What AARP Medigap Plans Are

AARP Medigap plans are supplemental insurance policies sold by UnitedHealthcare on behalf of AARP. They work alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to cover costs that Medicare does not pay — copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. AARP does not run the insurance company; UnitedHealthcare does. AARP's role is to negotiate rates for members and handle marketing.

Medigap is standardized by the federal government, which means Plan G from AARP covers the same things as Plan G from any other insurer. The difference is price and customer service. You pay a monthly premium to UnitedHealthcare, and the plan pays its share of covered costs when you use Medicare-covered services.

You must have Original Medicare (not Medicare Advantage) to buy a Medigap plan. You cannot use Medigap alongside a Medicare Advantage plan — you have to choose one or the other.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP Medigap plans are sold by UnitedHealthcare and cover Medicare copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that Original Medicare leaves unpaid.
  • The federal government standardizes Medigap plans (Plans A through N), so coverage is identical across insurers; only price and service differ.
  • You must have Original Medicare to buy Medigap; you cannot combine it with Medicare Advantage.
  • The best time to buy is within six months of turning 65 or enrolling in Medicare Part B, when you have may provide issue rights and cannot be denied or charged more for pre-existing conditions.
  • Premiums vary by age, location, and plan type, and they increase as you get older under most pricing methods.

The Standardized Medigap Plans and What Each Covers

The federal government defines ten Medigap plans: A, B, D, G, K, L, M, and N. (Plans C and F were discontinued for new enrollees in 2020.) Each plan has a letter, and that letter means the same thing no matter which company sells it. Plan G from AARP covers exactly what Plan G from Cigna or Humana covers.

Plan G is the most popular choice for new enrollees because it covers nearly everything Original Medicare does not — copayments for doctor visits, hospital stays, skilled nursing, and blood transfusions. It does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible (currently $240 per year), which you pay once annually before Medigap kicks in.

Plan N is less expensive than Plan G but requires you to pay small copayments at the doctor's office (usually $20) and for emergency room visits ($50, waived if admitted). Plan A is the cheapest but covers fewer costs. Plans K and L have annual out-of-pocket limits, meaning you pay a percentage of costs until you hit a cap, then the plan pays everything.

You can compare what each plan covers using the official Medicare Medigap comparison chart at Medicare.gov. AARP's website also shows which plans it offers in your state.

When You Can Buy and Lock in Your Rate

The best time to buy AARP Medigap is within six months of turning 65 or enrolling in Medicare Part B. During this window, you have may provide issue rights, which means UnitedHealthcare must sell you any plan you want at the standard rate for your age and location. They cannot deny you, charge you more, or exclude pre-existing conditions.

If you miss this window, you can still buy later, but UnitedHealthcare can refuse to sell you a plan, charge you a higher premium, or exclude certain conditions. Some states have additional protections, but they vary. Waiting past the six-month window is expensive and risky.

Once you buy a plan, your rate is locked in at your age at the time of purchase. As you age, your premium will increase — how much depends on the pricing method AARP uses in your state. Most states use "attained age" pricing, where your premium rises each year as you get older. A few use "issue age" pricing, where your premium is based on your age when you first bought the plan and increases less steeply.

How Much AARP Medigap Plans Cost

Premiums vary by state, plan type, and your age. There is no single price. In some states, Plan G costs $100 to $150 per month; in others, it costs $200 or more. Plan A is usually $50 to $100 per month cheaper than Plan G. Your location, age, and tobacco use also affect the price.

AARP publishes a rate chart for your state on its website. You can enter your zip code and birth date to see what plans are available and what the monthly cost is. This is the fastest way to compare AARP's prices to other insurers in your area.

The premium is separate from what you pay to Medicare for Part B ($164.90 per month in 2024, though it varies by income). You pay both: your Medicare Part B premium to Medicare, and your Medigap premium to UnitedHealthcare.

How to Enroll in an AARP Medigap Plan

You can enroll online at AARP's website, by phone at 1-888-687-2277, or by mail. Online is fastest. You will need your Medicare card, Social Security number, and information about any current health insurance.

When you explore, you choose which plan (A, B, D, G, K, L, M, or N) you want. AARP will tell you the monthly premium and the effective date. Coverage usually starts on the first of the month following approval, though this varies.

Once approved, you receive an ID card and a summary of benefits. You use your Medicare card to see doctors and hospitals, and your Medigap ID card when you need the plan to pay its share. You pay your Medigap premium monthly to UnitedHealthcare, usually by automatic bank withdrawal or check.

Switching Plans or Insurers Later

You can switch from one AARP plan to another (for example, from Plan A to Plan G) during the annual open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7. You can also switch to a different insurer's Medigap plan during this window. Outside of open enrollment, switching is difficult and may result in medical underwriting, meaning UnitedHealthcare can deny you or charge more.

If you move to a different state, you may be able to switch plans without underwriting, depending on your state's rules. Contact AARP or your state's insurance commissioner's office to ask.

If you are unhappy with AARP's service or rates, you can compare other insurers' Medigap plans at Medicare.gov or through your state insurance department. Rates and customer service vary, so it is worth checking every few years.

AARP Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative to Original Medicare plus Medigap. It is run by private insurers and usually costs less in monthly premiums, but it has networks, prior authorization requirements, and higher out-of-pocket limits. You cannot have both Medigap and Medicare Advantage at the same time.

AARP also sells Medicare Advantage plans, so you can compare them on the same website. If you choose Medicare Advantage, you must drop your Medigap plan. If you later switch back to Original Medicare, you may lose may provide issue rights and face medical underwriting when buying Medigap again.

The choice depends on your health, your doctors, and your budget. Medigap offers more predictable costs and broader provider choice. Medicare Advantage offers lower premiums but more restrictions. There is no single right answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy AARP Medigap if I already have Medicare Advantage?

No. You must have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to buy Medigap. If you have Medicare Advantage, you must switch back to Original Medicare first during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7), then buy Medigap. Switching back may trigger medical underwriting when you explore for Medigap, so do not wait.

What happens if I miss the six-month window to buy Medigap?

You can still buy, but UnitedHealthcare can refuse to sell you a plan, charge you a higher premium based on your health history, or exclude certain conditions. Some states offer limited protections for people who miss the window due to employer coverage or other circumstances. Contact your state insurance commissioner's office to ask if you may have access to.

Do I need to see AARP doctors or use an AARP network?

No. AARP Medigap plans have no network. You can see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. Your doctor does not need to be part of AARP or UnitedHealthcare. Medigap straightforward pays its share of the Medicare-approved amount.

Can my AARP Medigap premium go down?

Premiums rarely go down. Under attained age pricing (used in most states), your premium increases each year as you age. Under issue age pricing, increases are smaller but still happen. Rates can also change if UnitedHealthcare raises prices for all customers in your state, though this is less common for Medigap than for other insurance types.

What if I move to a different state?

AARP Medigap plans are state-specific. If you move, your current plan ends, and you must buy a new plan in your new state. You may have may provide issue rights during the move, depending on your state's rules. Contact AARP before you move to understand your options and avoid a gap in coverage.