We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners.
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 Eau Claire, 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.
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates pricing, complaint data, online quote availability, coverage options and more.
AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance from UnitedHealthcare has low complaint rates when compared with most competitors. Some plans have several variations with different prices, wellness extras and/or network restrictions, which could make choosing a plan confusing.
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.
Above average
Pros
Offers as many as eight out of 10 plan types.
Available in every state.
Few customer complaints.
Cons
Plans with health and wellness discounts may cost a little extra in some areas, while some competitors include them at no additional cost.
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.
Above average
Pros
Offers as many as eight out of 10 plan types.
Available in every state.
Few customer complaints.
Cons
Plans with health and wellness discounts may cost a little extra in some areas, while some competitors include them at no additional cost.
Plan variations and extras can get confusing.
Network requirements for lower-cost Medicare Select plans.
AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance from UnitedHealthcare is NerdWallet’s top-rated Medigap option for 2024. AARP/UnitedHealthcare offers most Medigap plan types — often with multiple options for pricing and extra benefits — and plans are available everywhere. Prices are competitive, and complaint rates are considerably lower than the market average.
AARP’s Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are insured exclusively by UnitedHealthcare, which is the largest seller of Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, and of Medicare Advantage plans
American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance. Top Medigap Insurers 2024. Accessed Jan 9, 2024.
NerdWallet’s Medicare content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in Medicare. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Nasdaq, MSN, MarketWatch, Yahoo! Finance and other national and regional media outlets. They have been cited in publications including Healthline, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast.
AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance from UnitedHealthcare
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement Insurance earned 5 stars out of 5 for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account pricing, coverage options, online quote availability, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and more.
Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medigap plans
AARP/UHC Medicare Supplement Insurance pros and cons
AARP and UnitedHealthcare’s Medigap offerings have advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
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.
Cons
Extra perks add cost: Plans that include health and wellness discounts sold as "wellness extras" sometimes cost more, while some competitors include similar perks for free.
Confusing plan variations: Some plans are offered with as many as three variations, each with different pricing, extras and restrictions.
Medicare Select networks: UHC/AARP's Medicare Select plans can have lower premiums, but they 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.
💬 From our Nerds: Is AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance from UnitedHealthcare good?
“Yes, AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medigap plans are good. They earned our highest score for Medicare Supplement Insurance companies in 2024. I’d still recommend comparing a few companies’ quotes, but AARP/UnitedHealthcare’s combination of strong discounts, low complaint rates and many plan types is hard to beat."
Note: Since Medigap plan options can vary by location, it’s a good idea to do your research, compare multiple quotes and consider working with a licensed insurance agent for more personalized recommendations.
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.
🤓Nerdy Tip
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).
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 $1,632 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
Premiums for AARP Medicare Supplement Plans from UnitedHealthcare aren’t the lowest, but they’re also far from the highest. AARP/UnitedHealthcare’s premiums for Plan G were about 24% higher than the least expensive option in the area, and premiums for Plan N were about 34% higher.
How we evaluate Medigap companies’ prices
The following price estimates 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)
NerdWallet analysis of American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance data. Best Costs Medigap 2024 – Plan G. Accessed Feb 9, 2024.
The sections below show estimated pricing information from UnitedHealthcare for a 65-year-old female nonsmoker as filed with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
. (Note: Some Medigap prices may be higher for males.) Prices listed are for base plan types (not Medicare Select plans or any other non-standard option).
For comparison, each table also includes the price for the least-expensive option to buy the same plan from any company that filed prices. For example, AARP/UnitedHealthcare’s lowest estimated price for Medigap Plan G in Los Angeles appears alongside the lowest price on Medicare.gov for all Plan G policies available in Los Angeles to an applicant with identical demographics.
Plan G
AARP/UHC price
Medicare.gov lowest price
Los Angeles
$173.
$148.
Atlanta
$153.
$125.
Dallas
$146.
$109.
Plan N
AARP/UHC price
Medicare.gov lowest price
Los Angeles
$146.
$114.
Atlanta
$137.
$95.
Dallas
$106.
$82.
AARP membership
You need to have an AARP membership to enroll in an AARP-branded insurance policy. An AARP membership typically costs $16 per year. Discounts are available if you sign up for automatic renewal or longer membership 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
47% fewer complaints than average
Members file complaints about AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement Insurance plans at a rate almost 47% below the average for all Medigap plans, according to 2022 and 2023 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 Jul 18, 2024.
. (The other 18.5% went to overhead expenses like administrative costs, marketing, salaries and commissions.) For comparison, the average for all companies is 80.4%.
Medicare Supplement Insurance companies are required to report data on the premiums they collect and how much they spend to provide benefits for members. The minimum required by law for individual Medigap policies is 60%
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates pricing, complaint data, online quote availability, coverage options and more.
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.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement Insurance service area
AARP offers UnitedHealthcare-insured Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., and certain U.S. territories.
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 33.4%
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Supplement Insurance companies. These insurers offer Medigap plans in most states, but specifics may vary depending on your location.
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 AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare offerings:
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).
Medicare Supplement Insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) ratings are based on pricing, discounts, plan types offered, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, consumer experience, additional perks and benefits, and more. To calculate each health insurance company's rating, we adjusted the scores to a curved 5-point scale, rounded to the nearest half star.
NerdWallet reviewed 13 Medicare Supplement Insurance companies based on highest enrollment and greatest online search volume. At the national level, our scored reviews include companies covering about two-thirds of all Medigap beneficiaries. At the state level, our research includes at least one of the two largest Medigap insurance companies in 48 of the 50 states, plus Washington, D.C.
These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best coverage and rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for Medicare Supplement Insurance.
Insurer complaints methodology
We examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, we calculated a similar index for each insurance company, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary. We score companies based on this index of how many complaints the company receives relative to its market share. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
