AARP's Dental Insurance Options

AARP does not sell dental insurance directly. Instead, AARP partners with insurance companies to offer dental discount plans and dental insurance products that members can purchase. The plans available vary by state and change over time, so what is offered in your state may differ from what is offered in another.

When you see "AARP dental" advertised, you are usually looking at a plan underwritten by a separate insurance company — commonly Delta Dental, Aetna, or Cigna — that AARP has negotiated group rates for. AARP receives a commission when members enroll, but the insurance company handles claims, networks, and coverage decisions. This matters because if you have a problem with a claim or coverage denial, you contact the insurance company, not AARP. AARP's role is to market the plan and negotiate the group rate; the insurance company is responsible for paying claims and explaining coverage.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP partners with insurance companies to offer dental plans, but does not underwrite the insurance itself.
  • The specific plans and costs available depend on your state and age, and change periodically.
  • Dental discount plans (which charge a membership fee but are not insurance) are usually cheaper upfront than dental insurance but offer no protection against large bills.
  • You can compare AARP dental plans to plans from other insurers by checking what dentists are in-network and what your out-of-pocket costs would be for the care you actually need.
  • If you have Medicare, you should also check whether a Medicare Advantage plan with dental coverage might cost less than buying AARP dental separately.

Dental Insurance vs. Dental Discount Plans

AARP offers two different types of dental products, and they work very differently. A dental insurance plan charges a monthly or annual premium and then covers a percentage of your dental costs after you meet a deductible. A dental discount plan charges an annual membership fee (usually $80 to $200) and gives you a discount card that reduces the price you pay at participating dentists — typically 10 to 60 percent off the dentist's regular fee.

Dental insurance protects you if you need expensive work like a crown or root canal. If your plan covers 50 percent of major work after a $50 deductible, and you need a $1,200 crown, you pay $50 plus $600 (your 50 percent share), and the plan pays $600. With a discount plan, you get whatever discount the dentist offers — perhaps 40 percent off — so you pay $720 instead of $1,200, but there is no insurance protection if you need multiple expensive procedures.

Discount plans have no waiting periods and no exclusions for pre-existing conditions. Insurance plans often have waiting periods (sometimes 6 to 12 months) before they cover major work, and they may exclude certain conditions. For someone who needs dental work soon, a discount plan may be the only option available when ready.

How to Find AARP Dental Plans in Your State

AARP's website has a dental plan search tool where you enter your state and age. The tool shows you which plans are currently available and what the monthly premium or annual discount plan fee would be. You can click through to see which dentists are in-network, what the deductible is, and what percentage of costs the plan covers for routine care, basic work, and major work.

Before you enroll, write down the names of two or three dentists you actually use or want to use, then check whether they are in-network for each plan you are considering. A plan with a low premium is not a bargain if your dentist is out-of-network and you have to pay full price anyway. The in-network list is usually available on the insurance company's website, not just on AARP's page.

You should also calculate what you would actually pay for the care you know you need. If you need a cleaning and exam twice a year and nothing else, a plan that covers preventive care at 100 percent with no deductible might cost you $0 out-of-pocket. If you need a crown or root canal, look at the deductible, the percentage the plan covers, and the plan's allowed amount for that procedure — the insurance company may pay less than the dentist's full fee, and you are responsible for the difference.

Costs and Coverage Details

AARP dental insurance premiums vary widely by state, age, and plan. A basic plan might cost $10 to $20 per month, while a more comprehensive plan might cost $30 to $50 per month. Discount plans typically cost $80 to $200 per year. These are rough ranges; your actual cost depends on your specific plan and state.

Most AARP dental insurance plans cover preventive care (cleanings, exams, X-rays) at 100 percent with no deductible. Basic care (fillings, extractions) is usually covered at 70 to 80 percent after a deductible of $25 to $75. Major care (crowns, root canals, bridges) is often covered at 50 percent after the same deductible, and many plans have an annual maximum benefit — often $1,000 to $1,500 per year — which means the plan stops paying once you reach that limit.

Orthodontia (braces) is rarely covered by AARP dental plans, and cosmetic work (whitening, veneers) is not covered. Some plans exclude certain procedures or have waiting periods before they cover major work. Read the plan documents carefully before you enroll, because the coverage rules are in the fine print.

AARP Dental Plans and Medicare

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover dental work at all. If you are on Original Medicare and want dental coverage, you have two main options: buy a standalone dental plan (like an AARP plan), or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental coverage.

Many Medicare Advantage plans include some dental coverage — often $0 to $200 per year for preventive care, and sometimes coverage for basic or major work. If you are already considering a Medicare Advantage plan for other reasons (like prescription drug coverage or lower out-of-pocket costs), check whether the plan includes dental and what it covers. You may find that the dental benefit in a Medicare Advantage plan costs less overall than buying Original Medicare plus a separate AARP dental plan. If you are on Original Medicare and buy an AARP dental plan, you are paying for both, so make sure the AARP plan covers the care you actually need and that the cost makes sense compared to your other options.

What to Ask Before You Enroll

Before you sign up for any AARP dental plan, contact the insurance company (not AARP) and ask these questions:

  • Is my regular dentist in-network? (Call your dentist's office to confirm; do not rely only on the online list.)
  • What is the deductible, and does it explore to preventive care?
  • What percentage does the plan cover for basic work and major work?
  • What is the annual maximum benefit, and what happens if I need more work than that?
  • Are there waiting periods before the plan covers basic or major work?
  • What procedures are excluded or limited?
  • If I need a crown, what is the plan's allowed amount, and am I responsible for the difference if my dentist charges more?
  • Can I cancel the plan if I am not satisfied, and is there a cancellation fee?

Writing down the answers helps you compare plans side by side. You may also want to ask your dentist's office which AARP plans they accept and whether they have seen problems with claims or payment from any of them.

When to Seek Help or More Information

If you enroll in an AARP dental plan and have a claim denied, contact the insurance company first — they made the decision and can explain why. If you believe the denial is wrong, ask for an appeal process; most insurance companies have a formal appeal procedure. AARP can sometimes help you understand the plan documents, but the insurance company handles all coverage decisions.

If you are on Medicare and unsure whether a standalone dental plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with dental is the better choice for you, contact your State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP). SHIP counselors are free and unbiased, and they can help you compare plans based on your specific situation and needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get AARP dental insurance if I am not yet 50?

AARP membership requires age 50 or older, so AARP dental plans are only available to members age 50 and up. If you are younger, you can purchase dental insurance through your employer, the individual market, or a discount plan from a non-AARP provider.

Does AARP dental cover pre-existing conditions?

Most AARP dental insurance plans do not exclude pre-existing conditions, but many have waiting periods — sometimes 6 to 12 months — before they cover major work like crowns or root canals. Dental discount plans have no waiting periods. Check your specific plan's documents to see what waiting periods explore.

What if my dentist is out-of-network?

If your dentist is out-of-network, you can still see them, but you will likely pay more. Out-of-network dentists are not bound by the plan's fee schedule, so they can charge their full fee, and the plan may pay less than it would for an in-network dentist. You are responsible for the difference.

Can I use AARP dental if I have Medicaid?

You can enroll in an AARP dental plan, but Medicaid may cover some dental work, and you should check what your state's Medicaid program covers before you buy a separate plan. Some states cover more dental work through Medicaid than others. Contact your state Medicaid office to see what is covered under your plan.

How do I cancel an AARP dental plan?

Contact the insurance company directly to cancel. Most plans allow you to cancel at any time, though some may require you to give notice (usually 30 days) before the cancellation takes effect. Check your plan documents for the cancellation procedure and any fees that may explore.