AARP does not sell health insurance directly to people under 65, but membership includes discounts on supplemental coverage and information about where to look

AARP itself does not offer or underwrite health insurance plans. What AARP does is partner with insurance companies — UnitedHealthcare is the main one — to offer supplemental and standalone plans to members who already have primary coverage. For people under 65, this means AARP membership can help you find discounts on dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug plans, but you will need to get your main health coverage elsewhere.

If you are under 65 and uninsured or looking to change plans, your options come from the Health Insurance Marketplace (healthcare.gov), your employer, Medicaid (if you meet income limits), or private insurers. AARP membership can point you toward those resources and sometimes offer small discounts on supplemental coverage once you have primary insurance in place.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP does not sell major medical health insurance to anyone under 65; it partners with other insurers to offer supplemental plans only.
  • People under 65 without employer coverage should look first at the Health Insurance Marketplace at healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596.
  • AARP membership can provide discounts on dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug plans once you have primary coverage.
  • If your income is low enough, Medicaid may cover your primary health needs and is free or very low cost; check your state's rules at medicaid.gov.

Where to find primary health coverage if you are under 65

Your first step depends on your work situation. If your employer offers health insurance, that is usually the cheapest option because the employer pays part of the premium. If you do not have employer coverage, the Health Insurance Marketplace is the main place to shop. You can enroll year-round if you have a may have access to life event — losing a job, moving, getting married, having a baby — but open enrollment (usually November through January) is when anyone can sign up.

To see plans and prices on the Marketplace, go to healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. You will enter your income and household size, and the site will show you what plans cost after any tax credits you may receive. Many people under 65 with modest incomes pay less than they expect because of these credits. You can also find out whether you may have access to for Medicaid, which is free or very low cost and covers doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescriptions.

What AARP membership offers people under 65

AARP membership costs $16 per year and includes access to discounts on supplemental coverage — the kind of insurance that covers what your main plan does not. The most common are dental plans (covering cleanings, fillings, and sometimes major work), vision plans (eye exams and glasses or contacts), and hearing plans (exams and hearing aids). These are not major medical insurance; they sit on top of your primary coverage.

AARP also partners with pharmacies and prescription drug programs to offer discounts to members. If you are on a Marketplace plan or Medicaid, your prescription drug coverage is already included, but AARP discounts can sometimes lower your out-of-pocket cost at the pharmacy. You can check whether a discount will help by comparing your plan's price to AARP's price before you sign up.

Medicaid for people under 65 with low income

If your income is below a certain level — which varies by state — you may be covered by Medicaid at no cost or very low cost. Medicaid covers doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency care, prescriptions, and preventive services. Unlike the Marketplace, Medicaid has no open enrollment period; you can explore any time of year.

To find out whether you may have access to and how the process works in your state, go to medicaid.gov or call your state's Medicaid office. You can also explore through healthcare.gov at the same time you shop for Marketplace plans; the site will tell you if Medicaid is an option for you. If you are approved for Medicaid, you do not need a Marketplace plan.

AARP supplemental plans: what they cover and what they cost

AARP's dental plans typically cover preventive care (cleanings and X-rays) at no cost after you meet a deductible, and then pay a percentage of the cost of fillings, root canals, and crowns. Vision plans usually cover an eye exam and a set amount toward glasses or contacts each year. Hearing plans cover exams and often provide a discount on hearing aids, which can be several hundred dollars.

Costs vary by plan and your age. A dental plan might run $10 to $30 per month; vision plans are often $10 to $20 per month. Hearing plans are usually more expensive because hearing aids are costly. You can see exact prices and what each plan covers by visiting aarp.org or calling AARP at 1-888-687-2277. These plans are sold by partner insurers, not by AARP itself, so the insurer handles claims and customer service.

How AARP membership works with employer coverage

If you have health insurance through your job, you do not need AARP to provide it. But AARP membership can still be useful: you can add supplemental dental, vision, or hearing coverage through AARP's partners if your employer plan does not include those. Some employers offer these as add-ons; if yours does not, AARP's plans are one place to look.

AARP also offers discounts on other services — gym memberships, car rentals, hotels — that are not health-related but can save money on everyday costs. The $16 annual membership fee is often recovered quickly if you use even one or two discounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join AARP before I turn 50?

No. AARP membership is open only to people 50 and older. If you are under 50 and looking for health insurance, use healthcare.gov to shop the Marketplace or check whether you may have access to for Medicaid through your state.

Does AARP sell Medicare Advantage or Medigap plans?

AARP partners with UnitedHealthcare to sell Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans, but only to people 65 and older who are enrolled in Medicare. If you are under 65, these plans are not available to you.

If I buy an AARP dental plan, does it count as health insurance?

No. Supplemental plans like dental, vision, and hearing are not major medical insurance and do not count toward the health coverage requirement. You still need primary health insurance through your employer, the Marketplace, or Medicaid.

What happens to my AARP coverage if I turn 65?

When you turn 65 and become may be able to access for Medicare, your AARP supplemental plans end. At that point, you can enroll in Medicare and then add a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan through AARP if you wish. AARP will contact you before your 65th birthday with information about your options.

Can I use AARP discounts on prescriptions with my Marketplace plan?

Your Marketplace plan includes prescription drug coverage, so you should use that first. AARP prescription discounts may be worth checking if your plan's copay is high, but compare the prices before you decide which to use.