What AARP Dental Plans Cover

AARP offers dental insurance through a partner company, not directly. The plans come in two main types: Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans and dental discount plans. PPO plans work like traditional insurance—you pay a monthly premium, and the plan covers a percentage of your dental costs after you meet a deductible. Dental discount plans charge a membership fee instead and give you reduced rates at participating dentists, with no deductible or waiting period.

Coverage under PPO plans typically includes preventive care (cleanings, exams, X-rays) at 100 percent, basic procedures (fillings, extractions) at 80 percent, and major work (crowns, root canals, bridges) at 50 percent. Orthodontics is usually not covered. Discount plans do not reimburse you—they straightforward reduce what you pay at the dentist's office, often by 10 to 60 percent depending on the procedure and the dentist's agreement with the plan.

Both types have annual maximums. PPO plans typically cap coverage between $1,000 and $1,500 per year, meaning the plan stops paying once you hit that limit. Discount plans have no annual maximum because they work on a percentage-off model rather than a reimbursement model.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP dental plans come in two types: PPO insurance plans that reimburse you after you pay, and discount plans that reduce your dentist bill upfront.
  • PPO plans charge a monthly premium and cover preventive care at 100 percent, but have deductibles and annual maximums that vary by plan.
  • Discount plans charge an annual membership fee, have no waiting periods, and work at any dentist who participates in the network.
  • You must be an AARP member to enroll, and plans are available only in certain states.
  • Comparing the total cost of premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums matters more than the coverage percentage alone.

Who Can Enroll and Where

You must be an AARP member to buy an AARP dental plan. AARP membership costs $16 per year for those 50 and older. Dental plans are not available in all states—availability depends on which insurance companies partner with AARP in your state and which products they offer there. You can check your state's availability on the AARP website by entering your ZIP code.

There is no age limit for enrollment, and you do not need to be retired or on Medicare. You can enroll at any time during the year; there is no open enrollment window. However, some plans impose waiting periods before they cover major work like crowns or root canals—typically 6 to 12 months. Preventive care is usually covered when ready.

How Much AARP Dental Plans Cost

PPO plan premiums vary widely by state, age, and which specific plan you choose. Monthly premiums typically range from $10 to $30 for individual coverage, though some plans cost more. You will also pay a deductible—usually $50 to $150 per year—before the plan begins to pay. After that, you pay a percentage of the cost (your coinsurance), and the plan covers the rest up to its annual maximum.

Discount plans charge an annual membership fee, usually between $80 and $200 per year. There is no deductible, no coinsurance, and no annual maximum. You straightforward pay the discounted rate at the dentist's office. For someone who needs only routine cleanings and exams, a discount plan may cost less overall. For someone facing a major procedure like a crown or root canal, a PPO plan might save money despite the higher upfront cost.

To compare plans fairly, add up what you expect to pay in a year: premiums (or membership fee) plus deductible plus your share of the procedures you know you need. That total is what the plan actually costs you.

Finding Dentists in the AARP Network

Both PPO and discount plans have networks of participating dentists. You can use any dentist, but you pay less if you choose one in the network. To find network dentists, log into your AARP account or call the plan's customer service number (listed on your plan documents). Most plans have online directories where you can search by ZIP code or dentist name.

If your current dentist is not in the network, ask whether they will join or whether they will accept the plan's rates anyway. Some dentists will negotiate, especially if you are a long-time patient. If your dentist will not participate, you can either switch dentists or pay out-of-network rates, which are usually higher.

How to Enroll in an AARP Dental Plan

Start by confirming you are an AARP member. If you are not, you can join at aarp.org or by phone. Once you are a member, visit aarp.org/health/dental or call AARP's insurance enrollment line to see which plans are available in your state. You will enter your ZIP code and birth date to see options.

Compare the plans side by side: look at the monthly premium, deductible, coinsurance percentages, annual maximum, and waiting periods. Read the plan documents (called the Summary of Benefits and Coverage) to understand exactly what is and is not covered. Once you decide, you can enroll online or by phone. Enrollment is when ready, though coverage may not start until the following month depending on when you enroll.

Keep your plan documents and member ID card in a safe place. Bring your member ID to every dental appointment so the dentist can verify your coverage and file claims on your behalf.

PPO Plans Versus Discount Plans: Which Is Right for You

Choose a PPO plan if you expect to need significant dental work in the next year or two. The plan's coinsurance means the insurance company pays a share of major procedures, which can save you hundreds of dollars. PPO plans also provide the psychological benefit of knowing your costs are capped at the annual maximum.

Choose a discount plan if you are mostly interested in preventive care—cleanings, exams, and occasional fillings—or if you do not use the dentist often. Discount plans have no waiting periods, so you can use them when ready. They also work well if you want to avoid monthly premiums and prefer to pay only when you actually see the dentist.

Some people enroll in a discount plan for a year, use it for preventive care, and then switch to a PPO plan when they know they need a crown or root canal. That strategy works because there is no lock-in period—you can change plans or cancel at any time.

What Is Not Covered

Cosmetic procedures—teeth whitening, veneers, bonding for appearance—are not covered by either PPO or discount plans. Orthodontics (braces) is rarely covered, though a few plans offer it as an add-on for an extra fee. Implants are sometimes covered under PPO plans but often at a lower percentage than other major work, or not at all; check your specific plan.

Procedures that were started before your coverage began are usually not covered. If you had a crown in progress when you enrolled, the plan will not pay for it. This is why waiting periods exist—the plan wants to avoid paying for work that was already planned.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Medicare does not cover dental care, so an AARP dental plan is separate from Medicare. You can have both at the same time. The dental plan will not affect your Medicare coverage or premiums.

What happens if I move to a state where my plan is not available?

You can cancel your current plan and enroll in a plan available in your new state. There is no penalty for canceling. If your new state does not offer AARP dental plans, you will need to look for coverage through your state's marketplace or a private insurer.

Do AARP dental plans cover dental emergencies?

Yes, but only if the emergency is a covered service. An emergency extraction or pain relief is covered the same way as a routine extraction. However, if you need an emergency root canal, the plan's waiting period for major work may still explore, depending on when you enrolled.

Can I cancel an AARP dental plan anytime?

Yes. There is no contract or lock-in period. You can cancel by calling the plan's customer service number or through your AARP account. Cancellation is usually effective at the end of the month in which you request it.

How do I file a claim if my dentist is out of network?

For PPO plans, you or your dentist can submit a claim form to the insurance company. You will pay the dentist upfront and then wait for reimbursement, usually within 30 days. Discount plans do not reimburse—they only reduce rates at participating dentists, so using an out-of-network dentist means you pay full price.