INSURANCE & MEDICARE
Key Medicare Enrollment Dates and Deadlines
- Until Dec. 31, Annual Coordinated Election Period: You can disenroll from, join, or change drug and health plans. Learn more through Medicare Interactive.
- Jan. 1 to March 31, Open Enrollment Period: If you did not enroll in Medicare when you originally became eligible, you can sign up during this period. Learn more through Medicare Interactive.
Medicare & Medicaid Guides
Inpatient Hospital, Nursing Home, Home, and Hospice Care
What Medicare Part A covers and what you pay.
Get Medicaid Basics
How coverage and benefits differ from Medicare.
Tools
Medicare Monthly Payments by County
See if your neighbor's Medicare plan payment is higher or lower than yours.
AARP Programs
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.
Voices
What Should I Do for Part D Enrollment?
Ms. Medicare explains how you can change drug plans during Medicare's open enrollment, Nov. 15 to Dec. 31.
Opinion: We're in This Together
We have a shared responsibility to improve access to affordable health insurance coverage.
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.
A recent change to Medicare Part D may penalize you for choosing some brand-name prescriptions over generics—without even telling you. Find out if your plan uses this “reference-based pricing.”
Select a Medicare Drug Plan
Medicare Part D helps you pay for your prescription drugs. During this enrollment season, use our guide to find the right plan for you.
New Medicare Law Offers Real Patient Benefits
Lower-income patients and outpatient mental health services will receive more funding.
From the Online Community
Group: Insurance and Medicare
Discuss health coverage and drug plans.
Join Group
Journal: Medicare Issues
CarolChidlaw, with tongue in cheek, ponders the confusion surrounding Medicare.
Read Journal
Private Health Insurance for All?
A new proposed bill would provide universal, private health coverage in the United States.
What's the Deal With the Medicare 'Doughnut Hole'?
Video: 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?
Based on county rates, Medicare Advantage plans provide unequal benefits.
Medicare Advantage: Beware the Hard Sell
Some beneficiaries have been duped into buying Medicare Advantage plans.
Uninsured in America
Since 2000, the number of uninsured Americans has grown by 5 million. Hard work and money don't guarantee access to affordable health care.
Your Take-Charge Guide to Affordable Health Care
Americans fret more about their health care costs than they do about losing a job, paying the mortgage, or becoming a victim of terrorism, according to a recent survey.
More Health Insurance Articles
- Medicaid Basics
- Applying for Medicaid
- 2009 Medicare Rates
- Getting Started with Medicare
- Choosing the Right Medicare Plan for You
- Comparison Chart: Key Differences Among the Medicare Plans
- Medicare Interactive
- Medicare Plan Choices
- Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage Plans
- Preventive Services for People with Medicare
- Your Medicare Rights
- 5 Steps to Buying a Medigap Policy
- Guide to Individual Health Insurance
- COBRA: Keeping Your Group Health Insurance
- Original Medicare: Doctor, Home Health, and Preventive Care
- Original Medicare: Getting Care in a Hospital, Nursing Home, at Home, and with Hospice
- Original Medicare: What Doctors Can Charge
- Medigap Plans: Listing by Plan
- Medigap Plans: Listing by Coverage
- Overview of Supplemental Insurance
- When You're Losing Your Group Health Insurance
- HIPAA: Protecting Your Right to Health Insurance
Most Popular in Health
AARP Health Benefits
Affordable Healthcare? Consider it Done
Insurance & Plans: From Supplemental to Medicare, find the right health insurance plan for you.
Discounts & Savings: Pharmacy, Vision & and even Fitness discounts provide everyday savings for you.
More to Explore
Benefits Quick Link
Find out what public or private benefits are available for older adults and families with children.
Create The Good
AARP is calling on its members to Create the Good in their neighborhoods. Get involved.
