Aarp Medicare Supplement Plans and Costs

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AARP Medicare Supplement plans can help fill the gaps in Original Medicare coverage, but it's essential to understand the costs involved. AARP Medicare Supplement Plan G, for example, has a monthly premium of around $140 for a 65-year-old non-smoker.

The costs of AARP Medicare Supplement plans vary depending on the plan and your age. AARP Medicare Supplement Plan N, on the other hand, has a lower premium of around $120 per month for the same demographic.

To give you a better idea, here are some estimated monthly premiums for AARP Medicare Supplement plans: Plan A ($130), Plan F ($150), and Plan G ($140).

Worth a look: Join Aarp

Plan Details

AARP Medicare Supplement plans offer a range of options to fit your needs.

You likely have eight to 10 Medigap options to choose from, each designated by a letter: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. These plans are standardized, meaning plans with the same letter name must provide the same basic benefits regardless of the insurer or location.

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Most Medigap plans cover the Medicare Part A hospital deductible, which is $1,632 per benefit period in 2024. Some plans also pay coinsurance costs for skilled nursing facilities and hospice care, as well as excess charges from doctors who don't accept assignment.

You can buy a Medigap policy anytime after signing up for Medicare Part A and Part B, but the best time to buy is within the six-month period that starts the first day of the month you enroll in Medicare Part B. During this time, insurers must offer you all the Medigap policies available in your area at the best rates for your age.

The 10 standardized Medigap plans offer different levels of coverage, including paying the coinsurance, covering some deductibles, and adding health benefits. Here's a brief overview of each plan:

Keep in mind that these plans are standardized, so the benefits and premiums will be the same regardless of the insurer or location. However, the premiums can vary depending on the company and your age.

UnitedHealthcare N

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UnitedHealthcare N is a popular Medigap plan that offers robust coverage at relatively low rates. It's one of the 10 standardized Medigap plans available in most states.

You can enroll in AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medigap Plan N at any time of year, but the best time to sign up is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which lasts for six months.

Plan N pays 100% of the Part B coinsurance, except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't result in an inpatient admission.

AARP/UnitedHealthcare Plan N fully covers each of the following Medicare costs unless otherwise noted: Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, first 3 pints of blood, Part A hospice care co-insurance or co-payment, and co-insurance for skilled nursing facility.

Plan N does not cover the Medicare Part B annual deductible, which is $240 for the year in 2024. You can avoid Medicare excess charges by making sure you visit healthcare providers who accept Medicare assignment.

See what others are reading: High Deductible Medicare Supplement Plans

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To be eligible for AARP/UnitedHealthcare Plan N, you must be at least 65 years old and be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, live in an area where AARP/UnitedHealthcare sells Plan N, and have an active AARP membership ($16 per year in 2024).

Here's a quick summary of what Plan N covers:

Cost and Options

Plan N typically costs less than Plan G, but costs can vary depending on factors like location, gender, age, and pricing structure. This means that a 65-year-old nonsmoking man in Fort Myers, Florida, could pay a different premium than a 65-year-old nonsmoking woman in Wichita, Kansas.

Plan N costs can start at $102.31 per month, while Plan G starts at $118.55. You're responsible for paying your $226 Part B deductible, regardless of which plan you choose. This deductible is for medical services and diagnostics.

There are 10 universal Medigap policies, including Plan N, which can reduce or eliminate your Part A hospital deductible, saving you up to $1,600 per benefit period. Some plans may also pick up excess charges beyond Medicare-approved amounts, limiting your out-of-pocket expenses.

Expand your knowledge: Medigap Plan G vs N

Prices Vary

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Plan costs can be affected by location, gender, age, and pricing structure. A 65-year-old nonsmoking man in Fort Myers, Florida, could pay $64 a month for a Plan K policy or $263 for Plan D.

Plan availability and premiums can vary depending on where you live, when you apply for a plan, and how the plan is structured. For example, a 65-year-old nonsmoking woman in Wichita, Kansas, might pay $32 a month for a high-deductible Plan G policy versus $455 for a regular Plan G.

Plan N typically costs less than Plan G, and Plan G costs can vary depending on the deductible. You're responsible for paying your $226 Part B deductible (in 2023) for medical services and diagnostics, regardless of which plan you choose.

Some plans may pick up excess charges beyond Medicare-approved amounts, and they can limit your out-of-pocket expenses. AARP offers six to eight Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in most geographic areas, including Plan A, Plan B, Plan G, Plan K, Plan L, and Plan N.

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Here's a comparison of some of the AARP Medigap plans:

Options

You have eight to 10 Medigap options to choose from, each known by a letter: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. These plans are standardized, meaning plans with the same letter name must provide the same basic benefits regardless of the insurer or location.

You can buy a Medigap policy anytime after signing up for Medicare Part A and Part B, with no annual open enrollment period like Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. This means you can purchase a policy at any time that suits you.

There are some special considerations to keep in mind, however. The best time to buy a Medigap policy if you're 65 or older is within the six-month period that starts the first day of the month you enroll in Medicare Part B. During this time, insurers must offer you all the Medigap policies available in your area at the best rates for your age.

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Here are some of the key differences between the various Medigap plans:

Medigap policies can also offer additional benefits, such as paying coinsurance costs for skilled nursing facilities and hospice care, and covering excess charges from doctors who don't accept assignment.

Choosing and Enrolling

You can enroll in AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medigap Plan N at any time of year, but the best time to sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period begins the day you are 65 years old or older and enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, and lasts for six months.

You have guaranteed issue rights during this enrollment period, which means you are exempt from any medical underwriting and insurance carriers may not charge you higher rates or deny you coverage based on your health. However, if you wait to sign up until after this enrollment period is over, you waive your guaranteed issue rights and might be charged a higher premium if you are in poor health.

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To choose the right AARP Medicare Supplement Plan, consider the different options available, such as Plan A, Plan B, Plan G, Plan K, Plan L, and Plan N. Each plan has its own benefits and costs, so it's essential to compare them carefully. Here's a brief overview of some of the AARP Medigap plans:

Travel Emergency Care

Travel Emergency Care can be a major concern for those who venture abroad.

Medicare provides limited coverage for emergency care received outside of the U.S. under specific circumstances.

Plan N covers 80% of the costs for foreign travel medical care, which can be a significant help in an emergency.

It's essential to understand the limitations of Medicare coverage when traveling abroad, so you're not caught off guard if you need medical attention.

Unitedhealthcare N Enrollment

You can enroll in AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medigap Plan N at any time of year, but the best time to sign up is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the day you turn 65 or older and enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B.

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This enrollment period only lasts for six months, so it's essential to compare plans before it starts so you're ready to enroll.

You have guaranteed issue rights during this time, which means you're exempt from medical underwriting and insurance carriers may not charge you higher rates or deny you coverage based on your health.

Here are the eligibility criteria for AARP/UnitedHealthcare Plan N:

  1. You must be at least 65 years old (in most states) and be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B
  2. You must live in an area where AARP/UnitedHealthcare sells Plan N
  3. You must have an active AARP membership ($16 per year in 2024)

If you wait to sign up until after your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is over, you waive your guaranteed issue rights and might be charged a higher premium if you're in poor health.

Buying Health Insurance

If you're considering buying health insurance, you'll want to know about Medicare supplemental policies. There are 10 universal Medigap policies, known as plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N.

These policies offer standardized benefits and copay reductions. Some plans may help pay for excess charges beyond Medicare-approved amounts and limit your out-of-pocket expenses.

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AARP offers six to eight Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in most areas. You're responsible for paying your $226 Part B deductible for medical services and diagnostics, regardless of which plan you choose.

Here are some key features of AARP Medigap plans:

Keep in mind that rates are based on medical eligibility.

For Original Enrollees

For original enrollees, Medigap plans are a great option to consider. Medigap plans are only for original Medicare enrollees, and they're sold by private insurance companies but regulated by states and the federal government.

Original Medicare pays 80 percent of covered Part B health care services, and Medigap insurance typically covers the 20 percent that is your responsibility to pay, along with some other health care costs. In contrast, a Medicare Advantage plan doesn’t allow supplemental insurance, even though it does have various out-of-pocket costs.

You can buy a Medigap policy anytime after signing up for Medicare Part A and Part B, but the best time to buy is within the six-month period that starts the first day of the month you enroll in Medicare Part B. During this time, insurers must offer you all the Medigap policies available in your area at the best rates for your age.

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If you're 65 or older, you have several guaranteed issue rights, which means that you can buy a Medigap policy regardless of your health and under specific situations. In Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York, you can buy a Medigap policy anytime regardless of preexisting conditions.

Here's a brief overview of the 10 universal Medigap policies, including standardized benefits and copay reductions:

Plan N is one of the most popular Medigap plans, and it offers robust coverage at relatively low rates.

Some States Set Enrollment Rules

Some states set their own enrollment rules, which can affect how you buy and switch Medigap plans. Connecticut and New York let Medicare beneficiaries buy a Medigap plan at any time without being denied.

You can switch plans at designated times in states like California, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular AARP Medicare Supplement plan?

The most popular AARP Medicare Supplement plan is Medigap Plan G, which offers comprehensive coverage and affordable prices. This plan is a top choice for many, covering nearly all out-of-pocket costs with Original Medicare.

What is the difference between AARP UnitedHealthcare and UnitedHealthcare?

AARP UnitedHealthcare is a Medicare supplement insurance plan, while UnitedHealthcare is a standalone insurance company. The key difference is that AARP UnitedHealthcare is a branded plan with a partnership between AARP and UnitedHealthcare.

What is the difference between AARP plan F and G?

If you're eligible for Medicare in 2020 or later, the main difference between AARP Plan F and Plan G is that Plan F covers the Medicare Part B deductible, which Plan G does not. This makes Plan G a potentially better deal for those eligible for both plans.

What does AARP supplemental insurance cover for seniors?

AARP Medicare Supplement plans help cover out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare, such as coinsurance and deductibles. This can significantly reduce seniors' healthcare expenses and financial burden.

Is AARP Plan N good?

AARP Plan N offers excellent coverage, with copays as low as $20 for doctor visits and $50 for emergency room visits, making it a popular choice among Medicare beneficiaries. If you're looking for a Medigap plan with affordable out-of-pocket costs, Plan N is definitely worth considering.

Sean Dooley

Lead Writer

Sean Dooley is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting engaging content. With a strong background in research and analysis, Sean has developed a keen eye for detail and a talent for distilling complex information into clear, concise language. Sean's portfolio includes a wide range of articles on topics such as accounting services, where he has demonstrated a deep understanding of financial concepts and a ability to communicate them effectively to diverse audiences.

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