Dental care is a critical aspect of overall health. Problems that arise in the mouth can often hurt other systems in the body. Clients will have varying needs when buying dental insurance. That’s why offering a comprehensive product portfolio with multiple configurations is important.
Cost-Effectiveness
Many small business owners seek a cost-effective way to provide their employees dental coverage. Dental insurance is typically cheaper than health insurance and can be purchased individually, so it’s a great option for small businesses that need to save money. However, it’s important to remember that dental plans usually have their own separate deductibles, so they aren’t as cost-effective as an employer-sponsored health plan.
One of the most popular options for a dental plan is an in-office membership program. These plans allow patients to visit their dentists more frequently, which can prevent serious dental problems down the road. Some of these programs also cover other services, such as vision and hearing. In-office membership plans can be a good option for some employers, especially if their employees don’t have any additional coverage. As a broker, selling small business dental plans can help clients find the right plan for their needs and budget by providing information on different types of projects. These include DHMO, DPPO, and dental discount plans.
Generally, these plans offer lower costs when patients choose in-network care and have less stringent rules and restrictions than traditional health insurance. Some of these plans also offer a college tuition benefit, which is an attractive feature for employers with young workers. Ideally, it would help if you worked with carriers that make offering these plans easier by providing you with CRM software and online quoting tools.
Reliability
Even though many employers and individuals have access to employer-provided or stand-alone dental insurance, they often seek additional coverage. This is especially true of families who may need comprehensive family dental plans that offer affordable premiums and for seniors who require coverage for extensive restorative work like root canals or dentures. Selling dental benefits can help small businesses access this large market and generate substantial revenue. In addition, offering dental plans allows a broker to sell medical and ancillary benefits to the same clients. This can be a major advantage, as medical commissions are typically three times higher than dental when selecting a carrier for your dental plan sales.
Partner with a company that offers reliable provider networks. Some aggregators promise to deliver the same network quality as a carrier, but this is only sometimes true. Ultimately, the value of a network is measured by its effectiveness in providing savings to members and attracting new business.
Choosing the right plan type for your small business depends on the needs of your employees. You can offer a traditional indemnity-style plan or a PPO, which requires your employees to visit in-network dentists but typically has lower costs and no deductible or maximum. You can also choose a copayment plan, which offers low out-of-pocket costs but limits the choice of dentists.
Convenience
Many people rely on dental insurance to offset the cost of routine checkups and basic procedures like fillings. However, even with an affordable premium, most dental plans leave a substantial portion of the costs to the patient for more extensive work like crowns, root canals or bridges. Group dental savings plans are an alternative to traditional group insurance that offers a more affordable option for small business owners and their employees.
With a group dental savings plan, members pay a low annual fee to gain access to a network of dentists who have agreed to offer discounted rates to the plan participants. This is much more affordable than paying the full price of a procedure, and there are no annual limits or claims to file with the insurance company. Aside from the affordability of these products, it’s also important to remember that oral health is connected to overall health and well-being.
It is important to emphasize when discussing the value of ancillary benefits with your clients, as this can go a long way in helping them understand why it’s worth their while to consider a plan or product that includes dental coverage. You can reinforce this by ensuring your clients know the availability of member services from a carrier that can assist with benefit questions (service levels vary). Alternatively, you can sell them on a plan available through the healthcare marketplace that allows them to shop for their coverage.
Accessibility
Affordable dental plans can be a great benefit for small businesses. However, not all plans are equal. A good plan should offer cost-effective coverage, easy access to the latest treatments, and high-quality services like periodontal treatment and X-rays. When choosing a dental insurance provider for small businesses, it’s important to consider their ratings, value, and customer service. It would help if you also compared their dental network to other providers.
Selling dental benefits for small businesses goes beyond a transaction. It’s an opportunity to promote wellness, build trust, and create long-term partnerships. Remember, every smile you help create by promoting the benefits of dental plans is a victory for your business and the health and happiness of countless employees.