AARP health insurance costs vary widely depending on the plan type, your age, where you live, and what coverage you choose

AARP does not sell health insurance directly. Instead, AARP partners with insurance companies — mainly UnitedHealthcare — to offer plans under the AARP brand. The plans available to you and their costs depend on whether you are on Medicare, looking for coverage before Medicare starts, or need supplemental coverage alongside Medicare.

If you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare, AARP-branded plans include Medigap (supplemental) policies and Medicare Advantage plans. Medigap premiums typically range from under $100 to over $300 per month, depending on the plan letter (A through N) and your state. Medicare Advantage plans often have $0 monthly premiums but include copays and deductibles when you use care. If you are under 65 and not yet on Medicare, AARP offers individual health plans through the ACA marketplace, with costs based on income, age, and the plan metal level you choose.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP Medigap plans for people on Medicare cost between roughly $100 and $350 per month, with the exact price depending on your age, state, and which plan letter you select.
  • AARP Medicare Advantage plans often have no monthly premium but require you to pay copays and deductibles when you receive care, and they limit which doctors you can see.
  • AARP ACA marketplace plans for people under 65 cost based on your household income and age, and you may receive a tax credit to lower your monthly payment.
  • The same AARP plan costs different amounts in different states, and prices increase as you age, so comparing quotes from multiple insurers is important before you decide.

AARP Medigap (Supplemental) Plans and Their Monthly Costs

Medigap plans fill gaps in Original Medicare coverage — they pay for deductibles, copays, and coinsurance that Medicare does not cover. AARP offers Medigap plans A, B, D, G, K, L, M, and N. Plan G is the most popular because it covers nearly everything except the Part B deductible. Plan A is the least expensive but covers fewer services.

Monthly premiums for AARP Medigap plans vary by state and your age. In many states, a Plan A might cost $100 to $150 per month for someone age 65, while Plan G might cost $150 to $250 per month at the same age. These prices increase each year as you get older — a plan that costs $150 at age 65 might cost $200 or more by age 75. Some states allow insurers to raise rates based on age more steeply than others, so your state matters.

You can request a quote directly from AARP or compare quotes from other Medigap insurers in your state. The coverage is identical across all insurers for the same plan letter, so the only difference is price. This means shopping around can save you hundreds of dollars per year.

AARP Medicare Advantage Plans and Out-of-Pocket Costs

AARP Medicare Advantage plans (also called Part C) often advertise $0 monthly premiums, which attracts many people. However, the true cost is what you pay when you actually use care. These plans include copays for doctor visits (often $10 to $50), specialist visits, urgent care, and emergency room visits. They also have annual deductibles that can range from $0 to $500 or more, depending on the plan.

Medicare Advantage plans also limit your choice of doctors and hospitals — you must use doctors and facilities in the plan's network, except in emergencies. Some plans require referrals to see specialists. Prescription drug coverage is built in, but the formulary (list of covered drugs) and copays vary by plan. If you take expensive medications, the copays can add up quickly.

The real cost of a Medicare Advantage plan depends on how much care you use. Someone who rarely sees a doctor might pay very little out of pocket. Someone with chronic conditions who sees multiple specialists and takes several medications might pay $2,000 to $5,000 or more per year in copays and deductibles, even with a $0 premium.

AARP ACA Plans for People Under 65

If you are under 65 and not yet on Medicare, AARP offers individual health plans through the ACA marketplace in most states. These plans are sold at different metal levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Bronze plans have the lowest monthly premium but the highest out-of-pocket costs when you use care. Platinum plans have the highest monthly premium but the lowest costs when you need care.

The monthly cost depends on your age, household income, and which metal level you choose. A 55-year-old earning $30,000 per year might pay $200 to $400 per month for a Silver plan, while a 64-year-old earning the same income might pay $400 to $600 per month. If your household income is below a certain threshold, you may receive a tax credit that lowers your monthly payment.

You can view AARP ACA plan options and costs through Healthcare.gov or your state's marketplace website. The prices shown include any tax credits you are may have access to to based on your income, so the actual cost to you may be lower than the list price.

Factors That Change What You Pay

Age is the biggest factor. Medigap and ACA plans cost more as you get older. A Medigap plan that costs $120 at age 65 might cost $180 at age 75. ACA plans can cost roughly three times more for a 64-year-old than a 21-year-old buying the same plan.

State matters significantly. The same AARP Medigap plan costs different amounts in different states because each state regulates insurance differently and has different healthcare costs. A Plan G might cost $180 per month in one state and $250 in another.

Tobacco use affects ACA plan costs. If you use tobacco, insurers can charge up to 50% more for ACA plans. Medigap plans do not have tobacco surcharges.

When you enroll can affect your cost. If you enroll in Medigap during your initial enrollment period (the six months after you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B), insurers cannot deny you or charge more based on health conditions. If you wait and enroll later, some insurers can charge higher premiums based on your health history.

How to Get a Cost Quote

For AARP Medigap plans, visit AARP.com or call 1-888-687-2277 to request quotes. You will need to provide your birth date, state, and which plan letters interest you. The quote will show the monthly premium and what the plan covers.

For AARP Medicare Advantage plans, visit Medicare.gov and use the plan finder tool, or call 1-800-MEDICARE. You can compare plans side by side and see the monthly premium, deductibles, copays, and which doctors are in the network.

For AARP ACA plans, visit Healthcare.gov or your state's marketplace website. Enter your income, age, and state to see plans and costs. You can also call 1-800-318-2596 for help navigating the marketplace.

When to Review Your AARP Plan Costs

AARP plan costs change every year, usually on January 1. During the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7 for Medicare plans, November 1 to January 31 for ACA plans), you can switch to a different plan if your current plan's cost has increased or if you want different coverage.

Even if you are happy with your current plan, it is worth comparing costs each year. A plan that was the cheapest option last year might be more expensive this year, and a different plan might now save you money. Many people find they can save $500 to $1,000 per year by switching during open enrollment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AARP membership cost extra on top of the insurance premium?

AARP membership costs $16 per year and is separate from any insurance premium. You do not have to be an AARP member to buy AARP-branded insurance, though membership may may have access to you for discounts on other products. The insurance premium is what you pay to the insurance company for coverage.

Can I switch from AARP Medicare Advantage to AARP Medigap?

Yes, but timing matters. If you switch within 12 months of first enrolling in Medicare Advantage, you have may provide issue rights and cannot be denied Medigap coverage or charged more based on health. If you wait longer than 12 months, some insurers can deny you or charge higher premiums based on your health history. Contact AARP to discuss your options before you switch.

What happens if I cannot afford the AARP plan I want?

For Medigap, you can choose a less expensive plan letter (like Plan A instead of Plan G), though it covers fewer services. For Medicare Advantage, plans with $0 premiums may have higher copays but no monthly cost. For ACA plans, tax credits lower your monthly payment if your income qualifies. You can also contact your state's health insurance counselor (through the State Health Insurance information Program, or SHIP) for free help finding affordable options.

Do AARP plans cover prescription drugs?

AARP Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage. AARP Medigap plans do not include drug coverage — you need to enroll in a separate Part D plan. AARP ACA plans include prescription coverage as part of the plan. Check the specific plan details to see which drugs are covered and what your copays will be.