Dental insurance

Discount dental plans have, for decades, been on the fringes of the benefits world, existing as an individual product almost exclusively. But as employers continue to shift costs, move to consumer-driven health plans and, in some cases, discontinue dental coverage altogether, voluntary discount dental plans could be poised for growth.

In 1998, Aspex Eyewear, an eyewear designer that also develops frame technology, was in talks with Altair Eyewear, Inc., another frame designer, about potentially licensing a clip-on technology. Aspex alleges Altair sent the frames to China to make copies and then came out with a very similar clip-on frame. On August 5, 2002, Aspex filed suit for patent infringement.

My son played Sir Studly in our recent community theatre production of "Once Upon a Mattress." He convinced me to join the chorus as a lady-in-waiting. Anticipating three months of quality mother-son bonding time, I readily agreed. I never dreamed, however, how physically demanding the constant singing, dancing and curtseying would be on my body. Even my cheeks hurt as the director constantly exhorted the cast to smile, smile, smile!

The dental industry continues to reel nearly two years following the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which included several mandates that might change the face of the way dental care is delivered within, and outside of, state-run health insurance exchanges.

Today’s aging workforce isn’t fully taking advantage of its vision benefits, and is therefore missing out on a critical preventive care opportunity and leaving itself at higher risk for age-related vision problems, eye diseases and chronic conditions that affect eye health and compromise productivity. This is according to a new study by Transitions Optical, Inc.

The field of dental care is where medical care was 40-50 years ago, as there are still thousands of dollars in price differences for the same procedure, and no standard practices, experts say.

More brokers are taking advantage of the big change taking place in the vision care space: the connection between vision care and wellness programs.

Keys to dental plan success lie in contracting with right network, increasing provider population, carriers say.

When I was a consultant and would present a client with a higher than expected medical renewal - which unfortunately was more the norm than not - one of the first things an employer would do was to consider lowering, or forgoing altogether, its contribution to employees' dental benefits.

Orthokeratology, also known as overnight Ortho-K, is a treatment in which an individual wears special contact lenses while he sleeps at night. The lenses correct the shape of the cornea, so when the patient wakes up his vision is good for the day.

VSP® Vision Care has released the findings of a new study showing $4.5 billion in savings for its clients through the early detection of chronic diseases via eye care and vision exams covered by the firm’s vision insurance.

Conventional wisdom holds that a large dental network can deliver appropriate access and cost savings for employers, but MetLife experts contend that other attributes can come into play on adding value to dental plans.

Preventive dental care from pediatricians and family doctors may help reduce the widespread problem of early childhood cavities in low-income kids, a new study finds.

The shift to health consumerism hasn't escaped dental benefits. And if health care costs continue to squeeze benefit budgets, then more employers might start turning to voluntary dental plans.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is now offering its new Dental Prime and Complete programs on both a voluntary and employer-paid basis with three core plan designs to 40,000 small businesses and 79 chambers of commerce throughout Connecticut.

Employers with dental or vision benefits have gritted teeth and winced about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s impact on such coverage, but a recent Segal Co. analysis seeks to clear up any confusion about compliance.

A recent Aflac survey of 1,000 working Americans suggests there will be increased opportunities for brokers and advisers to sell voluntary dental plans, particularly among those between the ages of 35 and 54 in a post-health care reform market.

Dental benefits enrollment declined by 5.7% in 2009, according to the National Association of Dental Plans. It’s the first drop in dental enrollment since 1994, the year NADP started to track enrollment.

Here’s another little tidbit about me: I may be one of the only people who prefers going to the dentist to getting an eye exam. Weird, I know, but I have my reasons.

Almost half of U.S. employees are not fully taking advantage of their vision benefits, potentially putting themselves at greater risk for costly eye problems and systemic diseases.