AARP health insurance costs vary by plan type, your age, location, and the coverage you choose

AARP does not sell health insurance directly. Instead, AARP partners with insurance companies to offer plans under the AARP brand. The most common are Medicare Advantage and Medigap policies for people 50 and older. Costs depend entirely on which plan you pick, which insurer offers it in your area, and your age and health history. A Medigap plan in one state might cost $100 a month; the same plan type in another state might cost $200. There is no single "AARP health insurance cost" — you have to look at specific plans available to you.

The only way to know what you will actually pay is to enter your zip code and birth date into a plan comparison tool. Medicare.gov and AARP.org both have free tools that show exact prices for plans in your area. Prices change every year on January 1, so what you paid last year may not be what you pay this year.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP-branded plans are sold by private insurers, not by AARP itself, so prices vary by location, plan type, and your age.
  • Medicare Advantage plans typically have low or zero monthly premiums but charge copays and coinsurance when you use care.
  • Medigap plans have a monthly premium but cover most out-of-pocket costs Medicare leaves behind.
  • You can compare actual prices for plans in your area only by entering your zip code and birth date into the Medicare.gov plan finder or an AARP plan comparison tool.
  • Costs can change each year, and new plans may become available in your area, so you should shop during the annual open enrollment period.

Medicare Advantage plans under the AARP brand

AARP Medicare Advantage plans are sold by UnitedHealthcare and Humana. These plans replace Original Medicare and typically charge little or no monthly premium — sometimes zero dollars. However, you pay when you use care: a copay for a doctor visit, coinsurance for hospital stays, and a deductible before coverage kicks in. Some plans charge $0 to $50 per month; others charge $100 or more. The trade-off is that you use only doctors and hospitals in the plan's network, and you need approval before certain procedures.

A Medicare Advantage plan might sound cheap because the premium is low, but your total cost depends on how much medical care you actually use. If you see doctors frequently or take many medications, your copays and coinsurance add up fast. If you are generally healthy and rarely need care, a low-premium plan can save you money compared to Medigap. Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D), so you do not pay extra for that benefit.

Medigap plans under the AARP brand

AARP Medigap plans are sold by UnitedHealthcare. These plans work alongside Original Medicare and cover costs that Medicare does not — copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. Medigap premiums are higher than Medicare Advantage premiums, often $100 to $300 per month depending on the plan letter (Plan G, Plan N, Plan F, and so on) and your age and location. Older applicants pay more. Someone turning 65 in Florida might pay $120 a month for Plan G; someone turning 75 in New York might pay $280 for the same plan.

With Medigap, you pay the monthly premium, but then you can see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. There are no copays for most services once you have paid your deductible. This predictability appeals to people who want to know their costs in advance and who see doctors regularly. You will need to buy a separate prescription drug plan (Part D) if you take medications, which adds another $10 to $100 per month depending on your drugs.

How age affects what you pay

Insurance companies use your age to set Medigap premiums. The older you are when you enroll, the higher your monthly cost. This is called age-rated pricing. Someone who enrolls in a Medigap plan at 65 pays less per month than someone who enrolls at 75, even if they buy the same plan from the same company. This difference can be substantial — sometimes $50 to $100 more per month for each decade of age.

Medicare Advantage plans also consider age, but the effect is usually smaller because premiums are already low. The real cost difference in Medicare Advantage comes from how much care you use, not your age. Timing matters: if you enroll in Medigap within six months of turning 65 and signing up for Medicare Part B, you have a may provide issue right. This means the insurer cannot turn you down or charge you more because of health problems. If you wait longer, the insurer can deny you or charge extra based on your medical history.

Where to find actual prices for your situation

The only way to know what AARP plans cost in your area is to enter your information into a plan comparison tool. Medicare.gov has an official plan finder: go to Medicare.gov, click "Find Care Providers & Compare Plans," and enter your zip code and birth date. The tool shows all Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans available to you, with exact monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

AARP also has its own plan comparison tool on AARP.org. Both tools are free and do not require you to enroll. You can compare plans side by side, see which doctors are in-network, and check drug coverage if you take prescription medications. Prices change every year on January 1, so check during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) if you want to switch plans. Many people find that a plan that was cheapest last year is no longer the best deal this year.

What affects your total out-of-pocket cost

Your actual spending depends on several things beyond the monthly premium. With Medicare Advantage, you pay copays for doctor visits (often $20 to $50), coinsurance for hospital stays (often 20% of the cost), and a yearly out-of-pocket maximum (the most you will pay in a year, typically $5,000 to $7,000). Once you hit that maximum, the plan covers everything else. Some plans have lower copays but higher out-of-pocket maximums; others do the opposite.

With Medigap, you pay the monthly premium plus a deductible (usually $100 to $300 per year), but then the plan covers most or all of your remaining costs. Plan G and Plan N have slightly lower premiums than Plan F but require you to pay a small copay for some services. The trade-off is that you know your costs upfront — there are no surprise bills if you need expensive care.

How to lower your costs

If you are price-sensitive, compare plans every year during open enrollment. A plan that was cheapest last year might not be this year. Some people find that switching from Medigap to Medicare Advantage (or vice versa) saves money, but the switch depends on your health, your doctors, and which plans are available in your area.

If your income is low, you may be able to get help paying premiums through Medicare Savings Programs or Extra Help with drug costs. These are run by your state, not by AARP or Medicare. Contact your state Medicaid office or call 1-800-MEDICARE to ask whether you may have access to. You can also reduce costs by choosing a plan with a higher deductible or copay if you do not expect to use much care. Some people choose a Medicare Advantage plan with a $0 premium and accept higher copays because they rarely see doctors. Others choose Medigap because they see doctors often and want predictable costs. There is no right answer — it depends on your health and your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch AARP plans if I do not like the cost?

Yes, but only during open enrollment (October 15 to December 7 each year) or if you have a may have access to life event like moving to a new state or losing other coverage. Outside those windows, you are locked into your plan until the next open enrollment. If you enrolled in a Medigap plan and want to switch to a different Medigap plan, you may face medical underwriting and higher premiums if you wait too long.

Do AARP plans cost more than non-AARP plans?

Not necessarily. AARP-branded plans are sold by the same insurers (UnitedHealthcare and Humana) that sell non-AARP plans. The price depends on the specific plan and your location, not the AARP name. You should compare AARP plans against all other plans available to you in your area using the Medicare.gov plan finder.

What if I cannot afford the monthly premium?

If your income is below 200% of the federal poverty level, you may be able to get help through your state's Medicare Savings Program. This program pays part or all of your Medicare premiums. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or contact your state Medicaid office to ask if you may have access to.

Do prescription drugs cost extra with AARP Medicare Advantage?

No, prescription drug coverage (Part D) is included in AARP Medicare Advantage plans. The cost of your drugs depends on which plan you choose and which drugs you take. With Medigap, you must buy a separate Part D plan, which costs extra.

Can I enroll in an AARP plan anytime, or only during open enrollment?

You can enroll during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) or if you have a may have access to event like turning 65, losing employer coverage, or moving to a new state. Outside these windows, you cannot enroll in a new plan unless you meet specific conditions. If you miss your initial enrollment window when you first turn 65, you may face a permanent penalty.