AARP Medicare Supplement Plan: Is it Right for You?

If you have Medicare and think you don't need additional information you should rethink your logic. Medicare insurance is good, but it doesn't remotely cover everything you will need. That's why you need a Medicare supplement insurance plan. AARP offers a very good plan for the money.

AARP offers 12 Medigap plans (the maximum amount allowed by law). These plans help cover things that your basic Medicare coverage will not. Here's an overview of each AARP Medigap Plan:

Basic Benefits

All Medigap plans must cover certain basic benefits. These basic benefits are as follows:

Medicare Part A coverage:

Coinsurance for hospital days 61-90 ($248 in 2007) and 91-150 ($496 in 2007)

Cost of 365 more hospital days in your lifetime, once you've used all Medicare hospital benefits

Medicare Part B coverage:

Generally, all coinsurance and co-payment amounts after your meet the $131 (in 2007) yearly deductible for Medicare Part B

The first three pints of blood

Medigap Plan A

Basic Benefits

Medigap Plan B

Basic Benefits

Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible: $992 in 2007 for each benefit period for hospital services

Medigap Plan C

Basic Benefits

Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible

Skilled Nursing Home Costs: Your cost ($124 in 2007) for days 21-100 in a skilled nursing home

Medicare Part B Deductible: Yearly deductible for doctor services ($131 in 2007)

Foreign Travel Emergency

80% of the cost of emergency care outside the U.S.

Up to $50,000 during your lifetime

You pay a yearly deductible of $250

Medigap Plan D

Basic Benefits

Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible

Skilled Nursing Home Costs

Foreign Travel Emergency

At-Home Recovery

Help for activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, if you are already receiving skilled home care covered by Medicare.

Help for up to eight weeks after you no longer need skilled care

Will pay up to $40 per visit, seven visits per week, or a total of $1,600 per year

Medigap Plan E

Basic Benefits

Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible

Skilled Nursing Home Costs

Foreign Travel Emergency

Preventive Care: Up to $120 per year for preventive services not covered by Medicare

Medigap Plan F*

Basic Benefits

Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible

Skilled Nursing Home Costs

Medicare Part B Deductible

Medicare Part B Excess Charges: Pays 100% of the difference between your doctor's charge and the Medicare approved amount, if your doctor does not accept assignment

Foreign Travel Emergency

Medigap Plan G

Basic Benefits

Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible

Skilled Nursing Home Costs

Medicare Part B Excess Charges: Pays 80% of the difference between your doctor's charge and the Medicare approved amount, if your doctor does not accept assignment

Foreign Travel Emergency

At-Home Recovery

Medigap Plan H

Basic Benefits

Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible

Skilled Nursing Home Costs

Foreign Travel Emergency

Medigap Plan I

Basic Benefits

Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible

Skilled Nursing Home Costs

Medicare Part B Excess Charges: Pays 100% of the difference between your doctor's charge and the Medicare approved amount, if your doctor does not accept assignment

Foreign Travel Emergency

At-Home Recovery

Medigap Plan J*

Basic Benefits

Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible

Skilled Nursing Home Costs

Medicare Part B Deductible

Medicare Part B Excess Charges: Pays 100% of the difference between your doctor's charge and the Medicare approved amount, if your doctor does not accept assignment

Foreign Travel Emergency

At-Home Recovery

Preventive Care

Medigap Plan K**

Basic Benefits

100% of Part A coinsurance plus coverage for 365 days after Medicare benefits end

50% hospice cost-sharing

50% of Medicare-eligible expenses for the first three pints of blood

50% Part B coinsurance after you meet the yearly deductible for Medicare Part B, but 100% coinsurance for Part B preventive services

50% of Skilled Nursing Home Coinsurance

50% of Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible

Annual out of pocket limit of $4,140 in 2007.

Medigap Plan L**

Basic Benefits

100% of Part A coinsurance plus coverage for 365 days after Medicare benefits end

75% hospice cost-sharing

75% of Medicare-eligible expenses for the first three pints of blood

75% Part B coinsurance after you meet the yearly deductible for Medicare Part B, but 100% coinsurance for Part B preventive services

75% of Skilled Nursing Home Coinsurance

75% of Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible

Annual out of pocket limit of $2,070 in 2007.

*Plans F and J also have a "high deductible option." If you choose the "high deductible option" on Medigap Plans F and J, you will first have to pay a $1,860 deductible in 2007 before the plan pays anything. This amount can go up every year. High deductible policies have lower premiums, but if you get sick, your costs will be higher.

**The basic benefits for plans K and L include similar services as plans A-J, but the cost-sharing for the basic benefits is at different levels. The annual out-of-pocket limit increases each year for inflation.

In addition to the A-L standard Medigap policies, Medicare SELECT is a type of Medigap policy that can cost less than standard Medigap plans. However, you can only go to certain doctors and hospitals for your care. Check with your state insurance department to find out if Medicare SELECT policies are available in your state.

Filed under: Medicare Supplemental Insurances

42 Comments Add your own

1. Mary | August 1st, 2007 at 9:56 pm

I have my new card but need supp.covage.
I am not 65, but have disability. so how
much will my A and B cost be?? and How can I join .. My husband has it.
2. Alex | August 24th, 2007 at 5:58 pm

I have medicare part A & B, I went through treatment for Leukemia, I am in remission now but if I need to return to the hospital for additional treatment do I need a supplement insurance?
3. Donna Retherford | September 5th, 2007 at 5:52 pm

I am interested in recieving information on Co ins. and hospice coverage
4. Ed Cobb | September 5th, 2007 at 8:29 pm

What is the monthly premium for Plan F? Thanks Ed
5. Johanna Grauer | October 4th, 2007 at 9:29 pm

Web site confusing. What’s AARP’s annual cost for Medicare Supplemental Plan G?

Also what’s AARP’s cost for prescription drug plan….cheapest plan….I don’t have any required prescriptions.

Thank you.
6. Lester Jablonski | November 3rd, 2007 at 3:35 pm

What will be plan G monthy premium for 2008?
7. Linda Owen | November 14th, 2007 at 11:43 am

This site is not very helpful. I would like to see a summary of plans including premiums, etc. for each plan, in order to compare to other plans. I find Humana’s website to be particularly clear, helpful, and easy to use.
8. Joy Valek | November 15th, 2007 at 2:43 pm

Do you cover any prescription drugs? I need to know within 4 days, before the limit to renew mine with my pension fund. thank you. Phone: 219-983-9425
9. Walter H. Rumpf | November 27th, 2007 at 7:08 pm

AARP– What is the difference between plan c and plan f? Which plan is a low deductible for my wife and me?
Thank you,
Walter H. Rumpf
10. Gloria Barfield | December 10th, 2007 at 7:10 pm

I will begin Medicare, PartA, 1/01/08, I am interested in your quote for a supplemental plan and also a Drug policy…

Thank you.,
11. Roger Cox | January 6th, 2008 at 9:20 am

I need a supplement ins. to go with my medicare program
12. Roger Cox | January 6th, 2008 at 9:22 am

I need a supplement insurance to go with my medicare
13. Roger Cox | January 6th, 2008 at 9:24 am

I would like to use aarp plan
14. charles | January 20th, 2008 at 10:51 am

what does AARPMedigap “underwriting -guaranteed” mean for AARP Supplement medicare medigap plan F mean for a policy in the state of arkansas?
15. charles | January 20th, 2008 at 10:56 am

does AARP medigap supplement plan F or J use underwriting to increase the new monthly premium amount for the following year’s policy for AARP medigap F or J in the state of Arkansas?
16. Agatha Goodwin | February 21st, 2008 at 12:53 pm

PLEASE SEND INFO ON AARP SUPPLEMENTAL INS> PLAN F TO:
VIRGINIA R. Renninger
PO Box 64
Smyrna, North Carolina 28579
17. Gail V Heckman | March 2nd, 2008 at 10:01 am

Medigap Plan F
Need some prices on the monthly costs
18. Eleanor | July 29th, 2008 at 8:13 am

I live in Florida and currently seeking prices for the following plans: Medigap Plan A, C and F.
I would appreciate a timely reply as time is a factor in my decision.
Thank you.
19. Eleanor | July 29th, 2008 at 8:16 am

I reside in Fl., need monthly price for Medigap Plans A,C&F. Thank you.
20. George Scott | August 15th, 2008 at 5:43 pm

My father recieved his new card. He’s won’t be 65 until 10/1/08. I need help finding the best suppliment for him. Please help.
21. Patricia K. Cavazos | September 6th, 2008 at 12:57 pm

I need to compare Plans on AARP supple-mental insurance…..and get prices.
22. Carole Allard | October 1st, 2008 at 1:11 pm

I would like someone to contact me regarding AARP’s “F” Plan to supplement Medicare.

Thanks. My phone is 770 720 2209 (home) or 770 842 0282 (cell)
23. Sue | October 8th, 2008 at 1:43 pm

My friend, who is 59, will be eligible for Medicare in February due to a disability. Can you be denied supplemental insurance if you are being treated for cancer?
24. M.A. Martin | October 20th, 2008 at 6:43 pm

You’re great about plastering us with non-specific information on your co-insurance rates and packages for Medicare insofar as what you charge fir premiums, various programs like your coverage for Medicare A & B. How about clarifying this is writing somewhere – like in a hard copy printout? I need to know – fast, and you’re wasting my time with generalities. I’m not going to blindly enroll with you without making an informed decision. You aren’t giving me the proper information to figure this crap out. You were good for my parents, but what in hell are you offering me besides nothing but general gibberish???

Please send hard copy information to me at P.O. Box 2175, Silver City, NM 88062. Thanks.

M.A. Martin
25. harry haag | November 12th, 2008 at 5:23 pm

i am 81 my wife 80. we presently have pacenet. i have plan e on medigap blue coverage’ my income is $1055.00 SS
my wife $455.00 monthly. present cost
medigap blue $241.10 monthly. too high
for my income.

what do you recommend??
26. william mcmillin | November 22nd, 2008 at 2:25 pm

want 2 know about medigap ins. I’m 81years old now. also would like 2 know about medicare ins. with medigap plan thank u .
27. Frank Ranly | February 11th, 2009 at 10:10 am

I would like current prices on supplement plans A,B and F.
28. Frank Ranly | February 11th, 2009 at 10:11 am

I would like current prices on supplement plans A,B and F. Please reply ASAP
29. Janice Haslach | February 21st, 2009 at 2:35 pm

My husband will be going on medicare, and will also have medicare B in July. I know he will need a supplemental insurance. What does AARP offer?
30. Joan Andros` | March 10th, 2009 at 10:02 pm

Please supply me with a quote for Aarps, Plan F, that pays 100& of what MEDICARE
31. Gary | March 26th, 2009 at 8:36 am

I am disabled and on medicare A&B.I want a suplemental plan to cover the 20% expense that medicare does not cover for doctors and supplies and equipment.Thank you.
32. LYNN JOHNSON | April 1st, 2009 at 1:40 pm

what is cost of plan J?
33. Kevin Looney | May 19th, 2009 at 8:32 pm

for my 91 year old mother in law I recently canceled Blue cross supplement how much to replace it ?
34. valerie goodbody | June 9th, 2009 at 8:09 pm

I would like to have supplemental plan J sent to me either by email or post. preferrable by Email.

Email address: goodbody11@verizon.net‘

Mailing address:
Valerie Goodbody
32865 Naples Ct.
Temecula, Ca. 92592
35. Marie Herrin | June 13th, 2009 at 5:18 pm

Please send email information regarding a single medicare supplemental policy with combined coverage for both my husband (age 86) and myself (age 84). I would like to know all the benefits as well as the deductibles and most definitely the cost of the monthly premium.

THIS IS IMPORTANT…
Please reply via email….NO house calls OR telephone calls!!!!!
36. Stan Tucker | July 20th, 2009 at 3:18 pm

I will be 65 in November. I just received my Medicare card for Medicare A & B to start November 1st. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 disbeates, gout and joint pain. I need AARP plans C and D. How much will they cost and how do I get them ready to activate on November 1st?
Thank you,
Stan
37. Joe Greenbaum | July 23rd, 2009 at 8:26 pm

Am currently with Kaiser Senior Advantage ( an HMO)..

Could I sign up on one of your supplemental plans in addition to being with Kaiser ???????
38. sheila martin | July 24th, 2009 at 6:14 pm

I would like the price of the J plan. Also need a good prescription
coverage policy. Please advise. I have Medicare A&B , my husband will become eligible at 65 in June,2010. Thank you
39. Ruth Napp | August 11th, 2009 at 6:17 pm

I currently have Medicare supplemental insurance through my late husband’s firm. I have learned that the rates I pay are higher than most of my friends. I have United Health Care, but found this company’s coverage is available through AARP. I would like information about cost of this insurance in Florida, my residentail address, and would like to know how to compare the two coverages.
40. NOLEN LEE | August 12th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

I’M 65, HAVE MEDICARE A ONLY, STILL COVERED ON WIFES DEPENDENT POLICY FOR HEALTH INSURANCE. CAN I BUY AN AARP SUPPLEMENTAL POLICY TO COVER WHAT WIFES POLICY WON’T?
41. PAT SHUTTLEWORTH | August 15th, 2009 at 12:51 pm

i will be 65 in NOV. AND AM INTERESTED IN PLAN F. WHAT WOULD BE THE COST.ALSO DOES IT HAVE A PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN,
42. Peggy D. Taylor | August 18th, 2009 at 6:38 am

Please send email details including monthly premium charges for plan C as well as coverage for prescriptions.

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