Plan G premiums vary by your age, location, and the insurance company

AARP Medicare Supplement Plan G costs differ based on three main factors: your age when you first enroll, the state where you live, and which insurance carrier you choose. There is no single national price. A 65-year-old in Florida pays a different monthly premium than a 65-year-old in New York, even for the same plan from the same company.

Most AARP Plan G policies use age-based pricing, meaning your premium increases as you get older. Some carriers also use issue-age pricing, where your rate is locked to your age at enrollment and stays lower longer. A few use attained-age pricing, which rises each year regardless of when you started. The pricing method matters over time — a lower starting premium under issue-age pricing can end up costing more by age 80 if the annual increases are steep.

Monthly premiums for Plan G typically range from roughly $100 to $300 per month at age 65, depending on location and carrier, but this varies significantly by state and can be higher in some areas. Premiums generally increase 3 to 5 percent annually, though some years see larger jumps. You pay this premium to the insurance company in addition to your Medicare Part B premium, which goes to the federal government.

Key Takeaways

  • Plan G premiums depend on your age at enrollment, your state, and which insurance company you choose — there is no single price nationwide.
  • Most AARP Plan G policies lock your rate based on your age when you enroll, so comparing quotes before you commit matters.
  • You can see actual quotes for your age and zip code by visiting the AARP Medicare Supplement website or calling AARP directly at 1-888-687-2277.
  • Plan G covers the Medicare Part B deductible, coinsurance, and copayments, which reduces what you pay out of pocket beyond the monthly premium.
  • Your premium may increase each year, and some states allow larger annual increases than others.

How to find the actual price for your age and location

The only way to know what you will pay is to get a quote for your specific age and zip code. AARP publishes sample rates on their website, but these are examples only — your actual premium depends on your exact age and address.

Visit aarp.org/medicare-supplement and enter your birth date and zip code into the quote tool. The tool will show you Plan G premiums from multiple AARP-partnered carriers side by side. You can also call AARP at 1-888-687-2277 to speak with someone who can walk you through the options and provide quotes over the phone. Both methods are free and do not require you to buy anything.

When you compare quotes, look at the monthly premium, the pricing method (age-based, issue-age, or attained-age), and the projected increases over the next five years if the company provides them. A lower starting price is not always the best deal if the annual increases are much steeper than competitors.

What Plan G actually covers and what you still pay

Plan G covers most of what Medicare Part A and Part B do not. Specifically, it pays your Medicare Part B deductible (the amount you have to pay before Medicare starts covering), your coinsurance (the percentage you owe after Medicare pays its share), and your copayments for doctor visits and hospital stays.

Plan G does not cover dental, vision, hearing aids, or prescription drugs. Those require separate coverage — dental and vision through a standalone plan, and prescription drugs through a Part D plan. Plan G also does not cover care outside the United States, though some carriers offer a rider for that at extra cost.

The value of Plan G is that it reduces your out-of-pocket costs for covered services. Without it, you would pay the Part B deductible ($240 in 2024, though this changes yearly) plus coinsurance on hospital stays, specialist visits, and other services. Plan G absorbs those costs, so you typically pay only the monthly premium and nothing else when you see a doctor or go to the hospital.

When you can enroll and what happens if you miss the window

You have the strongest protection when you enroll in Plan G within six months of turning 65 and enrolling in Medicare Part B. During this window, called the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, insurance companies cannot deny you coverage or charge you more based on your health history. This is the best time to buy.

If you miss this six-month window, you can still buy Plan G, but the company can reject you, charge you more, or exclude certain conditions from coverage — depending on your state's rules. Some states offer additional protections after the initial window, but these vary. Enrolling late can cost you significantly more or leave you uninsured for certain conditions.

You can enroll in Plan G during the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year), but outside the initial six-month window, insurers have more power to deny or limit coverage. If you already have a Medigap plan and want to switch to Plan G, you may face similar restrictions unless you are within a protected enrollment window.

How Plan G premiums compare to other AARP supplement plans

Plan G is one of the most popular AARP supplement plans because it covers nearly everything Medicare does not. Plan F, which is no longer sold to people new to Medicare, covered slightly more (it also paid the Part B excess charges in some states), but Plan G is the closest modern equivalent and is usually less expensive.

Plan N is cheaper than Plan G — typically $20 to $50 less per month — but it requires you to pay copayments at the doctor ($20) and emergency room ($50 unless admitted). Plan N also does not cover the Part B excess charges. For people who see doctors frequently, Plan G often costs less overall because you avoid those copayments, even though the premium is higher.

Plans A and B are the least expensive AARP supplement options but cover less. Plan A does not cover the Part B deductible, and Plan B does not cover the Part B excess charges. If you are healthy and see doctors rarely, a cheaper plan might make sense. If you have chronic conditions or see specialists often, Plan G usually saves money despite the higher premium.

Factors that affect your premium and what you can control

Your age at enrollment is the biggest factor you control. Enrolling at 65 instead of 67 locks in a lower rate for life under most pricing methods. Your location also matters — premiums are higher in urban areas and in states with higher healthcare costs. You cannot change your state, but you can compare carriers, because different companies price Plan G differently in the same zip code.

Some carriers offer discounts for paying annually instead of monthly, for setting up automatic payments, or for being a member of certain organizations. AARP members receive discounts on AARP-branded plans, though you do not have to be an AARP member to buy them. Ask about these discounts when you get your quote.

Your health history does not affect your premium if you enroll during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, but it can if you enroll later. Smoking status does not affect Medigap premiums in most states, unlike health insurance. Once you are enrolled, your premium increases with age and inflation, but the company cannot single you out for a rate hike based on your claims history.

What happens to your premium as you age

Under age-based pricing, your premium increases each year as you get older. A typical increase is 3 to 5 percent annually, though some years see larger jumps. At age 75, your monthly premium might be 50 to 75 percent higher than it was at 65, depending on the carrier and the annual increase rate.

Under issue-age pricing, your rate is locked to your age at enrollment. A 65-year-old pays a lower starting rate than a 70-year-old enrolling on the same day. However, your premium still increases each year due to inflation and claims experience. Over time, issue-age pricing can become more expensive than age-based pricing if the annual increases are steep.

You can switch to a different Plan G from a different carrier at any time, but you may face underwriting (health questions) if you are outside the Medigap Open Enrollment Period. Some states allow you to switch without underwriting once per year. Check your state's rules before you switch, because a new carrier might reject you or charge you more based on your health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AARP Plan G cost the same in every state?

No. Premiums vary by state, and sometimes by county within a state. A 65-year-old in Texas might pay $120 per month for Plan G, while the same person in Massachusetts might pay $200. You must get a quote for your specific zip code to know the actual price.

Can I get Plan G if I am over 65?

Yes, but you may face underwriting and higher premiums. If you are within six months of enrolling in Medicare Part B, you still have Medigap Open Enrollment protections. If you are beyond that window, the insurance company can ask health questions and charge you more or deny you coverage based on your answers.

What if my Plan G premium increases too much?

You can switch to a different Plan G from a different carrier, or switch to a less expensive plan like Plan N. If you switch outside the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, the new carrier may ask health questions. Some states allow one free switch per year without underwriting — check your state's rules.

Is Plan G worth the cost compared to Original Medicare alone?

That depends on how often you use healthcare. Plan G costs more per month but eliminates copayments and coinsurance for covered services. If you have chronic conditions or see doctors frequently, Plan G usually saves money overall. If you are healthy and rarely see doctors, Original Medicare alone might be cheaper.

Do I have to be an AARP member to buy AARP Plan G?

No. You do not have to be an AARP member to purchase an AARP-branded supplement plan, though AARP members may receive a discount on premiums. You can buy AARP Plan G whether or not you join AARP.