AARP does not sell medical insurance itself, but it endorses and markets insurance products from other companies

AARP is a membership organization, not an insurance company. It does not underwrite, issue, or directly provide health insurance. Instead, AARP has agreements with insurance carriers — mostly UnitedHealthcare — to sell policies under the AARP brand. When you buy an "AARP" insurance product, you are actually buying from the insurance company behind it, and that company handles your claims, coverage decisions, and customer service.

This distinction matters because it affects where you send payments, who decides what is covered, and who you contact if something goes wrong. AARP markets the product and may help you compare options, but the insurance company owns the relationship with you.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP markets insurance products from other companies, primarily UnitedHealthcare, but does not issue the policies itself.
  • AARP offers Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and long-term care insurance, each sold through different insurance carriers.
  • AARP membership is not required to buy these insurance products, though AARP members may see different pricing or plan options.
  • The insurance company, not AARP, makes coverage decisions and handles claims, so you deal with them directly for most issues.
  • You can compare AARP-branded plans on the AARP website, but you will need to contact the insurance company to enroll or make changes.

The three types of insurance AARP markets

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance covers costs that Original Medicare does not — copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. AARP partners with UnitedHealthcare to sell these plans. Medigap is sold in standardized plans labeled A through N, and the coverage is the same regardless of which company sells it; the difference is in price and customer service. You must be enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to buy Medigap.

Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to Original Medicare. They are sold by insurance companies under the AARP brand, again mostly through UnitedHealthcare. These plans bundle hospital, medical, and usually prescription drug coverage in one policy. They often include dental, vision, or hearing benefits that Original Medicare does not. You must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan.

Long-term care insurance covers the cost of nursing home care, assisted living, or in-home care if you need help with daily activities. AARP markets these policies through insurance carriers like Transamerica and Mutual of Omaha. Long-term care insurance is not health insurance; it pays for custodial care and support services, not medical treatment.

How AARP membership affects your insurance options

You do not need to be an AARP member to buy AARP-branded insurance. However, AARP membership may affect the plans available to you or the rates you see. Some AARP insurance products are marketed only to members, while others are open to anyone. Membership costs $16 per year and includes access to AARP's website tools for comparing plans.

If you are not an AARP member and want to see all available plans, you can join before shopping, or you can compare plans directly through Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. These sources show all plans in your area, not just AARP-branded ones.

Where the insurance company comes in

Once you enroll in an AARP-branded plan, your relationship is with the insurance company that issued it, not with AARP. You send premium payments to the insurance company. You contact the insurance company's customer service line if you have questions about your coverage or need to file a claim. The insurance company decides whether a service is covered and how much you owe.

AARP can answer questions about how the plans work in general, but it cannot override the insurance company's coverage decisions or change your premium. If you have a dispute about a claim or coverage, you file a complaint with the insurance company first, and if you are not satisfied, you can appeal to your state's insurance commissioner.

How to find and compare AARP insurance plans

Visit aarp.org/health-insurance to see plans available in your ZIP code. You will need to enter your age, whether you are on Medicare, and your location. The site shows plans side by side with monthly premiums, deductibles, and coverage details. You can filter by plan type (Medigap, Medicare Advantage, or long-term care) and by features you want, such as prescription drug coverage or dental benefits.

The AARP website does not enroll you directly. Once you have chosen a plan, you will be directed to the insurance company's website or given a phone number to call to complete enrollment. Some plans can be enrolled in during Medicare's open enrollment periods (October 15 to December 7 each year), while others have different rules. The insurance company will tell you the important date when you contact them.

What AARP insurance does not cover

AARP-branded plans follow the same coverage rules as any other insurance plan sold in the marketplace. Medicare Supplement plans cover only the gaps in Original Medicare; they do not cover services that Medicare itself does not cover, such as dental, vision, or hearing care (unless you buy a separate plan). Medicare Advantage plans may include these benefits, but coverage varies by plan and by year.

Long-term care insurance does not cover medical care, hospital stays, or doctor visits. It pays for help with activities of daily living — bathing, dressing, eating, toileting — when you cannot do these things yourself. It does not pay for care that is primarily medical in nature or for care provided by a family member (in most policies).

Costs and how they vary

AARP-branded Medigap plans vary in price by location, age, and the insurance company selling the plan. A Medigap Plan G might cost $100 per month in one state and $180 in another, depending on local healthcare costs and competition. Medicare Advantage plans usually have a $0 premium but charge copayments and coinsurance when you use care. Long-term care insurance premiums depend on your age when you buy it, your health history, and the daily benefit amount you choose.

AARP does not set these prices. The insurance company does. You can compare prices across different insurance companies on the AARP website or on Medicare.gov, but you will need to contact each company directly to get a final quote or to enroll.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be an AARP member to buy AARP insurance?

Not always. Some AARP-branded plans are open to anyone, while others are available only to AARP members. When you search for plans on aarp.org, the site will tell you whether membership is required. If you are not a member and want to see all options, you can join for $16 per year or compare all plans in your area on Medicare.gov instead.

Who do I call if I have a problem with my AARP insurance claim?

Contact the insurance company that issued your plan, not AARP. The insurance company's customer service number is on your insurance card and in your policy documents. If the insurance company does not resolve the issue to your satisfaction, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner's office.

Can I switch from one AARP plan to another during the year?

It depends on the type of plan and the reason for the change. Medicare Supplement plans can usually be changed during Medicare's annual open enrollment (October 15 to December 7). Medicare Advantage plans have the same open enrollment window. Long-term care insurance typically cannot be changed once issued. Contact the insurance company to ask about your specific situation.

What is the difference between an AARP Medicare Supplement plan and an AARP Medicare Advantage plan?

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) fills gaps in Original Medicare — it pays copayments and deductibles but does not replace Medicare. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare entirely and usually includes prescription drugs and extra benefits like dental or vision. Medigap costs a monthly premium but has no network restrictions. Medicare Advantage often has a $0 premium but requires you to use in-network doctors except in emergencies.

Does AARP insurance cover prescription drugs?

AARP Medicare Supplement plans do not include prescription drug coverage; you need a separate Part D plan for that. AARP Medicare Advantage plans usually include prescription drug coverage as part of the plan. Long-term care insurance does not cover prescription drugs. Check your specific plan documents to see what is included.