AARP Medicare Advantage Plans Review
AARP offers Part C plans through UnitedHealthcare with many benefits, including dental, vision and hearing.
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In addition to regular publications and educational resources, AARP is linked with many partners to help older adults find everything from financial advisers to car insurance. AARP, which has 38 million members,1 even provides its own Medicare Advantage plans through UnitedHealthcare. There are a variety of options, including HMO, PPO, PFFS and SNP plans, depending on where you live. These plans offer many benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing and prescription drug coverage.
Our team spent 50 hours evaluating AARP’s plans, chatting with customer service, reading online reviews and comparing their plans to competitors. In this review, we will examine the Medicare Part C plans available to AARP members and evaluate their pros and cons based on our research.
Pro Tip: AARP is one of our top picks for Medicare Advantage carriers, but there are a few companies that stand out above the rest. Want to find out who? Compare AARP side by side with SeniorLiving.org’s picks for the recommendations for Medicare Advantage carriers.
Pros About Pros About AARP
- No premiums: Most AARP Medicare Advantage plans come with $0 premiums. The availability of these plans varies based on your location and your needs. If you need durable medical equipment, for example, you may have to pay a premium for your coverage.
- Fewer copays: With AARP, you can often get $0 copays for most primary-care visits, virtual visits and lab tests. Many of AARP’s Part C plans also offer $0 copays for Tier 1 and Tier 2 prescription drugs and preventive dental care.
- Fitness benefits: AARP’s Medicare Advantage plans make it easier and more affordable to exercise by providing free gym memberships, thousands of virtual workout videos and rewards for meeting fitness goals.
- 24/7 nurse access: If you have questions, AARP Part C plans offer 24/7 access to trained nurses. You can call a nurse within your network at any time to ask questions about symptoms, appointments or billing information.
Cons About Cons About AARP
- Limitations on $0 copays: Although $0 copays sound like a dream come true, AARP’s Medicare Advantage plans vary widely in how they handle your out-of-pocket costs. Only specific dental services and prescription drug categories qualify for $0 copays, for example, while some plans do not offer $0 copays at all.
- Unpredictable pricing structure: When calculating premiums, copays, deductibles and other fees, AARP usually outperforms other carriers. Costs, however, can change drastically from one location or plan to the next. AARP generally offers great savings with PPO and HMO-POS plans, but its HMO and PFFS plans are just as expensive as other costly plans.
- Prior authorization requirements: Depending on your plan, you may have to get prior authorization from your insurance carrier before you can get X-rays, hearing exams, diagnostic tests and other routine treatments.
FYI: Not quite sure what the difference is between Medigap and Medicare Advantage? Check out our Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap page to understand the differences between plans.
Available AARP Medicare Advantage Plans
AARP offers many of the same plan types as most other Medicare Advantage carriers. These plans include the essential coverage you would expect with Medicare Part C, including Part A, Part B and Part D. Plus, most AARP plans come with vision, dental and hearing coverage — benefits you cannot get with Original Medicare. Let’s take a closer look at AARP’s Medicare Advantage plan types.
HMO
An AARP health maintenance organization (HMO) plan requires you to get the majority of your non-emergency care within a preset network of healthcare providers. Most AARP HMOs include Part D prescription drug coverage and many of the extra benefits that come with most AARP Medicare Advantage plans. You will need to choose a primary care physician and receive treatment within your network, as AARP’s traditional HMO does not cover most treatments received outside of your network. HMOs are best for older adults and other beneficiaries who do not travel much and spend most of their time near in-network providers.
Did You Know? Some 55 percent of Medicare beneficiaries chose Medicare Advantage in 2024.2 More Americans are choosing Medicare Advantage plans because many plans charge zero premiums and they often include extra perks.3
HMO-POS
An AARP HMO with point-of-service (POS) coverage allows you to get some types of treatments outside of your network. Although your coverage extends further, you will still have to pay more when you go out of network. Like its standard HMO plans, AARP’s HMO-POS plans often come with a low or $0 premium, prescription drug coverage and extra benefits. This type of plan gives older adults more freedom to travel without losing their Medicare coverage. Both types of HMO plans, however, will generally require prior authorization for treatments and approval from your primary care physician to see specialists.
PPO
When compared to an HMO plan, a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan offers much more freedom, as you can see any physician who accepts Medicare. You won’t be required to get referrals, approvals or prerequisite hospital visits for most services. PPOs still operate within the UnitedHealthcare Medicare National Network, however, and you’ll pay more for out-of-network visits. Like HMO plans, you can find many AARP PPO plans with a low or $0 premium.
PFFS
AARP’s private fee-for-service (PFFS) plan does not have a network. Instead, you can see anyone who accepts Medicare to get treatment. Some of AARP’s PFFS plans do not automatically come with Part D coverage, however, so you may have to pay to get a stand-alone Part D plan if you want prescription drug coverage. This plan is best for seniors who want autonomy to get treatment from the doctor or facility of their choice without worrying about networks.
SNP
An AARP special needs plan (SNP) has a provider network and is available to those who qualify based on unique healthcare or financial circumstances. This type of plan is not available to everyone. If you are eligible, you can rest easy knowing that AARP SNP plans come with Part D prescription drug coverage.
Extra Perks and Benefits
With AARP Medicare Advantage plans through UnitedHealthcare, you’ll have access to perks like the following:
- Free gym memberships and thousands of free workout videos
- Local health and wellness classes and events
- Health activities reward system
- 24/7 access to a nurse (informational purposes only)
- Annual at-home wellness visit
- Vision care, including free yearly eye exams, designer frames and prescription lenses
- Free preventive dental care
- Hearing care, including free routine hearing exams and discounts on hearing aids
- Credits for OTC products
Did You Know? AARP also offers Medicare Supplement plans and is among SeniorLiving.org’s recommended Medigap plans!
It is important to remember that many of the benefits listed above are not available with every AARP plan. You will need to check your individual plan to ensure you can access the right benefits for you.
How Much Do AARP Medicare Advantage Plans Cost?
The exact cost of your AARP Medicare Part C plan will vary based on a variety of considerations, including your location, your plan type and the kinds of medications and treatments you require.
A search for plans in Miami, for example, brought up 18 options, many of which had $0 to $20 monthly premiums and $0 copays. It’s always good to know what to anticipate when it comes to your health-care costs, though, so here are some specific factors and costs to expect with AARP Plan C coverage.
- Premium: Your monthly premium is the amount you pay every month to maintain your coverage. AARP is known for having many low-cost and even $0 premium plans. Even if your plan does include a premium, most people can have the Part A premium waived, while the average Part B premium is $185 per month (as of 2025).
- Deductible: The annual deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket every year before your insurance kicks in. As of 2025, the Part A deductible is $1,676 and the Part B deductible is $257, but those amounts typically increase yearly.
- Copay: A copay is the amount you pay to see a doctor or visit a clinic. AARP is one of the most affordable carriers when it comes to copays, with most of their plans boasting $0 copays for many routine visits. If your plan does have copays, they will typically cost around $30 per doctor’s visit.
- Out-of-pocket limits: Medicare Advantage sets limits on the total amount you have to pay out of pocket for deductibles, copayments and coinsurance. Once you reach this amount, Medicare is required to cover all of these costs for the remainder of the year. These limits vary for each person and plan.
- Extra benefits: Most of AARP’s plans come with free extra benefits. If you get a plan that does not have a certain benefit and you want it, you will need to pay more to add it as a “rider.”
- Part D: Like extra benefits, Part D may or may not be part of your AARP Medicare Advantage plan. If it is not included, you will have to pay for a stand-alone Part D plan to get prescription drug coverage.
- Out-of-network costs: If your plan has a network-based system, you will need to factor in the costs of getting out-of-network treatments. Getting treated outside of your network on an HMO plan, for example, can be extremely costly.
- AARP premium: AARP membership is not very expensive, but it is required to qualify for AARP’s Medicare Advantage plans. That means you can add about $20 per year to the cost of your insurance.
Did You Know? Having an AARP membership means you get access to restaurant, travel, rental car, flight, cruise, hotel and gas discounts exclusive to AARP members.
AARP generally offers lower costs than many other carriers, especially when it comes to out-of-pocket costs such as copayments. So, if you want an affordable Medicare Advantage plan, AARP is a solid option.
Where Are AARP Medicare Advantage Plans Available?
AARP’s plans from UnitedHealthcare are available in 49 states, plus Washington, D.C. Alaska is the only state where AARP Medicare Advantage is unavailable. That said, UnitedHealthcare has one of the largest national networks for Medicare Advantage (over 1 million network providers), making it easier for seniors in most parts of the country to access affordable Medicare Advantage plans.
Reviews and Ratings
When shopping for a Medicare Advantage plan, we recommend checking out what reputable third-party sources have to say about the carrier. Below, you will find ratings of AARP from some of the most trusted business and insurance review agencies in the country. These ratings use a wide range of criteria, from the value and diversity of offerings to the quality of the carrier’s business practices and customer service.
- AM Best: A++
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): A+
- National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA): 4 out of 5 stars
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): 3.93 out of 5 stars
Customer Service
AARP’s Medicare Advantage plans are underwritten by UnitedHealthcare, which means you will have to contact UnitedHealthcare’s customer support center for assistance. You can call them toll-free seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Alternatively, you can message an agent online or set up a virtual or in-person meeting. You can access all of the information for contacting UnitedHealthcare customer service right here.
Did You Know? There are certain times of the year when you can enroll in Medicare Advantage plans. Visit our guide to Medicare enrollment to learn more.
AARP vs. the Competition
It’s important to compare your options before choosing a Medicare Advantage plan. Here’s how AARP stands against the competition.
AARP vs. Aetna
Aetna Medicare Advantage is a CVS Health company, so customers get perks such as access to walk-in Minute Clinics at CVS locations nationwide. Like AARP, Aetna typically covers vision, dental and hearing, and offers a variety of additional perks. Aetna is available in all 50 states, including Alaska, but their Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans are available in only 44 states. AARP in general offers far more plans than Aetna, and they also have plans for veterans.
AARP vs. Cigna
Cigna Medicare Advantage offers a large number of $0 or low-monthly-premium plans. They generally have lower plan costs, but Cigna is available in only 29 states, compared to AARP’s wider availability. Cigna stands out for their 24/7 telehealth and meal delivery, two perks that can be valuable to members.
AARP vs. Kaiser
Kaiser Medicare Advantage offers HMO and SNP plans. Unlike AARP, Kaiser’s Medicare Advantage plans are available in only eight states and Washington, D.C. Members have the option to switch to another available Kaiser Permanente doctor anytime. Plans include hospital care, medical services and prescription drug coverage.
Our Methodology
Our team of experts spent more than 50 hours thoroughly evaluating AARP Medicare Advantage plans. The criteria researched included carrier reputation, premium and copay costs, variety of plans offered, and extra benefits. Below is a more in-depth detail of our review criteria.
- Plan choices and coverage: We examined various plans, including PPO, HMO, PFFS and SNP, assessing their medical and hospital coverage, prescription drug benefits and additional perks such as vision and wellness programs.
- Costs and affordability: We evaluated monthly premiums, deductibles, copays and coinsurance, along with out-of-pocket limits and expenses for hospital stays and other health needs.
- Customer support and satisfaction: We assessed plan ratings from sources such as CMS and BBB, along with customer feedback. We also reviewed the availability of customer support, contact options, and the efficiency of claim processing and issue resolution.
- Extra benefits and perks: We explored additional offerings such as transportation services, telehealth access, meal delivery programs and wellness initiatives, recognizing their value to members.
Final Thoughts on AARP Medicare Advantage Plans
AARP is one of the more affordable Medicare Advantage carriers on the market. In addition to low copays and deductibles, most of AARP’s plans come with important benefits such as prescription drug, vision, dental and hearing coverage. Prices will vary widely based on your plan type and healthcare needs. You will also need to pay to become an AARP member before you can qualify for a Part C plan. Nonetheless, AARP’s Medicare Advantage (underwritten by UnitedHealthcare) plans often outpace those of many competitors in terms of pricing, benefits and overall value.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is a Medicare Advantage plan from AARP a good option?
Yes, the carrier has good Medicare Advantage plans. AARP has affordable rates and a decent selection of plans.
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Is AARP Medicare Advantage the same as UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage?
Yes, AARP partners with UnitedHealthcare to provide plan options and offers a variety of plans with additional perks.
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Do Medicare Advantage plans have vision benefits?
The majority of Medicare Advantage plans typically offer routine vision care, such as eye exams, eyeglasses and corrective lenses — unlike Original Medicare. Most also offer dental and hearing coverage.
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Is Medicare Advantage different from Medicare Part D?
Yes. Medicare Part D prescription drug plans are generally added to Original Medicare to provide drug coverage. Many Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug benefits.
AARP. (2025). Creating Real Possibilities: AARP’s Social Impact.
Better Medicare Alliance. (2024). State of Medicare Advantage 2024 Report.
KFF. (2024). Medicare Advantage in 2024: Enrollment Update and Key Trends.
MedicalNewsToday (2025). Medicare Advantage Plans: Who Offers Them?