AARP Supplemental Insurance Explained

AARP supplemental insurance is coverage sold through AARP that fills gaps left by Medicare. It pays toward costs that Medicare does not cover — copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles — so you pay less out of pocket when you see a doctor or go to the hospital. AARP does not run Medicare itself; it partners with insurance companies like UnitedHealthcare to sell these policies to people age 50 and older.

The most common type is called a Medigap policy (or Medicare supplement). It works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and covers the gaps Medicare leaves behind. A different product, Medicare Advantage, replaces Original Medicare entirely and is sold by many insurers, including some AARP-branded plans. This article focuses on Medigap, since that is what most people mean when they say "AARP supplemental insurance."

When you use a Medigap policy, you keep your Medicare card and your doctor stays the same. You pay a monthly premium to AARP's insurance partner, and the policy pays its share of covered costs. You are not choosing between AARP and Medicare — you are adding AARP coverage on top of Medicare.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP Medigap policies cover copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that Original Medicare does not pay, reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
  • You must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B before you can buy a Medigap policy, and you can only enroll during specific windows without penalty.
  • Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government into lettered plans (A through N), so the same plan letter covers the same benefits no matter which insurer sells it.
  • AARP Medigap premiums vary by age, location, and which plan letter you choose, and rates can increase over time.
  • You can switch Medigap policies or insurers, but doing so outside of open enrollment may require medical underwriting and could result in denial.

How AARP Medigap Plans Are Structured

The federal government defines ten standardized Medigap plans, labeled A through N. Each letter represents a fixed set of benefits. Plan A covers the basics; Plan G covers more; Plan N covers most but has some copayments. Because the plans are standardized, a Plan G from AARP covers exactly the same benefits as a Plan G from any other insurer — the only difference is the monthly premium and customer service.

This standardization matters because it means you can compare prices across insurers without worrying that a cheaper plan is skimpy. You are comparing the same thing. AARP tends to be competitive on price for people in their 60s and 70s, but not always the cheapest for people just turning 65 or for people over 80.

Each plan covers a different combination of Medicare's gaps. Most cover the Part B deductible (the amount you pay before Medicare starts paying), coinsurance for hospital stays, and copayments for doctor visits. Some cover skilled nursing facility coinsurance; some cover foreign travel emergencies. Plan documents spell out exactly what each plan pays and what you still owe.

When You Can Enroll and What It Costs

You can enroll in a Medigap policy during your Medigap open enrollment period, which runs for six months starting the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, AARP and other insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge you more based on your health history — a protection called may provide issue. If you miss this window, you can still explore, but the insurer can refuse you or charge you more if you have a pre-existing condition.

Monthly premiums for AARP Medigap policies vary by your age, your state, and which plan letter you choose. A Plan A might cost $100 to $150 per month for someone age 65; a Plan G might cost $150 to $250. These are rough ranges — your actual premium depends on where you live and AARP's rates in your state that year. AARP publishes a rate chart on its website that shows what you would pay in your zip code.

Premiums can increase over time. Some AARP policies use age-rated pricing, meaning your premium goes up as you get older. Others use community-rated pricing, where everyone in your state pays the same regardless of age. A few use issue-age-rated pricing, where your rate is locked to your age when you enroll and does not rise with age, but can rise for everyone in your cohort. AARP's website shows which rating method applies to each plan in your state.

What AARP Medigap Does and Does Not Cover

Medigap covers the cost-sharing that comes with Original Medicare — the deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance that Medicare itself does not pay. If Medicare covers a service, Medigap can help pay your share. If Medicare does not cover a service at all, Medigap will not cover it either. For example, Medicare does not cover routine dental, hearing aids, or eyeglasses, so Medigap does not either.

Medigap also does not cover prescription drugs. You need a separate Part D prescription drug plan for that, sold by many insurers including some AARP partners. You can enroll in Part D at the same time you enroll in Medigap, or later, though waiting can result in a penalty.

Some AARP Medigap plans cover emergency care while traveling outside the United States, up to a certain dollar limit. Most do not. Check your plan documents to see whether foreign travel is included.

AARP Medigap Versus Medicare Advantage

AARP also sells Medicare Advantage plans, which are different from Medigap. With Medicare Advantage, you do not use Original Medicare at all. Instead, a private insurer (often an AARP partner) becomes your Medicare plan. You get a different insurance card, you may have a network of doctors, and you usually pay lower premiums than Medigap. However, you may face higher copayments when you use care, and you need prior approval for some services.

Medigap is simpler if you want to see any doctor who accepts Medicare without asking permission first. Medicare Advantage is often cheaper if you are healthy and do not mind a network. The choice depends on your health, your doctors, and what you value — flexibility or lower premiums.

You cannot have both Medigap and Medicare Advantage at the same time. You must choose one or the other. If you have Medigap and want to switch to Medicare Advantage, you can do so during the annual Medicare open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7). If you have Medicare Advantage and want to switch to Medigap, you can do so anytime, but you may face medical underwriting if you are outside your open enrollment window.

How to Compare AARP Medigap Policies

Start by deciding which plan letter makes sense for your situation. If you want the lowest premium, Plan A is cheapest. If you want the most coverage, Plan G or Plan N covers the most gaps. Many people choose Plan G because it covers the Part B deductible, which can save money if you see many doctors.

Once you have chosen a plan letter, compare premiums across insurers. AARP's website shows rates for AARP plans in your zip code. You can also get quotes from other insurers like Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare through Medicare.gov or by calling each company directly. Because the benefits are identical across insurers for the same plan letter, the lowest premium is usually the best deal — unless you have a strong preference for AARP's customer service or you already have other AARP products.

Check whether AARP offers the plan letter you want in your state. Not all insurers sell all plan letters in all states. If AARP does not offer Plan G in your state, you will need to look elsewhere.

Switching AARP Medigap Policies

You can switch from one AARP Medigap plan to another, or from AARP to a different insurer, but timing matters. If you switch during your Medigap open enrollment period (the six months after you turn 65 and enroll in Part B), the new insurer must cover you without medical underwriting. If you switch outside that window, the new insurer can ask health questions and may deny you or charge you more.

Some states have additional protections. A few allow you to switch Medigap plans once per year without medical underwriting, even outside open enrollment. Check your state's insurance commissioner's office to see whether this applies to you.

If you want to switch, contact the new insurer directly. They will walk you through the process and tell you when coverage starts. Your old policy will end on the date your new one begins. There is no gap in coverage if you time it right.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to buy AARP Medigap, or can I choose a different insurer?

You can choose any Medigap insurer, not just AARP. Because the plans are standardized, the same plan letter from any company covers the same benefits. Compare premiums across insurers to find the best price for the plan you want. AARP is one option among many.

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

Your policy may not be valid in your new state, because Medigap policies are state-specific. Contact AARP to ask whether your plan is available where you are moving. If not, you will need to enroll in a new policy in your new state. Moving is one of the few situations that may allow you to switch outside open enrollment without medical underwriting.

Can I have AARP Medigap and Part D at the same time?

Yes. Medigap covers cost-sharing for medical services; Part D covers prescription drugs. They work together. You can enroll in both, and many people do. Enroll in Part D by December 7 of the year you turn 65 to avoid a late-enrollment penalty.

What if I cannot afford the AARP Medigap premium?

Some states offer programs that help low-income people pay Medigap premiums. Contact your state's Medicaid office or your State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP) to ask whether you are may be able to access. You can also compare plans to find a cheaper option, or consider Medicare Advantage if premiums are your main concern.

Can AARP deny me coverage for a pre-existing condition?

Not during your open enrollment period. For six months after you turn 65 and enroll in Part B, AARP must cover you regardless of health history. Outside that window, AARP can deny you or charge more based on health. If you are denied, ask AARP for the reason in writing and contact your state insurance commissioner's office.