Adding dental and vision benefits can feel like a big project: new vendors, unfamiliar terms, and a budget that already has plenty of demands on it. The good news is that it's more manageable than it looks, especially when you break it into steps.
This guide walks through what to expect when you offer dental and vision benefits for the first time, and what to decide along the way.
Benefits are one of the ways a small business competes for talent with larger employers. Dental and vision coverage is something many employees look for, and it supports preventive care that helps people stay healthy.
Before you request a quote, think about who will pay. Delta Dental of Tennessee offers choice in contribution levels, and plans can be employer-paid, shared, or fully voluntary.
|
Approach |
How it works |
Good to know |
|
Employer-paid |
You cover all or most of the premium |
Highest cost to the business, strongest signal to employees |
|
Contributory (shared) |
You and your employees split the cost |
A common middle ground |
|
Employees pay the premium through payroll |
Little or no cost to the business. Delta Dental and DeltaVision plans can be up to 100% voluntary and still save employees money on monthly premiums |
Having a few details ready makes the quoting process faster:
Number of employees and who would be eligible
Eligibility rules you'd like to set, such as full-time vs. part-time staff and whether dependents are included
A target start date
Your budget, including how much you'd like to contribute, if anything
How big is the dentist network, and are the dentists contracted directly with the carrier?
What's included in the rate? Delta Dental of Tennessee says its small business rates don't include hidden fees or set-up charges. Ask any carrier you're comparing the same question.
How stable are rates year to year? Ask how renewals work.
What help do you and your employees get? Ask about customer service and online tools.
Annual maximums: the most the plan pays per person in a year
Deductibles: what an employee pays before the plan starts paying
Coinsurance: the percentage the plan and the employee each pay
Orthodontia coverage: whether braces and aligners are included
You can work with a benefits broker or contact Delta Dental directly.
When you compare plans, a few questions matter most:
How big is the dentist network, and are the dentists contracted directly with the carrier? Delta Dental of Tennessee has the largest network of dentists in Tennessee, and its network dentists are contracted directly rather than leased through third parties.
What's included in the rate?
How stable are rates year to year? Ask how renewals work.
What help do you and your employees get? Ask about customer service and online tools.
For more questions to bring to the table, see our blog Essential Questions for Choosing Dental Benefits as a Small Business.
Bundling vision with dental also means a single contract and a single invoice, which can save a small business time. DeltaVision, administered by VSP Vision Care, is available as an add-on to Delta Dental of Tennessee's dental plans.
A benefit only works if employees understand it. When you launch:
Announce the benefit in writing and, if you can, in a short team meeting.
Explain what's covered, what it costs, and the enrollment deadline.
Show employees how to find a dentist and an eye doctor, and how to check their benefits online.
For more ideas on how to help your employees use their benefits, see How to streamline open enrollment for dental and vision benefits and Four dental benefit promotional ideas most employers don't know.
After launch, a few habits help:
Handle changes promptly, such as new hires, departures, and life events.
Remind employees to use their benefits, especially before year-end.
Review the plan each year to see whether it still fits your team and budget.
Am I required to offer dental and vision benefits? Generally, offering dental and vision coverage is a business decision rather than a requirement. When groups invest in their employees with a strong health benefits package, it shows they care about their employees' health and future.
How many employees do I need? Delta Dental of Tennessee offers small business plans for groups with as few as two members.
Can I offer vision on its own? DeltaVision is available as an add-on to Delta Dental of Tennessee's dental plans. Ask your broker or Delta Dental about options for your group.
Requesting a quote is a good first step, and it doesn't commit you to anything. Contact your benefits broker or request a quote.