AARP Medigap Policies: What You Should Know Before You Enroll

How AARP and Medigap Relate

AARP is a membership organization that partners with insurance companies to offer Medigap plans through its endorsement or marketing channels. AARP does not underwrite or administer Medigap policies itself. Instead, it recommends private insurers such as UnitedHealthcare and has historically promoted Plan G and Plan N as popular options for Medicare Supplement coverage. Understanding this distinction is important because your actual policy comes from the insurer, not AARP, and your rights, claims, and customer service are handled by that company.

What Medigap Plans Cover

Medigap policies fill gaps in Original Medicare by helping pay for coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles. Standardized plans are identified by letters, and each letter offers a defined set of benefits. Plan G, for example, typically covers Part A coinsurance, hospital costs up to an additional 365 days, Part B coinsurance or copayment, and the Part B deductible. Plan N generally covers similar items but may require copayments for some office visits and emergency room trips. The exact benefits depend on the plan letter, not the insurer, because standardized Medigap policies must follow federal and state rules.

Where to Buy and When to Enroll

AARP members can typically access Medigap quotes through the AARP website or by phone, but the purchase is completed with the insurer. You can buy Medigap from any licensed insurer in your state that offers the plan. The best time to enroll is during your Medigap open enrollment period, which starts on the first day of the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During that six-month window, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge higher premiums based on health history. Outside that period, insurers may medically underwrite you and charge more or decline you.

What to Check Before You Choose

• Plan letter and benefits: Compare standardized benefits so you know exactly what is covered.
• Premium structure: Insurers use community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated pricing, which affects how your premium changes over time.
• Company reputation: Check AM Best ratings and state insurance department records for complaints.
• Drug coverage: Medigap does not include prescription drug coverage; you need a separate Medicare Part D plan.
• Other coverage: If you have employer or union retiree coverage, check whether it works alongside Medigap.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One frequent error is confusing AARP-branded marketing with AARP as the insurer. Another is assuming all Medigap policies for the same letter are identical; premiums and customer service vary widely between companies. Also, if you have Medicare Advantage, you generally cannot use Medigap, and dropping Medicare Advantage to buy Medigap requires careful planning to avoid gaps in coverage.