When employers integrate dental insurance benefits into a medical plan backed by digital support, it not only enhances proactive employee health management, but also fosters earlier detection of potential health problems. Digital tools now make it easier and more convenient for employees to access dental care as part of their whole-health routines, which helps reduce long-term costs and improves health outcomes.
The impact connected care can have on a person’s health is profound. There are well-documented correlations between poor gum disease and conditions like cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and even pancreatic cancer. Dental disease can also impact mental health, as poor dental health is linked to depression and other disorders.
So, what is it about integrated dental benefits powered by digital healthcare that can have such a powerful influence on health outcomes? The answer is three-fold.
- Teledentistry Provides Access To Whole-Person Support
Virtual healthcare increases access to all types of support, from primary to specialty care needs, and dentistry is no exception. Teledentistry grants employees on-demand access to health resources, helps them maintain relationships with their dental team, and lets them view their health records at any time. In addition to the option of connecting with dental providers beyond an office setting, virtual care also empowers people to be more consistent and proactive with their dental health.
- Connected Patient Care Goes Wherever Smartphones Do
From dentists to orthodontists, teledentistry makes oral health providers available anytime, anywhere. Using the SydneySM Health app, members have a single source to access their health information. They can check costs, find nearby network dentists, get personalized care reminders and tips, and even message care providers directly. By integrating dental health records into a person’s broader medical care history, providers can leverage this information to support an employee’s whole health more effectively.
For example, the Ortho@Home benefit makes dental adjustments convenient and easier for people to unlock better health. Using clear orthodontic aligners ordered from home, employees can save as much as 60% off the cost of traditional braces, and avoid having to make monthly visits to the orthodontist’s office. While some people choose to adjust their teeth for cosmetic purposes, poor tooth alignment can impact the jaw, affecting everything from allergies to sleep, dietary considerations, and even migraine headaches.
- Advanced Reporting Insights Help Identify Employer Opportunities
Employers want quick access to information about their organization’s benefits and usage, with options to filter out spending categories like dental insurance or get a birds’ eye view across all health benefits categories. This is where a one-stop destination site like EmployerAccess comes into play. With EmployerAccess, Anthem clients enjoy administrative ease and simplified benefits management with centralized real-time enrollment tracking and integrated benefits information.
Combined with robust data, automated reporting, and predictive analytics, integrated solutions make it easier to manage benefits more effectively. Client Information Insights (CII) is another example of a forward-thinking digital employer tool, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to examine big data sets and extract relevant insights. Employers can view membership trends and claims utilization data to better understand the sources of spending and identify opportunities for savings.
Regular dental care is important for anyone trying to maintain their health and well-being. Integrating dental insurance into health benefits and leveraging the growing number of digital tools can make utilization tracking and plan administration simpler. At the same time, employers can empower their employees to care for their whole health, and increase the quality of their benefits without increasing costs.
Sydney Health is offered through an arrangement with Carelon Digital Platforms, a separate company offering mobile application services on behalf of your health plan.