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AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medigap plans have low complaint rates when compared with most competitors. There are many configurations of plan types and extras available — sometimes so many that it might be overwhelming to choose.
Plan types offeredMedigap plan types the company generally offers (availability may vary by location). Options include Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M and N
A, B, C, F, G, K, L and N.
NAIC complaint rateHow often the company’s members file complaints about their policies as compared to the industry average, according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Far fewer than expected
Premium discounts availableBased on the number and size of a company’s available discounts on monthly premiums, in comparison to other insurance companies.
Average
Pros
Offers as many as eight out of 10 plan types.
Available in every state.
Few customer complaints and strong third-party customer satisfaction ratings.
Cons
Health and wellness discounts cost extra, while some competitors offer them for free.
Plan variations and extras can get confusing.
Network requirements for lower-cost Medicare Select plans.
Plan types offeredMedigap plan types the company generally offers (availability may vary by location). Options include Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M and N
A, B, C, F, G, K, L and N.
NAIC complaint rateHow often the company’s members file complaints about their policies as compared to the industry average, according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Far fewer than expected
Premium discounts availableBased on the number and size of a company’s available discounts on monthly premiums, in comparison to other insurance companies.
Average
Pros
Offers as many as eight out of 10 plan types.
Available in every state.
Few customer complaints and strong third-party customer satisfaction ratings.
Cons
Health and wellness discounts cost extra, while some competitors offer them for free.
Plan variations and extras can get confusing.
Network requirements for lower-cost Medicare Select plans.
AARP’s Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are insured exclusively by UnitedHealthcare. The AARP and UnitedHealthcare co-branded plans are available in every state and Washington, D.C.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest seller of Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, and of Medicare Advantage plans
American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance. Medicare Data 2022. Accessed Aug 4, 2023.
AARP/UnitedHealthcare offers most Medigap plan types — often with multiple options for pricing and extra benefits. Prices are competitive, and complaint rates for the company’s Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are considerably lower than the market average.
Here’s what you should know about AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance from UnitedHealthcare.
AARP/UHC Medicare Supplement Insurance pros and cons
AARP and UnitedHealthcare’s Medigap offerings have advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
Cons
Plenty of plan types: Eight of the 10 standard Medigap plan types are available to qualifying applicants.
Available everywhere: Plans are available in every state — even Massachusetts, which competitors tend to skip.
Customers are happy: Customers complain about AARP/UHC Medigap plans at relatively low rates, and UHC does well on third-party customer satisfaction ratings.
Extra perks add cost: The health and wellness discounts sold as “wellness extras” are sometimes costly, while some competitors include similar perks for free.
Plan types can be confusing: Some plans are offered with as many as three variations, each with different pricing, extras and restrictions.
Lowest-priced plans have network requirements: Medicare Select plans can have lower premiums, but only work if you can stay in-network for inpatient care.
Medigap Plan A — the basic benefits included in every Medigap plan without any extras.
Medigap Plan B — basic benefits plus coverage for the Medicare Part A deductible.
Medigap Plan G — the highest-coverage option available to new Medicare members.
Medigap Plan K — the lowest-cost Medigap plan, with 50% coverage for most benefits.
Medigap Plan L — a low-cost option with 75% coverage for most benefits.
Medigap Plan N — a plan with lower premiums but higher copays.
Medigap Plan C and Medigap Plan F are also available for beneficiaries who were eligible to enroll in Medicare prior to 2020. Newer Medicare members can’t buy these plans from any insurance company.
In addition, AARP and UnitedHealthcare offer plans in Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin according to each state's Medigap plan standards, which differ from the standardization system used in the majority of the country.
Medicare Select policies add network requirements
AARP and UnitedHealthcare offer Medicare Select policies in some locations. These plans cover the same Medicare services as any Medigap plan of the same type, but they require beneficiaries to get inpatient services from in-network hospitals and health care providers.
In exchange for the network restrictions, Select plans may offer lower premiums than their non-Select counterparts.
If you have a Medicare Select plan and get services from an out-of-network hospital, you become responsible for the Medicare Part A deductible, which is $1,600 in 2023 ($1,632 in 2024). Exceptions are available for emergency services, services not available from an in-network hospital and when you’re more than 100 miles from home.
Select plans aren’t available in all areas or for all Medigap plan types. Enter your ZIP code on UnitedHealthcare’s website to check what’s available to you and to compare prices for Select and non-Select plans.
Cost for AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medigap plans
The following price quotes were obtained for three metropolitan areas representing above-average, average and below-average costs for the most popular Medicare Supplement Insurance plans (Plan G and Plan N)
The sections below show pricing information from UnitedHealthcare for a 65-year-old female nonsmoker and reflect base pricing with optional discounts removed or factored out whenever the option was available. (Note: Some Medigap prices may be higher for males.)
For comparison, each table also includes the price for the least-expensive option to buy the same plan from other companies, based on information from Medicare.gov. For example, AARP/UnitedHealthcare’s price for Medigap Plan A in Los Angeles appears alongside the lowest price on Medicare.gov for all Plan A policies available in Los Angeles to an applicant with identical demographics.
Plan A
On average, AARP/UnitedHealthcare’s lowest quoted prices for Medigap Plan A were about 23% higher than the least-expensive Plan A policy in the area.
Get details on AARP/UHC's rates for Medigap Plan A
AARP/UHC-quoted price
Medicare.gov lowest price
Los Angeles
Plan A*: $118.72.
$107.
Atlanta
Plan A*: $122.25.
$108.
Dallas
Plan A: $130.81.
Plan A + wellness extras: $305.61.
$98.
*AARP/UHC Medigap Plan A policies offered in Los Angeles and Atlanta included the added benefits sold elsewhere as “wellness extras.”
On average, UnitedHealthcare’s lowest quoted prices for non-Select Medigap Plan G policies were about 38% higher than the least-expensive Plan G policy in the area.
Get details on AARP/UHC's rates for Medigap Plan G
AARP/UHC-quoted price
Medicare.gov lowest price
Los Angeles
Plan G*: $156.96.
$137.
Atlanta
Plan G*: $136.75.
Select Plan G*: $123.
$112.
Dallas
Plan G: $133.22.
Plan G + wellness extras: $139.84.
Select Plan G + wellness extras: $118.95.
$99.
*AARP/UHC Medigap Plan G policies offered in Los Angeles and Atlanta included the added benefits sold elsewhere as “wellness extras.”
On average, AARP/UnitedHealthcare’s lowest quoted prices for non-Select Medigap Plan N policies were about 48% higher than the least-expensive Plan N policy in the area.
Get details on AARP/UHC's rates for Medigap Plan N
AARP/UHC-quoted price
Medicare.gov lowest price
Los Angeles
Plan N*: $132.96.
$105.
Atlanta
Plan N*: $122.
Select Plan N*: $122.25.
$86.
Dallas
Plan N: $99.72.
Plan N + wellness extras: $120.17.
Select Plan N + wellness extras: $95.77.
$77.
*AARP/UHC Medigap Plan N policies offered in Los Angeles and Atlanta included the added benefits sold elsewhere as “wellness extras.”
Opting for the Medicare Select version won't save you money in every case. Compare quotes carefully to see what you might save (or not).
AARP membership
You need to have an AARP membership to enroll in an AARP-branded insurance policy. An AARP membership generally costs $16 per year. Discounts are available if you sign up for automatic renewal or longer memberships terms.
Discounts
Here are several discounts AARP and UnitedHealthcare offer to some Medicare Supplement Insurance applicants:
Multiple policies: Qualifying members can get a discount on monthly premiums if two or more members with the same AARP membership number have eligible AARP-branded Medigap policies. This discount can’t be combined with the household discount.
Household: Qualifying members can get a discount on monthly premiums if they live with another household member who is also an AARP member. This discount can’t be combined with the multiple policy discount.
Electronic funds transfer: Qualifying members can get a discount on monthly premiums for paying with an electronic funds transfer from their bank account.
Available discounts may vary according to factors such as your location, household status and how you apply for a policy.
UnitedHealthcare member complaints
56% fewer complaints than average
Members file complaints about AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement Insurance plans at a rate almost 56% below the average for all Medigap plans, according to 2022 data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for UnitedHealthcare and its subsidiaries that sell Medigap policies
National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Company Complaint Index. Accessed Aug 4, 2023.
NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
UnitedHealthcare’s spending on care
77.8% for member benefits
Medicare Supplement Insurance companies are required to report data on the premiums they collect and how much they spend to provide benefits for members.
Based on the most recent year of data, AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement Insurance plans spend about 77.8% of premiums on member benefits
Medigap plans have standardized Medicare benefits, but companies can offer additional perks. Here are examples of extra benefits available with some AARP/UnitedHealthcare policies:
24/7 nurse line: Members can call to speak with a nurse to ask questions, discuss concerns or get help accessing community resources.
Gym memberships: Some plans include gym memberships at no additional cost.
Discounts for dental, hearing and vision: Some plans include discounts on dental services, eye exams, eyewear and hearing devices from certain providers.
Driver safety course: Some plans grant members access to the AARP Smart Driver course. Completing that course might help members qualify for auto insurance discounts.
Note: In some cases, extra perks are included only in plans sold with the “+ wellness extras” label. In most cases, these extras carry an additional cost over a version of the same plan without the extras. However, in some states, such as California, there is no option — plans automatically include the extras even though there’s no “+ wellness extras” label.
Third-party ratings
There are a few companies that weigh in on customers’ experiences with insurance companies or the strength of the company in question, and we’ve included two here:
American Customer Satisfaction Index: 75 out of 100
The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) rates consumer satisfaction with products and services based on a scientific model developed at the University of Michigan. Ratings are derived from surveys that measure consumers’ expectations and perceived quality and value of products and services.
In 2022, UnitedHealthcare scored 75 out of 100 on the ACSI health insurance satisfaction benchmark
American Customer Satisfaction Index. Health Insurance. Accessed Aug 4, 2023.
. ACSI measures satisfaction with the health insurance industry as a whole — the benchmark isn’t specific to Medicare Supplement Insurance. For comparison, the highest score was 77 and the health insurance industry average was 73.
AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A+
AM Best is a credit rating agency that specializes in the insurance industry. In December 2022, AM Best affirmed its Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) for the health and dental insurance subsidiaries of UnitedHealth Group, which AM Best collectively refers to as UnitedHealthcare
An A+ rating in this category indicates that UnitedHealthcare has a superior ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations, according to AM Best.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement Insurance service area
AARP offers UnitedHealthcare-insured Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
UnitedHealthcare is by far the largest Medicare Supplement Insurance company. The company covers about 4.4 million Medigap beneficiaries, and its share of the total Medicare Supplement Insurance market is about 33.2%
AARP is a nonprofit interest group and advocacy organization. It advocates for local, state and national policies on behalf of older Americans. AARP members can access benefits through the organization, including discounts on products and services.
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is part of UnitedHealth Group, which is headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota. It's the largest health insurance company in the U.S. The company offers individual- and employer-based health insurance plans, Medicare and Medicaid plans, dental and vision plans and other types of supplemental insurance. In 2022, UnitedHealthcare reported $249.7 billion in revenue
Because Medigap plans are standardized, you can get precisely the same Medicare benefits from any company offering the plan. So when you shop, keep these considerations in mind to find the best policy to fit your needs:
Is your preferred plan available? Health insurance companies don’t always sell every plan, so check who sells the plan you want to buy in your area.
What are the premiums? Prices for the same plan can vary between companies, so check to find the most competitive rates.
Will your premiums change over time? Most policies cost more as you age, but some companies offer policies that let you lock in a price when you sign up.
Are there extras? Medigap plans’ core benefits are standardized, but in certain cases, some companies include such perks as discount programs or gym memberships.
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
