Oral Health for Overall Health
Better health for employees—lower costs for everyone with Oral Health for Overall Health
Researchers have found that preventive dental care can save businesses and employees thousands of dollars by improving overall health and reducing medical claims. Good oral health habits can help them stay out of the hospital, be healthier, and save money, especially if they have a condition affected by oral health. As a health and dental insurer, Florida Blue is uniquely qualified to offer your employees the benefits of medical-dental integration through our Oral Health for Overall HealthSM program.
Integrating dental and health plans for better total health
Through Oral Health for Overall Health, our dental and health plans work together to help your employees live healthier. The additional benefits provided through the program have been shown to improve the health of those with certain medical conditions affected by oral health.* Improved overall health can potentially increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, and lower medical and dental costs for you and your employees.
We identify eligible members through medical claims and then enroll them automatically. Automatic enrollment is key to the program’s effectiveness—it allows us to proactively engage those enrolled so that they understand and use the program’s services. Employees who have only a BlueDental plan can self-enroll.
Plan benefits go further
Employees enrolled in the program receive additional, condition-specific dental benefits—valued at more than $1,000—at no extra cost. These benefits are paid at 100% and are not subject to deductibles, coinsurance, or calendar-year maximums when performed by a participating provider. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs increases the likelihood of eligible employees taking advantage of the program’s benefits.
Driving lower medical costs
A recent Mayo Clinic study found that members enrolled in a medical-dental integration program such as Oral Health for Overall Health achieved better health outcomes and significant savings on medical costs when they followed the program’s preventive dental care protocols. Members who stopped participating saw an immediate increase in medical expenses.
Outreach and education
After eligible employees are enrolled, we send them regular reminders to use their benefits. They’re also provided with educational material, including condition-specific information, that explains the important role that dental health plays in their overall health.
We also work closely with our participating dentists and office staff to ensure their eligible patients know about the program’s benefits and to schedule appointments for those enrolled.
With the prevalence of diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions affected by oral health increasing yearly, now is the time to offer your employees dental coverage that includes proactive, coordinated care.
* Eligible conditions include diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, oral cancer, head and neck cancer, Sjögren’s syndrome, pregnancy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, end-stage renal disease, and metabolic syndrome.