Dental Programs for Retirees

One of many concerns associated with retirement is losing health and dental insurance plans. The good news is that you do not have to go without insurance. There are dental programs available for retirees and their families to help reduce the out-of-pocket expenses for dental services.

Tricare Retiree Dental Program

• Tricare Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) is a dental plan designed specifically for retired military armed forces service members. Administered by Delta Dental of California, their services are available to eligible enrollees in the United States and abroad. TRDP offers a comprehensive dental plan that includes services such as dental exams, cleanings, fillings, oral surgery, root canals, crowns, bridges and orthodontics to name a few. Although enrollees are able to use TRDP dental coverage with any dentist in the service area, it's advised that they use dentists within the TRDP network for reduced costs. Rates are dependent upon location.

AARP Dental Insurance

• The Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons (AARP) has dental coverage that is also administered through the Delta Dental Insurance Plan. AARP dental coverage is comprehensive and exclusive to its membership. However, members can include spouses, domestic partners and dependent children on their plans. Coverage includes common dental services such as exams, cleaning and fillings along with oral surgery, root canals, denture repair and dental accidents among others.

  AARP offers two plans; Plan A and Plan B. Plan A has a lower deductible and a greater percentage of costs are paid by the provider for preventative and maintenance services. Enrollees are able to utilize the services of dentists outside of the network, but it's cheaper to use dentists within the network. Coverage is available nationwide. Rates are determined by location, type of plan and the number of individuals listed on the plan.

Aetna Individual Advantage Dental

• Aetna Individual Advantage Dental plan offers dental coverage to individuals and their families. There are two plans to choose from; the Aetna Individual Advantage Dental Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan and the Aetna Individual Advantage Dental PPO Plus Plan. Both plans offer coverage for exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, bridges, crowns, dentures and the like.

  The PPO Plus plan offers discounted deductibles and a greater percentage paid for preventative, maintenance and denture services. Aetna's network is available in Arizona, Delaware, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Premiums are determined based upon age, type of plan and the number of family members included in the plan.