What AARP Healthcare Coverage Actually Includes

AARP itself does not provide health insurance — it is a membership organization that connects you to insurance plans and healthcare services offered by partner companies. The main healthcare products AARP members can explore are Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplement (Medigap) policies, and prescription drug coverage, all underwritten by insurers like UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Cigna. AARP also offers dental, vision, and hearing coverage as standalone policies.

When you join AARP at age 50, you gain access to information about these plans and discounted rates on some of them. The plans themselves are sold and managed by the insurance companies, not by AARP. This distinction matters because your claims, coverage questions, and billing go to the insurance company, not to AARP.

AARP also runs educational resources about Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care planning. These resources are free to members and non-members alike and help you understand how different programs work before you commit to a plan.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP partners with insurance companies to offer Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and prescription drug plans at member rates, but does not sell insurance directly.
  • You can explore AARP healthcare plans on the AARP website or by calling AARP's plan comparison line, which does not charge a fee.
  • Medicare Advantage and Medigap are different products: Advantage plans replace Original Medicare, while Medigap supplements it.
  • AARP members can also purchase standalone dental, vision, and hearing coverage through partner insurers.
  • Enrollment windows for Medicare plans are fixed by federal rules, and missing your window can result in permanent penalties.

Medicare Advantage Plans Through AARP

AARP Medicare Advantage plans are health maintenance organization (HMO) or preferred provider organization (PPO) plans that replace Original Medicare. You pay a monthly premium (often $0 for some plans), a yearly deductible, and copays when you use care. In return, the plan covers hospital, doctor, and prescription drug benefits in one package.

These plans are available only to people already enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. You cannot buy an AARP Medicare Advantage plan if you have not yet turned 65 or do not yet have Medicare. Plans vary by state and county, so the options available to you depend on where you live.

To explore AARP Medicare Advantage plans, visit aarp.org/health or call 1-888-687-2277. You will see plans available in your area, their premiums, deductibles, copays, and which doctors and hospitals are in-network. You can compare up to three plans side by side. Enrollment happens during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year) or during the Initial Enrollment Period if you just turned 65.

Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Policies

Medigap is a different product from Medicare Advantage. It is insurance sold by private companies that pays some or all of the costs that Original Medicare does not cover — copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. You keep Original Medicare and add Medigap on top of it.

AARP partners with UnitedHealthcare to sell Medigap plans labeled Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, Plan F, Plan G, Plan K, Plan L, Plan M, and Plan N. These letter designations are standardized by federal law, so Plan G from AARP covers the same benefits as Plan G from any other insurer. The difference is price and customer service.

You are may be able to access to buy Medigap during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which runs for six months starting the month you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. Outside this window, insurers can deny you or charge higher premiums based on your health history. To see AARP Medigap rates and plans, visit aarp.org/health or call 1-888-687-2277.

Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)

If you choose Original Medicare plus Medigap, you still need prescription drug coverage. AARP partners with multiple insurers to offer Part D plans. These plans cover brand-name and generic medications through a network of pharmacies. You pay a monthly premium, an annual deductible, and copays or coinsurance per prescription.

Part D enrollment rules are strict. You must enroll during the Initial Enrollment Period (when you first turn 65) or the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7). If you miss both windows and do not have other creditable coverage, you will pay a permanent penalty on top of your premium for every month you were uninsured.

Part D plans change every year — formularies, copays, and premiums shift. AARP's plan comparison tool lets you enter your current medications and see which plans cover them and at what cost. This is the fastest way to find the cheapest option for your specific drugs.

Dental, Vision, and Hearing Coverage

AARP offers standalone dental, vision, and hearing insurance through partner companies. These are not part of Medicare and are sold as separate policies. Dental plans typically cover cleanings and exams at a lower copay and major work (crowns, root canals) at a higher percentage. Vision plans cover eye exams and discounts on glasses or contacts. Hearing plans cover hearing tests and discounts on hearing aids.

These policies are available to AARP members age 50 and older, regardless of whether you are on Medicare. Costs vary by plan and your age. You can view rates and coverage details on aarp.org or by phone.

Unlike Medicare plans, dental, vision, and hearing coverage has no federal enrollment window. You can buy or change these policies at any time during the year.

How to Compare and Choose a Plan

Start by knowing what coverage you currently have or need. If you are turning 65 and new to Medicare, you need to decide: do you want Original Medicare plus Medigap, or Medicare Advantage? This choice shapes everything else.

Use AARP's online plan comparison tool at aarp.org/health. Enter your state, county, and birth date. For prescription drug plans, enter your current medications. The tool will show you plans available to you, their premiums, deductibles, copays, and in-network providers. You can compare up to three plans at once.

Write down the plan names and insurance company phone numbers. Call the insurers directly with questions about coverage details, prior authorization requirements, or appeals processes. Do not rely only on the online summary.

If you need help understanding your options, AARP runs a free counseling program called the State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP). You can find your state's SHIP office at shiptalk.org or by calling 1-877-839-2675. SHIP counselors are trained to explain Medicare options and help you compare plans.

What Happens After You Enroll

Once you choose a plan and enroll, the insurance company will send you a member ID card, plan documents, and a formulary (for drug plans). Keep the ID card with you at all times. When you see a doctor or fill a prescription, you will give the card to the provider or pharmacy.

Your coverage starts on the first day of the month after you enroll, unless you enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period, in which case coverage starts January 1. If you enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period (around the time you turn 65), coverage can start as early as the month you turn 65.

Review your plan's coverage each year during the Annual Enrollment Period. Formularies change, copays increase, and new plans launch. What was the cheapest option last year may not be this year. AARP's tool makes it straightforward to re-run your comparison every October and switch plans if something better appears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be an AARP member to see the plan options?

No. AARP's plan comparison tool is open to anyone. You do not have to join AARP to view plans or rates. However, AARP members may receive discounted premiums on some plans compared to non-members.

What if I miss the enrollment window?

Missing the Initial Enrollment Period or Annual Enrollment Period can lock you out of changing plans for a full year. Some life events (moving, losing other coverage, marriage, divorce) open a Special Enrollment Period lasting 60 days. Contact your current plan or Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE to ask if you may have access to.

Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap?

Yes, but timing matters. If you switch outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, the Medigap insurer can deny you or charge more based on your health. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is six months from when you first enroll in Medicare Part B, so if you enrolled in Advantage at 65, that window may have closed. Check with AARP or your state's SHIP program before switching.

Are AARP plans available everywhere?

No. Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans vary by state and county. Some rural areas have few or no options. Enter your zip code on aarp.org/health to see what is available where you live.

What if I have questions about a claim or bill?

Contact the insurance company directly using the phone number on your member ID card or plan documents. AARP can point you to resources, but the insurance company handles claims and billing. If you have a dispute, your state's SHIP program can help you file a complaint.