AARP Utah

Here in Utah, individuals looking for insurance plans through the health insurance marketplace run by the federal government. Small businesses will use a state-run plan called Avenue H, though some companies may give a lump sum to employees to shop on the individual market. You'll have a lot of choices to help you find insurance that works for you, and may qualify for subsidies to help you afford a valuable plan. AARP has a new website, healthlawanswers.org that provides guidance on how to naviagate the marketplace, but like other stories that dominate the headlines, fraud is always a concern.

We’ve repeatedly heard the claim by critics of Medicare that doctors are refusing to see Medicare patients because of poor reimbursement and government intrusion into their practices. From such accusations one might conclude that doctors are shying away from Medicare patients in huge numbers.

Photo by Rick Egan, The Salt Lake Tribune

It happens all too often. Despite a person's lifetime of experience and excellent work ethic, age discrimination can make it harder to find a job or fight discrimination upon a questionable termination. This is a topic that AARP is very much concerned with for our members and non-members alike, and therefore has strongly endorsed a bipartisan bill in Congress that would help combat age discrimination in the workplace and protect the rights of older individuals.

There is a lot to learn about the new health care law, also known as the "ACA" or "Obamacare." But primarily what it does is address the quality and affordability of health insurance in this country, and creates mechanisms called "Heath Insurance Marketplaces" that will help people select plans if they are not already covered by their employer. The good news is that you only need to be concerned with provisions that affect you and your family. Here's a basic road map to the changes in the law:

Diagnosis: possible Medicare fraud.

The health of Utah’s seniors is negatively affected by air pollution. We see the dirty air in winter and summer and know it is bad, but perhaps have no idea just how bad it is for us. We often think senior concerns are all about issues like Medicare and Social Security, but that’s far from the truth. Seniors should be equally concerned about making sure our communities are actually livable and that means being able to breathe the air.

AARP Foundation is pleased to announce $2.5 million in investments to fund three housing organizations that serve the vulnerable, 50+ population

Tax season is never the happiest time of the year, but that's when Utah's dozens of Tax Aide volunteers spring into action to help people complete their tax forms--for free. Tax Aide sites are available at approximately 32 sites in Utah, though the program is nationwide and serves people in every state. There is no age or income limit, but the program primarily serves people over 60 of low-to-moderate incomes. All volunteers are trained and many have accounting or finance backgrounds. Congratulations to State Coordinator Jack Dahl and his many volunteers of the state for serving Utahns well and providing a much needed service.

Utah taxpayers and our representatives in the legislature are debating whether or not we should accept federal assistance (our tax dollars) to provide Medicaid coverage to our uninsured. What should we expect to happen if those previously uninsured Utahans gain access to health care through Medicaid?