DALLAS--Employers who offer dental benefits now place a higher value on that coverage as an essential part of their benefits package, according to the National Association of Dental Plans 2008 Group Purchaser Behavior Study.
Almost two-thirds of employers, 62 percent, view dental coverage as essential to their benefits packages, a nine-point jump from 53 percent in 2005. The largest increase was reported by employers with 250 to 999 employees--a 16% increase since 2005 from 55 to 71%.
"Clearly one reason for the dramatic increase in employers' views about the value of dental benefits is growing awareness of the connection between oral and overall health," said NADP Executive Director Evelyn F. Ireland, CAE. "NADP's 2007 Consumer Survey and other published reports show that dental benefits have a positive impact on individuals' attitudes and behaviors regarding both their dental and overall health."
Other findings of the NADP 2008 Group Purchaser Behavior Study support this view as employers cite the impact of dental health on medical health as the most important reason for considering a change in dental carriers.
Those employers offering dental benefits today are considering a variety of strategies to keep dental in their benefits portfolio. According to the survey:
* 5% are likely to transition to voluntary dental benefits (employee paid)
* 28% are likely to increase the premium paid by employees
This report also provides insight into what drives employer loyalty, the benefits and features employers are looking for in a dental plan and the sales channels used by various size employer groups.
This study presents the results of a survey of more than 1,900 employers across the country in July 2008 regarding their attitudes and behaviors toward dental benefits. The report builds upon a similar study conducted in 2005 and trends results of key findings.
The NADP 2008 Group Purchaser Behavior Study is available online in the NADP Mall with detailed data tables.
For more detail on the contents of this report, contact Jerry Berggren, director of research and information, at (972) 458-6998.
For more information, go to National Association of Dental Plans.
To read more about the National Association of Dental Plans, go to National Association of Dental Plans.
To comment on this subject, go to PennWell Dental Community site.
