AARP's Dental Insurance Plans

AARP does not sell dental insurance directly. Instead, AARP partners with Delta Dental and other insurers to offer dental plans that you purchase through AARP. These are separate products from AARP membership itself — you join AARP for the membership benefits, then choose whether to add dental coverage on top of that.

The dental plans available through AARP vary by state and change periodically. Some are traditional insurance plans with monthly premiums, deductibles, and copays. Others are discount plans that charge an annual membership fee and give you reduced rates at participating dentists instead of insurance coverage. Which type is available to you depends on where you live and your age.

AARP also offers information about dental coverage through Medicare, including Original Medicare's lack of dental benefits and how to find standalone dental plans if you are on Medicare. This is separate from the AARP-branded dental plans themselves.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP partners with Delta Dental and other companies to offer dental plans, but does not directly insure you.
  • Plans vary by state — some are traditional insurance with premiums and deductibles, others are discount plans with annual fees.
  • Original Medicare does not cover dental care, but you can purchase a standalone dental plan through AARP or other providers.
  • You can review plan details and pricing on the AARP website or call AARP to learn what is available in your state.

How AARP Dental Plans Work

When you purchase a dental plan through AARP, you are buying from the insurance company or discount plan operator — not from AARP itself. AARP receives a commission, but the plan is underwritten and managed by the partner company. This means your bill, your customer service, and your coverage details come from that company, not from AARP.

If you choose a traditional insurance plan, you typically pay a monthly premium, meet an annual deductible (often $50 to $150), and then pay a percentage of the cost for cleanings, fillings, and other work. Preventive care like cleanings and exams is often covered at a higher percentage (sometimes 100%) than major work like crowns or root canals.

If you choose a discount plan, you pay an annual membership fee (often $80 to $200 per year) and receive a card that gives you discounts — usually 10% to 60% off — at dentists in the plan's network. You pay the dentist directly at the discounted rate; there is no insurance claim or deductible.

Dental Coverage and Medicare

Original Medicare — the government program for people 65 and older — does not cover routine dental care, tooth extractions, dentures, or dental implants. This is true regardless of whether you have AARP membership. If you are on Original Medicare and want dental coverage, you must purchase it separately.

Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) include dental benefits, though coverage varies widely. If you are considering switching to a Medicare Advantage plan partly for dental coverage, check the plan's summary to see what is actually covered and what you will pay out of pocket.

AARP offers information comparing standalone dental plans available in your state, which may include AARP-branded plans or plans from other insurers. You can also search for plans directly through your state's health insurance marketplace or through private insurers.

What to Check Before Choosing a Plan

Before you purchase any dental plan through AARP or elsewhere, confirm that your current dentist is in the plan's network — or that you are willing to switch. Network dentists have agreed to the plan's rates; out-of-network dentists may charge more, and you may pay a larger share of the bill.

Read the plan documents carefully to understand what is covered at what percentage. Preventive care (cleanings, exams, X-rays) is usually well covered. Basic care (fillings, extractions) is often covered at 70% to 80%. Major work (crowns, bridges, root canals) may be covered at only 50%, or may have a separate annual maximum. Some plans exclude certain procedures entirely.

Check whether there is a waiting period before major services are covered. Many plans do not cover major work until you have been enrolled for 6 to 12 months, which matters if you need a crown or root canal soon.

How to Find AARP Dental Plans in Your State

Visit the AARP website and look for the dental insurance section, usually under "Insurance & Legal." You can enter your state and age to see what plans are currently available. AARP will show you plan names, monthly costs, deductibles, and coverage percentages side by side.

You can also call AARP directly at 1-888-687-2277 to ask what dental plans are available where you live. A representative can walk you through the options and answer questions about coverage.

If you do not find an AARP plan that suits you, search your state's health insurance marketplace or contact Delta Dental, Humana, Cigna, or other major insurers directly — they all offer standalone dental plans in most states, and you do not need to go through AARP to purchase them.

Dental Discount Plans vs. Insurance Plans

The choice between a discount plan and traditional insurance depends on how much dental work you expect to need. Discount plans work best if you are generally healthy and only need routine cleanings and exams — you pay a small annual fee and get a discount card. Insurance plans work better if you expect to need fillings, root canals, or other major work, because insurance covers a percentage of the cost after you meet the deductible.

Discount plans are not insurance, so they do not have deductibles, waiting periods, or annual maximums. You straightforward pay the discounted rate at the dentist's office. However, the discounts are negotiated rates, not may provide savings — you should ask your dentist what the discount will be before you commit to a plan.

Insurance plans cost more upfront but protect you if you need expensive work. If you have a crown or root canal, insurance may cover 50% of the cost, which could save you hundreds of dollars even after you pay the premium and deductible.

AARP Membership and Dental Coverage

AARP membership itself does not include dental coverage. When you join AARP, you receive discounts on other products and services — travel, prescriptions, car insurance, home insurance — but dental is not part of the basic membership. You must purchase dental coverage as an add-on product if you want it.

Some people confuse AARP membership with dental coverage because AARP advertises dental plans prominently. The plans are real and available, but they are separate purchases. You can be an AARP member without buying dental coverage, or you can buy dental coverage without being an AARP member (through other insurers).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get dental coverage through AARP if I am under 50?

AARP membership itself requires you to be 50 or older. However, some dental plans offered through AARP may be available to younger family members on the same plan. Check the plan details or call AARP to ask whether a spouse or adult child can be covered.

Does AARP dental insurance cover implants?

Coverage for implants varies by plan. Some AARP dental plans cover implants at a reduced percentage (often 50%), while others exclude them entirely. Check the plan's coverage document before you purchase. If implants are important to you, call AARP or the insurance company to confirm what is covered.

What if I already have dental insurance through my job?

You can keep your employer dental plan and do not need to purchase an AARP plan. If you are considering switching or adding coverage, compare what each plan covers and what you pay out of pocket. Some people keep employer coverage while working and switch to an AARP plan after retirement.

How do I cancel an AARP dental plan?

Contact the insurance company or plan operator directly — not AARP — to cancel. The company name and phone number will be on your plan documents and billing statements. Most plans allow you to cancel at any time, though some discount plans may require you to give notice before the next annual renewal.

Can I use an AARP dental plan with Medicare?

Yes. AARP dental plans are separate from Medicare and can be used alongside Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. If you are on Medicare Advantage and it includes dental, you may not need a separate AARP plan — check your Medicare Advantage plan's coverage first.