Organizations
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
Phone: (501) 664-1444 (information center in Little Rock)
Web site: www.aarp.org
The AARP is active in Arkansas, with 13 chapters in Little Rock and North Little Rock and 89 located around the rest of the state, serving persons age 50 and older. The information center in Little Rock has contact numbers for all these, plus lots of other helpful information, including tax preparation assistance from Feb. 1 - April 15 each year, listings of helpful state agencies, guides to insurance and employment listings. They can also issue temporary AARP membership cards.
Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC)
Phone: (800) 272-5528, ext. 3; open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
The Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care is a nonprofit corporation working with physicians, hospitals and other health care providers to improve delivery, quality and cost-effectiveness for Medicare beneficiaries. AFMC also provides information for patients on Medicare rights and sponsors seminars on health-related topics.
Arkansas Seniors Organized for Progress (ASOP)
Phone: (800) 550-1401 or (501) 661-1401 (Little Rock)
Chartered in 1986, this grassroots organization trains senior Arkansans to have a greater voice in public policy issues affecting their lives. ASOP works closely with other agencies advocating senior issues and is funded by public and private grants; in 1999, ASOP received a federal grant to conduct a campaign against Medicare fraud, waste and abuse.