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aarp

13 years ago

I've received two AARP cards in the mail. They are wanting me to join. I don't know a lot about the organization. Are you a member, why or why not?

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Comments (20)

marilyn_c
13 years ago
Not....because of their support of Obamacare. There are other choices that are better, I believe.
nanny98
13 years ago
I dropped my membership when AARP supported that pharmacy deal that Bush ? implemented. I still think it was/is a bad deal and that the Pharma companies are just swimming in the gravy it provided. I think AARP has changed its thinking somewhat right now....but I question their motives. I do believe that THEIR drug prescription program works well for some and THAT raises some questions too.
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I can get the same "perks" elsewhere without the constant insurance pitches and without supporting their lobbying efforts which are contrary to my political beliefs. Anything that says AARP on it goes straight into the shredder. One year DH signed up with them. He's more gullible than me. LOL I gave a whole lot of money to second amendment rights groups that year to counteract his contribution. :-) DH has evolved and understands that they are a political lobby so now he's on my team regarding them. LOL
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I tossed the magazine, but I found this comment on it through Google: If you hear in the news that a home robber falls down the stairs trying to flee, and sues the homeowner for breaking his leg .. how much sympathy do you have for the robber? In this article, an 80 year old smoker ordered 5 cartons of cigarettes by phone, from an American Indian reservation in another state, paying half the price in her own area. She knew that the lower price was due to not having to pay tax in her own state. She later received a bill from her state's department of revenue for taxes & late payment fees. She said she was duped & felt it was an abuse of power. First of all, smoking is a known health hazard, not only for the smoker but anyone else nearby. Second, this woman deliberately purchased something from another jurisdiction, to avoid paying tax on it. I don't think AARP or its publications should be championing it as a "consumer issue", when people display high risk behavior (smoking), and complain because they got caught trying to avoid paying tax.
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Sushipup1 -- as far as I know, everyone is eligible for a supplemental plan, but if they don't sign up when they first become eligible for Medicare (or, as in my case, after an allowed deferral ), they might have to qualify for the coverage -- just as a person can be denied life insurance for existing conditions. But, also as far as I understand, during the open enrollment period this year your friend could sign up for a supplemental plan. Now, as for what the ENT charged.... A provider is a Medicare participating provider if they agree to charge only the Medicare-approved fee for all services (they write off the amount Medicare doesn't cover). The patient pays the 20% of that approved fee that Medicare doesn't pay. A nonparticipating provider is one who sees Medicare patients and sends a bill to Medicare, but does not accept the Medicare-approved fee as the full fee for the service provided. The provider can charge the patient up to Medicare's limiting charge. Medicare lowers its approved fee by 5% for nonparticipating providers. In other words, the approved fee for a nonparticipating provider will be 95% of the approved fee for a participating provider. Then, the nonparticipating provider can charge the patient 115% of the lowered (95%) fee. If you do the math, it works out to the nonparticipating provider's fee being 109.25% -- that is, the maximum you can be charged by a nonparticipating provider is 9.25% more than Medicare's approved fee. There is a third type of provider -- one who doesn't get involved with Medicare at all. They don't submit a bill to Medicare and won't accept any fee limitations by Medicare. They reject Medicare. They will see patients who are on Medicare, but only after the patient signs a contract stating that they understand these terms and agree to pay the provider's full fee themselves. However, that provider must inform you if the service to be provided would be covered by Medicare if rendered by a provider who sees Medicare patients. So, either the ENT is a participating provider who violated Medicare's rules and charged more than the limiting fee (in which case he should be reported to Medicare), or else your friend signed a contract to be seen by a provider who rejects Medicare and she agreed to pay his entire fee. But, yeah, if she can't afford it, she can't afford it. Because her only income is SS which cannot be garnished, she is what is referred to as "judgment proof."
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I've been thinking about Michael's comment and I think I have it figured out. I think he doesn't understand how currency exchange works. The key was his sentence "After negotiating the lower rate, the exchange rate saves me more. " The exchange rate doesn't save you anything at all, an exchange rate is the amount of relative value when converting money from one currency to another. I think what has you confused is that both currencies are called "dollars", which really has no consequence. Lets call Canadian currency "pencils" instead. The exchange rate is such that US$ 1= 1.33 pencils. Or, 1 pencil = 75 US cents. Both numbers slightly rounded. One is the reciprocal of the other. If you're in Canada and want to pay cash for your 155 pencils hotel room, withdraw 155 pencils at an ATM and your US bank account will be reduced by US$116. If you present a credit card that bills you in US dollars, the hotel will put in a charge of 155 Canadian pencils through VISA and your bill due VISA will increase by US$116. Have a Canadian credit card in pencils? No problem. Pay the 155 pencils bill with your Canadian Visa card and at the end of the month, send the Canadian bank a check for US $116 (assuming no change in the rate) to pay the balance you owe them of 155 Canadian pencils. All examples also ignore a percent or two for transaction charges which are minor anyway and usually can't be avoided.
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marie_ndcal
13 years ago
I have it because it offers 15% off motels etc and discounts, I read the magazine and newsletters to find out a different view point, but do disagree on many things. I would try it for a year, but you will get alot of ads about insurance, and other things so you can make up your own mind. I do write letters when I see something I really don't approve of--like having their conventions in places that most of the average seniors cannot afford or ???
LuAnn_in_PA
13 years ago
DH joined AARP (for a huge car discount!), but I did not as I see no reason to.
I get rates discounted just as good with my AAA membership, which is more useful.
3katz4me
13 years ago
Joined one year then quit - I don't share their political views and don't care to support them. I thought I might get some good discounts on something but never took advantage of anything. I since joined AAA and have used their discounts.
alisande
13 years ago
They are the largest lobby for seniors that exists today. I've been a member for many years, and consider it to be a bargain. I don't take advantage of the discounts, but I pick up lots of useful information in their publications--free to members.

I also have the AARP United Health Care insurance to supplement Medicare.
phyllis__mn
13 years ago
Yes, I second Alisande's posting above....lots of info in their publications.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
once was not any longer they got too political and not in a good way in my opinion.
User
13 years ago
I would never join that organization. I don't agree with their politics either.
dedtired
13 years ago
I get my medicare supplemental and prescription through them. However, I didn't join AARP this year. I figure for what I am paying for health insurance, they should be sending me their darn magazine (but they don't). By the way, my supplemental insurance payment will be going up $17 a month soon, another reason they should be sending free magazines. I'm probably only hurting myself since I do get good info from them.
nodakgal
13 years ago
Not.
No one around here gives discounts for AARP. I couldn't see anything else worth having it for! LOL
wanda_va
13 years ago
We were members for years, but dropped our membership when AARP supported Obamacare, and started getting political.
Kathsgrdn
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks.
cynic
13 years ago
Never have and never will. They're the postal equivalent of telemarketers IMO. The "deals" they offer aren't good deals from what I've seen. Just because something says "discounted" doesn't mean it has. I can always get the same hotel rate as AARP simply by asking for a discount. Often I do better asking for a corporate rate.

Like many unions, they've become what they used to fight. No thanks.
chisue
13 years ago
AARP doesn't sell insurance. They license their name to insurance companies. (Like United Health Care -- for 'Medigap' and for Part D.) That alone is enough to keep me off their membership rolls.

Why is it that even the best, most idealistic groups get corrupted?
patti43
13 years ago
We belong for the very same reasons as Alisande. Used to have all our insurance through them, but they stopped providing home owner's insurance in FL so we also moved our car insurance.

I do have my Medicare supplemental through United, which is promoted by AARP. You think people would be happy that somebody out there is lobbying for seniors. Go figure!
User
13 years ago
We belong and use it for different discounts. I share their political views.
hounds_x_two
13 years ago
No, no, no!
I don't agree with their political views, ties, support, promotions.
joyfulguy
13 years ago
They have a magazine, don't they?

You can proably review it in a local library.

The one up here was called ... wait for it, "CARP"!

It was largely taken over recently by a rather innovative former TV executive, changing their name (and aim?) to "Zoomers", I think - the most recent designation for Boomers (as they approach decrepitude).

ole joyful
marylmi
13 years ago
I keep getting letters in the mail for a quote on car insurance from them, but their rate can never beat the GMAC insurance I have now. I used to belong several years ago.

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