AARP Health Care Options: Medicare Supplement Coverage Explained

Understanding Medicare Supplement Coverage Through AARP

AARP helps members compare Medicare supplement plans, also called Medigap, which fill gaps in Original Medicare. These private policies cover copayments, coinsurance, and sometimes deductibles, but they do not replace Medicare itself. AARP provides educational resources and insurance comparisons, not direct insurance in most states, and the plans available depend on where you live and which insurers participate locally.

How Medigap Fits With Medicare Parts A and B

Medicare Part A covers hospital insurance, and Part B covers medical insurance. Even after both parts pay their share, you may owe deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Medigap policies standardize letter plans — Plan A, Plan B, Plan G, Plan N, and others — so benefits are the same regardless of the insurer, though premiums vary. AARP's materials help members understand which standardized plan addresses specific cost-sharing gaps.

Standardized Plan Types and What They Cover

• Plan A: Basic core benefits, including Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for an extra 365 days.
• Plan G: Covers Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copays, except the Part B deductible in some contexts.
• Plan N: Similar to Plan G but may require copays for office visits and emergency room visits.
• Plan C and F: No longer available to new Medicare enrollees since January 1, 2020.

When to Enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan

The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during the six-month Medigap open enrollment period, which starts the first day you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurers must sell you any plan they offer without medical underwriting. Outside that period, insurers can deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on health history.

What to Check Before You Buy

• Which Medigap plans are available in your county.
• Whether your preferred doctors and hospitals accept Medicare assignment.
• Premium differences between insurers for the same standardized plan.
• Whether you have creditable drug coverage, since Medigap does not include prescription drug benefits.

AARP Resources for Comparing Health Care Options

AARP offers tools to compare Medigap policies alongside Medicare Advantage and standalone prescription drug plans. The organization publishes articles, checklists, and local insurer directories, and members can access member-exclusive discounts on insurance products where available. Because Medigap regulations and plan availability vary by state, AARP recommends checking your state insurance department's website for standardized plan details and consumer protections before signing up.