aarp supplement plans

thestoloffs wrote:
The bottom line is that AARP doesn't offer the insurance themselves; they're simply selling their brand name to insurance companies, who are offering their existing coverage....

Exactly correct! Basically, the AARP is able to negotiate a group rate with insurance companies and pass the savings on to members. The same happens with other large organizations, including entities like state group insurance plans: As larger groups, they can negotiate a decent group rate with an insurance company and pass through the savings to members.

Currently, for example, I am covered with a plan through a State of Texas retirement system. That plan is identical in coverage through the same national insurance company that AARP is set up with. (I'm not sure about the exact costs because, well, things vary with covered spouse, extra dental, and so forth. But it looks like they are pretty close to the same.) Two larger groups, both negotiated with the same large insurance company, same coverage, savings passed through in similar ways.

Of course, you should look at similarly large groups that you belong to in order to find out if they've negotiated reduced group rates with similar coverage, passing through the group-rate savings to you.


:)
Lynn