AARP History

• AARP was founded in 1958 out of an organization for retired teachers. The organization had been created to provide affordable health insurance to retired teachers, as well as other benefits, and eventually it became a national organization for anyone over the age of 50.
  
  

Insurance

• At the time of its founding, private health care was virtually impossible to get for older Americans. Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, a retired high school principal and founder of AARP, inquired with many insurance companies until she found one that was willing to take a risk to insure older people. Today, members with Medicare Part D can qualify for additional insurance coverage with AARP's insurance underwriters.
  
  

Diabetes Coverage

• AARP offers an insurance program called "Medicare Complete" through Secure Horizons, which does offer coverage for patients with pre-existing conditions. Some programs have no limits on pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, and require no physical exams to qualify. The program can be free for some members. Check out the Resource link for Medicare Complete for program information, rates and registration.