What Medigap insurance does AARP recommend?
AARP endorses a portfolio of AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans from UnitedHealthcare rather than recommending a single specific plan letter.
These AARP-branded Medigap policies are insured and administered by UnitedHealthcare. Because individual healthcare needs and budgets vary, AARP and UnitedHealthcare offer a standardized range of plan letters (such as Plan G, Plan N, and Plan A) so you can choose the level of out-of-pocket coverage that fits your situation.
Popular Options Available
- Plan G: Offers the most comprehensive coverage currently available to new Medicare enrollees, paying for nearly all out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare outside of the Part B deductible.
- Plan N: Features lower monthly premiums than Plan G with some small copayments for doctor and emergency room visits.
- Basic Plans (Plan A & B): Provide foundational, minimal coverage for those looking for lower benefits.
- Older Plans (Plan C & F): Available only to individuals who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
What is the most popular AARP Medicare Supplement plan?
Plan G is the most popular AARP Medicare Supplement plan (insured by UnitedHealthcare), mirroring national trends where Plan G stands as the most widely chosen Medigap option for new enrollees.
Overview of Popular AARP Plans
- Plan G: The most popular and comprehensive option for new beneficiaries, covering nearly all out-of-pocket costs for Original Medicare except the Part B deductible.
- Plan N: A popular lower-premium alternative that requires small copayments for some doctor and emergency room visits.
- Plan F: Historically the most comprehensive plan, but it is only available to people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
What is the highest rated Medigap insurance?
AARP/UnitedHealthcare and State Farm are the highest-rated Medigap (Medicare Supplement) insurance companies, both earning top marks and 5.0 ratings from major financial and consumer review publications.
Top-Rated Medigap Companies
- AARP/UnitedHealthcare: Ranked as best overall and leading by enrollment, offering nationwide availability across all 50 states, low complaint rates, and extra perks like gym memberships. (Requires AARP membership).
- State Farm: Rated highest for customer satisfaction and financial stability, featuring minimal consumer complaints and historically slow year-over-year rate increases.
- Mutual of Omaha: Highly rated for customer service and stable household discounts (up to 12%), paying a high percentage of claims quickly.
- HealthSpring (Cigna): Noted for competitive low premiums and stacking discounts, though with a higher volume of consumer complaints.
Important Facts About Medigap Ratings
- Standardized Coverage: Benefits for each lettered plan (like Plan G or Plan N) are identical by law, no matter which company sells the policy.
- Cost Factors: Ratings reflect customer service, financial strength, and price stability, but your actual monthly premium depends heavily on your age, gender, smoking status, and zip code.
Is AARP a good Medigap company?
AARP Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans—which are actually insured and serviced by UnitedHealthcare—are a good and reliable choice due to their wide availability and low customer complaint rates, though their monthly premiums and year-over-year rate increases tend to be higher than average.
Because Medigap benefits are strictly standardized by the government, an AARP Plan G or Plan N offers the exact same basic medical coverage as a Plan G or Plan N from any other insurance company. The differences come down to cost, perks, and company reputation.
The Pros of AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medigap
- Maximum Availability: Plans are offered in all 50 states and most U.S. territories.
- Low Complaint Rates: Members file about 30% fewer complaints with state regulators than the industry average.
- Financial Stability: Backed by UnitedHealth Group, which holds an "excellent" financial strength rating from AM Best.
- Extra Perks: Depending on your state, plans may include value-adds like fitness program access (such as Renew Active), 24/7 nurse hotlines, and vision/hearing discounts.
- No Networks: Like all Medigap plans, you can see any doctor or specialist nationwide who accepts Original Medicare.
The Cons of AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medigap
- Higher Premiums: You often pay a "brand tax" for the combined AARP and UnitedHealthcare names, making initial rates higher than many smaller competitors.
- Faster Rate Hikes: Data analysis shows that AARP's year-over-year price increases can be larger and faster than those of other major insurers.
- Membership Required: You must be an active member of AARP to enroll in these plans.
As noted in discussions on platforms like Reddit, most users generally agree that while the service and coverage are dependable, it pays to shop around. Alternatives like Mutual of Omaha or State Farm may offer identical standardized coverage at a lower price point depending on your zip code.
Which Medicare plan does AARP recommend?
AARP does not recommend one single Medicare plan, but rather endorses a portfolio of AARP Medicare Plans from UnitedHealthcare that you can choose based on your personal health needs and budget.
AARP-branded Medicare insurance policies are insured and administered by UnitedHealthcare and fall into two main categories:
1. AARP Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans
These plans work alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to help pay for out-of-pocket costs like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
- Popular options: Standardized plans such as Plan G and Plan N are widely available and offer extensive coverage, though Plan G covers more out-of-pocket gaps.
- Prescription coverage: Medigap plans do not cover prescription drugs, so you must buy a separate Part D plan.
2. AARP Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plans
These private plans bundle Part A, Part B, and usually Part D (prescription drugs) into a single plan, often adding extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing.
- Plan types: Options include Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), HMO-POS (Point-of-Service), Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS), and Special Needs Plans (SNPs).
- Availability: Plan structures and costs vary drastically depending on your specific zip code and local network availability.
AARP Medicare Supplement Plans | Medigap Plan G the Best?
What is the average monthly cost of Medicare Supplemental insurance (Medigap)?
The national average monthly cost for Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is approximately $217 per month, though overall premiums typically range from $50 to $300+ per month depending on the specific plan and coverage level.
Average Costs by Popular Plan
- Plan G: Averages $142 to $180 per month (the most popular option for new beneficiaries).
- Plan N: Averages $112 to $140 per month (offers lower premiums with small copays for certain visits).
- Plan F: Averages $185 to $228 per month (comprehensive coverage, available only to those eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020).
- High-Deductible Plan G: Averages $50 to $55 per month.
Key Cost Factors
- Location: State averages vary widely (for example, lower in Hawaii and higher in New York).
- Age and Rating Method: Premiums can be community-rated (same price regardless of age), issue-age-rated (based on age when you first buy), or attained-age-rated (increases as you get older).
- Personal Habits: Tobacco use increases monthly premiums.
- Additional Fees: You must continue paying your standard Medicare Part B premium in addition to your Medigap policy.
You can check out details and compare options through the Official Medicare Guide.
What is the disadvantage of Plan G?
The primary disadvantage of Medicare Supplement Plan G is that it does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), which you must pay out of pocket before coverage begins.
📉 Key Disadvantages of Plan G
- 📌 Part B Deductible: You pay the first $283 out of pocket.
- 📌 Higher Premiums: Costs more monthly than alternatives like Plan N.
- 📌 No Extra Benefits: Excludes routine dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drugs.
- 📌 Rate Increases: Subject to annual premium hikes driven by inflation and age.
📊 Comparing Plan G Drawbacks
| Feature | Regular Plan G | High-Deductible Plan G |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Premium | Higher ($160–$170 avg.) | Lower ($60–$70 avg.) |
| Initial Out-of-Pocket | Part B Deductible ($283) | High Deductible ($2,950) |
| Rate Hike Risk | Higher historical increases | Lower stable increases (2–3%) |
Does it matter which Medigap company you choose?
Yes, it matters which Medigap company you choose primarily for price and rate increases, even though the medical benefits themselves are completely identical.
What Is the Same Across All Companies?
- Coverage: Plans with the same letter (such as Plan G or Plan N) offer identical federal-mandated benefits no matter which company you buy from.
- Doctors and Hospitals: Any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare will accept any standardized Medigap plan. There are no network restrictions.
- Claims Handling: If Medicare approves a claim, the Medigap insurance carrier must pay their secondary share. They cannot deny coverage for a service that Medicare already approved.
What Makes Companies Different?
- Monthly Premiums: Different companies charge different prices for the exact same lettered plan.
- Rate Increases: Companies use different pricing structures (such as attained-age or issue-age) and historical rate increases vary. A company with a low initial price might raise rates faster over time.
- Discounts and Perks: Some insurers offer household discounts, automatic payment discounts, or extra wellness perks like gym memberships.
You can review official guidelines and compare standardized options using the Medicare Choosing a Medigap Policy Guide. You can also research carrier reliability and financial strength ratings as detailed by Boomer Benefits.
What are common complaints about Medigap plans?
Common complaints about Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans center around rising costs, strict enrollment rules, and lack of extra perks.
High and Rising Costs
- Steep monthly premiums: Medigap plans cost more each month than zero-dollar or low-premium Medicare Advantage alternatives.
- Unpredictable rate hikes: Premiums often rise every year due to inflation and aging. Attained-age policies can trigger sharp price jumps as you get older.
- No extra benefits: Plans do not include routine dental, vision, or hearing care.
Missing Coverage
- No prescription drugs: Medigap policies sold today exclude prescription drug coverage. You must buy a separate Medicare Part D plan.
- No help for non-approved services: Medigap only covers costs for services that Original Medicare first approves. If Medicare denies a service, the supplement pays nothing.
Inflexibility and Underwriting
- Difficult to switch plans: Outside your initial 6-month open enrollment window, changing companies or plans usually requires passing health questions (medical underwriting).
- Risk of denial: Insurers can reject applicants or charge higher rates based on pre-existing health conditions. This makes moving from Medicare Advantage back to Medigap a difficult "one-way street".
How much is Medigap insurance through AARP?
AARP Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans—which are insured by UnitedHealthcare—typically cost between $85 and $250+ per month for the most popular plans, depending heavily on your age, location, gender, and the specific plan type you choose.
Because AARP/UnitedHealthcare utilizes a vast network across all 50 states, actual premiums span a wide range. In addition to the monthly premium, you must pay the annual $20 AARP membership fee to qualify for these plans.
Average Monthly Cost by Plan Type (2026 Estimates)
The cost varies based on how much medical coverage the plan provides. The general monthly pricing for the most common AARP plans includes:
| Medigap Plan Type | Average Monthly Premium Range | Core Coverage Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Plan G (Most Popular) | $120 – $250 | Covers 100% of out-of-pocket costs except the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). |
| Plan N (Lower Premium) | $85 – $190 | Lower premiums in exchange for small copays (up to $20 for doctor visits, up to $50 for ER). |
| Plan F (Closed to new enrollees) | $150 – $350+ | Only available if you were eligible for Medicare before Jan 1, 2020. Covers 100% of all gaps. |
| Plans K & L (Cost-Sharing) | $40 – $130 | Lower premiums but you pay a percentage of costs until you hit an annual out-of-pocket cap. |
Key Factors That Change Your Price
- Your Location: Insurance rules and medical costs vary by state and zip code. For example, a Plan G premium might start around $153 in one area but exceed $200 in another.
- Age and Enrollment Timing: Premiums generally increase as you age. AARP plans often feature an "attained-age" or "community-rated" structure depending on state law, and many offer an enrollment discount that gradually decreases over time.
- Discounts: AARP/UnitedHealthcare frequently offers a household discount (averaging around 12%) if multiple members in the same residence enroll.
Out-of-Pocket Costs to Keep in Mind
Buying a Medicare Supplement plan means you will have two distinct types of expenses:
- The Premium: What you pay monthly to keep the plan active.
- Medicare Deductibles: Medigap plans supplement Original Medicare. You are still responsible for the standard Medicare Part B premium ($202.90/month in 2026) and the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) out of pocket before your supplemental coverage pays its portion.
Note: AARP Medigap plans do not include prescription drug coverage. To cover medications, you will need to purchase a standalone Medicare Part D plan, which averages roughly $40–$50 per month.