Is AARP Medicare Advantage a good plan?
Asked by: Finn Schiller | Last update: June 27, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (25 votes)
What are the benefits of the AARP Medicare Advantage plan?
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer all the benefits of Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), with extras like dental, vision, hearing and prescription drug coverage. Chronic Special Needs plans (C-SNPs) are designed for people living with qualifying chronic conditions.
What are the disadvantages of having a Medicare Advantage plan?
- Getting coverage for procedures can be more complicated. ...
- Billing before you receive treatment. ...
- Less freedom in choosing health care providers. ...
- Less compatible with other forms of retiree coverage.
Why do doctors not like Medicare Advantage plans?
Across the country, provider grumbling about claim denials and onerous preapproval requirements by Advantage plans is crescendoing. Some hospitals and physician practices are so fed up they're refusing to accept the plans — even big ones like those offered by UnitedHealthcare and Humana.
What is the best medicare plan that covers everything for seniors?
Original Medicare with Medigap likely offers the most comprehensive coverage, but it may also be the most costly. A person can consider their income and how much they are able to spend before choosing a Medicare plan. Original Medicare with Medigap also offers a lot of flexibility when choosing a doctor or specialist.
The Best Medicare Supplement Plans in 2024 and 2025
Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?
Key takeaways: People leave Medicare Advantage plans because out-of-pocket costs vary between plans, network restrictions can cause frustration, prior authorization requests can delay care, and it can be difficult to use the additional benefits they provide.
What is the most popular AARP medicare supplement plan?
For most people, the best Medicare Supplement option is Medigap Plan G from AARP/UnitedHealthcare, which costs $157, on average. This plan covers nearly all of the costs that you're responsible for paying with Original Medicare.
Does AARP Medicare Advantage pay for eyeglasses?
If you choose to get a private Medicare Advantage plan rather than original Medicare, you'll have some coverage for eye exams, glasses and contact lenses, usually without a copayment. But you may have to pay if your expenses exceed plan limits.
Are there any 5 star Medicare Advantage plans?
"There isn't one Medicare Advantage plan that's the highest-rated; there are multiple plans that get an overall rating of 5 stars, which is the highest rating from CMS.
Can I drop my Medicare Advantage plan and go back to original Medicare?
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: Between January 1 and March 31 of each year, if you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) you can: Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage). Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare.
Do most hospitals accept Medicare Advantage?
While most hospitals do accept Original Medicare, there may be some that do not accept Medicare Advantage Plans. However, if you have a medical emergency while you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can seek care at any ER or hospital in the country.
Why is Medicare Supplement better than Advantage Plan?
Summary: Medicare Advantage offers broader coverage including prescription drugs and dental care, while Medicare Supplement focuses on covering most out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Advantage plans are managed by private insurers with network restrictions, whereas Medicare Supplement allows freedom of provider choice.
Does AARP Medicare Advantage have a deductible?
An annual deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket for your health care before your plan begins to pay. It's a pre-set, fixed cost. Most Medicare Advantage plans have a separate medical and prescription drug deductible.
Are there any advantages to AARP?
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine. Discover all the benefits available with your membership in one place. Download our app for easy access to your digital membership card, daily news, events, and nearby benefits.
Why does AARP recommend UnitedHealthcare?
AARP does not necessarily argue that UnitedHealthcare is the right choice for every Medicare beneficiary, but it does proclaim it as a trusted healthcare partner and resource. Of course, there may be an additional reason other than UHCs good name. UnitedHealthcare pays AARP for the use of its name.
What is the number one rated Medicare Supplement plan?
UHC tops the list of companies Investopedia reviewed when looking to name the best Medigap providers, in part because of its competitive pricing for Plan G. Plan G is the most popular type of Medigap plan (along with Plan F, which is not available to new Medicare recipients).
Does everyone pay $170 for Medicare?
If you don't get premium-free Part A, you pay up to $518 each month. If you don't buy Part A when you're first eligible for Medicare (usually when you turn 65), you might pay a penalty. Most people pay the standard Part B monthly premium amount ($185 in 2025).
Why are seniors losing Medicare Advantage plans?
Medicare vs Privatized Medicare Advantage
Beneficiaries are tossed aside because they live in an unprofitable market for their insurer or because they are actually using the insurance they signed up for to access services.
Why are doctors dropping Medicare Advantage?
Health systems have cited delayed reimbursements, cumbersome prior authorization requirements and high rates of patient claim denials for their decisions to drop Medicare Advantage plans.
Does Mayo Clinic accept Medicare Advantage plans?
Yes, Mayo Clinic is a participating Medicare facility in Arizona, in Florida, in Rochester, Minnesota, and at all Mayo Clinic Health System locations. We accept original or traditional Medicare (Parts A, B, and D), as well as supplements. We do not accept noncontracted Medicare Advantage Plans.
Why are hospitals refusing Medicare Advantage plans?
Among the most commonly cited reasons are excessive prior authorization denial rates and slow payments from insurers. In 2023, Becker's began reporting on hospitals and health systems nationwide that dropped some or all of their Medicare Advantage contracts.
Is UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage a good plan?
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are rated at about the industry average, receiving an average rating of 3.93 stars out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2025, weighted by enrollment.
Why do people choose original Medicare over Medicare Advantage?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but Medicare Advantage typically has lower premiums and optional coverage, while Original Medicare often gives you more choice when it comes to choosing doctors.