET SICK..AND GO TO YOUR SONS HOME FOR HELP,THAT'S OUT...AS FAR AS AARP IS CONCERNED.. Posted by Tom621 Sorry, Tom but Medicare Advantage Plans are by area because they work with specific medical providers in a defined area. One of the reasons why there are Medicare Advantage Plans is because Medicare was having such a hard time contoling cost and keeping providers in the higher medical cost areas. Prescription Drug Plans are also offered by area since the insurance companies have to work with in-network pharmacy outlets if she is getting her meds over the counter. If she is going to be going back and forth between Texas and Florida, you need to help her during this period of open enrollment for 2013 - which is NOW. Together maybe the both of you can determine what plan is best for her under these new parameters. - could be that Traditional Medicare would be better working between the (2) areas. |
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Re: Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.
posted at November 6, 2012 5:46 PM EST
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Posts: 2
First: November 6, 2012 Last: November 6, 2012 |
I came across this while doing some other research in the new changes to Mediare, and I will say I work for UHC AARP MedicareRX plan customer service. I deal with these types of phone calls on a daily basis. I will say that Viagra is not covered under any medicare Part D plan, that is mandiated by Medicare. They make that decision, not UHC. When the formularies are released they are made up by the clinical teams of UHC then they have to be approved by Medicare in order for us to continue to be endorsed by Medicare. There of course are always going to be increases in the medication prices, that is how the economy works, but you should also realize because the teir may change, if the total drug cost is cheaper than the copay during the inital coverage period you are going to pay the cheaper of the two. Also with this Shingles Vaccine, it is covered. There are currently two medications called Zostavax and Varivax. When you call customer service you must have the drug name so they do provide you accurate information. We cover the medication it's self (you will pay your basic copay if still in intial coverage period, or the 50% if in the coverage gap for 2012) and will reimburse up to $20.00 of the admin fee. We always recommend you get it administered at the pharmacy since if you get it done at your Dr office they will charge you full price and then you will have to go through the reimbursment process. (4-6 weeks). I deal with many dissatisfied customers/members daily and I understand why, and I try my best to help people as much as possible and I hope this information helps, and if you have any other general information questions feel free to ask, since obviously I am unable to look at your personal accounts while I am not at work.
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Re: Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.
posted at November 6, 2012 5:53 PM EST
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Posts: 2
First: November 6, 2012 Last: November 6, 2012 |
There is no way arounf the "doughnut hole" ie Coverage Gap. That is something that is made up by medicare. Medicare sets the stages of all part D plans, sets the RX Spend limit (Inital coverage period= how much you and the plan spends on medications) And the set the prices in the in coverage gap and catastropic coverage. The Troop limit is also set by them. UHC simply follows the policy and guidlines set by Medicare. You best option is to get off the Enhance plan, go down to the preferred or saver plus plan since it is AEP. You might also want to take a look into a Medicare Advantage plan. You can speak to a licensed sales agent and they can tell you what is best for you and your situation. 888-867-5564. I too am very disappointed with the Rx Plan endorsed by AARP. I already pay ~$350.00 every 3 months for Medicare Part B, and $103.00 per month for AARP United Healthcare Medicare Suppliment, and $90.10 every month for United Healthcare Rx Plan N. My co-pays are higher than they ever were on regular (REAL) healthcare insurance. One of my medications has a co-pay of $251.00 per month, and others are $74.00 per month and up. What to do? Soon I will be in the "do-nut" and will probably have to stop taking all meds. Is there a plan that covers enough so there is no "do-nut?" Is it possible to have medications and food and shelter also? Posted by carolrnjd |
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Re: Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.
posted at November 7, 2012 9:16 AM EST
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Posts: 1923
First: November 27, 2011 Last: May 18, 2013 |
In Response to Re: Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.: I. Also with this Shingles Vaccine , it is covered. There are currently two medications called Zostavax and Varivax. When you call customer service you must have the drug name so they do provide you accurate information. We cover the medication it's self ( you will pay your basic copay if still in intial coverage period, or the 50% if in the coverage gap for 2012 ) and will reimburse up to $20.00 of the admin fee. We always recommend you get it administered at the pharmacy since if you get it done at your Dr office they will charge you full price and then you will have to go through the reimbursment process. ( 4-6 weeks ). Posted by UHCCSrep Here's the problem with this (1) vaccine being covered under Part D rather than Part B as is the influenza and the pneumonia. No doubt this saves Medicare money since the singles vaccine is not cheap, so they stick over on Part D rather then Part B. In my state, as well as at least 41 other states - your doctor has to write a prescription fro the shingles vaccine to be administered by a state approved pharmacist. In some states still, phamacist don't have the legislative approval to administered medications. The Rx is needed from your doc because it is a "live" vaccination and storage protocol is very important. So my doc WILL NOT write the prescription - he says it is not a pharmacist responsibility to administer a "live" vaccine. I see his point in a way - but the overall probem is the difference in why the majority of vaccines are covered under Part B of Medicare and ONLY (as far as I can tell) this one is administered under Part D of Medicare. Obamacare opened up preventative care to Medicare beneficiaries as well as private insurance participants - USPSTF rated A & B preventive measures - The CDC is in charge of immunization approval and they do recommend that the majority of people get the approved vaccines for their age group. Medicare Preventive & Screening Services So why is the shingles vaccine not listed since it an approved vaccination for those over 60, just like those that are covered under Part B as shown under the link above? Government plays games with benefits and I think we will start seeing more of this in the future to save a buck here and a buck there. Yes, I will have to pay $ 250.00 for the shingles vaccine in my doc's office and then do all the paperwork to get it reimburse or find somebody else to write a script for it. With a script, I could get it for less than $ 50 with the pharmacist doing the administering. Seem like the Medicare beneficiary is caught in the middle here. |
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Re: Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.
posted at December 26, 2012 12:24 PM EST
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Posts: 1
First: December 26, 2012 Last: December 26, 2012 |
I AM ALSO UNHAPPY WITH MY 2013 RX PLAN. HAMANA HAD 3 MED ON TIER ONE. THE NEW PREFERED AARP PLAN MOVED ALL THREE RXS TO TIER TWO. THRU A PHARMACY MY COPAY WILL GO FROM $6 to $15/month. |
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Re: Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.
posted at December 29, 2012 12:31 PM EST
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Posts: 1
First: December 29, 2012 Last: December 29, 2012 |
I too am a new subscriber to The Part D plan with UHC and Optum Rx and am also very disappointed in my initial dealings with them. I sent in my first two prescriptions to OptumRx and waited for the meds. When they hadn't arrived in a reasonable time I called them and they did not have my info and couldn't input it into their system. Whilst they worked on that I had to go to a local pharmacy and get a 30 day retail supply for both. They finally sent me both meds, but only a 31 day supply, rather than the 90 day supplies on the prescription. In addition the prescription bottles both noted that there were "no refills - submit new prescription" even though the originl prescription was for 1 year (3- 90 day refills) Then they sent me two reorder forms, both dated the same day. One form had 4 refills remaining, the other three. One form had the same date for renewal eligibility for both meds, the other had two different eligibility dates, two months apart. On top of that they also sent a prescription renewal form for both meds, specifying a quantity of 31 pills, rather than the normal 90. So, either I can get the meds refilled 3 times at 90 pills on the same date, 4 times at 90 pills but two months apart, or I can't get them refilled at all without a new prescription and then only at 31 pills per refill! Customer service wasn't much better. Couldn't tell me why there was a two month difference in the refill eligibility dates, even after supposedly talking to a pharmacist, but couldn't change it. So I'm left to conclude that despite the nice little brochure announcing that Prescription Solutions by Optum Rx is now Optum Rx and they will be providing the same great service the serivce I've gotten so far is the same great service I'll be getting in the future. Glad my meds are only for blood pressure and cholesterol, not something more serious!
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Forums » Health » Medicare & Insurance » Dissappointed with AARP's Medicare Rx Plan D provided by United Healthcare Insurance.
