Frequently asked questions

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.

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

AARP membership is open to any person age 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 through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time and/or Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You can also use one of the links at the beginning of the page.

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 (PPO) network.

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)

PPO Plan members have the freedom to visit any licensed dentist in the United States. While you can visit a Delta Dental PPO dentist, a Delta Dental Premier^® (Premier) dentist or any other licensed dentist, you'll usually enjoy the most savings when visiting a PPO dentist.

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 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.

PPO plan members may visit any specialist. Remember that selecting a PPO dentist may help you lower your out-of-pocket expenses as 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 if you are 35 miles or more from your assigned contract dentist. Benefits for emergency treatment received from any dentist other than your selected contract dentist are limited to a maximum of $100.00 per emergency, per member. You are responsible for the copayment(s) as well as any charges over the $100.00 benefit maximum. Emergency dental care is limited to palliative treatment for the elimination of dental pain. Further treatment must be obtained from your contract dentist.

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, your plan choice and payment option also 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 monthly payment option.

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

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

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 mail: Request an information guide online. It contains all the information you need to enroll in any of the plan options, including premium rates.
  • Please review the information.
  • Complete the enclosed enrollment form.
  • Sign it and return in the enclosed prepaid envelope.
• By phone: You can enroll by phone at any time by calling 1-866-583-2085 (TTY: 1-800-735-2929).

Coverage for PPO members will begin on the first day of the following month once 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 in order 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. All benefits begin immediately for DeltaCare USA members.