AARP Supplemental Insurance Pays What Medicare Doesn't

Supplemental insurance (also called Medigap) covers the costs Medicare leaves you responsible for — copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. AARP offers these plans through UnitedHealthcare, and they work alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to reduce your out-of-pocket costs when you see a doctor or go to the hospital.

AARP Medigap plans do not replace Medicare. They work with it. You keep your Medicare card and use it at the doctor's office. The supplemental plan then covers some or all of what Medicare does not pay. The amount you pay out of pocket depends on which plan you choose — plans are labeled A through N, and each covers a different combination of costs.

You must have Medicare Part A and Part B to buy an AARP Medigap plan. You cannot use a Medigap plan if you have Medicare Advantage (Part C) instead. If you are on Medicare Advantage and want to switch to Original Medicare with a supplement, you have a limited window to do so without medical underwriting.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP Medigap plans cover copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that Medicare does not pay, reducing what you owe at the doctor or hospital.
  • Plans are labeled A through N, and each covers a different set of costs — comparing them side by side shows exactly what you would pay out of pocket under each one.
  • You must have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to buy AARP supplemental coverage; you cannot use it with Medicare Advantage.
  • Your monthly premium depends on your age, location, and the plan you choose, and AARP rates are not the same as other insurers' rates for the same plan letter.
  • The best time to buy is within six months of turning 65 or first enrolling in Medicare Part B, when you cannot be turned down or charged more for health conditions.

How AARP Medigap Plans Are Structured

All insurance companies that sell Medigap plans must offer the same coverage for each plan letter — a Plan G from AARP covers exactly what a Plan G from Cigna covers. What differs is the monthly premium you pay. AARP's rates may be higher or lower than other insurers depending on your age and where you live.

The most common plans are G, N, and F (though Plan F is no longer sold to people new to Medicare after 2020). Plan G covers most of what Medicare does not, except it leaves you responsible for the Part B deductible (which changes yearly — it was $240 in 2024). Plan N is less expensive but requires you to pay copayments at the doctor's office and urgent care. Plan A is the least expensive but covers fewer costs.

You pay AARP a monthly premium. You also still pay your Medicare Part B premium to Social Security or Medicare. When you go to the doctor, you show both your Medicare card and your AARP Medigap card. Medicare pays its share first, then AARP pays its share based on the plan you chose.

What AARP Supplemental Plans Cover

Medigap plans cover the gaps in Medicare — they do not cover things Medicare does not cover. This means prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing aids, and long-term care are not included in any Medigap plan, no matter which letter you choose.

What they do cover varies by plan. All plans cover the Part A hospital deductible (the amount you owe when you are admitted to the hospital). Most plans cover some or all of the Part B coinsurance (the percentage you owe after Medicare pays its share for doctor visits and outpatient services). Some plans cover the Part B deductible. Some cover skilled nursing facility coinsurance. Some cover foreign travel emergency care.

You can see a detailed comparison of what each plan covers on the Medicare.gov website under "Medigap plans comparison chart." This chart shows exactly which costs each plan letter covers, so you can see what you would owe out of pocket under each option.

Enrollment Periods and When You Can Buy Without Medical Review

The open enrollment period for Medigap is six months long and starts the first day of the month you turn 65 or the month you enroll in Medicare Part B, whichever is later. During this window, AARP and all other Medigap insurers must sell you any plan you want at the standard rate — they cannot turn you down or charge you more because of health conditions.

If you miss this window, you can still buy AARP Medigap coverage, but the company can ask health questions and may deny you or charge you a higher premium based on your medical history. Some states have additional protections that extend the open enrollment period or may provide you can buy certain plans, but these vary by state.

If you are currently on Medicare Advantage and want to switch to Original Medicare with a Medigap plan, you have a one-time window to do so. You must drop your Medicare Advantage plan and enroll in Original Medicare, then buy Medigap within 63 days. During this 63-day window, AARP cannot deny you or charge more for health conditions.

How to Get Information About AARP Medigap Plans

AARP sells Medigap plans through UnitedHealthcare. You can reach AARP's Medigap team at 1-888-687-2277 to ask about plans available in your state, get a quote based on your age and location, or ask questions about coverage. They can also tell you which plans are currently sold in your area — not all plan letters are available everywhere.

You can also compare plans and get quotes on the AARP website at aarp.org/health-insurance. Medicare.gov also has a plan comparison tool where you can see what each plan covers side by side, and you can search for other insurers' rates for the same plan letter in your area to see how AARP's prices compare.

When you call or visit the website, have your Medicare card handy and know your birth date. The representative can tell you what your monthly premium would be and what coverage you would get under each plan AARP offers in your state.

Cost Differences Between AARP and Other Insurers

AARP does not set the price of Medigap plans — each state's insurance commissioner does. What that means is that all insurers selling Plan G in your state must follow the same pricing rules, but they can charge different amounts within those rules. One company's Plan G premium may be $150 a month while another's is $180, even though the coverage is identical.

AARP's rates are competitive in some states and higher in others. The only way to know whether AARP is the best price for you is to get quotes from at least two or three other Medigap insurers in your area and compare. You can do this by calling other companies directly or using the Medicare.gov plan comparison tool, which shows rates from multiple insurers side by side.

Premiums also depend on your age. Some companies use age-based pricing, which means your premium goes up each year on your birthday. Others use community rating, which means everyone in your state pays the same premium regardless of age. AARP uses age-based pricing in most states, so your premium will increase as you get older.

When Medigap May Not Be the Right Choice

If you have limited income, you may be better served by Medicare Savings Programs or Medicaid, which pay some or all of your Medicare costs without requiring you to buy a separate policy. These programs are run by your state and have income limits. You can learn whether you may be may be able to access by calling your state Medicaid office or 211.

If you see many specialists or take many medications, you might want to compare the total cost of a Medigap plan plus Original Medicare against the cost of a Medicare Advantage plan in your area. Medicare Advantage plans often have lower or no monthly premiums but may have higher copayments and require you to use in-network doctors. The right choice depends on your doctors, your medications, and your expected healthcare use.

If you are still working and have health insurance through your employer, you may not need Medigap until you retire. Talk to your employer's benefits office about what happens to your coverage when you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from one AARP Medigap plan to another?

Yes, you can switch between AARP plans at any time, though the company may ask health questions if you are switching to a plan with better coverage. If you are switching to a plan with the same or worse coverage, AARP cannot deny you. You can also switch to a different company's Medigap plan, but again, health questions may explore outside the open enrollment period.

Does AARP Medigap cover prescription drugs?

No. Medigap plans do not cover prescription drugs. If you need drug coverage, you must enroll in Medicare Part D (a separate prescription drug plan) through Medicare or a private insurer. You can enroll in Part D when you first turn 65 or during the annual open enrollment period in October and November.

What happens to my AARP Medigap plan if I move to a different state?

Your coverage ends when you move. You will need to buy a new Medigap plan in your new state. If you move within the six-month open enrollment period from when you first enrolled in Medicare, you may still be protected from health questions. Otherwise, your new state's insurer can ask about your health history.

Can I have both Medicare Advantage and a Medigap plan?

No. You can have either Original Medicare with a Medigap plan, or Medicare Advantage. You cannot have both at the same time. If you want to switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare with Medigap, you have a 63-day window to do so without being denied or charged more for health conditions.

How do I know if AARP's rates are the best available?

Get quotes from at least two other Medigap insurers in your state for the same plan letter and compare the monthly premium. The Medicare.gov plan comparison tool shows rates from multiple companies side by side. Remember that the coverage is the same regardless of which company you choose — you are only comparing price.