Plan G premiums vary by age, location, and how the insurance company prices increases

AARP Medicare Supplement Plan G costs between roughly $100 and $300 per month for someone turning 65, depending on where you live and which insurance carrier you choose. The exact amount depends on three things: your age when you enroll, your state, and the company's pricing method. AARP contracts with UnitedHealthcare to sell Plan G, so you are buying from that carrier, not directly from AARP.

The price you pay at 65 is not the price you pay at 75. Most insurers raise premiums as you age — some every year, some every few years. A plan that costs $120 per month at 65 might cost $180 at 75. The rate of increase varies by company and state. Some states cap how much insurers can raise rates; others do not.

Plan G covers the same benefits no matter which company sells it to you: it pays Medicare's Part B deductible, coinsurance, and copayments. The difference between carriers is price and how fast that price climbs. AARP's Plan G through UnitedHealthcare is one option; Cigna, Humana, Anthem, and others sell Plan G under their own names at different prices.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP Medicare Supplement Plan G costs between $100 and $300 monthly at age 65, with the exact amount depending on your state and the insurance company's pricing.
  • Your premium will increase as you age, and the rate of increase depends on your state's regulations and the company's pricing method.
  • Plan G covers the same benefits regardless of which company sells it, so comparing prices across carriers in your state can save you hundreds per year.
  • You can enroll in Plan G during your initial Medicare enrollment window without medical underwriting, but waiting past that window may require health questions.
  • Your actual monthly cost depends on factors you can control — shopping around, choosing a company, and timing your enrollment — not on factors you cannot.

How AARP and UnitedHealthcare set Plan G prices

AARP does not set the price itself. UnitedHealthcare, the insurance company behind AARP's Plan G, decides what to charge in each state and age bracket. AARP's role is to market the plan and handle enrollment; UnitedHealthcare collects the premium and pays claims.

UnitedHealthcare uses one of three pricing methods: attained age (your premium rises every year as you get older), issue age (your premium is based on your age when you first enroll and rises slowly or not at all), or community rated (everyone in your state pays the same price regardless of age). Most AARP Plan G policies use attained-age pricing, which means your bill climbs steadily. A few states require or allow issue-age or community-rated pricing instead.

The company also adjusts rates for inflation and claims experience — if many people in your state filed claims, the company may raise rates for everyone. These adjustments happen once per year, usually in January.

What Plan G actually covers and what it does not

Plan G pays for most of what Medicare Part B does not. Specifically, it covers Medicare's $240 annual Part B deductible (the amount you pay before Medicare starts paying), the 20% coinsurance you owe after Medicare pays its 80%, and copayments for office visits and outpatient services. It also covers the cost of a second opinion before surgery and emergency care outside the United States.

Plan G does not cover dental, vision, hearing aids, or long-term care. It does not cover prescription drugs — you need a separate Part D plan for that. It does not cover services Medicare itself does not cover, such as routine foot care or cosmetic surgery. And it does not cover the Part A deductible (the hospital deductible), though most other Medigap plans do.

If you want coverage for the Part A deductible, Plan F covers it, but Plan F is only open to people who were on Medicare before January 1, 2020. For everyone else, Plan G is the most comprehensive option available.

State-by-state price differences and why they matter

A Plan G premium in Florida might be $140 per month, while the same plan in New York might be $220. These differences reflect state regulations, the cost of care in that state, and how many people are enrolled in the plan there. States with stricter rate-increase caps tend to have lower starting prices but faster increases over time. States with looser rules may have higher starting prices but slower increases.

Your state also determines whether you have a may provide enrollment window. In most states, you have six months from the date you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B to buy any Medigap plan without medical underwriting — meaning the company cannot ask health questions or deny you. After that window closes, the company can require a health questionnaire and may refuse to sell you a plan or charge more. A few states extend this window or offer additional protections.

To find the exact price for Plan G in your state, you need to contact UnitedHealthcare directly or use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov, which shows prices from all carriers side by side.

How to compare Plan G prices across insurance companies

Plan G is standardized — the benefits are identical whether you buy from AARP, Cigna, Humana, or Anthem. The only reason to choose one company over another is price and customer service. Shopping around can save you $50 to $100 per month, which adds up to $600 to $1,200 per year.

Start by going to Medicare.gov and using the Plan Finder tool. Enter your ZIP code and the tool will show you every Medigap plan available in your area, including Plan G, with prices from every carrier. You can sort by price and see the premium for your age group. Write down the top three or four options and call each company to confirm the price and ask about rate-increase history — some companies publish this information publicly.

You can also call your state's health insurance counselor, a free service run by your state's insurance department. They can tell you which companies sell Plan G in your area and help you understand the differences. Find your counselor at shiptacenter.org.

When you enroll and how it affects your cost

If you enroll in Plan G during your initial Medicare enrollment window — the six-month period starting the month you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B — you pay the standard rate for your age and state. You cannot be turned down or charged more because of health problems.

If you enroll after that window closes, UnitedHealthcare can ask health questions and may charge you more or deny you coverage altogether. Some states have additional open enrollment periods (for example, when you turn 75 or after you leave an employer plan), but these vary by state and are not may provide.

Waiting to enroll also means you pay out of pocket for costs Plan G would have covered. If you delay enrollment by one year, you might pay $2,000 or more in uncovered medical expenses — far more than the premium you saved by waiting.

Factors that affect your out-of-pocket costs beyond the premium

Your monthly premium is only part of what you pay. Plan G covers most of Medicare's cost-sharing, but not all. You still pay the Part B deductible ($240 in 2024, though this amount changes yearly), and you pay 100% of any services Medicare does not cover at all. You also pay the full cost of prescription drugs unless you have a Part D plan.

If you use a lot of medical services, Plan G saves you money compared to Original Medicare alone. If you rarely see a doctor, you might pay more in premiums than you save in covered costs. The break-even point is different for everyone and depends on your health and how much care you use.

You also need to budget for Part B and Part D premiums separately. Part B costs $164.90 per month in 2024 for most people (higher if your income is above a certain threshold). Part D plans range from $5 to $100+ per month depending on which plan you choose and which drugs you take.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from one Plan G to another if the price goes up too much?

Yes, but only during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) or if you move to a new state. If you switch plans, the new company can ask health questions unless you are still within your initial six-month enrollment window. Switching is free, but there is no coverage gap — your old plan ends and your new one begins on January 1.

Does AARP Plan G cost more than Plan G from other companies?

Not necessarily. AARP's Plan G through UnitedHealthcare is competitively priced in some states and more expensive in others. You have to compare prices in your specific ZIP code to know. Use Medicare.gov's Plan Finder to see all options side by side.

What happens to my Plan G premium if I move to a different state?

Your premium will change to reflect the rates in your new state. You may be able to keep your current plan if the company sells it there, or you may need to switch to a different carrier. Contact UnitedHealthcare or your new state's health insurance counselor to find out what is available in your new location.

Is Plan G worth the cost if I am healthy and do not go to the doctor much?

That depends on your risk tolerance. Plan G protects you against catastrophic medical costs — if you have a major illness or injury, it covers most of what you owe. If you go without it and face a serious health event, you could owe thousands. Many people buy it for peace of mind even if they do not expect to use it heavily.

Can I get Plan G if I have a pre-existing condition?

Yes, if you enroll during your initial six-month window after turning 65 and enrolling in Medicare Part B. The company cannot deny you or charge more because of health problems during this window. If you wait past six months, the company can ask health questions and may refuse to sell you a plan.