The Value of Adding Vision and Dental Benefits to Your Health Offerings
For Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) and mid-market companies, meeting ACA requirements is only part of the equation. Beyond compliance, the most competitive employers are building benefit programs that improve employee wellbeing, reduce turnover, and stabilize costs.
Adding vision and dental coverage to your Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC), Minimum Value Plan (MVP), or traditional health insurance package does exactly that, by addressing preventive care needs that impact both productivity and long-term health outcomes.
Why Vision Coverage Matters
Vision care is one of the most cost-effective voluntary benefits an employer can offer. It enhances preventive care and supports productivity across all types of workers, from office staff to field employees.
- Early Detection of Health Issues – Routine eye exams can uncover much more than vision changes. Eye doctors can detect early signs of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other systemic conditions, often before symptoms appear. Early detection leads to lower overall medical costs.
- Reduced Healthcare Costs – The National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research reports that vision loss and related disorders cost the U.S. economy more than $68 billion annually. When employees have access to regular eye care, these costs can be significantly reduced through preventive management.
- Increased Productivity – According to the Vision Council, correcting vision problems and providing routine eye exams can boost productivity by up to $7,800 per employee each year. Fewer headaches, less eyestrain, and better focus mean more effective workdays.
Why Dental Coverage Delivers Value
Dental insurance does more than protect smiles, it’s a frontline preventive health tool that keeps employees healthy, present, and engaged.
- Early Detection of Systemic Disease – Dentists can identify over 120 medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and oral cancers. Regular cleanings and check-ups help catch these issues early, reducing long-term healthcare costs.
- Younger Employees Lack Access – The American Dental Association reports that millennials have the highest rate of untreated tooth decay, largely due to cost and lack of employer-sponsored coverage. Offering affordable dental coverage encourages preventive care and helps attract younger talent.
- Better Attendance and Engagement – When employees have dental coverage, they use it. Employers offering dental insurance saw a 7% decrease in workdays missed due to oral health problems. That translates to measurable productivity gains.
How Vision and Dental Enhance MEC, MVP, and Traditional Health Plans
| Benefit Type | Without Vision & Dental | With Vision & Dental Added |
| Preventive Care | Limited to general health screenings | Includes targeted eye and oral health prevention |
| Employee Engagement | Basic participation | Increases perceived value and overall enrollment |
| Cost Control | Reactive to claims | Preventive, reducing long-term medical expenses |
| Recruitment & Retention | Meets compliance | Strengthens total rewards package |
| Wellbeing Impact | Limited scope | Supports full-body health and productivity |
For ALEs and mid-market employers, adding voluntary vision and dental benefits can be done affordably, often for just a few dollars per employee per month, while improving overall workforce health outcomes and satisfaction.
Why These Benefits Matter for Employers
- Higher Adoption Rates: Employees are more likely to enroll in MEC or MVP plans when vision and dental coverage are available.
- Reduced Turnover: Comprehensive benefits show investment in employee wellbeing, a proven factor in retention.
- Lower Medical Costs: Preventive care reduces claims for high-cost emergency procedures.
- Increased Morale and Productivity: Healthy employees are more present, engaged, and effective.
FAQs About Vision and Dental Benefits
What are voluntary vision and dental benefits?
Voluntary benefits are additional insurance options employees can choose and often pay for partially or fully through payroll deductions. Vision and dental are among the most popular and affordable voluntary benefits.
Are vision and dental required under the ACA?
No. The ACA requires MEC or MVP plans for compliance, but vision and dental benefits are not mandatory. However, they provide significant value for employers seeking to strengthen their benefits offering beyond compliance.
Do vision and dental plans impact ALE status?
No. Vision and dental coverage do not count toward the 50-employee threshold that determines ALE status, but they can improve plan adoption and satisfaction within existing ACA-compliant frameworks.
How do vision and dental plans save employers money?
Preventive care reduces downstream medical costs. Eye exams and dental check-ups detect chronic conditions early, lowering claims across medical plans and improving overall health outcomes.
What’s the difference between adding vision and dental to MEC vs. MVP plans?
MEC plans meet minimum essential coverage standards for ACA compliance but don’t include major medical care. MVP plans offer more robust coverage. Adding vision and dental enhances both, giving employees broader preventive benefits without significantly increasing employer costs.
Can SBMA provide bundled MEC, MVP, and voluntary benefits?
Yes. SBMA offers fully integrated solutions that include MEC, MVP, and voluntary benefits like vision, dental, and worksite coverage, all through a single, streamlined administration system.
Simplify Benefits Administration with SBMA
SBMA delivers cost-effective, ACA-compliant health coverage designed for large and mid-market employers. By bundling vision and dental with MEC or MVP plans, employers can reduce costs, increase participation, and support employee wellbeing, without adding administrative complexity.
Reach out to SBMA for plan options, pricing, and implementation support.
