AARP does not sell health insurance itself. AARP-branded Medicare plans, including AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, AARP Medicare Advantage from UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Rx, are insured by UnitedHealthcare, which pays AARP to use its name (source). More than 4 million people have an AARP Medicare Supplement plan, according to UnitedHealthcare.
The relationship is large and long-running. In 2024, UnitedHealthcare made a one-time payment of just over $9 billion to AARP for a 12-year extension of the agreement, according to AARP’s financial statements as reported by Axios (source).
Updated November 2026. This profile draws on company materials, regulatory filings, federal data and Health Plan News analysis. It is independent of AARP health insurance; for questions about your coverage, call the number on your member ID card.
AARP health insurance at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Insurer | UnitedHealthcare (UnitedHealth Group) |
| Brand owner | AARP, a nonprofit with about 38 million members age 50 and older |
| Plan types | Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, Part D, dual-eligible special needs plans |
| Medicare Supplement members | More than 4 million |
| Licensing | UnitedHealthcare pays AARP royalties; 12-year extension in 2024 |
| Website | aarpmedicareplans.com |
AARP Medicare Supplement Plans
AARP Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap, help pay Original Medicare’s deductibles and coinsurance. Plan availability varies by state; Plan G is the most popular option for new enrollees, and Plan F is available only to people first eligible for Medicare before 2020. Pricing follows each state’s rules, and you have a one-time guaranteed right to buy a policy in your first six months with Part B. Our Medigap vs Medicare Advantage guide explains the trade-offs.
AARP Medicare Advantage for 2027
AARP Medicare Advantage plans are UnitedHealthcare plans, so they follow UnitedHealthcare’s 2027 changes. UnitedHealthcare says about 90% of people with access to its plans have a $0-premium option, but analysts at Leerink found dental benefit cuts reaching almost 70% of its Medicare Advantage members (source). UnitedHealthcare is also discontinuing plans covering about 390,000 people for 2027. Read your Annual Notice of Change before December 7; see our UnitedHealthcare profile.
Does AARP Endorse These Plans?
AARP says insurers pay royalty fees for the use of its name and that it does not employ or endorse insurance agents. Being an AARP member is required for AARP Medicare Supplement plans but not for AARP Medicare Advantage plans. Compare AARP-branded plans with other insurers on Medicare Plan Finder the same way you would any plan.
AARP health insurance by the Numbers
- Market position: UnitedHealthcare, which insures AARP Medicare plans, is the largest Medicare Advantage insurer in 30 states, according to 2024 AMA data. See our market share by state page.
- Income-based premiums: AARP Medicare Supplement premiums are separate from Part B; higher-income enrollees also pay IRMAA surcharges on Part B and Part D. See our IRMAA brackets guide.
Recent AARP health insurance News
- Royalty payment: UnitedHealthcare’s roughly $9 billion upfront payment to AARP in 2024 replaced monthly royalties for a 12-year extension and drew criticism. (source)
- 2027 plans: UnitedHealthcare announced its 2027 Medicare plans, including AARP-branded plans, on October 1, 2026. (source)
How To Contact AARP health insurance
| Purpose | Contact |
|---|---|
| Website | aarpmedicareplans.com |
| Medicare Supplement printed materials | 1-800-272-2146 (TTY 711) |
| Current members | Number on your member ID card |
For other carriers, see our profiles of the largest health insurance companies and follow our Health Insurance Companies hub.
Sources
AARP Annual Reports; AARP Med Supp page; Axios; AARP Med Supp plans page; AARP Medicare Plans; AARP Medicare Plans – recent changes; AARP Medicare Supplement plans page; AMA Competition in Health Insurance 2025; Axios; Axios; Fierce Healthcare (2017); Fortune; American Medical Association, Competition in Health Insurance (2025 update); CMS Transparency in Coverage public use file (2024, via KFF).