FIND AARP DENTAL PLANS

As a newly retired senior, you’re probably exploring all of your dental options. Dental coverage is still important as a senior. In fact, seniors are often more prone to dental problems.

With costs skyrocketing and incomes remaining fixed for seniors, affording the routine and emergency dental care you need is becoming increasingly burdensome. Luckily, new options for dental discounts for seniors have become available.

What Should Your Senior Dental Plan Cover?

As you’re looking for a dental plan to provide you with affordable dental care, consider these common senior dental problems so you know what your plan should cover or discount.

Common Senior Dental Problems
• Gum disease
• Darkened teeth
• Root decay
• Diminished sense of taste
• Dry mouth
• Loss of teeth
• Uneven jawbone
• Tissue inflammation with dentures
• Oral cancer
• Thrush

Whether you’ve encountered these dental problems yet or not, finding a dental plan that addresses these treatments is good preparation for what may be to come.

The Truth About Medicare Dental Coverage

Medicare does not cover routine dental care for adults 65 and over. By law, Medicare is prohibited from paying for cleanings, fillings, crowns, dentures, and most other dental work. Although there are a few exceptions, you will never be able to look to Medicare as a source of dental insurance for seniors. Fortunately, there are other senior dental plan options to consider.

AARP Plans

Seniors who belong to the AARP can find exclusive dental insurance offers to get through their golden years with strong, pain-free mouths. AARP dental insurance gives you access to the most knowledgeable and thorough providers, giving you the confidence, you need to get those routine checkups done and uncomfortable procedures finished with dignity and convenience. Maintaining good dental health is just one more thing seniors can do to be more independent and live more comfortably. With AARP, you have the option to choose between PPOs, prepaid dental plans, and discount plans. To learn more about the best options for seniors, read on to learn more about AARP dental insurance.

PPO Plans

PPOs, also known as preferred provider organizations, give you a lot of freedom when it comes to choosing your own provider. While your dental professional of choice will most likely be covered under your PPO plan, you will receive even greater discounts and copay rates if you select a provider within the PPOs particular network. With a PPO’s in-network provider, you’ll know ahead of time how much you’ll have to pay out of pocket for your various dental needs, such as routine cleanings, X-rays, cavity fillings, root canals, and crowns. The contract the provider signed with the PPO will ensure that you never get scammed by a dentist or have to pay more than you expected.

HMO Plans

Prepaid dental plans are more commonly known as HMOs. HMOs are a little bit more restricting, but they do tend to be more affordable. With an HMO, you choose your dentist and all dental care will be coordinated through that specific dentist. For example, if you need to see an oral surgeon, your dentist will refer you and fill out any potential preauthorizations that need to be addressed before your insurance will cover it. You can choose a specific dental clinic as well, allowing you to see any dentist or specialist within the clinic without requiring a preauthorization.

Convenient Plans

Discount plans are rarely the most affordable, but they can be the most convenient for you if you have the money. These plans are technically not insurance. Instead, these “plans” offer you serious discounts on services and you pay out of pocket. These plans can offer discounts on any kind of dental work you may require, from cleanings to crowns. However, what you save in monthly premiums could be spent on expensive dental treatment if the work required on your teeth or gums is extensive. AARP dental insurance plans are to make sure that you save money.
For seniors, one of the hardest aspects of growing older is the loss of function or strength. While most people immediately think of the body, many people forget that the mouth is arguably the most important part of the body. Dental hygiene and maintenance is absolutely essential not only when it comes to extending your life but also to maintaining or increasing your quality of life. Many people think of the senior caricature of needing dentures or missing teeth. The truth is, many seniors don’t lose their teeth, or even if they do, they don’t lose enough to need full dentures. To avoid such cliche deterioration in your mouth and jaw, you need quality dental insurance.