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AARP Medicare Part D from UnitedHealthcare 2024 Review
AARP Medicare Rx prescription drug plans are insured by UnitedHealthcare, and members have few complaints, but the plans aren't cheap.
Alex Rosenberg Lead Writer | Medicare, health care, legislation
Alex Rosenberg is a NerdWallet writer focusing on Medicare and information technology. He has more than 10 years of experience researching and writing about health care, insurance, technology, data privacy and public policy. His research has supported lawmakers in the Wisconsin State Legislature as well as health systems and national health authorities in the U.S. and more than 10 other countries. He is based in Stoughton, Wisconsin.
Holly Carey joined NerdWallet in 2021 as an editor on the team responsible for expanding content to additional topics within personal finance. She currently leads the Medicare team. Previously, Holly wrote and edited content and developed digital media strategies as a public affairs officer for the U.S. Navy. She is based in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
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CMS Star RatingAverage Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D plans are widely available and get average quality ratings from CMS, especially for member satisfaction. Premiums can get expensive, however, and ratings for helping members with their medications aren't as strong.
Out-of-pocket costsBased on how frequent and how high a company's copays, coinsurance and deductibles are in comparison to other insurance companies.
Average
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Drug Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
2.94 (Average)
Pros
Available everywhere in the U.S. and in several U.S. territories.
Few complaints and few members choosing to leave.
Copays rather than coinsurance for Tier 1-3 drugs in most plans.
Cons
Competitors often offer cheaper plans.
Below-average ratings for helping members fill and manage prescriptions.
$0-copay options available only with the most expensive plan.
Out-of-pocket costsBased on how frequent and how high a company's copays, coinsurance and deductibles are in comparison to other insurance companies.
Average
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Drug Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
2.94 (Average)
Pros
Available everywhere in the U.S. and in several U.S. territories.
Few complaints and few members choosing to leave.
Copays rather than coinsurance for Tier 1-3 drugs in most plans.
Cons
Competitors often offer cheaper plans.
Below-average ratings for helping members fill and manage prescriptions.
$0-copay options available only with the most expensive plan.
AARP Medicare Part D prescription drug plans are insured by UnitedHealthcare
. The plans' premiums can get expensive, however. And their ratings for helping members get and take their medications are below average.
Here’s what you should know about AARP Medicare Part D prescription drug plans from UnitedHealthcare.
Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medicare Part D Plans
AARP Medicare Part D pros and cons
Medicare prescription drug plans from AARP and UnitedHealthcare have advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
Wide Availability: You can get an AARP Part D plan from UnitedHealthcare everywhere in the U.S. and in several U.S. territories.
Few coinsurance requirements: You'll pay copays rather than coinsurance for drugs on Tiers 1-3 in most AARP Medicare Rx plans.
Member satisfaction: AARP Medicare Part D plans had few complaints and small numbers of members choosing to leave the plans.
Cons
Pricey premiums: Other companies often offer lower prices, and the Medicare Rx Walgreens plan is much more expensive in 2024.
Below-average medication management: AARP Medicare Rx plans get below-average ratings for helping members fill their prescriptions and manage their drugs.
Few $0-copay options: Only the most expensive AARP Medicare Rx plan has any $0-copay options.
These ratings use a 5-point scale, where 5 is the best and 1 is the worst. The agency bases its ratings on drug plans’ quality of service and customer experiences, and ratings are updated annually.
Based on the most recent year of data, stand-alone AARP Medicare Part D plans from UnitedHealthcare get an average of 3.29 stars, weighted by enrollment when the ratings were released
Medicare beneficiaries with Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) can purchase a Medicare Part D plan for prescription drug coverage. Part D plans are sold by private insurance companies. The costs and coverage can vary significantly, so it’s important to compare options.
There are four AARP Medicare Rx Part D prescription drug plan options available from UnitedHealthcare in 2024, but in any given location, you'll be able to choose between up to three options (never all four)
AARP Medicare Rx Walgreens from UHC. According to AARP and UnitedHealthcare, this plan is a good fit if you fill your prescriptions primary at Walgreens.
AARP Medicare Rx Preferred from UHC. According to AARP and UnitedHealthcare, this plan is a good fit if you “want our most extensive drug coverage and access to a broad pharmacy network.”
The other two plans serve different sets of states:
AARP Medicare Rx Saver from UHC. Available in 20 states and Washington, D.C.
AARP Medicare Rx Basic from UHC. Available in 30 states.
According to AARP and UnitedHealthcare, the Basic and Saver plans are best for people who receive Extra Help, a subsidy that helps Medicare beneficiaries with limited income afford their prescription drugs. Those plans replace last year's AARP Medicare Rx Saver Plus plan, which had been available in all states.
AARP Medicare Part D cost
AARP and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D premiums and deductibles
Average premiums for the Walgreens plan have gone up significantly since 2023, and the deductible has gone up to meet 2024’s maximum that plans are allowed to charge.
Average premiums for the Preferred plan have gone down slightly since 2023, and it still has a $0 deductible in most locations, but the deductible in U.S. territories has gone up.
(The Basic and Saver plans are new this year.)
Here are the 2024 premiums and deductibles for AARP’s stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
» If you're concerned about affording Medicare Part D, look into Medicare Extra Help.
AARP Medicare Part D drug formulary tiers
A formulary is a list of the prescription drugs covered by an insurance plan. The plans often organize different kinds of drugs into tiers according to the cost of the drugs.
AARP Medicare Part D plans from UnitedHealthcare use a five-tier formulary:
Drug tier
Description
Tier 1: Preferred generic
Lower-cost, commonly used generic drugs.
Tier 2: Generic
Many generic drugs.
Tier 3: Preferred brand
Many common brand-name drugs (called preferred brands) and some higher-cost generic drugs.
Tier 4: Non-preferred drug
Non-preferred generic and non-preferred brand-name drugs.
Tier 5: Specialty tier
Unique and/or very high-cost brand and generic drugs.
Each tier has copay or coinsurance requirements. You’ll generally pay more for drugs listed in higher tiers up to Tier 4, but Tier 5 specialty drugs have a lower coinsurance requirement than Tier 4 drugs.
Which drugs are included in which tiers and what you’ll pay for each tier depends on your choice of prescription drug plan and what kind of pharmacy you use. For example, AARP Medicare Rx plans have the lowest copays for retail and mail-order pharmacies in their preferred network, while you’ll pay more if you use a standard (non-preferred) pharmacy.
$0-deductible options
Some AARP Medicare Part D plans waive the deductible for drugs on certain formulary tiers:
AARP Medicare Rx Walgreens from UHC: $0 deductible for Tier 1 (preferred generic) drugs. The deductible is $410 for Tier 2-5 drugs
AARP Medicare Rx Preferred from UHC: $0 deductible for all drugs in U.S. states and Washington, D.C. This plan has a deductible of $545 in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
. Drugs from in-person pharmacies, non-preferred pharmacies or on higher tiers all have coinsurance or copay requirements.
There are no $0-copay tiers for the Medicare Rx Walgreens, Basic or Saver plans.
Copay vs. coinsurance requirements
You’ll want to check whether you’ll pay a copay or coinsurance for your medications. Copays are set dollar amounts, so it’s easy to see what you’ll pay. Coinsurance is a percentage of the price for your medications, so coinsurance requirements can be less predictable and more expensive.
For 2024, AARP Medicare Rx plans start requiring coinsurance rather than copays at Tier 3 or Tier 4, depending on the plan. The Walgreens, Preferred and Saver plans have copays for Tiers 1-3 and coinsurance for Tiers 4-5. The Basic plan is different. It has copays for Tiers 1-2 and coinsurance for Tiers 3-5.
You can enter your medications and pharmacy information on UnitedHealthcare’s website to see which drugs are covered and review your estimated costs with different plan options.
Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medicare Part D Plans
Third-party ratings for AARP Medicare Part D plans from UnitedHealthcare
American Customer Satisfaction Index: 78 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 2023, UnitedHealthcare scored 78 out of 100 on the ACSI health insurance satisfaction benchmark
American Customer Satisfaction Index. Health Insurance. Accessed Oct 18, 2023.
. ACSI measures satisfaction with the health insurance industry as a whole — UnitedHealthcare’s score represents all of its health insurance products, not just Medicare Part D insurance. For comparison, the highest score was 82 and the health insurance industry average was 76.
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 of A+ (Superior) for the companies collectively referred to as UnitedHealthcare
An A+ rating in this category indicates that AM Best believes the UnitedHealth Group subsidiaries have a superior ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations
Stand-alone AARP Medicare Part D prescription drug plans are available from UnitedHealthcare in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and five U.S. territories: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
All U.S. states and Washington, D.C., have three AARP Medicare Rx plan choices: the Preferred plan, the Walgreens plan, and either the Basic or the Saver plan (but not both). Only the AARP Medicare Rx Preferred plan is available in the U.S. territories.
About AARP
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.
Read the NerdWallet reviews of these other UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare offerings:
Find the right Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
The interactive tool on Medicare.gov can help you find a Medicare Part D plan that covers your prescriptions. It also helps you compare costs among Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans available to you.
Here are some things to keep in mind when comparing plans:
Check the formulary: You’ll want to make sure the medicines you currently take and, importantly, any you think you might need in the future, are covered under each of the plans you’re considering. Talk to your health care providers about what brand-name and generic medicines to look for and any alternatives that may also work in case you can’t find your current medicines on the plans available in your area.
Look for plan changes: Formularies change frequently. Your insurer should send you a Notice of Plan Change when the formulary changes. Read that document carefully.
Check the pharmacy network: Most Medicare Part D plans negotiate with a network of pharmacies for the lowest cost. Check to see if your pharmacy or an equally convenient one is in the plan’s network. Also, compare prices for using mail order.
If your plan does change, and the change affects the prescription drugs you need, you can switch plans during Medicare's open enrollment period, Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Changes go into effect on the following Jan. 1.
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).