Many Americans paused oral healthcare during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

In fact, 46.7% of survey respondents indicated that they delayed going to the dentist due to the pandemic.[1] Not only did people put off routine and planned dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic, but 12.4% of respondents delayed care even when they had issues that were bothering them.[2]

In addition to patients delaying care, dentists had to reduce their daily patient load in order to maintain increased hygiene and safety requirements. And many states required dental offices to limit services to emergency care only for a portion of 2020.[3]

Reduced access to providers in 2020, delaying routine preventive care, and an increase in reported stress-related oral health problems like teeth grinding and clenching (up 71%), chipped and cracked teeth (up 63%), and TMD symptoms (up 62%),[4] suggests that many Americans will be seeking necessary oral healthcare in 2021 and 2022.

Indeed, ninety-three percent of respondents to a March 2021 Delta Dental survey planned to visit the dentist in 2021.[5]

Don’t wait for your customers to ask you about dental benefits:

• Since plans typically do not have waiting periods for certain categories like preventive care, there’s still time for customers to take advantage of newly acquired dental benefits for 2021. And remember to add dental quotes to your plan year 2022 conversations.
• Group clients should consider adding dental benefits now or at plan renewal to boost benefits packages to attract and retain employees.

Easily Add Ancillary Coverage to Individual ACA Enrollments

With the INSXCloud multi-carrier quoting and enrollment platform, it’s easy to quote and enroll your clients in standalone dental benefits that you’re licensed to offer alongside qualifying ACA plans. Enroll customers in off-Exchange dental plans at any time during the year.

Remember, dental is not a required essential health benefit for adults (those over 18), and only some Marketplace ACA plans include it.[6]

Individual dental plans are available in most states, and they are easy to quote and enroll on the INSXCloud producer portal.

Dental (and Vision) Benefits Set Employers Apart

It’s more important than ever for employers to offer competitive salaries and benefits to attract candidates and retain employees. Group clients seeking to expand their benefits offering can add group dental insurance and vision at any time during the year for a relatively affordable, fixed monthly premium.

• No waiting periods for certain dental care categories like preventive care
• Choose from individual vision plan options from multiple carriers which may help lower the cost of eye care services
• Plans available for both over and under age 65 customers
• No medical underwriting – everyone qualifies

Whether you’re working with small groups, individuals or both, dental insurance (and vision benefits) should be part of the coverage conversation with clients starting now through 2022 renewals and ACA annual open enrollment.

Want to provide big value to your small groups?