Insider Update

In the midst of the Great Resignation, benefits are more important than ever for attracting and retaining employees. When you’re selling to groups, keep in mind that about 37% of employees would rather receive more substantial benefits than additional salaries or bonuses. To create a dental benefits package that stands out, consider these five plan enhancements for your group clients.
 

1. Lower the plan’s deductible for individuals and families

Lower deductibles are appealing to employees for a variety of reasons. They’re easier for employees to reach, meaning they’re more likely to have their plan pay for their dental treatments, and employees who frequently reach their deductibles are more likely to save. The same is true for family deductibles.

Delta Dental PPO™ plans generally do have deductibles or maximums, but they can be adjusted depending on your group’s wants and needs. Another option is DeltaCare^® USA plans, which are particularly appealing for this reason — they don’t have deductibles or maximums.
 

2. Add a D&P waiver

With Delta Dental’s D&P Maximum Waiver® feature, the costs of covered diagnostic and preventive services (D&P) don’t accrue against a plan’s yearly maximum. Covered services typically include regular exams, x-rays and cleanings.

Enrollees can then spend their coverage dollars on other needed dental services. D&P waivers are effective immediately, renew automatically and don’t require extra work from the employee or group to track remaining dollar amounts.

For more information, check out  this flyer (PDF) or reach out to your local sales office.
 

3. Offer orthodontic coverage for all ages

The number of adults seeing orthodontists is at an all-time high, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, and that means the pool of prospective orthodontic patients is wider than it’s ever been.

Without coverage, prospective orthodontic patients can expect to pay between $3,000 and 6,000 dollars depending on their age. Delta Dental plans can help cut these costs in half. Orthodontic coverage is available under all DeltaCare USA group plans and can be optionally included in any Delta Dental PPO plan. Instead of limiting orthodontic benefits to dependents under 19, consider offering orthodontic benefits to children and adults.
 

4. Add implant coverage

The majority of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth, and by age 74 more than a quarter of adults have lost all their permanent teeth.

One treatment for a lost tooth is an implant. Implants are an appealing option because they closely resemble real teeth, they’re permanent and comfortable, and they slow down the bone loss caused by losing a tooth. However, they can be expensive for patients without coverage. A single implant can cost up to $3,000 to $5,000.

Delta Dental offers several different options for implant coverage for groups. Implant coverage is available under Delta Dental PPO and some DeltaCare USA group plans.
 

5. Provide expanded coverage for chronic conditions

Serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes and HIV/AIDS affect millions of Americans each year, and people with these conditions are more likely to have oral health related problems as a result. With SmileWay® Wellness Benefits, you can add expanded coverage for enrollees with chronic illnesses and make your plan more attractive.

When your group clients choose to make this benefit available, their enrollees who have been diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis or stroke can receive 100% coverage for additional cleanings and gum treatment.

This optional benefit is available only for Delta Dental PPO plans, and eligible enrollees must opt in to receive the additional coverage. These benefits can help keep your groups’ employees smiling and healthy, and healthy workers are a win-win for their companies!

Having a competitive benefits package is key to recruiting and retaining valuable employees in a labor market that is replete with resignations. When you’re building benefits packages, adding coverage can enhance to your groups’ offerings and make those employers more attractive to prospective employees.