AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Plan N

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UnitedHealthcare sells Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in partnership with AARP. Plan N is just one of the Medicare Supplement plans (also called Medigap) available from AARP/UnitedHealthcare.

In this Plan N review, we explore details about what Medicare Plan N pays for, how much it costs, AARP/UnitedHealthcare customer reviews and financial strength ratings, enrollment info and more so you can find the best Medigap plan for your coverage needs.

What Is AARP Plan N?

Medicare Supplement plans are insurance plans you can use in conjunction with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) to fill coverage gaps in certain areas. Medigap plans help pay for your Medicare Part A and Part B coinsurance and copays, deductibles and more.

Medigap Plan N is one of 10 Medigap plans available in most states, each of which include a set of benefits that are standardized across every state and carrier. That means AARP Plan N in Florida would cover the same Medicare costs as AARP Plan N in Texas, though plan availability and premiums may vary.

Plan N is one of the most popular Medigap plans. It offers robust coverage at relatively low rates. Below is a look at what’s covered by AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medigap Plan N.

AARP/UnitedHealthcare Plan N fully covers each of the following Medicare costs unless otherwise noted. That means Plan N pays for your full cost of what is listed.

Part A Deductible

Medicare Part A charges a $1,632 deductible for each benefit period in 2024. You could potentially experience more than one benefit period in a calendar year, which would require you to pay the $1,632 deductible more than once in the year.

Medicare Part A Coinsurance

Medicare Part A charges $408 per day for days 61-90 of an inpatient hospital stay each benefit period in 2024, and $816 per day beyond 90 days. 

Medicare Part B Coinsurance

Medicare Part B typically charges a 20% coinsurance payment for covered services after the annual deductible has been met. 

With Plan N, you may be responsible for copayments of up to $20 for certain office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in an admission. Otherwise, your Part B coinsurance or copayments are covered by Plan N.

First Three Pints of Blood

Medicare does not cover the first three pints of blood needed for a blood transfusion. 

Part A Hospice Care Coinsurance and Copayments

Hospice care under Part A requires small copayments (no more than $5) for prescription drugs and other products used for pain relief and symptom control. Inpatient respite care requires a 5% coinsurance payment. 

Skilled Nursing Facility Care Coinsurance

Medicare Part A charges up to $204 per day for days 21-100 of a skilled nursing facility stay in 2024, and beneficiaries are responsible for all costs beyond 100 days. 

Foreign Travel Emergency Care

Only under certain circumstances does Medicare provide any coverage for emergency care received outside of the U.S. Plan N covers 80% of the costs for foreign travel medical care.

What Does AARP/UnitedHealthcare Plan N Not Cover?

There are only two types of out-of-pocket Medicare costs that may be covered by other Medigap plans but are not covered by Plan N. 

• The first is the Medicare Part B annual deductible, which is $240 for the year in 2024. 
  
  
• The second is Medicare Part B excess charges. You can avoid Medicare excess charges by making sure you visit health care providers who accept Medicare assignment, meaning they accept Medicare reimbursement as payment in full. Ask your doctor or provider if they accept Medicare assignment before receiving care. 

Who Is Eligible For AARP/UnitedHealthcare Plan N?  

You typically must meet the following criteria to apply for AARP/UnitedHealthcare Plan N:

1. You must be at least 65 years old (in most states) and be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B
   
   
2. You must live in an area where AARP/UnitedHealthcare sells Plan N
   
   
3. You must have an active AARP membership ($16 per year in 2024) 

How Much Does AARP Plan N Cost?

AARP/UnitedHealthcare Plan N costs can be affected by location, gender, age and pricing structure.

It’s important to note that plan availability and premiums can vary depending on:

• Where you live
• When you apply for a plan
• How the plan is structured

Does AARP/UnitedHealthcare Plan N Offer Any Extra Benefits?

In some locations, AARP/UnitedHealthcare sells a version of Plan N called “Plan N + wellness extras.” This version of the plan includes things like in-network discounts on dental, vision and hearing care and a gym membership. 

Again, availability, costs and benefits can vary.

What Is The Difference Between Plan G vs. Plan N?

One way to evaluate AARP/UnitedHealthcare Plan N is to compare it to a leading Medicare Supplement Insurance plan like Plan G. 

Plan G offers the greatest amount of coverage to new Medicare beneficiaries, and the table below shows how it compares to Plan N. 

As you can see, Plan N coverage is comparable to that of Plan G.

• Neither plan covers the Part B deductible, so the only real difference is Plan G coverage of Medicare Part B excess charges and the certain copayments for office and emergency room visits under Plan N.
• As mentioned earlier, Part B excess charges can be avoided by seeing only health care providers who accept Medicare assignment. 

Plan N typically costs less than Plan G.  

When Can I Enroll in AARP/UnitedHealthcare Plan N?

You may enroll in AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medigap Plan N at any time of year. However, the best time sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period.

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP) begins the day you are 65 years old or older and enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. Your OEP only lasts for six months, so it’s important to compare plans before your OEP starts so you’re ready to enroll.

During this enrollment period, you have guaranteed issue rights. When you have guaranteed issue rights, you are exempt from any medical underwriting, and insurance carriers may not charge you higher rates or deny you coverage based on your health.

But if you wait to sign up until after this enrollment period is over, you waive your guaranteed issue rights and might be charged a higher premium if you are in poor health.

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