For Individual Dental click here: Beta Dental Affinity Plan
There are several options are available for dental insurance coverage through an employer.
Employer Sponsored
This is the most popular of all group plans.
This plan typically requires the employer to pay all, or a majority of the dental premium.
This plan requires that all eligible employees participate.
The only individuals that can waive coverage, are those individuals that have coverage elsewhere.
Of course those employees that are not eligible for benefits can be excluded as well.
Premiums are usually lower, and benefits are usually better with an employer-sponsored plan.
Voluntary
As the name indicates, this plan is offered to
eligible employees on a voluntary basis. Employers usually do not contribute toward these plans.
Usually these plan have a minimum participation requirement that can be as low as 25% in most cases.
Direct Reimbursement
This is an novel approach to self-funding
a company's dental plan, and is strongly supported by the American Dental Association.
Direct Reimbursement is different from traditional dental insurance in that there aren't any premiums.
Instead, payment is made when actual treatment is received. Additionally, most of the money goes
to pay for dental care, not for the administration of the plan. Your employees are free to visit
any dentist they choose, and there are potential cost savings.
Up until recently, dental plans didn't have substantial differences. With the continued rise in health insurance premiums, dental carriers have changed the internal wording of their contract to remain competitive.
Needless to say, dental plans can vary greatly in the benefit design, as well as the coverage limitations. Please feel free contact us if you have questions, or if you would like someone to review your policy.
