Learn How AARP Medigap Plans and Coverage Work

What AARP Medigap Plans Actually Cover (And What They Don't)

When you turn 65 and enroll in Original Medicare, you'll notice it has some significant gaps. Original Medicare covers hospital stays (Part A) and doctor visits (Part B), but it doesn't cover everything. You'll pay a deductible before Medicare kicks in, coinsurance amounts for longer hospital stays, and copayments for services. For many people, these out-of-pocket costs add up quickly.

Free Hisense TV Troubleshooting and Repair Guide →

Medigap plans—also called Supplemental Insurance—work by filling in those gaps. AARP, through its partnership with UnitedHealthcare, offers a selection of standardized Medigap plans labeled with letters (Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, Plan F, Plan G, Plan K, Plan L, Plan M, and Plan N). Each letter represents a different combination of coverage. The plans themselves are standardized by the federal government, meaning Plan G offered by AARP covers the same things as Plan G offered by any other insurance company. The difference lies in the monthly premium you'll pay.

Plan A, for example, covers the Part A deductible, Part A coinsurance, Part B coinsurance, and blood transfusions. It's the most basic plan available. Plan G is more comprehensive and covers everything Plan A does, plus the Part B deductible and excess charges (the amount some doctors charge above what Medicare pays). Plan N covers most of the same things but requires you to pay small copayments for office visits and emergency room visits.

What Medigap plans do NOT cover matters just as much. None of these plans cover dental work, vision care, hearing aids, or prescription drugs. That's why many people who have Medigap also enroll in Part D (prescription drug coverage) separately. Additionally, Medigap won't cover care you receive outside the United States, though some plans offer limited emergency coverage abroad.

Practical takeaway: Before comparing AARP plans, review your actual healthcare usage. If you rarely visit specialists and take few medications, a basic plan like Plan A might work. If you see multiple doctors and want predictable costs, Plan G provides more coverage but costs more monthly.

How AARP Medigap Premiums Work and What Affects Your Cost

Your monthly Medigap premium depends on several factors, and understanding how insurance companies calculate these costs helps you make better decisions. AARP Medigap plans use one of three rating methods: age-based, issue-age, or community rating. Most AARP plans use age-based rating, which means your premium increases as you get older. This is the most common approach and affects how much you'll pay throughout your retirement.

Get Your Free Guide to Bloodshot Eyes and Relief Options →

The age you first sign up for AARP Medigap matters significantly. If you enroll at 65, your starting premium will be lower than if you wait until 70 to sign up. This is because age-based rates increase annually. According to recent data, a 65-year-old might pay around $100-150 monthly for Plan A, while a 75-year-old for the same plan could pay $200-250 monthly, depending on location and specific plan design.

Your state and zip code directly influence what you pay. Insurance regulations vary by state, and healthcare costs differ significantly between regions. Someone in rural Montana pays a different premium than someone in New York City for the identical AARP plan. AARP publishes rate information by zip code on their website, so you can see what plans cost in your specific area before making any decisions.

Timing affects cost in another important way. You have a limited window called the Medigap Open Enrollment Period. If you're turning 65 and enrolling in Medicare Part B for the first time, you typically have 6 months from the month Part B starts to join a Medigap plan without medical underwriting. If you miss this window, insurance companies may refuse to cover you or charge more for pre-existing conditions. After this period ends, rates may increase.

Plan changes also carry consequences for costs. If you switch from one AARP plan to another after your initial enrollment period, you might face medical underwriting, meaning the company could reject you or charge more based on your health. This is why picking a plan you can stick with matters—not just for coverage, but for your wallet over time.

Practical takeaway: Calculate the long-term cost difference between plans. A cheaper plan at 65 might cost significantly more by 75 due to age-based increases. Run the numbers at your current age and project forward 10 years to see which plan offers better value for your situation.

The Timeline: When You Can Enroll in AARP Medigap and How That Timing Shapes Your Coverage

Understanding enrollment windows is crucial because missing them can result in higher premiums, medical underwriting (where you might be rejected), or both. The main enrollment opportunity is the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the first day of the month you turn 65 AND are enrolled in Medicare Part B. From that date, you have exactly 6 months to sign up for any Medigap plan you want without the insurance company asking health questions or charging more based on your medical history.

Learn About Insurance Plans AdventHealth Accepts for Seniors →

Here's why this matters: If you sign up for Original Medicare at 65 but wait until age 67 to choose a Medigap plan, you've missed your guaranteed window. Insurance companies can then deny you coverage altogether or charge significantly more. Some states have additional protections, but most don't. This 6-month window only applies to your initial enrollment in Medicare Part B—it's a one-time benefit.

Your retirement date affects planning. If you keep working past 65 and delay enrolling in Medicare, your Medigap enrollment window shifts accordingly. The clock starts when you actually enroll in Part B, not when you turn 65. This is an important distinction if you have health insurance through work and plan to retire later. You'll want to coordinate these dates carefully.

AARP has different enrollment deadlines throughout the year for their specific plans. Some plans may have additional enrollment periods in certain months, though most follow the standard Medicare calendar. You should contact AARP directly to learn their current enrollment schedule, as this varies by state and plan.

After your initial 6-month window closes, you enter what's called the Open Enrollment Period for existing Medigap holders, which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. During this time, you can switch to a different AARP Medigap plan or change to a competitor's plan, and insurers cannot deny you or charge more based on health. However, if you want to switch outside these windows, you'll face medical underwriting.

Practical takeaway: Mark your calendar with your actual Medicare Part B enrollment date, then count forward 6 months. Schedule a phone call with AARP before month 5 to ask questions and complete enrollment by the end of month 6. Missing this window costs more money over time.

Comparing AARP Plans A Through N: Which Fits Your Healthcare Needs

Medigap plans come in 10 standardized versions, but AARP doesn't offer all of them in every state. The plans they do offer range from basic (Plan A) to more extensive (Plan G and Plan N). To choose wisely, you need to understand what each plan covers and compare it against how you actually use healthcare.

Learn About Starting a Meditation Practice Today →

Plan A is the simplest. It covers the Part A hospital deductible, hospital coinsurance, Part B coinsurance, and blood transfusions. For people who use healthcare sparingly and prefer lower monthly premiums, this works. You'll still pay the Part B deductible out-of-pocket and excess charges if your doctor charges more than Medicare allows. A 65-year-old in a moderate-cost area might pay $100-130 monthly for Plan A.

Plan G is where many AARP customers land. It covers everything Plan A covers, plus the Part B deductible and excess charges. The main thing you still pay out-of-pocket is the Part A deductible (which changes yearly—it was $1,556 in 2023). Plan G typically costs $150-250 monthly depending on age and location, but provides significant predictability for healthcare costs. If you see multiple specialists or want maximum coverage, Plan G makes sense despite the higher premium.

Plan N offers a middle ground. It covers most of what