AARP partners with UnitedHealthcare to offer Medicare plans, including Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Part D, and D-SNPs. Learn which plan is right for you.
AARP partners with UnitedHealthcare—the largest Medicare insurance provider in the United States—to offer a range of Medicare coverage options. Whether you're looking for an all-in-one Medicare Advantage plan, a supplement to Original Medicare, prescription drug coverage, or a plan that coordinates Medicare and Medicaid benefits, AARP has options available in North Carolina.
UnitedHealthcare has been America's most chosen Medicare Advantage brand for nearly two decades, with over 9.8 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled. In 2026, UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans earned an average rating of 4.1 stars out of 5 from CMS, above the industry average.
AARP offers four types of Medicare coverage through UnitedHealthcare:
Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C): All-in-one plans that replace Original Medicare
Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap): Plans that help pay costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover
Prescription Drug Plans (Part D): Standalone drug coverage to pair with Original Medicare or Medigap
Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs): Plans for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid
AARP Medicare Advantage plans from UnitedHealthcare replace Original Medicare (Parts A and B). These are all-in-one plans that include hospital and medical coverage, and usually prescription drug coverage—all in a single plan with a single ID card.
Key Features:
Network of providers: UnitedHealthcare offers one of the largest Medicare Advantage networks with nearly 1 million network care providers nationwide
Plan types available: HMO, HMO-POS (point of service), and PPO plans
Out-of-pocket maximum: Medicare Advantage plans cap your annual out-of-pocket costs ($9,250 maximum in 2026 for in-network services)
$0 premium options: About 62% of AARP Medicare Advantage plans offer $0 monthly premiums (plus your Part B premium)
Extra Benefits (vary by plan):
Dental coverage: Many plans include $0 copays for in-network preventive dental exams, routine cleanings, and X-rays. Some plans cover additional services like fillings, crowns, and dentures.
Vision coverage: $0 copays for routine eye exams and an annual allowance for frames, lenses, or contact lenses
Hearing coverage: $0 copays for routine hearing assessments and savings on hearing aids from UnitedHealthcare Hearing network providers
Fitness program: Renew Active fitness program with access to gyms, fitness facilities, classes, online workout videos, and AARP Staying Sharp brain health program
UCard: Access to the provider network and rewards for completing healthy activities
Over-the-counter (OTC) allowance: Some plans provide a credit for OTC health products
HouseCalls program: Annual in-home visit with a licensed clinician (available with some plans)
Important: You do NOT need to be an AARP member to enroll in an AARP Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D plan. AARP membership is only required for Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans.
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) helps pay the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover—deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Unlike Medicare Advantage, Medigap works alongside Original Medicare rather than replacing it.
How Medigap Works:
Original Medicare typically pays about 80% of Medicare-approved costs for Part B services. You're responsible for the remaining 20% plus deductibles. Without supplemental coverage, these costs can add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars per year. A Medigap plan helps cover these gaps.
AARP Medigap Plans Available:
AARP offers multiple standardized Medigap plans through UnitedHealthcare, including Plans A, B, G, K, L, and N. Plans C and F are only available to people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
Plan G is one of the most popular Medigap options. It covers:
Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 in 2026)
Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
Part B coinsurance or copayment (the 20% you'd normally pay)
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
Part A hospice care coinsurance
First 3 pints of blood
Foreign travel emergency care (80% coverage)
Plan G does NOT cover the Part B annual deductible ($283 in 2026).
Plan N is a lower-premium option. It covers most of what Plan G covers, but you may pay:
Up to $20 copay for some office visits
Up to $50 copay for ER visits that don't result in admission
Part B excess charges (if a provider charges more than the Medicare-approved amount)
Select Plans: AARP also offers Select versions of Plan G and Plan N. These provide the same benefits but require you to use network hospitals for inpatient services under Part A. Select plans typically have lower premiums.
Benefits of AARP Medigap Plans:
No network restrictions: See any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare patients, anywhere in the U.S.
No referrals needed: See specialists without getting a referral from a primary care doctor
Guaranteed renewable: Your plan cannot be canceled as long as you pay your premiums—even if you develop health problems.
Travel coverage: Most plans cover foreign travel emergencies
Wellness extras available: Some AARP Medigap plans include discounts for dental, hearing, vision, and gym memberships
When to Enroll:
The best time to enroll in a Medigap plan is during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This begins the first day of the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, you have guaranteed acceptance—insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge more based on health conditions.
If you enroll outside your Open Enrollment Period, you may need to answer health questions and could be denied coverage or charged higher premiums based on your health history.
Pricing in North Carolina:
North Carolina uses community-rated pricing for Medigap plans. This means everyone pays the same premium for a plan regardless of age (though prices can still vary by tobacco use, gender, and other factors). Your premium won't increase just because you get older.
Important: You MUST be an AARP member to enroll in an AARP Medicare Supplement plan. AARP membership costs $20 per year ($15 for the first year).
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover most prescription drugs. If you have Original Medicare (with or without a Medigap plan), you'll need a standalone Part D plan to get prescription drug coverage.
AARP Medicare Rx Plans:
AARP offers Medicare Part D plans through UnitedHealthcare, including AARP MedicareRx Preferred and AARP MedicareRx Saver. Each plan has different premiums, deductibles, and drug formularies (the list of covered medications).
2026 Part D Changes:
Out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 maximum out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs (up from $2,000 in 2025)
Maximum deductible: $615 (some plans have lower or no deductibles)
Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: Spread out-of-pocket drug costs in monthly payments instead of paying all at once at the pharmacy. Those enrolled in 2025 are automatically re-enrolled for 2026.
What to Check Before Enrolling:
Are your current medications on the plan's formulary (drug list)?
What tier are your medications on? (Lower tiers = lower costs)
Is your preferred pharmacy in the plan's network?
What are the copays or coinsurance for each medication?
Note: You do NOT need to be an AARP member to enroll in an AARP Medicare Part D plan.
AARP Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) are a type of Medicare Advantage plan designed specifically for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. These plans coordinate benefits from both programs and often include extra benefits not available through Original Medicare.
Who Qualifies:
You may be eligible for a D-SNP if you have both Medicare (Part A and Part B) and Medicaid, or if you're enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program (QMB, SLMB, QI, or QDWI).
D-SNP Benefits:
$0 or low monthly premiums: Most D-SNPs have $0 plan premiums for people with full Medicaid or Extra Help
Low or no out-of-pocket costs: Medicaid helps cover costs that Medicare doesn't
Prescription drug coverage: Included, often with $0 or very low copays for covered medications
Dental, vision, and hearing coverage: Many D-SNPs include these benefits
Food and OTC allowance: Some plans provide monthly credits for healthy food, OTC products, and utility bills
Transportation: Rides to medical appointments
Care coordination: Dedicated support to help coordinate your Medicare and Medicaid benefits
Enrollment Flexibility:
Unlike regular Medicare Advantage plans, D-SNP members have more flexibility to change plans. Dual-eligible individuals can switch D-SNP plans once per month during the first three quarters of the year.
Note: You do NOT need to be an AARP member to enroll in an AARP D-SNP.
Choose Medicare Advantage if:
You want an all-in-one plan with hospital, medical, and drug coverage
You're comfortable using a network of providers
You want extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, and fitness
You prefer predictable costs with an out-of-pocket maximum
Choose Medigap + Part D if:
You want the freedom to see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare
You travel frequently or split time between states
You want to minimize out-of-pocket costs at the time of service
You don't need extra benefits like dental, vision, or hearing included in your medical plan
Choose a D-SNP if:
You have both Medicare and Medicaid
You want help coordinating benefits from both programs
You want extra benefits like food allowances, transportation, and OTC credits
Choosing the right Medicare plan depends on your health needs, budget, providers, and medications. Our licensed Medicare agents in North Carolina can help you compare AARP plans and other options to find the best fit.
We can help you:
Compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plans
Check if your doctors and medications are covered
Estimate your total costs (premiums, deductibles, copays)
Determine if you qualify for a D-SNP or Extra Help
Enroll in a plan during Open Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period
Contact Health Plans of NC at 1-800-797-0327 to speak with a licensed Medicare agent about your options. Our services are free.
Do I need to be an AARP member to get an AARP Medicare plan?
It depends on the plan type. You do NOT need to be an AARP member to enroll in an AARP Medicare Advantage plan, Part D plan, or D-SNP. However, you MUST be an AARP member to enroll in an AARP Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. AARP membership costs $20 per year ($15 for the first year).
What's the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medigap?
Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare—it's an all-in-one plan from a private insurer that provides Part A, Part B, and usually Part D coverage. Medigap works alongside Original Medicare to help pay the costs Medicare doesn't cover (deductibles, copays, coinsurance). You cannot have both Medicare Advantage and Medigap at the same time.
How much do AARP Medicare Advantage plans cost?
About 62% of AARP Medicare Advantage plans have $0 monthly premiums (you still pay your Part B premium of $202.90 in 2026). For plans with premiums, the average monthly cost is around $60. Costs vary by plan and location.
What Medigap plans does AARP offer?
AARP offers Medigap Plans A, B, G, K, L, and N through UnitedHealthcare. Plans C and F are only available to those eligible for Medicare before 2020. Plan G is one of the most popular options, covering nearly all out-of-pocket costs except the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026).
What is the maximum out-of-pocket for prescription drugs in 2026?
In 2026, the maximum out-of-pocket spending on Medicare Part D prescription drugs is capped at $2,100. Once you reach this amount, you pay $0 for covered drugs for the rest of the year. This applies to standalone Part D plans and drug coverage through Medicare Advantage.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap?
Yes, but timing matters. If you switch during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you have guaranteed acceptance. Outside this period, insurers can use medical underwriting and may deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health. In some states, there are trial rights that allow guaranteed-issue switching in specific situations.