Medical Insurance Through AARP: What Members Should Know

What AARP Offers for Medical Coverage

AARP partners with insurers to provide Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), and standalone Part D prescription drug plans. Membership is open to people 50 and older, but the insurance products are underwritten by third-party companies, not AARP itself. AARP earns a royalty from insurers for enrollees who are members, which is why the organization promotes these plans on its platform. Members can compare plans side by side and receive guidance through AARP's online tools or licensed insurance agents.

Types of AARP-Endorsed Medical Insurance

Medicare Advantage Plans

AARP Medicare Advantage plans are offered by UnitedHealthcare and other carriers. They typically bundle hospital (Part A), medical (Part B), and often prescription drug coverage into one plan. Many include extra benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing care. Coverage and costs vary by plan, region, and carrier.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

AARP also offers Medigap plans through partners. These plans help pay for out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance that Original Medicare does not cover. Enrollment is generally tied to your Medigap open enrollment period, when insurers cannot deny you or charge more based on health status.

Prescription Drug Plans

Standalone Part D plans are available to those enrolled in Original Medicare. These plans help cover the cost of retail prescription drugs and are offered by private insurers contracted with Medicare.

How to Enroll and Compare

To enroll, visit AARP's insurance comparison page and enter your ZIP code to see available plans. You can also call a licensed insurance agent through AARP for assistance. During Medicare's annual Open Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7), you can switch plans or adjust your coverage. Outside that window, changes may only be allowed during a Special Enrollment Period triggered by specific life events.

What to Check Before You Choose

• Plan network: confirm your doctors and hospitals are in-network.
• Formulary: check whether your prescriptions are covered and at what tier.
• Costs: compare premiums, deductibles, copayments, and out-of-pocket maximums.
• Extra benefits: look for dental, vision, hearing, and wellness programs.
• Star ratings: Medicare rates Advantage plans annually; higher ratings may indicate better quality and service.

AARP Membership and Insurance Costs

AARP membership is separate from insurance premiums. Membership dues are paid directly to AARP and vary by term length. Insurance premiums are paid to the insurer that underwrites the plan. AARP does not sell or set prices for the insurance products themselves; it acts as a partner and enrollment channel.

Is AARP Medical Insurance Worth It?

That depends on your health needs, budget, and current coverage. AARP's tools can help you compare plans from multiple insurers in one place, which saves time. But the plans themselves come from the partnering carriers, so it is wise to review the Summary of Benefits and Coverage before enrolling. If you are already on Medicare, AARP's Medigap and Advantage options are worth a look, but you should also compare plans directly through Medicare.gov to ensure you are getting the best fit.