
As you age, it's essential to prioritize your health and well-being, especially when it comes to your dental, vision, and hearing needs. AARP offers various insurance options to help seniors with Medicare stay on top of these essential services.
Many seniors rely on Medicare for their healthcare, but it doesn't cover dental, vision, and hearing expenses. Fortunately, AARP has partnered with UnitedHealthcare to provide supplemental insurance plans that can help fill these gaps.
These plans can be tailored to fit your specific needs, with options for dental, vision, and hearing coverage, as well as plans that combine multiple services. By choosing an AARP insurance plan, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you're protected against unexpected medical expenses.
AARP Dental Vision and Hearing Insurance
AARP offers dental, vision, and hearing insurance plans designed for seniors. These plans provide benefits that Original Medicare does not cover.
The AARP Dental Insurance plan is administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company and insured by Dentegra Insurance Company or affiliate companies. You can access a large network of dentists for care where and when you need it.
Lower out-of-pocket costs with plans for a variety of budgets and needs. Dental coverage for healthy teeth and a healthier you.
Dental and vision insurance for seniors is crucial to promote proper dental and vision health through retirement. Once you reach age 65, you are ten times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, including oral cancers.
Routine dental care can nip these health complications in the bud. You can receive dental care without coverage, but it can become costly. A basic cleaning can cost upwards of $300, depending on your location. Beyond the basic cleaning, dental procedures can cost tens of thousands of dollars without proper coverage.
Vision coverage is also essential in keeping seniors on Medicare healthy. Approximately one in three seniors on Medicare develop a vision-reducing eye disease. These can include macular degeneration, retinopathy, cataracts, and more.
Dental and vision plans for seniors provide benefits Original Medicare does not cover. These plans combine dental, vision, and often hearing benefits into one easy-to-use policy. Dental and vision plans have a maximum benefit that the plan pays out each year.
You can choose your maximum benefit amount, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. If you need more benefits in the future, you can change your coverage level at any time. However, you may encounter a waiting period before using significant service benefits.
The AARP Dental Insurance Plan covers basic, preventive, and restorative dental care. With a PPO plan, basic and preventive care is covered as soon as you meet your deductible. However, there is a 12-month waiting period for restorative care.
The DHMO plan has no waiting period, and basic, preventive, and restorative care is covered right from the start. You can see which dentists near you are in the plans' networks by checking the plan's website.
The AARP DHMO dental insurance plan has a flat fee for treatment. The complete list of fees is available on the AARP Dental Insurance Plan site. For example, exams and x-rays cost $0, cleaning costs $5 (2x annually), and fillings cost $8-$95.
AARP offers three plan options: two PPO plans and one DHMO plan. The DHMO plan covers orthodontics, but the PPO plans do not. The DHMO plan also has a smaller network of dentists, and members must see an in-network dentist to receive the plan's maximum benefit.
The AARP PPO Dental Insurance Plan pays a percentage of the in-network dentist's negotiated rate. For example, exams and x-rays are free with Plan A, and 20% with Plan B. Cleaning is free with Plan A, and 20% with Plan B (3x annually).
Most health insurance plans for seniors, including Medicare, don't cover exams and services related to basic dental, vision, and hearing health care. These types of procedures are typically only covered if your doctor orders them for treatment or you have a medical emergency.
Medicare Advantage plans may offer coverage for dental, vision, and hearing. Many Medicare Advantage plans provide prescription drug coverage, telehealth, transportation benefits, healthy member rewards, fitness memberships, and more.
Here are the costs for the AARP dental insurance plans in Florida, zip code 33135 (Miami):
At least one enrolled family member must be an active AARP member to qualify for an AARPDental Insurance Plan.
Medicare Vision Coverage
Medicare Vision Coverage is a crucial aspect of overall health, especially for seniors on Medicare. Approximately one in three seniors on Medicare develop a vision-reducing eye disease, which can include macular degeneration, retinopathy, and cataracts.
Routine vision care can help detect these issues early, making treatment more effective. A basic cleaning can cost upwards of $300, depending on your location, but vision coverage can help you access treatment as soon as an issue is detected.
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer additional vision coverage, but these usually come with a higher monthly premium. Wellabe offers supplemental dental insurance, with options to add vision coverage through their partners, VSP Individual Vision Plans.
It's essential to note that vision coverage is not included in Original Medicare, so you'll need to explore other options, such as Medicare Advantage plans or supplemental insurance, to get the coverage you need.
Understanding Vision Plans
Vision plans for seniors are crucial to promote proper vision health through retirement. Approximately one in three seniors on Medicare develop a vision-reducing eye disease.
These diseases can include macular degeneration, retinopathy, cataracts, and more. Most of these diseases are treatable if found early.
Vision coverage can help you access treatment as soon as an issue is detected. With a vision plan, you can receive diagnostic services, including hearing exams, and save an average of 62% on hearing devices.
Here are the key benefits of vision plans for seniors:
- Diagnostic services, including hearing exams, are covered
- Average savings of 62% on hearing devices
- Year of free follow-up care
- Two years of free batteries
- Three-year warranty for loss, repairs, or damage to hearing devices
Plan Guide
If you're considering a vision plan, it's essential to understand the different types of plans available. There are various state-specific terms for health maintenance organizations (HMOs), including "Specialized Health Care Service Plan" in California, "Prepaid Limited Health Service Organization" in Florida, and "Prepaid Dental Plan" in Arizona, Missouri, and New Mexico.
Coverage varies depending on the state and type of plan. For example, some plans cover a single enrollee in Nevada, Ohio, or Washington, while others cover a single enrollee in New York. Prices also vary by plan type, location, and number of dependents.
Here's a breakdown of the different plan types:
It's crucial to review the plan documentation, including the "Certificate of Coverage", "Limitations and Exclusions", and "Plan Brochure", before making a purchasing decision. You can also check which dentists near you are in the plans' networks and read reviews on social media to ensure you're making an informed choice.
Waiting Periods for Vision Plans
Waiting periods for vision plans can be a concern for some seniors. Most carriers don't have waiting periods for preventive and basic services.
However, you may need to satisfy a waiting period before receiving coverage for glasses, which can be a significant expense. Waiting periods typically last between six and twelve months, depending on the carrier.
It's essential to carefully review the details of your vision plan to understand what services are covered and when. This will help you plan for any out-of-pocket expenses that may arise during the waiting period.
You can also consider choosing a plan with a lower or no waiting period for major services. This can provide peace of mind and help you stay on top of your vision health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AARP give vision discounts?
Yes, AARP members can enjoy exclusive discounts on eye exams and eyeglasses through AARP Vision Discounts with EyeMed. This benefit is available nationwide and online at participating retailers and independent provider locations.
Sources
- https://www1.deltadentalins.com/aarp.html
- https://www.uhc.com/news-articles/medicare-articles/how-to-get-dental-and-vision-care-coverage-when-you-have-medicare
- https://www.medicarefaq.com/faqs/dental-and-vision-insurance-for-seniors/
- https://www.wellabe.com/blog/insurance101/why-seniors-need-dental-vision-and-hearing-insurance
- https://www.dentalplans.com/blog/aarp-dental-insurance-senior-options/
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