50-plus Population in 38 States Now Has Access to Affordable Dental Coverage
WASHINGTON, March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The AARP Dental Insurance Plan
announced today the addition of 16 new states, which expands affordable dental
coverage to millions of AARP members and their families.
Initially released in 21 states and the District of Columbia last
September, the AARP Dental Insurance Plan, designed exclusively for 50-plus
Americans, now covers 38 states, including newly approved California, Florida,
Illinois and Washington state. Plans are to make the program available to all
35 million AARP members across the country by the end of 2005.
The new states also include: Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Missouri,
Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina and Virginia.
Featuring comprehensive family coverage and the freedom to choose any
licensed dentist, the AARP Dental Insurance Plan is managed through subsidiary
AARP Services, and administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company, which
underwrites it with affiliates Dentegra Insurance Company and Dentegra
Insurance Company of New England. It targets the millions of 50-plus Americans
who face losing dental coverage upon retirement.
"There is an increasingly critical need for affordable dental insurance
for 50-plus Americans," said Dawn Sweeney, president of AARP Services, Inc.
"AARP is devoted to ensuring that Americans have affordable coverage and
access to quality healthcare. This offering is a direct response to our
members' needs and desires for better products and services."
According to the landmark U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health,
approximately 60 percent of Americans older than 50 have dental insurance, but
most will lose this coverage when they retire and face fixed or reduced
incomes.
The health implications for post-retirement dental care are significant,
said Harold C. Slavkin, DDS, dean of the University of Southern California
School of Dentistry and one of the chief architects of the landmark Surgeon
General's report, released in 2000.
"Medicare does not cover routine dental services and, in most states,
neither does Medicaid," he said. "With continued dental care, those who are
50-plus can avoid a myriad of health problems, including tooth loss, gum
disease and mouth cancers. With continued care, we can all enjoy a robust
lifestyle and a wide range of foods, communicate effectively, maintain
self-esteem and meet our social responsibilities within our family and
community."
The AARP Dental Insurance Plan provides immediate coverage for most
preventive, diagnostic and basic restorative services, as well as endodontics
(root canal treatment) and oral surgery (extractions). After 12 months,
coverage expands to include major restorations, periodontics (gum treatment)
and prosthodontics (dentures).
"We've had a tremendous response following the initial rollout of the
program," said Dr. Lowell Daun, vice president of Delta Dental Insurance
Company. "Interest has been high in approved states, and we have received
inquiries from all across the country. We are working toward having the plan
available to all AARP members before the end of the year."
Those interested in the coverage may contact the AARP Dental Insurance
Plan for more information at http://www.deltadentalins.com/aarp or call toll-free at
866-583-2085 to enroll. AARP membership is required for enrollment.
Note: Coverage has been available in the following states since September
2004: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii,
Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West
Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
About AARP/AARP Services, Inc.
AARP is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization dedicated to
making life better for people 50 and older. AARP provides information and
resources; engages in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy; assists
members in serving their communities; and offers a wide range of unique
benefits, special products and services for its members. These include AARP
The Magazine, published bi-monthly; AARP Bulletin, a monthly newspaper; AARP
Segunda Juventud, a quarterly newspaper in Spanish; NRTA Live and Learn, a
quarterly newsletter for 50-plus educators; and AARP's web site, http://www.aarp.org.
AARP staffs offices in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP Services, Inc. (ASI), founded in 1999, is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of AARP. AARP Services manages the wide range of products and services that
are offered as benefits to AARP's 35 million members. The offers span health
and financial products, travel and leisure products, and life event services.
Specific products include Medicare supplemental insurance; automobile and
homeowners insurance; member discounts on rental cars, cruises, vacation
packages and lodging; special offers on technology and gifts; life insurance;
a credit card; pharmacy services; alternative health services; legal services;
and long-term care insurance. AARP Services' responsibilities include
developing new products, managing products and services, marketing, creating
and maintaining partnership and sponsorship relationships, and developing and
managing AARP's award-winning web site, http://www.aarp.org.
About Delta Dental Insurance Company and the holding company system that
includes Delta Dental of California, New York and Pennsylvania
Delta Dental Insurance Company, Dentegra Insurance Company, and Dentegra
Insurance Company of New England, which together underwrite the AARP Dental
Insurance Plan, are affiliated with a larger holding company system that
includes Delta Dental of California, New York and Pennsylvania. This holding
company system last year posted $4.3 billion in consolidated gross revenues,
and collectively covers nearly 20 million Americans in a variety of
fee-for-service, PPO and HMO dental programs throughout the country.
Regionally, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania administers benefits for the Delta
Plans and affiliated operations in the District of Columbia, along with
Maryland, New York and West Virginia.
The AARP Dental Insurance Plan specifically will be administered from two
linked operational centers; one in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, near
Harrisburg; the other in Rancho Cordova, near Sacramento, California.
Staffing will be increased at both locations as enrollment in the AARP
Dental Insurance Plan builds.
Available:
-- Program Background
-- Fact Sheet
-- Expert Interviews/Bios
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SOURCE AARP
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Related links:
http://www.deltadentalins.com.
CONTACT:
Adam Matza, +1-415-956-1791, or mobile,
+1-954-554-8898, or adam@torme.com, for Delta Dental; or Jeff
Album, Director, Public Affairs of Delta Dental of California,
New York & Pennsylvania, +1-415-972-8418; or Barbara Foelber,
+1-202-434-2560, for AARP
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