Dental disease causes employed adults to lose more than 164 million hours of work a year, equating to 2 full days per employee.
A preventive dental plan can give employees back a lot of that time, as dental disease is nearly 100% preventable. Insured employees are more likely to use preventative services, and those who keep appointments are healthier overall. Bonus for your company: Greater participation results in a lower dental premium for your group.
Offering a great benefits plan is one thing. Getting people to use their insurance is another. Here are 3 ways your company can encourage utilization:
1. Give Them Time
40% of working professionals don’t use all of their PTO or sick days—even for a dentist appointment. Reassure employees they will not be penalized for making health a priority. If reassurance isn’t enough, incentivize appointments with lower monthly premiums.
2. Reward Healthy Behavior
Employees respond positively to health-related incentives. Brainstorm creative ways to treat employees for making healthy choices. Some suggestions:
• Free lunches/dinners
• Gym Memberships
• Gift Cards
3. Keep Them Informed
Knowledge is power. Almost half of employees don’t fully understand their company’s coverage options, preventing maximal utilization. Keep your employees aware of their plan’s cost and coverage. Check out some of our resources if you need help breaking down the details.
Have questions about your group plan? Contact us today!
