While the ACA has expanded access to medical insurance for Americans, dental insurance remains a neglected but sought after benefit.
Currently, qualified private health care plans do not require dental benefits as part of the minimum essential coverage. While this past year has shown a historic increase in medical coverage, dental insurance still remains an unmet healthcare need for many, according to a 2015 study released in September by the Urban Institute, a Washington think tank founded by Lyndon B. Johnson.
Top Unmet Healthcare Needs for Americans. Adapted from Urban Institute’s Health Policy Center.
Focusing on adults ages 18 to 64 with full-year medical insurance coverage, the institute found that one of the most common unmet healthcare needs was dental. The study further indicated that the main reason for not having dental insurance was cost. While 30 percent of low-income American adults with full-insurance coverage reported an unmet need for dental benefits due to cost, they weren’t the only income group concerned with affordability. 24 percent of adults with moderate-incomes also reported dental affordability as the main reason they do not own the benefit.
Additionally, adults without employer-sponsored insurance tended to be the ones who considered dental too expensive. 35 percent of adults with public coverage, and 23 percent of adults with private, non-group coverage said that dental affordability was an issue.
Compared to medical (70 percent) fewer employees have access to dental (45 percent). As employers look for ways to attract and retain top talent in 2016, these findings provide valuable insight. Dental insurance is commonly considered unaffordable, but also considered one of the top unmet healthcare needs. Thereby, a well-rounded benefits package becomes one of the top factors for attracting workers. CoPower offers a range of dental benefit plans, from employer-sponsored to voluntary, to suit the needs of every employer. Contact your broker or sales representative for further details.