Retirement allows seniors a much-needed breather after many years of hustle at work. But because there is no steady source of income, the initial days of retirement can be overwhelming. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a leading organization with member benefits for seniors. It focuses on issues specific to older adults, dental care being one of them. Here’s everything to know about the AARP dental insurance for seniors:

Types of AARP dental insurance plans
Delta Dental Insurance Company covers the dental insurance plans by AARP. Here are some AARP insurance options to pick from for seniors:

AARP DeltaCare USA Plan
This plan is affordable, has no waiting period, and covers a vast network of dentists. One can also change the dentist by contacting customer service. But if there is a dental emergency after business hours, the plan only covers $100 of the total treatment cost. Also, it only covers those living in certain states in the country.

AARP PPO Plans
The PPO plans by AARP are valid in many dental clinics across the world, and the cost for these depends on the type of PPO plan one selects. The plan is classified into Plan A and Plan B. Plan A costs around $70 a month for one person. The best part of this type of AARP dental insurance for seniors is that preventive care is totally free of cost. Plan A also covers 80% of the expenses for basic dental care and 50% of major care services. There is no waiting period for preventive and basic dental care, but if someone requires major care, the waiting period is one year. Plan B is less expensive, costing $50.58 for one person per month. It covers 80% of preventive and basic care and 50% of major care. Plan A has a deductible of $40, with an annual limit of $1500. Plan B has a $90 deductible. Its annual limit is $1,000. For both these plans, restorative care has a waiting period of a year, involving treatments like inlays and onlays, bridges, dentures, implants, periodontics, crowns, etc.

Benefits of AARP dental care plans

• Free preventive and basic dental care
  Preventive dental care can help avoid major dental problems. It ensures reduced costs in the long run. AARP offers free preventive and primary dental care, including services like cleaning, dental examinations, X-rays, and filling of cavities.
• No waiting period for many services
  There is no waiting period for preventive and primary dental care services. So, the policyholder receives the amount immediately and does not have to wait for the claim to get approved.
• A wide range of dental services covered
  Another benefit of AARP dental insurance is that it covers several dental services, from basics like dental cleaning to major ones like crowns and bridges. Although the coverage may differ, policyholders can expect at least 50% coverage for their dental treatments, helping them reduce costs.
• A vast network of dentists
  AARP dental insurance includes a vast network of reputed dentists and dental clinics. It also offers flexibility to change dentists if the patient is unsatisfied or requires specialized treatment.
• Coverage for tooth extraction
  Seniors can expect coverage of up to 50% for tooth extraction procedures, which are common among the elderly.

Things to remember about AARP insurance plans

• At least one family member should be an AARP member
  AARP offers family dental insurance plans. But to qualify for these plans, at least one family member should be an active member of the AARP. In these cases, coverage is offered to individuals and their family members, such as spouses or domestic partners, and dependent children below 26 years of age. Unmarried grandchildren, adopted children, foster children, and stepchildren are all eligible for these plans under “dependent children.”
• One should read the documentation carefully
  The certificate of coverage, plan brochure, and limitations and exclusions are important documents to read carefully before going for AARP dental insurance. These plans provide detailed information about all dental insurance plans that AARP offers.
• The DeltaCare USA Plan covers orthodontics
  Orthodontic treatment is not covered by either of the PPO plans – the DeltaCare USA plan covers this treatment. One needs to pay a flat fee to the dentist, which comes to $2,100 per adult.
• The AARP plans cover services that Medicare may not
  Even if one has a Medicare plan in place, it may not cover dental treatment costs. Only some, if any, of these treatments may be reimbursed by Medicare. Being an AARP member offers several discounts and waivers on dental health care and treatment, over and above Medicare.
• Reimbursements happen some months after coverage for certain treatments
  Policyholders are reimbursed for some dental treatments after months of continuous coverage. For example, AARP insurance plans offer 50% coverage for veneers, which is reimbursed after six months of continuous coverage. Similarly, the entire cost of bleaching is reimbursed after six months of being covered continuously.
• Check details of each plan on the website
  The AARP Delta Dental shopping website provides detailed information about each plan’s benefits. One should browse these details carefully before applying for a claim, as it is important to be informed about what the plan involves.