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Summary: Explains that AARP-branded Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans are UnitedHealthcare products and how providers verify eligibility for them, including the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal, payer ID and phone line, plus how to check Original Medicare eligibility. Also covers who qualifies for Medicare, 2026 Medicare figures, enrollment timing and an Initial Enrollment Period date calculator.
AARP is not an insurer. AARP-branded Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans are UnitedHealthcare products, so providers verify AARP plan eligibility through the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal, and verify Original Medicare through a Medicare eligibility transaction or their Medicare Administrative Contractor portal. People checking their own eligibility need to know whether they qualify for Medicare and when to enroll.
This guide covers both audiences: how clinics verify AARP plan eligibility, which numbers and IDs to use, who qualifies for Medicare, current 2026 figures and an enrollment-date calculator.
How AARP Medicare plans work and where to verify them
According to AARP Medicare Plans from UnitedHealthcare, UnitedHealthcare insures and offers AARP Medicare Advantage and AARP Medicare Supplement plans. AARP itself, per AARP's Medicare eligibility guide, acts as an information and advocacy organization on Medicare.
| Patient's coverage | Who runs it | Where providers verify |
|---|---|---|
| AARP Medicare Supplement (Medigap) | UnitedHealthcare | UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal. Also verify the patient's Original Medicare coverage, because the supplement pays after Medicare |
| AARP Medicare Advantage | UnitedHealthcare | UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare billing, so bill the plan, not Medicare |
| Original Medicare (no AARP plan) | Medicare | Medicare eligibility transaction through your Medicare Administrative Contractor portal, clearinghouse or billing agent (see below) |
How providers verify AARP eligibility
For AARP Medicare Supplement, UnitedHealthcare's AARP Medicare Supplement provider page says providers can access patient and practice information 24/7 in the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal, signing in with a One Healthcare ID. The same page lists the details below. Confirm them on that page before you use them, since payers update numbers.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Electronic payer ID | 36273 |
| Provider line | 800-227-7789, Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET |
| EZ Claim Pay support | 877-223-1628, same hours |
| Paper claims | UnitedHealthcare Claims Division, P.O. Box 1878, Southampton, PA 18966-9998 |
| Medicare crossover | Some Medicare Part B claims are forwarded to UnitedHealthcare automatically. Forwarding may not happen for incorrect member information, adjustments or denied claims |
| Typical processing | Claims are typically processed within 10 to 14 days of receipt, per UnitedHealthcare |
- Get the card and the Medicare details: copy both sides of the AARP plan card and the patient's Medicare card.
- Confirm Original Medicare first for a Medigap patient, since the supplement pays after Medicare.
- Verify the AARP plan in the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal, or call the provider line.
- Record the plan, effective dates and benefits, and save the response with the date and source.
- Bill in the right order: Medicare first, then the supplement, with the crossover details complete.
- Re-check before each visit. Coverage and plan details can change.
For a deeper walkthrough of the UnitedHealthcare portal, see our UnitedHealthcare eligibility verification guide.
How to check Original Medicare eligibility
Medicare's eligibility system gives providers, suppliers and billing agents eligibility data to prepare an accurate claim, determine beneficiary liability or determine eligibility for specific services, per the HHS and CMS description of the Medicare 270/271 eligibility system. In practice you reach it through your Medicare Administrative Contractor's portal, a clearinghouse or a billing agent, and you need the patient's identifying details such as the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier. Our insurance eligibility verification guide explains the 270/271 process, and real-time eligibility verification covers response speed.
Who is eligible for Medicare?
If you are checking your own eligibility, these are the main routes, based on AARP's Medicare eligibility guide and Social Security's Medicare sign-up page.
| Route | Who qualifies | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age 65 or older | Most people who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents with 5 or more years of continuous U.S. residence | Premium-free Part A generally requires at least 10 years of Medicare taxes paid by you or a spouse |
| Disability, under 65 | People who receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits | Medicare starts after 24 months of benefits |
| ALS | People with ALS | Medicare starts automatically when Social Security approves the disability claim |
| End-stage renal disease | People with permanent kidney failure needing dialysis or a transplant | Coverage can start on the first day of the fourth month of dialysis treatments |
2026 Medicare figures to know
| Item | 2026 amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Part B standard monthly premium | $202.90 | CMS 2026 fact sheet |
| Part B annual deductible | $283 | CMS 2026 fact sheet |
| Part A inpatient hospital deductible per benefit period | $1,736 | CMS 2026 fact sheet |
| Part A coinsurance, hospital days 61 to 90 | $434 per day | CMS 2026 fact sheet |
| Part A coinsurance, lifetime reserve days | $868 per day | CMS 2026 fact sheet |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance, days 21 to 100 | $217.00 per day | CMS 2026 fact sheet |
| Part A premium if you buy it (30 to 39 quarters / fewer than 30) | $311 / $565 a month | CMS 2026 fact sheet |
| Part D maximum deductible | $615 | CMS Part D redesign instructions |
| Part D annual out-of-pocket threshold | $2,100 | CMS Part D redesign instructions |
Figures come from the CMS 2026 Medicare Parts A and B fact sheet and CMS 2026 Part D redesign instructions. Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket limits vary by plan, per the Medicare.gov costs page, so check the specific plan.
When to enroll: Initial Enrollment Period and coverage start dates
Your Initial Enrollment Period lasts seven months: it starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after. Per the Medicare.gov coverage start rules, signing up before your 65th birthday month means Part B coverage begins the month you turn 65, and signing up during or within three months after that month means it begins the next month. Premium-free Part A starts the month you turn 65, or the month before if your birthday is on the first.
- Still working at 65 with employer coverage: You may have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period once you stop working or lose that coverage, whichever comes first. COBRA does not extend your time to sign up, per the Medicare.gov guidance for people working past 65.
- Medigap open enrollment: It lasts 6 months and starts the first day of the month you are 65 or older and signed up for Part B. After it ends, your options may be limited and the policy may cost more, per Medicare.gov Medigap guidance.
- How to sign up: Use Social Security online, call 800-772-1213 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.) or visit a local office, per Social Security's Medicare sign-up page.
Medicare enrollment date calculator
Enter your date of birth and when you plan to sign up for Part B. The calculator applies the Medicare.gov rules above. It is an estimate for planning, so confirm your dates with Social Security.
When is my Medicare enrollment window?
Based on the Medicare.gov rules for people turning 65. Not for disability-based eligibility.
| Item | Date |
|---|
If you were born on the first of a month, Medicare treats your 65th birthday month as the month before. Dates for people with employer coverage, disability or end-stage renal disease follow different rules. Confirm with Social Security.
Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medigap: what changes for verification
| Coverage | What it is | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare (Parts A and B) | Federal program that pays claims directly | Entitlement and effective dates, deductible status, and whether the patient has a Medicare Advantage plan |
| Medicare Advantage (Part C) | Private plan that provides Medicare benefits | Active plan and effective dates, network, copays, and authorization rules. Bill the plan |
| Medigap (Medicare Supplement) | Private policy that helps pay costs Original Medicare leaves | Active policy, plan letter and crossover setup. Medicare pays first |
| Part D | Prescription drug coverage, separate from medical claims | Not usually part of a clinic's medical eligibility check |
Medicare verification for therapy clinics with SPRY
Therapy clinics see many Medicare and Medicare Advantage patients, so accurate eligibility checks matter. SPRY, a PT, OT, SLP, chiropractic and behavioral health platform, includes a bulk eligibility verification dashboard in its RCM and billing service and billing software. On its RCM page, SPRY states 97%+ eligibility accuracy and 95%+ clean claims on first submission, which are SPRY's own figures, so ask how each is measured. SPRY pricing starts at $79 a month; see pricing or book a demo.
Frequently asked questions
Is AARP an insurance company?
No. AARP is an information and advocacy organization. AARP Medicare Advantage and AARP Medicare Supplement plans are UnitedHealthcare products, so claims and eligibility go through UnitedHealthcare.
How do I verify AARP Medicare Supplement eligibility?
Sign in to the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal with a One Healthcare ID, or call the provider line listed on UnitedHealthcare's AARP Medicare Supplement provider page. Also confirm the patient's Original Medicare coverage, since the supplement pays after Medicare.
What is the AARP provider phone number for eligibility?
UnitedHealthcare lists 800-227-7789 as the provider line for AARP Medicare Supplement, open Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Check UnitedHealthcare's provider page before you call, since numbers can change.
What is the payer ID for AARP Medicare Supplement?
UnitedHealthcare lists 36273 as the electronic payer ID for AARP Medicare Supplement claims. Confirm it on UnitedHealthcare's provider page or with your clearinghouse.
How do I check Medicare eligibility as a provider?
Use your Medicare Administrative Contractor's portal, a clearinghouse or a billing agent, which connect to Medicare's 270/271 eligibility system. You need identifying details such as the patient's Medicare Beneficiary Identifier.
Who is eligible for Medicare?
Most U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents with 5 or more years of continuous residence qualify at 65. People under 65 can qualify after 24 months of disability benefits, automatically with ALS, or with end-stage renal disease.
When can I enroll in Medicare?
Your Initial Enrollment Period is seven months: three months before the month you turn 65, that month, and three months after. If you are still working with employer coverage, you may get an 8-month Special Enrollment Period after that coverage or work ends.
How do I sign up for an AARP Medicare Supplement plan?
First enroll in Medicare Parts A and B through Social Security. Then apply for a plan, ideally during your 6-month Medigap open enrollment, which starts the first day of the month you are 65 or older and signed up for Part B.
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