Meaghan is an editor and writer who also has experience practicing holistic medicine as an acupuncturist and herbalist.
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AARP UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans provide the same health coverage as Original Medicare, and many also cover prescription drugs, dental and vision care and over-the-counter products. Though many plans offered by AARP UnitedHealthcare come with low or $0 monthly premiums, some require that you exclusively see in-network providers. Fortunately, UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are supported by the largest network of health care providers and hospitals among Medicare Advantage plan providers, according to the company.
Partner Offers feature brands who paid Forbes Health to appear at the top of our list. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services
Compare Top Medicare Plans From Major Carriers
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting older people as they age. UnitedHealthcare, a private health insurance company, has a longstanding relationship with AARP, which receives royalties for allowing the insurer to offer Medicare Advantage plans bearing the AARP name.
AARP isn’t an insurance provider and doesn’t play a role in the design or operation of its Medicare Advantage plans provided by UnitedHealthcare.
As you approach age 65—or if you’re diagnosed with one of the few qualifying health conditions regardless of your age—you become eligible for Medicare. You must apply to receive Medicare Part A and Part B via the Social Security Administration, and once you have a Medicare number and benefits start date, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (also referred to as Medicare Part C) offered by numerous private insurance companies.
The AARP UnitedHealthcare website allows you to enter your ZIP code to view which plans are available to you in your area.
AARP UnitedHealthcare plans cover all the benefits and services provided by Original Medicare and more. “Many Medicare Advantage plans come with extra benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing, transportation, fitness and over-the-counter products,” says Steven Rukhman, an independent health insurance broker at Advanced Medicare Solutions in Los Angeles. “And many Medicare Advantage plans include a Part D prescription drug plan.”
The downside of many Medicare Advantage plans is that you can only see doctors in your plan’s network, adds Rukhman.
Consider your priorities when you compare plans. If you want to pay a low monthly premium or none at all, and you don’t mind seeing in-network doctors, then a UnitedHealthcare HMO plan might be a good choice. If having a wider choice of doctors is important to you, then you might look at PPO plans. Copays may be required for various services. It’s also important to read the details about any extra benefits, such as dental care or vision care, to make sure the services you want are included. Finally, check the names of medications you take to make sure they are covered and whether you are responsible for a copay.
When you first become eligible for Medicare, you can join a plan. Afterward, the general Medicare open enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7 each year, during which time you can join, drop or switch plans. Your coverage will begin on January 1. If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare (and join a separate Medicare drug plan) once between January 1 and March 31 each year during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period.
United Healthcare will offer new AARP Medicare Advantage plans starting on October 23, 2022.
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