You can buy AARP health insurance at 62, but not all AARP plans are open to you yet
AARP offers health insurance products starting at age 50, so you can join at 62. However, the most well-known AARP plan — the one tied to Medicare — does not open until you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare itself. At 62, you can purchase AARP supplemental insurance (called Medigap) only if you are already on Medicare, which you are not yet. What you can buy now are AARP health plans sold through private insurers, or you can wait until 65 when Medicare and AARP's full range of plans become available.
The confusion happens because "AARP health insurance" means different things depending on your age. Before 65, AARP partners with private insurance companies to offer coverage. At 65 and beyond, AARP administers Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans. Understanding which products exist at your age saves you from looking for plans that do not yet exist.
Key Takeaways
- AARP membership begins at 50, and you can buy AARP-branded health plans through private insurers starting at that age.
- AARP Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Medicare Advantage plans are only available once you enroll in Medicare at 65.
- Before 65, your main health insurance options are employer coverage, the ACA marketplace, or AARP plans sold by private carriers like UnitedHealthcare.
- At 62, you should check whether you still have access to employer coverage or whether the ACA marketplace offers plans at a lower cost than private AARP products.
What AARP health plans are available to you at 62
At 62, AARP offers health insurance through partnerships with private insurers. The largest is UnitedHealthcare, which sells AARP-branded plans in most states. These are standard health insurance plans — they cover doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and preventive care — and they work the same way any private plan does. You pay a monthly premium, meet a deductible, and then the plan shares costs with you through copays and coinsurance.
AARP also partners with other insurers in some states, so the plans and prices available to you depend on where you live. You can see what AARP plans are sold in your state by visiting the AARP health insurance page or calling AARP directly at 1-888-687-2277. They will tell you which carriers offer plans and what the monthly cost is for your age and location.
These plans are not subsidized by AARP or the government. You pay the full premium yourself. If you have a low income, you may find lower-cost plans on the ACA marketplace (Healthcare.gov), which offers tax credits that can reduce your monthly payment. It is worth comparing both before you decide.
Why you cannot buy AARP Medicare plans yet
AARP's most recognizable products are Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans and Medicare Advantage plans. These exist only for people enrolled in Medicare, which you cannot join until age 65 (with rare exceptions for disability). Because you are 62, these plans are not open to you, and no AARP representative can sell them to you before you turn 65.
This is a federal rule, not an AARP rule. Medicare itself does not begin until 65, so there is nothing to supplement or replace yet. Once you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B, AARP's full catalog of Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans becomes available to you. Many people wait until then to switch to AARP coverage because the plans are often cheaper and more widely available than private plans for that age group.
Comparing AARP plans to other options at 62
Before you buy an AARP plan at 62, check what else is available to you. If you still have access to employer health insurance through your job or a spouse's job, that is usually the cheapest option. Employer plans typically have lower premiums and better coverage than individual plans you buy on your own.
If you do not have employer coverage, compare the AARP plan price to plans on the ACA marketplace. Go to Healthcare.gov, enter your income and household size, and see what plans are offered in your area. If your income is below a certain threshold (which varies by state), you may receive a tax credit that makes a marketplace plan much cheaper than an AARP plan. You can also see whether you might be on track for Medicaid, which is free or very low-cost in most states.
The AARP plan may still be the right choice — it depends on the premium, the deductible, and which doctors are in the network. But you should see all three options (employer, ACA marketplace, AARP) before you decide.
What happens when you turn 65
At 65, you become may be able to access for Medicare, and your options change completely. You will need to enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (doctor and outpatient care). You can do this online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or in person at your local Social Security office.
Once you are on Medicare, you can then choose an AARP Medicare Supplement plan (which covers costs that Medicare does not pay) or an AARP Medicare Advantage plan (which replaces Original Medicare and is run by a private insurer). Many people find these plans more affordable than the private AARP plans they were buying before 65. You will also have a window of time — called the Initial Enrollment Period — when you can switch plans without penalty, so do not feel locked in to whatever you chose at 62.
How to find AARP health plans in your state
To see what AARP plans are sold where you live, visit AARP.com/health or call 1-888-687-2277. You will need to enter your age, state, and zip code. The website will show you which carriers offer AARP plans in your area, what the monthly premium is, and what the deductible and out-of-pocket limits are.
You can also get a quote without committing to anything. AARP will ask for your email and phone number, but you are not signing up — you are just seeing what the plan would cost. Take your time comparing plans, and do not feel rushed. If you decide to buy, you can do so online or by phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be an AARP member to buy AARP health insurance at 62?
Yes. AARP membership costs $16 per year and begins at age 50. If you are not already a member, you will need to join before you can purchase an AARP health plan. You can join online at AARP.com or by calling 1-888-687-2277.
Will an AARP plan at 62 cover me until I turn 65?
Yes. If you buy an AARP plan at 62, it will continue to cover you through age 64. When you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare, you will switch to an AARP Medicare plan (if you choose AARP). Your coverage will not have a gap as long as you enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, which is the three months before, the month of, and the three months after your 65th birthday.
Can I switch from an AARP plan to Medicare when I turn 65?
Yes. At 65, you will enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B. You can then choose an AARP Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan, or switch to a different carrier entirely. You have a window of time to make this change without penalty, so you are not locked into AARP.
Is AARP health insurance cheaper than the ACA marketplace at 62?
It depends on your income and where you live. If your income is low enough to may have access to for ACA tax credits, a marketplace plan may be much cheaper. If your income is higher, an AARP plan may cost less. The only way to know is to get quotes from both and compare the monthly premium, deductible, and out-of-pocket maximum.
What if I do not want to buy health insurance until I turn 65?
You can go without coverage between 62 and 65, but this carries risk. If you get sick or injured, you will pay all medical costs out of pocket. You may also face a penalty when you enroll in Medicare if you did not have coverage during this time. It is usually safer to buy some form of coverage, even if it is a low-cost marketplace plan.