Key takeaways about choosing an employer-sponsored dental plan:
- Choosing the right employer-sponsored dental plan can help your business attract and retain employees while supporting their long-term oral health.
- To help select the best plan for your employees, consider their age and needs, your company budget, and the level of flexibility you want to offer.
- Comparing coverage options, provider networks, and customer service quality can make it easier to select a dental plan your employees will actually value and use.
If you’re a business owner who doesn’t offer an employer-sponsored dental plan, you may be missing out on top talent!
According toPeopleKeep’s 2024 Employee Benefits Survey, 91 percent of employees consider dental insurance as “very important” when ranking different company benefits.
For employers, providing dental coverage is a valuable investment in employee health and well-being, and a strategic advantage in attracting and keeping talent.
Whether you have a small team or a growing workforce, offering dental benefits is a smart investment in both employee well-being and business success.
How to choose the right Northeast Delta Dental employer-sponsored dental plan
Selecting the right dental plan can feel overwhelming, even for experienced business owners. The best plan isn’t one-size-fits-all. It should be tailored to fit the unique needs of your company and employees.
Here are some factors you should consider when choosing what to offer in an employer-sponsored dental plan:
Employee ages and needs
The typical age groups of your employees are important to consider when evaluating your employees’ dental needs. If your team members are generally younger and have children, a plan that covers families may be very important to them.
If your staff is older, the procedures that are covered, such as dental implants or denture fittings, may take priority. If you have employees who range in ages, a dental plan that offers a variety of coverage options may be the best fit for your company.
Pro tip: If you aren’t sure what your employees are looking for in a dental plan, take the time to survey them so you know what you’ll need.
Company budget
As a business owner, it’s important that you fully understand the costs of your dental plan and make sure they align with your company’s budget. Take the time to sit down with an insurance representative and go through everything that your employer-sponsored dental plan offers.
Assess the copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts required for various services. Determine if the plan offers a good balance between affordable premiums and reasonable out-of-pocket costs for employees.
Plan options
If possible, offer your employees more than one plan option for dental coverage. The two most common dental plans are Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) and Dental Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO).
PPO plan members can visit a network of dentists who offer discounted rates for covered services. Dental insurance companies contribute to these reduced fees, helping members save on out-of-pocket costs when they choose in-network providers. While PPO members can see any dentist, going out-of-network may lead to higher expenses.
HMO plans tend to be less expensive than PPO plans but don’t allow for the same flexibility. These plans prioritize preventive care and typically cover routine check-ups, cleanings, and X-rays at no additional cost or with minimal copayments. More extensive treatments such as fillings, extractions, and root canals may also be covered, but often require copayments or coinsurance.
Customer service
Evaluate the quality of customer service provided by the dental insurance company. Consider factors such as ease of claims processing, availability of online tools for managing benefits, and responsiveness to employee inquiries. A smooth administrative process can save time and frustration for both you and your employees.
Choosing the right employer-sponsored dental plans is simple!
Making the decision to give your employees dental coverage is the right choice to make and Northeast Delta Dental makes it easy to find the right plan for you. Don’t miss out on top talent for your business. Learn more about our employer plans and small business plans today.
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