Group Dental Insurance
Dental insurance is one of the most popular employee benefit programs offered by employers. It is a fairly expensive benefit plan so it is important that employers evaluate the need for such a plan.
Items to consider include:
- Long term costs of the plan
- Should the plan be fully insured or self insured
- Is the plan necessary to attract and retain employees
- Are other employers in your industry offering the benefit
Rather than purchase an insured dental plan many employers determine how much they are willing to pay for a dental benefit and contribute that amount to the Health Care Account of their cafeteria plan. This approach is very effective in controlling plan costs.
Typical Dental Plan Provisions
Group Size:
- Two or more employees for full coverage.
- Preventive only plans start with two or more employees.
Benefits:
- 80% to 100% Preventive Care
- 60% to 85% for minor restorative care
- 40% to 60% for major restorative care
- 50% for orthodontia is usually optional by plan
Benefits Amounts:
- Annual benefit maximum per employee ranges from $500 to $2000 with $1000 being the most common amount.
- An annual deductible or $25 or $50 usually applies to the restorative areas.
Rate Guarantees:
- 1 year
Plan Types:
- Traditional or Voluntary