AARP is a well-known nonprofit membership organization that provides medical supplement insurance plans via the UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company. These co-branded plans are made available in many states in the United States, including Washington, D.C. At the moment, UnitedHealthcare is the largest seller of the Medicare Supplement, also known as Medigap, and Medicare Advantage plans. These plans assist individuals in covering medical costs that Medicare doesn’t include.
They offer most Medigap plan types, with various options for pricing and amazing benefits.The prices are very competitive. And the complaint rates for this company’s Medicare Supplement insurance plans are considered lower than the normal market average. Here is everything you need to know about the AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance from UnitedHealthCare.
More on AARP UnitedHealthCare
Established in 1958 by Ethel Percy Andrus, AARP (known as the American Association of Retired Persons) is dedicated to supporting individuals aged 50 and older in leading informed and independent lives. While AARP is not an insurance provider, it collaborates with UnitedHealthcare to offer healthcare insurance plans tailored to elders needs.
These plans encompass Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. And Medigap, providing essential healthcare support. UnitedHealthcare, a prominent national insurance company, reported revenue of $242.2 billion in 2019. Ensuring widespread coverage and support for its members.
AARP UnitedHealthCare Pros and Cons
This insurance program provides various healthcare plans and services tailored to the needs of elders, offering coverage for medical expenses such as doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and more. It aims to provide accessible and comprehensive healthcare options to AARP members, helping them maintain their health and well-being as they age. Here are some of its advantages and disadvantages:
Pros
- 8 out of the 10 standard Medigap plan types are available to applicants who qualify.
- The plans are available in all the states, including Washington, D.C., and Massachusetts, which competitors tend to skip.
- Customer complaints about the Medigap plans are considerably low.
- UHC does really well on the third-party customer satisfaction rating.
Cons
- The wellness and health discounts sold as “wellness extras” are sometimes expensive. While most competitors include the same perks for free,.
- The plan types can be very confusing. Most plans are offered with as many as three variations, each with different restrictions, pricing, and extras.
- Medicare select plans can have very low premiums, but only work if policyholders can stay in the network for inpatient care.
This insurance program offered by UnitedHealthcare is specifically designed for members of AARP, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering older adults.
AARP UnitedHealthCare Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans
Below, Medicare Supplement insurance plans are offered in some locations for all Medicare members:
- Medigap Plan A: The basic benefits are included in every plan without any add-ons.
- Medigap Plan B: The Basic Benefits of Coverage for the Medicare Part Deductible
- Medigap Plan G: This is the highest coverage option available to all new members of Medicare.
- Medigap Plan K: This is the lowest Medigap plan, with about 50 percent of the benefits.
- Medigap Plan L is a very low-cost option with 75 percent coverage for most benefits.
- Medigap Plan N is a plan with very low premiums but high copays.
Medigap Plan C and Medigap Plan F are options for those who joined Medicare before 2020. However, individuals who are new to Medicare are unable to purchase these plans from any insurer.
Furthermore, AARP and UnitedHealthcare provide plans in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, adhering to each state’s unique Medigap plan standards. Which vary from the standardization system used in most of the country.
Medicare Select Policies
The insurers offer Medicare Select policies in certain locations. These plans cover similar Medicare services as any Medigap plan of the same type. However, they require beneficiaries to have access to inpatient services from healthcare providers and in-network hospitals. In exchange for these network restrictions, select plans offer very low premiums compared to their non-select counterparts.
If you’re on a Medicare Select plan and use a hospital that’s not in the network, you might need to cover the Medicare Part A deductible, which is $1,632 in 2024. However, exceptions apply for emergencies and unavailable services at in-network hospitals.
And when you’re over 100 miles away from home, Select plans might not be offered everywhere or for all Medigap types. You can check what’s available in your area. And compare prices for Select and non-Select plans by entering your ZIP code on UnitedHealthcare’s website.
How much does the Medigap Plan cost?
AARP Medigap plan premiums differ based on where you live and how the insurance company sets prices. There are three methods:
- Community-rated: Everyone pays the same premium, no matter their age.
- Issue-age rating: The premium is based on your age when you first get the policy and stays the same as you age.
- Attained-age rated: The premium is based on your current age and may increase as you get older.
AARP, a non-profit group, offers discounts on United Healthcare’s Medigap plans as part of its membership benefits. The discounts you get can depend on where you live, your household situation, and how you apply for the policy. Top of Form
How can I Enroll in the AARP UnitedHealthCare Medigap Plan?
Before you can enroll in the AAR insurance policy, you need to have a membership. AARP membership typically costs $16 every year. Just so you know, discounts are available if you want to sign up for longer membership terms or automatic renewals.
Once you have gotten the membership, you can go to the official website and choose a Medicare option of your choice with confidence. With the website, you can get access to different resources and tools to help manage your health and plan.
AARP provides UnitedHealthcare-backed Medicare Supplement Insurance plans across the United States, including Washington, D.C., and some U.S. territories. The eight AARP Medigap plans provided help cover expenses like copays, coinsurance, and deductibles that original Medicare doesn’t. Each plan has different coverage and costs.
You can reach UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Supplement Insurance customer service using their phone number, access online assistance through UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Supplement member site, or contact them via Facebook or X (formerly Twitter).
