Frequently asked questions

AARP membership is open to any person aged 50 or above. To join or renew your membership, visit aarp.org or call 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277; TTY: 1-877-434-7589) Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. ET, or Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET. You can also use one of the links at the beginning of this page.

Staying healthy includes caring for your teeth. Poor oral care is linked to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes. Even if you have Medicare, your plan may not cover any or all dental expenses. You can avoid unexpected costs with an affordable dental plan.

The AARP Dental Insurance Plan offers a wide range of coverage and rates to fit the needs of you and your family. With the plan, you’ll:
 

• Gain access to large dentist networks
• Get a fixed rate for two years
• Limit out-of-pocket costs
• Save when visiting a network dentist
• Enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re covered

Active AARP members and their spouse or domestic partner, partner in a civil union and unmarried dependent children and grandchildren under age 26 are eligible for enrollment.

The AARP® Dental Insurance Plan, administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company, is part of one of the nation’s largest dental benefits systems. For more than 60 years, Delta Dental has offered quality, value-based coverage.

AARP Delta Dental Plans are available in all 50 states including Washington D.C., the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The AARP® Dental Insurance Plan, administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company, PPO options give members the choice to visit any licensed dentist in the United States. While you have flexibility in choosing a dentist with this plan, you may maximize your benefits by visiting a participating Delta Dental network dentist. Delta Dental dentists agree to provide treatment at reduced fees, which means your share of the bill will likely be lower when you see a dentist in the Delta Dental PPO network.

Where available, some of the plan features are:
 

• No annual deductibles and no annual maximums for covered benefits
• No waiting periods
• Low or no out-of-pocket costs for many diagnostic and preventive services (such as professional cleanings and regular dental exams)
• Orthodontics for adults and children
• Fixed dollar copayments (vs. percentages with the PPO plan)

When you shop for a plan on the AARP Delta Dental shopping website, you can view details about the plan benefits for each plan. After you request a quote, simply select Get Details for a plan. At the bottom of the plan details page, you’ll find documents with a complete description of benefits, including the Certificate of Coverage, limitations and exclusions, and a plan brochure. 

Delta Dental PPO³ plans have waiting periods for major services (e.g., implants, crowns).⁴ However, diagnostic and preventive care services (e.g., exams, x-rays, cleanings) do not require waiting periods on any plans.
DeltaCare USA⁵ DHMO-type plans do not have waiting periods.

1.  Visit our Find a dentist page.
2. Enter your address, city or ZIP code.
3. Select the network for your preferred plan: either Delta Dental PPO or DeltaCare USA. You’ll likely save the most if you choose the Delta Dental PPO network for the Delta Dental PPO plan and the DeltaCare USA network for the DeltaCare USA (DHMO) plan.
4. Select Find a dentist.
5. In the Search (Optional) field, enter the dentist’s name or practice’s name.

PPO Plan members have the freedom to visit any licensed dentist in the United States. While you have flexibility in choosing a dentist with this plan, you may maximize your benefits by visiting a participating Delta Dental PPO network dentist. Delta Dental PPO dentists agree to provide treatment at reduced fees, which means your share of the bill will likely be lower when you see a dentist in the Delta Dental PPO network.

With the DeltaCare USA plan, you must select your contract dentist from the DeltaCare USA network when you enroll. You must receive treatment from your DeltaCare USA contract dentist; otherwise, any dental services you receive will not be covered. You may continue to see your current dentist if they participate in the DeltaCare USA network.

If your dentist isn’t listed in one of Delta Dental’s networks, you can check other plans we offer and their networks. For example, sometimes dentists will be listed in our PPO network but not our DeltaCare USA network. (Please note, these are different networks available through different plans.) If your dentist isn’t in any Delta Dental network, you’ll still get coverage on covered procedures when you visit them with a PPO plan, although you’ll enjoy more savings at a Delta Dental dentist. Staying in network is a required part of your DeltaCare USA plan.

If you’re having difficulty finding a dentist near you, you can take a few actions:
 

• Expand your search radius. You can search up to a 75-mile radius.
• Consider searching for a dentist in other places you frequent. You may find dentists you like near your office or school.
• Ask a local dentist to partner with Delta Dental.

If you have a PPO plan, visiting dentists in a PPO network maximizes your savings. Depending on your plan and the dentist you visit, some procedures could cost you as little as 20% of what a dentist would normally charge or may even be free of charge.

If you have a DHMO-type plan, you’ll only get the fixed copay prices at your chosen DeltaCare USA dentist. Staying in network is a required part of your plan.

A non-network or Delta Dental Premier® dentist can charge up to their full retail price as their submitted fees. The plan payment will be based on the plan maximums allowed. Members are responsible for their portion of the co-pay plus the difference between the submitted fees and plan maximums. For details about non-network dentist fees, see the Certificate of Coverage.

PPO plan members may visit any specialist. Remember that selecting a PPO dentist may help you lower your out-of-pocket expenses because they have agreed to reduced fees.

If you have a DeltaCare USA plan, your contract dentist will coordinate your dental care and refer you to a specialist. Specialist services may require preauthorization. Review your Evidence of Coverage for specific information. Except for dental emergencies and preauthorized specialty services, treatment provided by a dentist other than your selected contract dentist will not be covered.

With the PPO plan, you and any eligible dependents are covered anywhere in the world — even in situations that are not emergencies.

With DeltaCare USA plans, you may seek emergency treatment from a dentist other than your selected contract dentist without a referral. Benefits for emergency treatment received from any dentist other than your selected contract dentist are limited to a maximum of $100 per emergency, per member. You’re responsible for copayments as well as any charges over the $100 benefit maximum. Emergency dental care is limited to palliative treatment for the elimination of dental pain. You’ll need to seek any further treatment from your contract dentist.

You'll receive an ID card as part of your welcome package after you purchase an individual Delta Dental plan.

You’ll receive up to two ID cards in the policy holder's name. Additional family members on the account can use the same information from the card.

After you purchase a plan, you can register for a Delta Dental online account. From there, you can email or print a copy of your membership ID card for your dependent. The membership ID card will show only the policy holder’s information. 

While an ID card is not required to receive services for insured members, some dentist offices still ask for it. Your dentist’s office staff can use your ID card to quickly look up your benefit and coverage information.

If you don't have your ID card with you, your dentist can look you up with your AARP membership number or other identifying information such as your name and address.

You can enroll anytime.

You can enroll in the AARP® Dental Insurance Plan, administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company, by contacting Delta Dental in one of three ways:

• Online: Get a quote right now to help you select your coverage.
• By phone: Enroll by calling 1-866-583-2085 (TTY: 1-800-735-2929) Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. ET, or Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET.
• By mail: Request an information guide online. It contains all the information you need to enroll in any of the plan options, including premium rates.
  • Review the information.
  • Complete the enclosed enrollment form.
  • Sign it and return it in the enclosed prepaid envelope.

Yes. After you purchase a plan, you’ll have up to 90 days after your initial enrollment to add your spouse or partner, as well as dependents up to age 26, to your plan. Otherwise, you’ll need to wait for a qualifying status change to add a spouse or dependent to your plan. 

Coverage for PPO members will begin on the first day of the following month after your eligibility has been verified and your payment has been processed. PPO plan benefits begin immediately for most preventive, diagnostic and basic restorative services, as well as root canals and extractions. Benefits such as dental implants, periodontics, crowns and TMJ are available after one year of continuous enrollment.

For DeltaCare USA plans, your payment and enrollment application must be received by the 21st of the month for benefits to begin the following month. If your enrollment application is received after the 21st of the month, your benefits will not begin until two months later, e.g., enrollments received on January 22 will have an effective date of March 1. 

The AARP Dental Insurance Plan does not offer flexible enrollment options. Coverage always starts the first day of the first month of coverage.

When you purchase a Delta Dental plan online, you’ll have the option to create a Delta Dental account during checkout. You can also register for an account 24 hours after you purchase your plan — visit the Delta Dental online account login page to get started.

Use your Delta Dental account to manage your plan, review benefit details, find a dentist, check claim status, pay premiums and locate your member ID card.

Premiums for the AARP® Dental Insurance Plan, administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company, are based on the prevailing dental costs in the region where you live (based on your ZIP code). The number of individuals you elect to enroll and your plan choice affect the premium. The plan rates will be included in the information guide you receive. You can also get a quote online now.

Check, money order, VISA®, MasterCard and American Express are all acceptable methods of payment. For added convenience, you may set up an automatic checking or savings account electronic funds transfer (EFT) as a payment option.

PPO plan members may pay monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

DeltaCare USA plan members have only monthly and annual payment options.

Payments are due on the 20th day of the month prior to the month of coverage. For example, your premium due date would be February 20 for March coverage. 

Premium statements are sent one month and 10 days before the due date. If you’re using autopay, your premium will be paid on the autopay date listed at the time of plan enrollment.