Why Dental Benefits Matter: A Smart Strategy for Your Small Business
Blue Daily
| 2 min read
Key Takeaways
- Integrating Blue Dental℠ with a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan medical plan can help employers control health care costs while supporting employee well-being through preventive oral health care.
- Preventive dental care is linked to better health outcomes. Blue Cross claims studies found employees with diabetes had up to 4% lower monthly health care spending, while members with heart disease experienced 20% fewer ER and hospital visits.
- Oral health issues can contribute to costly medical complications. Routine dental exams can help detect early signs of more than 120 health conditions, and eligible members with certain chronic conditions or pregnancy may qualify for an additional preventive dental cleaning each year.
Small business owners look for benefits that help control healthcare costs and support employee health. One often-overlooked opportunity is integrating dental coverage with a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan medical plan. The connection between oral health and overall health is stronger than you may realize—and it can lead to significant cost savings over time.
Consider the real-life example of John, a Blue Cross member living with diabetes and heart disease. Because John missed his previous preventive dental visits, an untreated oral infection led to tooth extractions and a series of serious medical complications. A year later, John had more than $237,000 in medical claims. While the dental issue didn’t directly cause his medical conditions, untreated oral infections triggered a costly chain of events that may have been prevented through routine dental visits.
Routine dental exams help identify early signs of more than 120 serious health conditions, allowing earlier treatment and potentially reducing costly complications. Blue Cross claims studies show that members who received preventive dental care saw measurable benefits:
- Up to 4% lower monthly health care spending for employees with diabetes
- 20% fewer ER and hospital visits for those with heart disease
Blue Dental℠ is more than a supplemental benefit; it’s a strategic investment. When you pair Blue Cross medical and oral health coverage, qualifying employees get an additional preventive dental care visit and services to manage their health, helping you lower healthcare spending. Members with Blue Cross medical and Blue Dental with diabetes, cardiovascular disease or who are pregnant are eligible for an additional dental cleaning, for a maximum of three cleanings a year.
Register for a recorded Master Class webinar to understand the strong correlation between oral health issues and several chronic conditions.
Explore specialty benefits, products, resources and support for your business at bcbsm.com/employers.
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