AARP Medicare Supplement Plans: Costs, Coverage and Honest Review

Who Underwrites AARP Medicare Supplement Plans?

AARP itself is not an insurance company. Instead, AARP licenses its brand to UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, which actually underwrites, prices, and pays claims for AARP Medicare Supplement plans. UnitedHealthcare is the largest Medigap insurer in the country and sells AARP-branded plans in every state plus Washington, D.C.

There are actually two "books of business" that consumers should understand. Newer AARP Medigap policies are typically written through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of America (UHICA), which often has lower starting premiums. Older policies sit with the original UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company (UHC) book and tend to start at higher rates. In 2026, AM Best downgraded the Financial Strength Rating of UnitedHealth Group's health insurance subsidiaries (including UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company) from A+ (Superior) to A (Excellent), with a stable outlook. Both books still fall under the broader UnitedHealth Group umbrella, and an A (Excellent) FSR is still considered strong by industry standards.

Which AARP Medigap Plans Are Available in 2026?

Because Medigap is federally standardized, the benefits inside each plan letter are identical no matter which company sells them. AARP/UnitedHealthcare offers up to eight of the ten standardized plans (A, B, C, F, G, K, L, and N), which is broader than most competitors. Each state has at least one AARP Medigap plan available, but not every state has all eight letters. The typical lineup includes:

Plans C and F are only available to people who became Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020, under the MACRA law. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin use their own state-specific Medigap standardization, and AARP/UHC offers alternative AARP-branded designs in those states. For a deeper look at the standardized lineup, see our guide to the best Medicare Supplement plans of 2026.

What Do AARP Medicare Supplement Plans Cost?

Pricing for AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medigap is set by age, gender, ZIP code, tobacco status, and rating method (attained-age, issue-age, or community-rated, depending on state). Here is how AARP averages compare to broader 2026 Medigap benchmarks.

Plan G average premiums

Plan N average premiums

These figures reflect 65-year-old non-smoking women in attained-age states. AARP/UHC consistently prices slightly above the national multi-carrier average, though wellness extras, brand reliability, and stable claims service may justify the premium for some buyers. For full pricing detail on the most popular plan, see our Plan G coverage and costs breakdown, or read our broader guide on the average Medicare Supplement cost in 2026.

AARP Membership Requirement and Discounts

To enroll in any AARP-branded Medigap plan, you must join AARP. Membership is open to anyone 18 or older, and standard pricing is $20 per year, with promotional first-year pricing as low as $15 when you enroll in automatic renewal. Multi-year discounts are available, and a spouse or household member gets a free secondary membership.

What you get on top of the Medigap policy:

• Wellness and fitness program access (varies by state)
• Discounts on hearing aids, vision, and dental services
• Nurse line and 24/7 digital tools
• Optional dental and vision add-ons in many states
• Travel, entertainment, and retail discounts unrelated to Medicare

AARP/UnitedHealthcare Rate Increase History

Rate stability is one of the most important and least-discussed factors in choosing Medigap. Independent reviews of AARP Medigap have found premiums rose at the high end of the market over the past three years, with some books hit much harder than others.

Specific examples from recent years:

• 2024: AARP Plan F retiree-group rates rose roughly 6-8% in many areas
• 2025: Plan G and Plan N policyholders on the newer UHICA book saw 15-18% increases effective June 1, with some states seeing 12% base rate increases on Plan G
• 2026: A retiree-group Plan F increase ranged from $10.64 to $47.02 per month effective June 1, with a majority of participants receiving subsidized rate adjustments

These increases hit the older UHC book hardest because all policies repriced in June regardless of anniversary date. Newer UHICA policies tend to have more predictable trajectories, though they have also seen double-digit increases in many states. The 2026 Part B premium increase to $202.90 (up from $185) and the Part B deductible jumping to $283 also put upward pressure on Medigap rates across the board. For context on how this compares to other carriers, our Medigap vs Medicare Advantage guide explains how to factor rate growth into a long-term cost projection.

Pros and Cons of AARP Medicare Supplement Plans

AARP vs Mutual of Omaha, Cigna, and Aetna

Because Plan G from AARP is identical to Plan G from Mutual of Omaha, Cigna, or Aetna in terms of medical benefits, the real comparison comes down to price, discounts, rate stability, and service. See our full ranking of the best Medigap insurance companies for 2026 for a deeper breakdown.

Mutual of Omaha often beats AARP on long-term cost once household discounts and rate stability are factored in, especially for couples. Cigna HealthSpring frequently offers the lowest Plan G premium in many ZIP codes, though plan-letter selection is narrower. Aetna is competitive on Plan N with solid digital tools and a household discount in many states.

If you are weighing carriers for your situation, our deep dive on Plan N coverage and costs walks through which company tends to win for the Plan N buyer in 2026.

Is AARP's Plan G a Good Value?

For most new Medicare enrollees in 2026, Plan G is the right plan letter because it covers everything Plan F covered (minus the $283 Part B deductible) at a much lower premium. The harder question is whether AARP is the right carrier for that Plan G.

You are likely a good fit for AARP/UHC Plan G if:

• You value brand recognition and a large national company
• You want wellness extras and AARP discounts beyond insurance
• You live in a state where AARP's pricing is competitive (this varies)
• You are willing to accept slightly higher premiums for stability and service

You should probably shop other carriers first if:

• You qualify for a household discount with a spouse (favor Mutual of Omaha or Aetna)
• You are price-shopping and Cigna operates in your ZIP code
• You expect to hold the policy 15+ years and want lower projected rate growth
• You want a lower-premium catastrophic option (look at High-Deductible Plan G)

For an apples-to-apples comparison of why most new enrollees should choose G over F, see our complete guide on Plan F coverage and eligibility.

How to Enroll and Get an AARP Medigap Quote

The cleanest path is to apply during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the month you turn 65 and have Part B. During this window, AARP/UHC cannot use medical underwriting and cannot deny you or charge more for health reasons.

Steps to enroll:

1. Join AARP ($15 first year with auto-renewal, $20 standard)
2. Get a personalized quote at aarpmedicareplans.com or through a licensed agent
3. Compare against at least 2-3 competing carriers
4. Submit your application before your Open Enrollment Period ends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance the same as UnitedHealthcare?

Yes, the policies you buy under the AARP brand are underwritten by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of America. AARP licenses its name and endorsement to UnitedHealthcare but does not handle claims or pricing. From a coverage standpoint, an AARP Medigap plan is a UnitedHealthcare Medigap plan.

Do I have to be an AARP member to buy these plans?

Yes. AARP membership is required to enroll in any AARP-branded Medicare Supplement plan, and it costs about $20 per year, with $15 first-year pricing for those who enroll in automatic renewal. Membership also includes a free secondary household member and access to dozens of unrelated discounts. If you do not want to pay AARP membership dues, you can buy a Medigap plan with identical benefits from another insurer.

Is AARP Plan G cheaper than Mutual of Omaha Plan G?

Usually not. Mutual of Omaha's Plan G base premium can run 23-31% higher than the cheapest carrier in many markets, but their 7-12% household discount often offsets that for couples. AARP/UHC typically prices above the national average without a comparable household discount, so Mutual of Omaha frequently wins for two-person households while Cigna is often cheaper for single shoppers.

How often do AARP Medicare Supplement premiums increase?

AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medigap premiums saw notably large increases in 2025, with some Plan G and Plan N policyholders facing 15-18% jumps effective June 1, and 2026 brought another round of mid-year rate adjustments. Increases are usually filed and approved by your state insurance department once per year, though the older UHC book can reprice in June regardless of anniversary date. Rising Medicare Part A and B costs in 2026 continue to put upward pressure on all Medigap rates.

Can I switch from AARP Medigap to another carrier later?

Yes, but it gets harder over time. You can apply to switch carriers at any point, but outside of Open Enrollment or a guaranteed-issue situation, the new carrier will use medical underwriting and may decline you. Some states (like California, Oregon, and New York) have rules that make switching easier, and 15 states now have birthday-rule guaranteed-issue windows. Before changing, get fully approved by the new carrier before canceling your AARP policy.