A.M. Best financial strength rating: A | BBB rating: A+ | Consumer Affairs rating: 4 |
Quick AARP Medicare Supplement plans review: AARP offers a wide selection of Medicare Supplement Insurance plans (also called Medigap) that are underwritten by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, the nation’s largest health insurance and Medigap provider.
Formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons, AARP has advocated for adults aged 50 and older since 1958. In addition to offering discounts and reward programs for seniors and retirees, it licenses its name to the UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company. With more than 4 million beneficiaries, UnitedHealthcare (based in Hartford, Connecticut) is the nation’s leading Medicare Supplement Insurance plan provider, with millions of insured members nationwide. The company underwrites AARP Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Part D prescription drug benefits.
Read on to learn more about AARP’s most popular Medicare Supplement Insurance plans.
Pros and Cons of AARP Medicare Supplement Plans
What we like about AARP Medigap plans: | The drawbacks of AARP Medigap plans: |
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What Do AARP Medicare Supplement Plans Cover?
Also called as Medigap, AARP Medigap plans work with Original Medicare Parts A and B. They help beneficiaries reduce their out-of-pocket costs by lowering or eliminating copays, coinsurance payments, and deductibles. They can even cover expenses such as mental health visits, dental, vision, hearing, emergency room visits, or even care at a skilled nursing facility. Coverage is valid at Medicare-participating doctors and hospitals across the United States even when traveling (though many do not cover foreign travel emergencies), and plans are guaranteed to be renewable as long as you continue to pay your monthly premiums. Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are also compatible with Medicare Part D plans that can lower your prescription drug costs.
Once you are an AARP Medigap plan member, you will be issued an AARP member ID card which can be used when receiving medical services. The following services and discounts are also included:
- Gym membership
- 24/7 nurse line
- Hearing discount through HearUSA providers
- Vision discount through EyeMed
- Dental discount through Dentegra
- AARP Staying Sharp brain health program
- AARP Smart Driver Course
AARP Medigap plan members get services and discounts such as a 24/7 nurse line, and gym membership.
AARP Medicare Supplement Plan Options
There are 10 universal Medigap policies known as plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N, including standardized benefits and copay reductions. Plans C and F are only available to existing Medicare enrollees who became eligible for Original Medicare before 2020. New beneficiaries can sign up for a Medigap plan without restrictions during their seven-month Initial Enrollment Period. Otherwise, insurers can base eligibility on your medical history. AARP Health Insurance offers six to eight Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in most geographic areas.
Regardless of which plan you choose, you’re responsible for paying your $226 Part B deductible (in 2023) for medical services and diagnostics. Medigap policies can reduce or eliminate your Part A hospital deductible, which can save you up to $1,600 per benefit period. Some plans may pick up excess charges beyond Medicare-approved amounts, and they can limit your out-of-pocket expenses.
Learn more about some of the AARP Medigap plans that may be available in your area:
Plan name | Monthly premium† | Medicare Part A hospital deductible | Medicare Part B medical deductible | Member responsibility for excess charges | Out-of-pocket cost maximum |
Plan A | Starting at $85.78 | $1,600 | $226 | All costs | N/A |
Plan B | Starting at $115.56 | $0 | $226 | All costs | N/A |
Plan G | Starting at $118.55 | $0 | $226 | $0 | $226 |
Plan K | Starting at $39.18 | $800 (50%) | $226 | All costs | $6,940‡ |
Plan L | Starting at $76.09 | $400 (25%) | $226 | All costs | $3,110‡ |
Plan N | Starting at $102.31 | $0 | $226 | All costs | N/A |
*Based on pricing in Denver
†Rates are based on medical eligibility
ǂExcess charges don’t count toward your out-of-pocket cost maximum
AARP Medicare Supplement Plans Reviews and Ratings
AARP Medigap plans offer good value according to customers. Plans typically offer affordable coverage with broad limits. Members appreciate the organization’s responsive customer service team, which received excellent ratings in the Gongos 2019 Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan Satisfaction Posted Questionnaire.
Trusted ratings and reviews can help you understand how an insurer’s plans stack up against the competition. See how A.M. Best, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and more rate AARP Medigap plans.
A.M. Best financial strength rating: A | A.M. Best is a credit rating agency that specializes in the insurance industry.
An A rating in this category indicates that A.M. Best believes AARP MedigapAARP Medicare Supplement Insurance company has an excellent ability to meet its ongoing health insurance obligations. |
BBB rating: A+ | AARP has an A+ rating from the BBB with 51 complaints handled in the last 12 months and 215 complaints closed over the past three years. |
Consumer Affairs rating: 3.9 | According to Consumer Affairs, AARP Health Insurance has a rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars based on 101 customer reviews. Customers appreciate the easy enrollment process despite occasional billing issues and say the plans are a good value. |
For more information or to sign up for a Medigap plan, call UnitedHealthcare at 1-866-941-1542 (TTY 711 toll free). Their customer service department will help you find an AARP Medigap plan that works for you, based on your current ZIP code. You can also submit your information to the AARP® Medicare Supplement website, who will send you insurance plan and rate information for AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans from UnitedHealthcare in the mail, along with a free decision guide.
You can also talk to a licensed insurance agent who can help guide you to the best Medicare supplement plan for your area and health needs.
Learn More From Our Sources
- AARP | Our History | Last accessed October 2024
- AARP Medicare Plans | Medicare Supplement Plans | Last accessed October 2024
- AARP | Medicare Supplement Services and Discounts for Members | Last accessed October 2024
- AARP Medicare Supplement | Plan Comparison | Last accessed October 2024
- BBB | AARP Health Insurance | Last accessed October 2024
- Consumer Affairs | AARP Health | Last accessed October 2024
- Medicare | How to Compare Medigap Policies | Last accessed October 2024
- Medicare | What’s Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)? | Last accessed October 2024
- Medicare | Parts A and B Sign Up Periods | Last accessed October 2024
- National Committee for Quality Assurance | AARP | Last accessed October 2024