AARP Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS)

AARP Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS) is a highly rated Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage. It is offered through AARP and UnitedHealthcare and is among the highest rated plans available based on the CMS Star Rating system.

The CMS Star Rating is based in part on various surveys, complaints and other beneficiary feedback conducted by or shared with the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. One star is poor while five stars represents excellent.

The plan is an HMO-POS, which stands for a health maintenance organization with a point-of-service option. This means it provides a network of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers you can choose from to receive services.

As part of your coverage, you will have to select a primary care doctor from within the provided network. But you can use other providers from outside the plan’s network. Your Medicare deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs will vary depending on whether you use in-network or out-of network health care.

The AARP Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS) health plan has a five-star rating from Medicare.

The plan received five-star ratings on 19 out of 33 criteria Medicare uses to rate plans.

The plan’s lowest ratings was three-stars on four categories.

The AARP Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS) has a five-star rating for its Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

It received five-star ratings on nine of the 16 categories.

The AARP Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS) is a no-premium Medicare Advantage plan. Even though it charges no monthly premium, you are still responsible for the monthly Medicare Part B premium — $164.90 in 2023.

It includes prescription and over-the-counter drug coverage along with dental and vision services and a fitness program. Members also have access to the UnitedHealthcare Medicare National Network.

The AARP Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS) benefits for health care services and durable medical equipment covers everything that Original Medicare covers. It also provides additional services, though exact out-of-pockets may vary.

You should consider out-of-pocket costs for the types of services you need when you compare Medicare Advantage plans.

The AARP Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS) plan covers a wide range of services that Original Medicare does not cover. Most Medicare Advantage plans cover vision, dental or hearing services, but this plan includes additional services.

The AARP Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS) formulary features six tiers of prescription drugs — including a second Tier 3 specifically for insulin drugs. It covers three copay options — a 30-day supply through a network pharmacy and 90-day supplies through the plans preferred mail order pharmacy or standard mail order.

During your coverage gap, you will pay 25% of the cost (plus the dispensing fee) for both generic and brand name drugs until you reach the coverage gap: $7,050 of year-to-date out-of-pocket spending.

After you hit that limit, you will be responsible for a $3.95 copay for generics and a $9.85 copay for brand name drugs — or 5% of the cost, whichever is greater. The limit resets on Jan. 1 each year.