AARP's Dental Plans: What You Get

AARP does not directly provide dental insurance. Instead, AARP partners with insurance companies to offer dental discount plans and dental insurance products that members can purchase separately. These are not included in AARP membership — you pay an additional monthly or annual premium on top of your membership dues.

The plans AARP endorses vary by state and change periodically as partnerships shift. Some offer traditional insurance (where you pay a premium and the plan covers a percentage of costs after a deductible), while others are discount plans (where you pay an annual membership fee to access reduced rates at participating dentists, with no deductible or waiting period).

Because AARP negotiates rates with insurers on behalf of its members, the premiums and coverage terms are often lower than what you would find buying directly from an insurance company. However, you must shop the options available in your state to see what fits your budget and dental needs.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP dental plans are sold by partner insurance companies, not by AARP itself, and require a separate purchase beyond your membership.
  • Plans available to you depend on your state of residence, and AARP's partnerships change, so you should check the current offerings on AARP's website or by phone.
  • Discount plans charge an annual fee and give you reduced rates at dentists; insurance plans charge monthly premiums and cover a percentage of costs after you meet a deductible.
  • Medicare does not cover routine dental care, so a separate dental plan is often the only way to reduce out-of-pocket costs for cleanings, fillings, and other procedures.

How AARP Dental Plans Differ From Medicare Dental Coverage

Medicare Part A and Part B do not cover routine dental work such as cleanings, fillings, crowns, or dentures. If you are on Medicare and want dental coverage, you must purchase it separately — either through a standalone plan or through a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) that includes dental benefits.

AARP dental plans sit outside the Medicare system entirely. They are commercial insurance products or discount memberships that work alongside Medicare. If you are enrolled in Original Medicare, you can add an AARP dental plan. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan that already includes dental, adding an AARP plan would mean paying for two plans and coordinating coverage between them, which is usually not cost-effective.

The key difference: Medicare Advantage plans with dental are bundled with your health coverage and may have limits on what they cover (often capping annual benefits at $1,000 to $1,500). AARP plans sold to members are standalone products with their own terms, limits, and networks.

Types of AARP Dental Plans Available

Dental insurance plans work like traditional health insurance. You pay a monthly premium (typically $10 to $30 per month, though this varies widely by state and age), meet an annual deductible (often $50 to $150), and then the plan covers a percentage of costs — usually 80% for preventive care (cleanings and exams), 50% for basic procedures (fillings), and 50% for major work (crowns, root canals). Most plans have an annual maximum benefit, often $1,000 to $1,500.

Dental discount plans are not insurance. You pay an annual membership fee (typically $80 to $200 per year) and receive a card that gives you discounts at participating dentists — usually 10% to 60% off the dentist's normal fee. There is no deductible, no waiting period, and no annual maximum. You pay the discounted rate out of pocket at the time of service.

Which type makes sense depends on how often you visit the dentist and what work you expect to need. If you go twice a year for cleanings and exams, a discount plan may cost less. If you need a crown or root canal, insurance may save you more money despite the premium and deductible.

How to Find and Compare AARP Dental Plans in Your State

Visit AARP.org and navigate to the insurance section, or call AARP at 1-888-687-2277 to ask what dental plans are currently available in your state. AARP staff can tell you the plan names, the companies offering them, the monthly or annual cost, and what is covered.

When you call or browse online, you will see a list of plans specific to your state and age group. Each plan has a summary document that shows the premium, deductible, copays, coinsurance percentages, annual maximum, and the network of dentists you can visit. Read these summaries carefully — they are the only way to compare what you actually pay.

Ask AARP or the insurance company directly: Is there a waiting period before major work is covered? (Some plans wait 6 to 12 months before paying for crowns or root canals.) What is the annual maximum benefit? (If you need $3,000 in work and the max is $1,000, you pay the rest.) Are there out-of-network dentists, and what do they cost?

What AARP Dental Plans Do Not Cover

No dental plan — AARP or otherwise — covers cosmetic work such as teeth whitening or veneers. Most plans also exclude orthodontics (braces), implants, and dentures, though some offer limited coverage for dentures as a major service.

Plans typically do not cover work that was already in progress before your coverage started. If you had a tooth that needed a root canal before you signed up, the plan may classify it as a pre-existing condition and deny the claim or delay coverage for 6 to 12 months.

Discount plans have a different limitation: they only work at dentists in their network. If your regular dentist is not in the network, you either switch dentists or pay full price. Always check whether your current dentist participates before you enroll.

Cost Comparison: AARP Plans Versus Other Options

The cost of an AARP dental plan depends on your age, state, and the plan you choose. A discount plan might cost $100 to $200 per year and save you 15% to 40% on routine care. An insurance plan might cost $120 to $360 per year in premiums, plus a deductible and coinsurance, but could save you more if you need major work.

If you are on Medicare Advantage with dental included, that coverage is usually bundled into your plan premium and may cost nothing extra. However, the annual benefit cap is often lower ($1,000 to $1,500) than a standalone AARP plan, and the network may be smaller.

To compare fairly, add up what you expect to spend: your annual premium or membership fee, plus your expected deductible and coinsurance, minus what the plan covers. Then compare that total across two or three plans. This is the only way to know which plan actually saves you money.

Common Mistakes When Choosing an AARP Dental Plan

The most common mistake is assuming that a lower monthly premium means lower total cost. A plan with a $10 monthly premium ($120 per year) but a $150 deductible and 50% coinsurance on major work may cost you far more than a plan with a $25 monthly premium ($300 per year) and 80% coverage on preventive care, depending on what you actually need done.

Another mistake is not checking whether your dentist is in the plan's network. You may find a plan with great coverage, enroll, and then discover your dentist does not participate. Always call your dentist's office and ask: "Are you in the network for [plan name]?" before you sign up.

A third mistake is not reading the waiting period rules. If you enroll in January expecting to have a crown done in February, and the plan has a 12-month waiting period for major work, you will pay out of pocket. Read the summary of benefits and ask the insurance company directly about waiting periods before you enroll.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an AARP dental plan if I have Medicare Advantage with dental?

Technically yes, but it is usually not worth it. You would pay premiums for two plans and have to coordinate which one pays first. If your Medicare Advantage plan already covers dental, use that coverage. If the benefit is too low or the network too small, you may consider switching to Original Medicare and adding an AARP plan, but that is a major change that affects all your health coverage.

Do AARP dental plans cover implants?

Most AARP dental plans do not cover implants. Some plans may offer limited coverage (such as 50% of the cost) if implants are classified as a major service, but this is rare. Check the plan's summary of benefits or call the insurance company to ask whether implants are covered and at what percentage.

What happens if I switch dentists after I enroll in an AARP plan?

You can switch dentists at any time. If your new dentist is in the plan's network, your coverage continues as normal. If your new dentist is out of network, you will pay the full fee and may be able to submit a claim for reimbursement, though out-of-network reimbursement is usually lower than in-network coverage.

Is there a waiting period before AARP dental plans cover major work?

Many plans have a waiting period of 6 to 12 months before they cover major services such as crowns or root canals. Some plans waive the waiting period for preventive care (cleanings and exams) but explore it to everything else. Read the plan documents or call the insurance company to confirm the waiting period before you enroll.

Can I cancel an AARP dental plan if I change my mind?

Yes. Most plans allow you to cancel within 30 days of enrollment and receive a refund of your premium. After 30 days, you can usually cancel anytime, but you will not receive a refund for the period you have already paid. Check the plan's cancellation policy in the enrollment materials.