How to Sign Up for AARP Medicare Plans

Medicare is a federally-funded and operated health insurance program for individuals 65 years and older or disabled individuals with a sufficient work history to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The government provides Part A hospital benefits and Part B outpatient medical benefits as part of the Original Medicare package. However, these plans do not cover prescription drug costs and may not cover all medical expenses. AARP offers Part D prescription coverage, Medigap supplemental insurance and Medicare Advantage plans to help cover costs not covered by Original Medicare.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine what types of necessary coverage you are lacking with Original Medicare. If you are just lacking prescription drug coverage, you will want to choose a Part D plan. If you have medical services that exceed certain expense limits that result in you being responsible for high out-of-pocket costs, you will want to consider a Medigap plan. If you need vision, dental and wellness coverage not covered by Original Medicare, you will want to consider a Medicare Advantage plan.

• 2

  Determine when your open enrollment period begins and ends by contacting 800-MEDICARE. If you enroll outside of the open enrollment period, you may be penalized. This means that you may have to pay higher co-insurance, premiums and other out-of-pocket costs than if you had enrolled during the open enrollment period.

• 3

  Go to Medicare's prescription drug plan finder and click on "Begin Personalized Search" if you are looking for a Medicare prescription drug plan. If you are looking for a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, proceed to step 3. You will be prompted to enter in your Medicare Claim Number, which is listed on your red, white and blue Medicare card, the plans effective dates which is also listed on the card, your last name, date of birth, zip code and health status. After entering this information, press continue. Complete the rest of the requested information, which will include a list of your prescription drugs. This will provide you with a list of available prescription drug plans for your area, including AARP plans. If you want to enroll in an AARP plan, select the plan and follow the instructions to enroll.

• 4

  Search for Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans by going to Medicare's health plan finder, selecting "begin personalized search" and entering in all of the requested information. This information includes your Medicare claim number and effective dates, which are listed on your red, white and blue Medicare card, date of birth, last name, zip code and health status. You may also have to answer questions regarding your medical conditions. After entering all of the information, you will be provided with a list of plans that you are eligible for. Select the AARP plan from the list that you want to enroll in and follow the on-screen instructions for enrollment.