AARP Health Plans and Medicare: What Members Should Know

How AARP Health Plans Relate to Medicare

AARP itself does not sell Medicare Advantage or Medigap plans directly. Instead, AARP partners with UnitedHealthcare to offer Medicare Advantage plans and with PlanPrescriber and eHealth to help members compare Medigap and Part D options. If you see an AARP-branded health plan, it is almost always a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage product. Understanding that distinction matters because the plan's rules, network, and benefits are set by UnitedHealthcare, not by AARP, even though the AARP name appears on the marketing.

Types of AARP-Affiliated Medicare Coverage

The main AARP-affiliated Medicare products fall into three categories. Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) bundle hospital, medical, and often prescription drug coverage into one plan, usually with a network of providers. Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, policies help pay some of the gaps in Original Medicare, such as copayments and deductibles, and are sold by private insurers. Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) add outpatient drug coverage and can be standalone or included in a Medicare Advantage plan. AARP's role in each is as an endorsing partner and educational resource, not as the insurer or the plan administrator.

Enrollment Windows and Timing

Medicare enrollment follows federal rules, and AARP-affiliated plans follow those same windows. The Initial Enrollment Period starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after. The Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7 each year for Medicare Advantage and Part D changes. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 to March 31 if you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan. Medigap has a separate six-month guaranteed-issue window that begins when you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. Missing these windows can mean waiting periods or higher premiums.

What to Check Before You Enroll

Before choosing an AARP-affiliated plan, confirm the plan's actual insurer, network, and formulary. Check whether your doctors and hospitals are in-network, because Medicare Advantage plans typically require using in-network providers except in emergencies. Review the plan's drug formulary if you take regular prescriptions, and look for prior authorization requirements. Compare the premium, deductible, and out-of-pocket maximum with other available plans in your area. AARP's PlanPrescriber tool and licensed agents can help with side-by-side comparisons, but the final plan documents are the legal source of benefits and costs.

Where to Get Reliable Help

For personalized guidance, start with Medicare.gov, the official U.S. government site for Medicare plan comparisons. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program for free, unbiased counseling. AARP's member resources and licensed insurance agents can walk you through AARP-branded plan options, but they cannot advise across all insurers. Bring a list of your current medications, providers, and care needs to any consultation so the comparison is based on your actual situation.