Community Chat

[Winifred]

Use to but dropped my membership when they became involved in things which truly did NOT support seniors. Never again. This was perhaps 10 to 12 years ago - remember the Medicare fiasco when the ""gap"" was created and other things related to it which were not great. AARP spent a fortune supporting all the changes which negatively supported seniors. Then they got into other things - I was a member and loved Secure Horizons UNTIL AARP took it over. No thank you.

Please remember this is my opinion - have a right to it - same as everyone.

[Anniecamp]

Bathina, please look before you leap. The Dr. did not "send" me home. They told me I had to make the decision, not being able to afford a huge hospital bill. While Medicare is generally good coverage, plus I have an excellent supplemental policy, cuts have been made that are not good for seniors. As far as "not being sick enough", I hope you remember your post to me when those cuts affect you or someone you care about. But, that's ok, heart attacks are a dime a dozen. People just need to make sure it's "major" enough to be in the hospital.

[kittymomNC]

On 5/17/2014 Winifred said:

Use to but dropped my membership when they became involved in things which truly did NOT support seniors. Never again. This was perhaps 10 to 12 years ago - remember the Medicare fiasco when the "gap" was created and other things related to it which were not great. AARP spent a fortune supporting all the changes which negatively supported seniors. Then they got into other things - I was a member and loved Secure Horizons UNTIL AARP took it over. No thank you.

Please remember this is my opinion - have a right to it - same as everyone.

Just curious, what "gap" are you referring to and how did AARP influence it?

[Tinkrbl44]

I always ignored their solicitations because I wasn't retired.

However, last month America Online offered AARP memberships FREE as a benefit of AOL membership, so I signed up. Haven't received anything from them, as yet.

[kittymomNC]

On 5/18/2014 Anniecamp said:

Kittymom and couponqueen, here is my "personal research": A couple of weeks ago, I was sent to the emergency room at my local hospital. The Dr. there was very concerned that there was a possible repeat of a health situation, and wanted to admit me to the hospital for observation. A little while later, a woman came in and announced that Medicare no longer covered being in the hospital for observation, due to O care changes and cuts. The Dr. was fit to be tied, and very concerned. I was told I would have to pay for the full bill. I had to go home. I am still noticing effects, physically, from what happened to me that day. I am under my regular Drs. care, but damage could have been prevented if I would have been admitted to the hospital.

People who don't believe they will be affected by Medicare cuts, will believe it when it happens to them, or someone they love. AARP promoted these changes.

If your hospital told you what is bolded above, then they had better get with the program and get the facts, or THEY will be the ones being sued for sure.

This is from the Medicare.gov website regarding the status as Inpatient or Outpatient at the hospital, and if they want to admit you for observation.

Situation (example):

You come to the ED with chest pain and the hospital keeps you for 2 nights for observation services.

Your Status is an Outpatient

Medicare Part A Pays Nothing

Medicare Part B pays doctor services and hospital outpatient services (for example, ED visit, observation, services, lab tests, EKG's)

You do have to pay applicable Medicare co-pays, etc. All this information is available on the Medicare.gov website and goes into more detail about different circumstances.

This is the website where you will find a Publication with information regarding whether you are considered an Inpatient or an Outpatient. They suggest if you go to the hospital, ASK.

http://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11435.pdf

[bathina]

On 5/18/2014 violann said: bathina, please stop trying to confuse us by stating the truth.

[lizzief]

On 5/18/2014 Tinkrbl44 said:

I always ignored their solicitations because I wasn't retired.

However, last month America Online offered AARP memberships FREE as a benefit of AOL membership, so I signed up. Haven't received anything from them, as yet.

You don't have to be retired to join AARP, you can join anytime once you turn 50. We've taken advantage of discounts on insurance, hotels, car rentals, movies, etc. by belonging to AARP. As an organization, they have taken a stance on some issues which some may find offensive and contrary to their own beliefs. Personally, I've saved more money in discounts than the membership costs. As long as that continues, I'll keep the membership.

[151949]

There are a lot of discounts at stores, restaurants and hotels. Plus I enjoy the magazine Modern maturity that comes from AARP - a lot of great information in there for seniors. One of our friends went with a prepaid cell phone they endorse - saves a lot - even more than we do with our Tracfones. Those same friends also went with a computer they endorse for seniors that has special large print and is very easy for seniors to learn to use as they both have bad vision issues, and previous to this they had not gotten a computer. We bought our medicare advantage plan through AARP - our life insurance and our post hospital care insurance.(nursing home or at home care ins.) I consider them a valuable asset to seniors and the yearly fee is very small.

[esmeraldagooch]

AARP won't get one thin dime from me. After selling out seniors with ACA and choosing Harry Belafonte as an award winner? Look what he said?

https://amac.us/

[kittymomNC]

On 3/18/2014 kachina624 said: I refuse to join AARP for a couple of reasons. First, they have become little more than a "for profit" insurance company. I don't need or want their insurance. Secondly, they promoted the Medicare Drug Program which we're stuck with that sc*rews so many poor seniors. If that's what they're going to use my money for, I pass. I can't see that they do anything for me.

First of all, the Medicare Drug Program was passed during George's admin, and if he had not been so far into the pockets of the drug companies, maybe they would have been able to negotiate prices for 50 million seniors instead of having a disappearing discount program. His admin created the "donut hole" where you reach a certain point in out-of-pocket and have to pay several thousand on your own before the program kicks back in. The current A*C*A which so many of you so abhor, is CLOSING that "donut hole", thus saving seniors thousands of dollars. Before these programs, seniors had NO DRUG COVERAGE AT ALL. Is that what we should go back to???